Nuclear Reactor Coolant Filter with Annular Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filters in nuclear reactors fail to efficiently catch elongated particles extending transversely to the fluid flow direction, leading to potential damage to fuel rods and increased fluid flow resistance.
Innovation Solution
The filter design incorporates annular passages with a coaxial axis to the channel centerline in the intermediate section, featuring spherical or elliptical separating members and centering elements to maintain spacing, which allows for efficient particle capture while minimizing fluid resistance by arranging channels in a staggered pattern and using tubular or double cone-shaped members with fluid flow holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elongated circular cylinders are used as separating members extending transversely to the flow direction, then particles elongated in the flow direction can be caught, but particles extending transversely to the fluid flow direction may flow without being caught
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple channels with intermediate sections enlarged relative to upstream and downstream sections. Separating members are placed in these intermediate sections to create annular passages. This segmentation allows particles to be captured in the enlarged intermediate sections while maintaining flow paths through the annular passages, thus reducing resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating members are arranged in the intermediate section of channels, creating a three-dimensional filtering structure. The annular passages are formed by placing separating members at specific positions within the enlarged intermediate section, allowing particles from multiple directions to be captured while maintaining fluid flow through the central passage.
2Reliability
If separating members are added to catch particles, then particle capture efficiency improves, but fluid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter structure has different characteristics in different sections: the intermediate sections are enlarged to provide space for separating members, while the upstream and downstream sections maintain narrower cross-sections to minimize resistance. The annular passages are specifically designed to allow fluid flow while capturing particles in the intermediate sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Separating members are nested within the enlarged intermediate sections of the channels. The annular passages are formed by placing separating members inside the intermediate section, creating a nested structure where the separating members are contained within the channel geometry without blocking the entire flow path.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter is provided which includes channels for circulation of coolant fluid through the filter, at least one channel extending along a channel centerline and includes an upstream section, a downstream section and an intermediate section extending between the upstream section and the downstream section and being enlarged relative to the upstream section and the downstream section. The filter also includes at least one separating member defining inside the intermediate section of the at least one channel an annular passage whose axis is substantially coaxial to the channel centerline in the intermediate section.