Z-Shaped Steam Generator for Lead-Cooled Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid metal cooled steam generators have high metal consumption, complexity in managing temperature elongations, and high operating costs due to vertical design and separate evaporator and superheater modules.
Innovation Solution
A Z-shaped steam generator with a cylindrical body and heat exchange tube bundle, allowing optimal separation of economizer, evaporation, and superheat zones, reducing metal usage and energy consumption by minimizing height differences and thermal expansion issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate evaporator and superheater modules are used with internal tube bundles, then heat exchange functionality is achieved, but metal consumption increases and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the evaporator and superheater into a single integrated module with a common tube bundle, eliminating the need for separate modules and reducing overall metal consumption while maintaining all necessary heat exchange functions
Solution Approach 2:
The single tube bundle serves multiple functions by having different sections (lower section for evaporation, upper section for superheating) within the same structure, allowing one component to perform multiple heat exchange tasks
2Reliability
If vertical modules with large height differences are used, then heat exchange zones are separated, but energy consumption for pumping lead melt increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement of heat exchange zones within the same module, maintaining functional separation while eliminating the need for large height differences and reducing pumping energy requirements
3Strength
If mechanical expansion or welding is used to seal heat exchange tubes, then tube-to-plate connection is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube plates are designed with self-centering features that automatically align and position the heat exchange tubes during assembly, eliminating the need for complex mechanical expansion or welding operations and simplifying manufacturing
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 decreases metal consumption, self-compensation of heat-exchange components, and operating costs by reducing the need for high-capacity pumps and optimizing thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchange tubes are sealed in tube plates
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange tube bundle, repeating the bend of the cylindrical body
Implementation Method 3
an increase in self-compensation of the heat-exchange tubes and body
Data Source
AI summary
Reverse steam generator for a lead-cooled fast reactor. The reverse steam generator comprises a cylindrical body with a bundle of heat exchange tubes located inside, the ends of the heat exchange tubes being fixed in tube sheets with intermediate support grids; inlet and outlet spherical chambers for supplying liquid metal coolant; a lower branch pipe for inlet water; and an upper branch pipe for a steam outlet. The cylindrical body is arranged horizontally and is curved in a Z-shape with a difference in height. The bundle of heat exchange tubes is also made in a Z-shape, repeating the bend of the cylindrical body.