Screw Thrust Water Extraction from Condenser Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting water from a condenser for quality analysis face challenges due to the vacuum state, which makes it difficult for pumps to efficiently draw water out, leading to increased costs and maintenance needs, and the complexity of locating seawater leaks in power plant condensers.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a screw thrust mechanism to extract water from the condenser, which includes an insertion pipe, a rotating shaft with a screw, a power supply, and an exhaust pipe to facilitate water extraction without relying on pump pressure, allowing for miniaturization and easy installation/removal, and includes a water quality analyzer for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump is used to extract water from the condenser, then water can be transferred to the analyzer, but the pump cannot generate sufficient pressure due to the vacuum state inside the condenser
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pump-based mechanical extraction system with a screw thrust mechanism. The screw rotates within the insertion pipe, generating linear thrust that pushes water toward the exhaust pipe. This mechanical substitution eliminates the vacuum pressure limitation that constrains pump performance, allowing effective water extraction while maintaining the condenser's vacuum state.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw acts as an intermediary mechanism between the power source and the water. Instead of directly using pump pressure to overcome vacuum resistance, the screw converts rotational motion into linear thrust, serving as a mediator that effectively transfers force to the water without requiring high pressure differential generation.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multiple sampling valves are installed to locate seawater leaks, then leakage position can be identified, but the process takes a lot of time and is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the condenser into multiple sampling zones by installing multiple insertion pipes at different positions. Each insertion pipe can be independently operated to extract water from its specific zone. This segmentation allows operators to systematically test different areas of the condenser, making leakage location more efficient and less time-consuming compared to using multiple sampling valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion pipes with screw mechanisms allow for self-contained water extraction at each sampling position. The system enables operators to quickly extract water from any specific zone without requiring complex valve operations or coordination between multiple components, thereby reducing the time and difficulty of leakage detection.
3Productivity
If the condenser is maintained in a vacuum state during normal operation, then condensation efficiency is improved, but water extraction becomes difficult due to insufficient pump pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pump-based extraction system with a screw thrust mechanism that operates independently of the vacuum state. The screw converts rotational motion into linear thrust, pushing water toward the exhaust pipe without requiring pressure differential generation. This allows water extraction to proceed easily while the condenser maintains its vacuum state for optimal condensation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw mechanism serves as an intermediary that decouples the water extraction process from the vacuum environment. By converting rotational motion into linear thrust, the screw acts as a mediator that enables water removal without requiring the pump to overcome vacuum pressure, thus maintaining both condensation efficiency and extraction ease.
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 apparatus effectively extracts water from the condenser without disrupting the vacuum state, reducing equipment complexity and maintenance costs, and enables quick identification of seawater leaks by allowing water quality analysis at multiple positions.
Implementation Method 1
a screw thrust portion including a rotating shaft inserted into the insertion pipe, a screw coupled to one end of the rotating shaft
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for extracting water from a condenser to the outside for water quality analysis. The apparatus includes an insertion pipe inserted into a condenser, a screw thrust portion including a rotating shaft inserted into the insertion pipe, a screw coupled to one end of the rotating shaft, and a screw thrust portion comprising a power providing portion configured to transmit power to the rotating shaft, and an exhaust pipe provided in the insertion pipe to introduce the water to flow to the outside of the condenser when the water contained in the condenser flows toward a rear side of the screw according to a rotation of the screw.