Passive Natural Circulation Cooling System for Reactor Condensate Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive condensation tanks in reactors face challenges with cooling water evaporation and limited capacity, leading to reduced cooling efficiency and potential radioactive leakage issues during accidents, where refilling is hindered by radiation leaks.
Innovation Solution
A passive natural circulation cooling system with a condensate water recirculation device that includes separators and heat exchangers to condense and recirculate steam, maintaining cooling water levels without external refilling, utilizing natural driving forces even during power outages or radioactive leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water-cooled heat exchanger is used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but cooling water evaporates and requires periodic refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a condensate recirculation system that captures evaporated cooling water vapor, condenses it back to liquid form, and returns it to the cooling system. This recovers the lost cooling water and eliminates the need for periodic refilling while maintaining continuous high-efficiency water-cooled operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a condensate recovery system as an intermediary component between the heat exchanger and the cooling water supply. This system acts as a mediator that intercepts evaporated vapor, transforms it back to liquid through condensation, and reintroduces it to the cooling circuit, thereby resolving the water loss issue without sacrificing cooling performance
2Reliability
If air-cooled heat exchanger is used, then periodic refilling is not required, but cooling efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the water-cooled heat exchanger system to be self-sufficient by implementing automatic condensate recirculation. The system monitors and recovers its own evaporated cooling water, condenses it, and returns it without external intervention, thereby achieving both continuous operation and high cooling efficiency simultaneously
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid-cooling heat exchanger is used, then both water and air cooling capabilities are provided, but heat transfer performance is drastically reduced in air-cooling mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic condensate recirculation system that adapts to the operating mode of the heat exchanger. In water-cooled mode, the system provides high heat transfer performance with condensate recovery. In air-cooled mode, the system maintains operational capability while managing the reduced heat transfer performance through controlled condensate circulation, optimizing overall system adaptability
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
The system effectively maintains cooling function for extended periods by recirculating condensate water, ensuring continuous heat dissipation from reactors even after water evaporation, and preventing radioactive leakage risks by natural circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a condensate water recirculation device provided in or above the passive condensation tank and configured to condense the cooling water so that the cooling water circulates inside the passive condensation tank
Implementation Method 2
passive natural circulation cooling system... utilizing natural driving forces even during power outages or radioactive leaks
Data Source
AI summary
A passive natural circulation cooling system according to the present invention can comprise: a passive condensation tank formed to accommodate cooling water; and a condensate water recirculation device provided at the inner part or upper part of the passive condensation tank, and condensing the cooling water such that the cooling water circulates inside the passive condensation tank. The condense water recirculation device can include: a duct extending upwards from the upper part of the passive condensation tank; and a plurality of partition plates provided inside the passive condensation tank or the duct.