Submerged Fluid Jet Cleaning with Reactive Gas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical cleaning methods for submerged reactor surfaces are ineffective in removing tightly adhered deposits and often leave behind debris, posing challenges for safe operation and inspection.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a submerged fluid jet that injects a cleaning liquid with a non-reactive and reactive gas, using a triple concentric tuyere configuration to focus the gases and enhance cleaning, while stabilizing the jet with a balancing jet to maintain position and effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical cleaning using brush-type tools is used, then the cleaning process is simple to operate, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient and brush debris is left behind

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbrush debris
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical brush-type cleaning system with a fluid-based cleaning system using liquid and gas jets. The cleaning liquid is injected through a submerged fluid jet, and gas is introduced to enhance the cleaning action, eliminating mechanical contact and thus preventing brush debris contamination while improving cleaning effectiveness through the combined mechanical and chemical action of the fluid jet

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic and hydraulic principles by using a fluid jet that injects cleaning liquid and introduces gas to clean submerged surfaces. The high-velocity liquid jet and gas introduction create effective cleaning action without mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and debris generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If conventional mechanical cleaning is used, then the equipment complexity is low, but the ability to remove tightly adhered deposits is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposit removal capabilityVSAvoidcleaning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the cleaning system by using high-velocity liquid injection and gas introduction instead of simple mechanical brushing. The cleaning liquid is injected at high velocity through a submerged fluid jet, and gas is introduced to enhance the cleaning action, enabling effective removal of tightly adhered deposits while maintaining manageable system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the simple mechanical brush system with a fluid-based system that uses high-velocity liquid injection and gas introduction. This substitution enables effective removal of tightly adhered deposits through the combined mechanical impact and chemical action of the cleaning liquid and gas, while the system complexity remains manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method effectively removes deposits and unwanted materials from submerged surfaces, reducing debris and enhancing surface cleanliness, with the reactive gas contributing to passivation and reduced corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a cleaning liquid with a submerged fluid jet through the liquid medium at the submerged surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the reactive gas contributing to passivation and reduced corrosion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPassivation:

Data Source

PatentEP2705908B1Methods of cleaning a submerged surface using a fluid jet discharging a liquid/gas combination
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 GE HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
  • EP2705908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2705908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2705908B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of cleaning a submerged surface (124) covered by a liquid medium (120) includes injecting a cleaning liquid (100') with a submerged fluid jet (126) through the liquid medium at the submerged surface. The method may also include introducing at least one of a non-reactive gas (102') and a reactive gas (104') with the cleaning liquid through the submerged fluid jet.