Steam Generator Upper Bundle Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generator cleaning systems fail to effectively clean the upper bundle of heat transfer tubes and tube support plates, leading to reduced efficiency and integrity due to scale deposition and sludge accumulation, which can cause radioactive pollution.
Innovation Solution
A vertically transferable cleaning system installed on a guide rail at an upper hand hole of the steam generator, equipped with an ascending/descending means, a cleaning device, and a water supplying system that includes a spray mechanism and filtration, allowing for thorough cleaning of heat transfer tubes and tube support plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional cleaning device inserted through a hand hole is used, then the tube sheet can be cleaned, but the upper bundle of heat transfer tubes and tube support plates cannot be cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device transitions from horizontal insertion through a hand hole to vertical movement through an upper bundle access hole. The guide rail is vertically installed in the upper bundle access hole, enabling the cleaning device to move vertically along the heat transfer tubes, thereby expanding the cleaning coverage to include the upper bundle and tube support plates that were previously inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide rail is introduced as an intermediary component installed in the upper bundle access hole. The guide rail provides a structured pathway for the cleaning device to move vertically, mediating between the access hole and the cleaning device to enable effective cleaning of the upper bundle and tube support plates.
2Reliability
If the cleaning device remains stationary at the lower position, then the device structure is simple, but scales and sludge accumulate on the upper bundle and tube support plates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is transformed from a stationary configuration to a dynamic one with ascending and descending capabilities. The guide rail enables vertical movement, allowing the cleaning device to reach different heights along the heat transfer tubes and tube support plates, ensuring comprehensive cleaning and preventing scale and sludge accumulation that could compromise heat transfer tube integrity.
3Productivity
If water is sprayed for cleaning, then scales and sludge are removed, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A water collection tray is positioned at the lower end of the guide rail to collect and reuse cleaning water. The system creates a feedback loop where water that falls during the cleaning process is collected and can be reused, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining effective cleaning of scales and sludge from the heat transfer tubes and tube support plates.
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 ensures efficient removal of scales and sludge from the upper bundle of heat transfer tubes and tube support plates, maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the steam generator while preventing radioactive pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a water supplying device installed to one side of the steam generator, for repeatedly performing a water supplying operation in such a way that the water supplying device supplies water to the cleaning device
Implementation Method 2
efficient removal of scales and sludge from the upper bundle of heat transfer tubes and tube support plates
Implementation Method 3
sucking and filtering the water sprayed from the cleaning device, with impurities like sludge removed from tube support plate or tubes
Data Source
AI summary
An upper bundle cleaning system of steam generator is disclosed which can clean heat transfer tubes and a plurality of tube support plates that support the heat transfer tubes and have slots, using a cleaning device transferred along a guide rail installed to an upper hand hole of the steam generator. The cleaning device is installed to an ascending/descending mechanism which is vertically transferable. The cleaning device includes a frame, at least one or more guide component, a spray component, and a hinge unit, such that the cleaning device is ascended and descended by the ascending/descending mechanism to clean the heat transfer tubes and the tube support plates.