Strainer System with Pressure Released Membrane for Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear power plant strainers face challenges in managing high fiber loads and chemical precipitate formation, leading to increased differential pressure and flow blockage, which existing designs fail to address effectively without increasing size or cost.
Innovation Solution
The strainer system incorporates elastic metal membranes and non-perforated face plates to control flow and reduce head loss, with a pressure released membrane in the plenum duct activating isolated strainer modules when pressure thresholds are met, allowing for sequential opening and reduced strainer surface area requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If strainer surface area is increased to reduce head loss and manage fiber loads, then flow efficiency is improved, but device size and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer system is divided into multiple independent strainer modules (first module, second module, third module) that can be selectively activated. Each module contains strainer elements that process flow independently, allowing the system to maintain high flow efficiency without requiring a single large strainer surface. The segmentation enables progressive engagement of modules as precipitates form, reducing the need for excessive total strainer area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs movable partitions with seals that can dynamically reconfigure the flow paths between strainer modules. As precipitates accumulate in active modules, the movable partitions shift to redirect flow to previously inactive modules, maintaining optimal flow efficiency without requiring the entire strainer surface to be active simultaneously. This dynamic reconfiguration allows efficient use of strainer surface area.
2Reliability
If multiple strainer modules are used to manage precipitate formation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer system is divided into multiple independent strainer modules (first module, second module, third module) that can be selectively activated. Each module contains strainer elements that process flow independently, allowing the system to maintain high flow efficiency without requiring a single large strainer surface. The segmentation enables progressive engagement of modules as precipitates form, reducing the need for excessive total strainer area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs movable partitions with seals that can dynamically reconfigure the flow paths between strainer modules. As precipitates accumulate in active modules, the movable partitions shift to redirect flow to previously inactive modules, maintaining optimal flow efficiency without requiring the entire strainer surface to be active simultaneously. This dynamic reconfiguration allows efficient use of strainer surface area.
3Productivity
If strainer modules are isolated and activated sequentially, then head loss is reduced, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural pressure differential created by precipitate accumulation to automatically control the activation and isolation of strainer modules. As head loss increases in active modules, the pressure differential naturally drives the movable partitions to redirect flow to inactive modules, eliminating the need for external sensors, actuators, or control systems. This self-service mechanism reduces control system complexity while maintaining head loss reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates inherent feedback through the pressure differential created by precipitate accumulation. The increasing head loss in active modules automatically triggers flow redirection to inactive modules through the movable partitions, creating a self-regulating feedback loop that manages head loss without requiring external control systems.
4Manufacturing precision
If elastic metal membranes are used to control flow, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs elastic metal membranes as simple, flexible flow control elements within the movable partitions. These thin film elements provide effective flow control and sealing without requiring complex mechanical structures. The elastic membranes can be manufactured using standard metal forming techniques, balancing manufacturing precision with ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness.
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 solution effectively reduces maximum differential pressure across strainers, maintains flow efficiency, and minimizes the need for larger strainer surfaces, addressing the limitations of existing designs while controlling costs and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure released membrane is operative to isolate one of the strainer modules of the strainer system from the remaining active strainer modules thereof, and to effectively activate the isolated strainer module when pressure across the plenum duct increases beyond a prescribed threshold
Implementation Method 2
The membrane remains closed when only a low pressure load is exerted thereon, but is deflected or deformed into an open position when a high pressure load is exerted thereon
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a strainer system comprising a plurality of strainer modules, each of which comprises multiple cassettes or cartridges assembled together in a prescribed arrangement. In the strainer system constructed in accordance with the present invention, the "clean" sides of the strainer modules are fluidly connected to each other by a plenum duct which also has a suction pump fluidly coupled thereto. Integrated into the plenum duct is a pressure released membrane (PRM) which is positioned so as to effectively isolate one of the strainer modules from the remaining active strainer modules included in the strainer system. The pressure released membrane is uniquely configured so as to facilitate the activation of the isolated strainer module when pressure across the plenum duct increases beyond a prescribed threshold.