Moisture Separator with Blow-up Restraining Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional moisture separators face challenges in downsizing due to increased steam flow speed, leading to pressure distribution issues and reduced moisture separation performance, as the steam collides with partition walls, causing reverse flow and inefficient moisture discharge.
Innovation Solution
The moisture separator incorporates a shell with a steam inlet, a moisture separating element, a steam outlet, a drain outlet, and a blow-up restraining unit to manage pressure differences and prevent reverse flow, utilizing a drain flow path with throttle units and U-shaped flow paths to ensure efficient moisture separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the diameter of the manifolds is downsized to reduce apparatus size, then the apparatus can be downsized, but the steam flow speed increases causing pressure distribution issues and reduced moisture separation performance
Solution Approach 1:
The shell interior is divided into multiple flow paths using dividing walls and partition structures. This segmentation allows steam to flow through multiple channels simultaneously, reducing the velocity in each individual path while maintaining the compact overall apparatus size. The moisture separating elements are also segmented into multiple stages, each handling a portion of the steam flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical flow components and multi-level moisture separating elements to utilize the vertical dimension. By arranging moisture separating elements at different heights and using vertical flow paths, the design achieves effective moisture separation without requiring increased horizontal dimensions, thus maintaining compact apparatus size while improving separation performance.
2Volume of moving object
If steam flow speed is increased to maintain compact dimensions, then apparatus downsizing is achieved, but pressure distribution becomes uneven causing reverse flow and inefficient moisture discharge
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the shell are designed with different flow characteristics. The patent employs varying cross-sectional areas in different sections, localized dividing walls to create pressure equalization zones, and strategically positioned moisture separating elements that adapt to local flow conditions. This local optimization ensures uniform pressure distribution throughout the apparatus while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate flow paths and pressure equalization chambers that act as mediators between the steam inlet and the moisture separating elements. These intermediate structures buffer the high-velocity steam flow, distributing pressure more evenly across the apparatus before the steam reaches the moisture separation zones, thereby preventing reverse flow and ensuring efficient moisture discharge.
3Ease of manufacture
If the apparatus is downsized to reduce cost and space, then manufacturing and installation become easier, but moisture separation efficiency decreases due to increased steam velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested structures where moisture separating elements are arranged concentrically or in stacked configurations within the shell. Multiple stages of moisture separation are nested within each other, allowing efficient moisture removal in a compact volume. This nested arrangement maximizes separation efficiency without requiring large apparatus dimensions, making the design both cost-effective and space-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite structural designs combining different materials with complementary properties. The shell and internal components are constructed using materials that optimize both structural integrity and flow characteristics. This composite approach enables compact dimensions while maintaining high moisture separation efficiency, balancing manufacturing ease with productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively improves moisture separation performance by restraining reverse flow and maintaining efficient steam discharge, even with downsized apparatus dimensions, enhancing the overall efficiency of the moisture separator.
Implementation Method 1
The steam from which moisture is separated rises through the pair of the right and left dividing side plates 009, and heated by contacting the heating tube, and is discharged from the steam outlet 010 as the high-temperature reheat steam. The moisture separated by the moisture separating element 008 passes the drain slit 008d
Implementation Method 2
High-pressure heating steam from a steam generator is supplied to the heating tube 002, low-temperature reheat steam including moisture from a high-pressure turbine is supplied to each of the manifolds 003
Implementation Method 3
When the diameter of the manifolds 003 is downsized in this case, the flow speed of the steam flowing in the manifolds 003 increases, and the steam blown out from the blowout outlet 004 collides a partition wall of the shell 001 at the leading end side, and recovers static pressure
Data Source
AI summary
In a moisture separator, a manifold that communicates with a steam inlet is disposed in a shell. A plurality of blowout outlets for steam is provided on a side of the manifold. A first support plate and a lower support frame are fixed to a lower part in the shell to compart a steam drift space and a drain path. A moisture separating element is provided corresponding to the manifold, and steam from which moisture is removed by the moisture separating element is heated by a group of heating tubes to flow as high-temperature reheat steam to the steam outlet. The moisture is led from the drain opening through the drain path to the drain outlet. A blocking plate blocks a part of the drain opening.