Structured Surface Filter for Nuclear Cooling Liquid Particle Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debris filters in nuclear plants have limitations in capturing efficiency, particularly for thin flexible metal wires, which can lead to defects in fuel rods and other components, resulting in costly replacements and operational interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A filter design with a structured surface comprising angled surface portions and protrusions or depressions within the passages of the filter, allowing for enhanced particle capture without increasing flow resistance, and integrated into a fuel assembly for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wave-shaped mechanical obstacles or parallel curved plates are used in the filter, then the filter structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the capturing efficiency for thin flexible metal wires is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The filter plates are designed with locally varying properties: smooth sections for low flow resistance and structured sections with protrusions/depressions for enhanced particle capture. This local differentiation allows the filter to optimize capturing efficiency in specific areas without compromising overall structural simplicity or increasing manufacturing complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The structured surface sections incorporate curved features such as protrusions and depressions that create turbulent flow patterns and increase contact between the cooling liquid and filter surface. These curved geometric features enhance the trapping of thin flexible metal wires through mechanical interaction, improving capturing efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple plate-based structure.
2Reliability
If the filter uses a structured surface with surface portions facing the main flow direction, then particle capture efficiency is improved, but flow resistance may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter implements a hybrid surface design where only specific localized sections contain structured features (protrusions and depressions) that face the main flow direction for enhanced particle capture. The remaining portions of the filter plates maintain smooth surfaces that allow cooling liquid to flow with minimal resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by concentrating flow resistance increases only where particle capture is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire filter surface structured, the invention applies structured surface features only to specific surface sections that are strategically positioned to intercept particles. This partial application of structural complexity achieves improved particle capture efficiency while limiting the overall increase in flow resistance to acceptable levels.
3Device complexity
If the filter is designed to be self-supporting without additional frames, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The filter plates incorporate curved structural features including wave-shaped profiles and localized protrusions that provide inherent structural reinforcement. These curved geometric forms distribute mechanical stresses more effectively than flat plates, enabling the filter to support itself without additional framing while maintaining adequate structural strength for nuclear plant operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes thin plate structures with optimized curvature and thickness distribution that provide sufficient strength through geometric reinforcement rather than added material. The structured surface sections with protrusions and depressions not only enhance particle capture but also contribute to the overall structural rigidity, allowing the filter to be self-supporting without compromising strength.
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 filter achieves improved capturing efficiency for particles, including thin metal wires, while maintaining low flow resistance and being self-supporting, thus reducing the need for additional frames and enhancing the strength of the filter for use in nuclear plants.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface of the at least one passage comprises at least one surface section having a structured surface forming a plurality of surface portions facing the main flow direction and being arranged to catch the particles
Data Source
AI summary
A filter for separating particles from a cooling liquid in a nuclear plant is presented. The filter includes at least one passage with an inner surface, an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the at least one passage is arranged to permit through-flow of the cooling liquid in a main flow direction (MFD) from the inlet end to the outlet end. The inner surface of the at least one passage includes at least one surface section having a structured surface forming a plurality of surface portions facing the main flow direction (MFD) of the cooling liquid and being arranged to catch the particles. Also, a fuel assembly for a nuclear plant, including a filter is presented.