Nuclear Steam Generator Tube Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steam generators in nuclear power plants face issues with uneven heat flux distribution, suboptimal filling of heat exchange tubes, and inefficient steam generation, leading to thermal and hydraulic unevenness, which limits high-power energy conduction and increases metal capacity and corrosive impurity concentration.
Innovation Solution
The steam generator design is modified by arranging heat exchange tubes in vertical planes and horizontal primary circuit manifolds, incorporating multiple output manifolds, and positioning the feed water dispenser below the tubes to enhance heat transfer efficiency and reduce corrosive impurity concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat exchange tubes are arranged in conventional configuration, then the steam generator can operate, but thermal and hydraulic unevenness occurs leading to inefficient steam generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging heat exchange tubes in vertical planes rather than conventional horizontal or random configurations. This asymmetric arrangement creates more uniform heat flux distribution across the evaporation mirror, eliminating thermal and hydraulic unevenness while improving steam generation reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If the steam generator volume is increased to improve filling capacity, then more heat exchange tubes can be installed, but specific weight dimension characteristics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional heat exchange tube arrangements to a three-dimensional vertical plane configuration. This dimensional change maximizes the number of tubes that can be installed within the available volume without increasing the overall generator dimensions, thereby improving filling capacity while maintaining optimal specific weight characteristics.
3Use of energy by moving object
If feed water dispenser is positioned to supply water to high vapor content zones, then feed water heating efficiency improves, but metal capacity cannot be reduced and steam pressure cannot be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the feed water dispenser to supply water to specific zones with optimal vapor content characteristics. This localized approach creates an economizer section with increased temperature head, enabling both efficient feed water heating and the potential to reduce metal capacity or increase steam pressure.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional manifold arrangement is used, then assembly is simplified, but corrosive impurity concentration in weld zones increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the single manifold system into multiple output manifolds. This segmentation reduces the volume of each manifold, thereby decreasing the concentration of corrosive impurities in weld zones while maintaining assembly simplicity through modular construction.
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 design reduces thermal and hydraulic unevenness, optimizes heat exchange tube filling, increases steam generation uniformity, and decreases metal capacity, while improving reliability and economic performance by reducing corrosive impurity concentration and simplifying assembly.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange tubes, which form the heat exchange surface of the steam generator and are formed in the upper 5 and lower 6 stacks of heat exchange tubes 4
Implementation Method 2
the feed water entering the steam generator through the feed water dispenser is supplied in the SG zones having a vapor content in an amount sufficient to heat the feed water intensively to the saturation temperature at the expense of condensation of steam
Implementation Method 3
heat the feed water intensively to the saturation temperature at the expense of condensation of steam
Implementation Method 4
The steam generator is a single-shell heat exchanger of a horizontal type with a heat exchange surface immersed under the water level
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator that reduces the thermal and hydraulic unevenness in the steam generator, improves the filling capacity of the steam generator with heat exchange tubes, organizes an economizer portion of the heat exchange surface in the steam generator, and reduces the concentration of corrosive impurities in the weld zone of the primary circuit to the horizontal shell. To solve the task in such steam generator containing the horizontal shell and other component, the heat exchange tubes are located in vertical planes, and the inlet and outlet manifolds of the primary circuit are arranged horizontally. The steam generator can also be equipped with at least two output manifolds of the primary circuit furthers, the feed water dispenser can be located below the heat exchange tubes of the steam generator.