Multipath Steam Generator Conduit Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual conduit steam generators face issues with unequal steam quality due to differences in heat transfer rates, leading to increased conduit wear and damage from uneven water conversion to steam, necessitating control of water flow to maintain equal steam quality between conduits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with multiple fluid flow conduits where a portion of heated water from the convection section is diverted to preheat influent water in a second conduit, using temperature-controlled valves to regulate flow rates and ensure equal steam quality across both conduits by compensating for heat transfer differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple fluid flow conduits are used to reduce fluid velocity and conduit wear, then conduit durability is improved, but steam quality becomes unequal between conduits due to differences in heat transfer rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the water flow rate parameter in each conduit to compensate for differences in heat transfer rates. By adjusting the flow rate, the steam quality in each conduit is equalized despite variations in conduit characteristics, thus maintaining uniform steam quality while preserving the durability benefits of multiple conduits
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by monitoring steam quality in each conduit and adjusting water flow rates accordingly. Temperature sensors detect steam quality variations, and control valves modify flow rates to maintain equal steam quality across all conduits, resolving the contradiction between conduit durability and steam quality uniformity
2Manufacturing precision
If water flow rate is controlled to equalize steam quality between conduits, then steam quality uniformity is improved, but water flow distribution becomes unequal leading to different wear patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves self-regulation where each conduit's flow control is automatically adjusted based on its own steam quality measurements. The control system independently manages each conduit's flow rate to maintain equal steam quality, eliminating the need for complex centralized flow distribution management
3Device complexity
If a single fluid flow conduit is used to maintain simple flow distribution, then system complexity is reduced, but fluid velocity increases causing increased conduit wear and pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the single conduit into multiple parallel conduits, dividing the total water flow among them. This segmentation reduces fluid velocity and pressure drop in each individual conduit, thereby reducing conduit wear while maintaining overall system simplicity through symmetric parallel configuration
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 approach maintains approximately equal steam quality and fluid flow rates across both conduits, reducing conduit wear and improving steam generator performance by optimizing heat energy distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first diverted convection section water may flow through a second preheater of a second conduit intermediate a first element of the convection section and a first radiant section
Implementation Method 2
steam generators may be used to convert water to steam
Implementation Method 3
The water conversion may convert 70 percent to 80 percent of influent water to steam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for control of a steam generating process having a steam generator with multiple water flow conduits disposed in a convection section and a radiant section. A first conduit may have a first diverted convection section water that may flow through a second preheater of a second conduit intermediate a first element of the convection section and a first radiant section. The second conduit may have a second diverted convection section water that may flow through a first section preheater intermediate a second element of the convection section and a second radiant section. A first temperature controlled valve may control the first diverted convection section water flow rate and a second temperature controlled valve may control the second diverted convection water flow rate.