Radial Corrugated Vane Steam Dryer for Nuclear Reactors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional straight steam dryers in nuclear reactors have a low natural frequency, making them prone to cracks due to fatigue from system excitation sources, and are less effective in removing water droplets from wet steam compared to circular designs.

Innovation Solution

The configuration of a steam dryer with a radial pattern of primary vanes, each being a corrugated sheet with alternating ridges and furrows, creating a winding flow path that changes direction multiple times to separate water droplets, and optionally including secondary vanes to adjust flow path characteristics, is implemented to enhance the separation efficiency and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional straight steam dryers are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the natural frequency is low causing cracks due to fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to cracksVSAvoidvane configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transitioning from straight parallel plates to radially arranged corrugated vanes that form a circular pattern. The corrugated surfaces and radial arrangement create a curved, circular dryer structure that increases natural frequency and resistance to fatigue cracks while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized vane components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If conventional straight steam dryers are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the separation efficiency of water droplets is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidvane arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radial arrangement of corrugated vanes creates a circular flow path that enhances separation efficiency. The curved geometry induces centrifugal forces and multiple flow direction changes that improve water droplet removal from steam, while the modular vane design keeps manufacturing manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The dryer is segmented into multiple radial vanes with corrugated surfaces, creating numerous steam passages. This segmentation increases the number of flow direction changes and separation stages within the same footprint, improving overall separation efficiency without requiring a single complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If radial corrugated vanes are arranged in a circular pattern, then the natural frequency increases providing higher resistance to cracks, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to fatigue cracksVSAvoidcircular vane configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circular radial arrangement of vanes creates a structurally superior configuration with higher natural frequency that resists fatigue cracks from excitations. The curved geometry distributes stresses more evenly throughout the structure compared to straight configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The corrugated surface geometry of the vanes is optimized to achieve the desired natural frequency and structural integrity. By adjusting parameters such as corrugation depth, vane thickness, and radial spacing, the design achieves high reliability while controlling complexity through standardized component design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 increases the natural frequency of the steam dryer, providing higher resistance to cracks and improved separation of dry steam from wet steam, resulting in a more robust and efficient steam separation process.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the corrugated plates 134, the flow direction of the wet steam changes numerous times as it travels through the steam passages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow direction change:

Implementation Method 2

The numerous direction changes within the steam passages are obstacles for the heavier water droplets in the wet steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 3

This configuration increases the natural frequency of the steam dryer, providing higher resistance to cracks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural frequency:

Implementation Method 4

each of the plurality of primary vanes being a primary corrugated sheet having alternating primary ridges and primary furrows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS8105022B2Vane configurations for steam dryers

Publication Date: 2012.01.31 GE HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC

AI summary

A vane configuration for a steam dryer according to an example embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of primary vanes arranged in a radial pattern around (and spaced apart from) a center line. Each of the plurality of primary vanes may be a primary corrugated sheet having alternating primary ridges and primary furrows. As a result, adjacent primary vanes may define a winding flow path, the flow path having an entrance and an exit relative to the center line. The cross-sectional area of the flow path may decrease, increase, or remain constant from the entrance to the exit.