Patent Number: 054835640
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a pertinent detail of a portion of a reactor core is shown. Control rod drive housing H has fuel support casting C supported thereon. Fuel support casting C includes arm 16 which orients casting C with respect to pin 14 in core plate P. Core plate P divides high pressure lower plenum L from core R, preserving the necessary pressure differential barrier to cause the controlled circulation within the many individual fuel bundles of the reactor. Fuel support casting C includes four apertures 20 onto which four fuel bundles B at their respective lower tie plate assemblies T are placed. Each lower tie plate assembly T is disposed to cause its inlet nozzle N to communicate to one of the apertures 20 of the fuel support casting. Fuel support casting C also includes apertures through which control rods 22 penetrate to the interstices of the four fuel bundles sitting on top of the fuel support casting C. Since the action of the control rods is not important with respect to this invention, further discussion of this aspect of the reactor will not be included. Remembering that only four out of a possible 750 fuel bundles are illustrated, it will be understood that the pressure drop across core plate P is important. Accordingly, a review of the pressure drop within a boiling water nuclear reactor can be instructive. First, and through an orifice (not shown) in the fuel support casting C, an approximate 7 to 8 psi pressure drop occurs at typical 100% power/100% flow operating conditions. This pressure drop is utilized to ensure uniform distribution of bundle coolant flow through the many (up to 750) fuel bundles within a boiling water nuclear reactor. Secondly, at in the lower tie plate of the fuel bundles on each fuel support casting C, approximately 11/2 psi of pressure drop occurs. This pressure drop is a result primarily of the change in flow velocity occurring through this complex geometry structure. Finally, and as the coolant rises and generates steam within the fuel bundle, approximately 10 to 12 psi of pressure drop is incurred. This pressure drop is distributed throughout the length of the fuel bundle--and is important to the operating stability of both the individual fuel bundles and the collective fuel bundles constituting the core of the nuclear reactor. The reader should understand that the summary of pressure drop given above is an over simplification. This is a very complex part of the design and operation of a nuclear reactor. Having said this much, one point must be stressed. Pressure drop within the individual fuel bundles of a boiling water must remain substantially unchanged. Accordingly, if apparatus for preventing debris entrainment into the fuel bundles is going to be utilized, appreciable change in overall fuel bundle pressure drop should be avoided. Having carefully reviewed the requirements for the avoidance of increased pressure drop in debris restricting devices, several further comments can be made. First, any debris catching arrangement should be sufficiently rigid so that the excluding apparatus does not under any circumstance break apart, fail to stop debris, and become the source of further debris itself. For this reason, wire screens are not used. Instead, perforated metal is in all cases utilized in the examples that follow. Second, we have found that it is desirable to restrict pressure drop to a minimum. This can be done by making the velocity of flow through the apertures themselves as low as feasible. A second reason for this limitation is the entrainment of the debris in the flow. Assuming entrainment of debris in the flow, if any possible angle of attack can be realized that will enable debris to pass through an aperture, given sufficient time, passage through the aperture will eventually occur. By maintaining slow velocity at the respective apertures, entrainment of debris is less likely to occur. Further, it has been found that a reorientation of the flow at a rejecting hole to an angle where debris passage is less likely can be achieved. Consequently, flow velocity at restricting apertures is restricted to the minimum possible value. Third, we find that modification of the rod supporting grid--a technique utilized in the prior art--is not satisfactory. Specifically, we prefer to use straining apertures that are as small as possible--down to a dimension of 0.050 of an inch diameter. Unfortunately, the rod supporting grid is a member that must have the required static and dynamic properties to support the fuel rods under all conceivable conditions. Utilizing a matrix of such holes in the rod supporting grid at the pitches required for low pressure drop in the lower tie plate is not practicable. First, since the small apertures would be confined to the plane of the rod supporting grid, a total reduction of flow area will be present that would lead both to unacceptable pressure drop as well as high flow velocities through the individual holes in rod supporting grid. Further, such a matrix of small apertures in the rod supporting grid would reduce the strength of the grid to a level below that required for support of the fuel rods. We have identified the so-called flow volume of the lower tie plate assembly as a primary candidate for the location of debris rejection apparatus--preferably the perforated metal utilized with this construction. In boiling water nuclear reactor fuel bundles at the lower tie plate assembly, there is defined between the nozzle at the lower end and the fuel rod supporting grid at the upper end, a relatively large flow volume. This flow volume is sufficiently large to accommodate a three dimensional structure--with one side of the three dimension structure communicated to the nozzle inlet and the other side of the three dimensional structure communicated to the rod supporting grid. At the same time, periphery of the three dimensional supporting-structure can be attached to the sides of the lower tie plate assembly--so that all fluids passing through the flow volume of the lower tie plate simply must pass through the restricting apertures of the perforated plate. Only small modification to the lower tie plate assembly is required. The flow volume in the lower tie plate assembly has an additional advantage. Specifically, and if the flow restricting grid has to be confined to a plane extending across the lower tie plate flow volume, the apertures in the plate would define a total flow area less than the plane in which the perforated plate was disposed. Where a perforated plate is utilized to manufacture a three dimensional structure, the area of the available apertures can increase beyond that total area possible when the perforated plate is confined to a flat plane. In fact, where sufficient structure is utilized, the total flow area available in the aggregated holes of the three dimensional structure can approach and even exceed the total cross sectional area across the flow volume of the lower tie plate assembly before the insertion of the debris restricting assembly. In addition a properly designed debris catcher assembly could improve the flow distribution at the inlet to the fuel bundle. Having set forth these considerations, attention can be directed to the embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, debris catcher 40 is a separate piece consisting of a short cylinder 42 integral with a hemispherical cap 44. The hemispherical cap has an area approximately twice the are of the lower tie plate assembly inlet throat. Therefore the total flow area through the holes in the cap can be greater than the throat area. By varying the height of the assembly, the flow area through the holes can be adjusted to give an optimum pressure drop through the lower tie plate. The debris catcher of FIG. 2 has a favorable effect on the flow distribution in the flow volume of the lower tie plate assembly. The flow exiting from each hole has a direction normal to the hemispherical cap. The net effect of flow from all of the holes is to distribute the flow uniformly over the area of lower tie plate assembly at the horizontal plane near the rod supporting grid G. This uniform flow results in a uniform flow into the fuel bundle. The debris catcher of this invention requires a modification of the lower tie plate assembly fabrication. Currently the entire assembly T, including the bars 46 of the lower bail, is a single casting. In order to insert the debris catcher, the bars 46 are omitted from the lower tie plate assembly casting, and are a separate casting. The debris catcher is inserted into the modified lower tie plate assembly casting and is welded in place, and then bars 46 are welded over the nozzle N. Referring to hemispherical cap 44, one disadvantage is present. Specifically, and as to those apertures in the dome, debris entrained in the flow will essentially approach the individual holes of the hemispherical cap 44 directly--that is axially of the axis of each of the holes. This is not preferred. It is better if the overall flow requires a change in direction--in the order of up to 90.degree.--so that the entrained debris and the fluid can have the added forces of momentum separation for separating the usually heavier debris from the less dense coolant/moderator flow. If the flow approaches the screening apertures and then turns in the order of 90.degree., the tendency will be for the debris to be left on the surface of the three dimensional grid construction. This being the case, attention can be devoted to at least some of the following designs. Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a three dimensional grid construction is shown having a central inverted cone 50 and a supporting cylinder 60. A separate casting N consists of the bars 46 and a circular ring 48. A lip 62 at the bottom of the cylinder 60 is captured when the casting N is attached to the main casting T. Flow arrows 54, 64 demonstrate with respect to cone 50 and cylinder 60 the general change in direction required for coolant/moderator flow through the three dimensional grid construction disclosed. This has the tendency to cause debris to be deposited on the surface of the perforated plate construction and carried along the surface of the grids to the region 52 where the inverted cone 50 joins the cylinder 60. Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, a modification of the concept of FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C is shown containing a debris trap. Specifically lower tie plate assembly T in the vicinity of nozzle N is enlarged and fitted with a slightly enlarged cylinder 60'. To the bottom of this is mounted an annulus assembly 70. Annulus assembly 70 gives substantially the same inlet nozzle N dimension as the prior art. The annular volume 72 forms an occluded space which can be used as a debris trap. Specifically, and during prolonged flow an operation, it can be expected that debris will migrate along the surfaces of the three dimensional grid construction to the top of the cylinder 60' and the base of the inverted cone 50. When the flow is reduced or stopped, debris will fall. At least some debris will move into the occluded annular volume 72. Further, and once in annular volume 72, when flow recommences, complete re-entrainment of debris is unlikely. Consequently, once a fuel bundle is removed, to the extent that debris is trapped in annular volume 72, the debris likewise will be removed. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, a three dimensional construction featuring an inverted pyramid 80 is utilized having pyramid faces 81-84 fastened to the inside of lower tie plate assembly T adjacent rod supporting grid G. Alteration of the fabrication of assembly T occurs by casting grid G as a separate assembly and joining grid G as by welding at 90. As a possible additional feature, it can be further seen that an annulus 95 has been cast interiorly of flow volume V of lower tie plate assembly T, this annulus being immediately adjacent the base of the inverted pyramid 80. This has the advantage of allowing debris to fall a short distance to the formed debris trap within flow volume V without having the fall of the debris scatter the debris away from the underlying debris catching shadow formed by the annulus 95. Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, an inverted pyramid construction 80' is illustrated having the discrete sides fabricated from a corrugated construction. This has the advantage of expanding the total area of the grid construction while maintaining the three dimensional grid construction substantially unchanged. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a three dimensional grid construction is shown wherein a perforated plate 100 is provided with numerous corrugations. The corrugations--like the other three dimensional constructions--expand the effective area as it is disposed across flow volume V of lower tie plate assembly T. FIG. 7C is a detail of the construction. Holes can be placed over the entire surface of the plate, or they can be omitted in regions of sharp bending 110. Using holes over the entire surface provides more flow area and reduces pressure loss. However in regions 110 the general flow direction is the same as the axis of the holes, so some debris may pass through. When holes are omitted in regions 110, all the flow must make nearly 90.degree. bends. Thus the construction with no holes in the regions of sharp bends is preferred, as shown in FIG. 7C. Thus far, all constructions have shown modification to the lower tie plate assembly T either by introducing the three dimensional grid structure at the nozzle N or under rod supporting grid G. As shown in FIG. 8, the three dimensional grid assembly can be introduced through the lower tie plate assembly T along a side wall 120 into aperture 121. As is shown, grid 100 can be mounted between walls 122 and thereafter inserted in the side walls of the lower tie plate assembly T. The reader will understand that there is the possibility of constructing this invention with a two part tie plate which is bolted together. Referring to FIG. 9, this can be plainly seen. Referring to FIG. 9, a lower tie plate T is shown having a nozzle section N and a rod supporting grid section G. Rod supporting grid section G includes a standard threaded bore 100 for receiving tie rods. Nozzle section N has an underlying threaded bore 102 into which cap screw 101 threads fastening rod supporting grid section G. Thereafter, a tie rod (not shown) is conventionally threaded into rod support grid at that portion of threaded aperture 100 not filled by cap screw 101. As disclosed before, a pyramid shaped three dimensional grid construction 110 with a peripheral flange 115 is fastened between the two tie plate sections. Referring to FIG. 10, substantially the same construction is shown with the rod supporting grid G and the nozzle section N held together with tie rods having an extended end plug 108. Simply stated tie rods R include a lower plug having an extended neck 108 and a lower threaded portion 106. In operation, tapered portion 109 of the lower end plug bears against rod supporting grid section G. At the same time, threaded section 106 threads into threaded bore 104. As before, three dimensional grid 110 is trapped at flange 115 between the confronting portions of the lower tie plate assembly T. It will be realized by those having skill in the art that if tie rods R are removed for inspection, the lower tie plate T as shown in FIG. 10 can become disassembled. For this reason, the embodiment of FIG. 9 is preferred. Referring to FIG. 11A, a double corrugated plate configuration for a strainer is shown. This includes an upper corrugated plate 201 and a lower corrugated plate 210. The upper plate can be similar to that described for FIG. 7B. The lower plate is also perforated with equal or larger diameter holes. The lower most ridges of the corrugations (towards the encroaching flow) are solid while the inner ridges (nearest the upper plate) are perforated. Operation is easy to understand. Debris will grossly be excluded from the lower tie plate supporting grid by lower corrugated plate 210. Due to the larger holes, some debris will pass through the larger holes and into contact with upper corrugated plate 201. There the debris will be halted. It will be understood that upon the cessation of flow, debris between upper and lower corrugated plates 201, 210 will be trapped. Specifically, for debris making the interstitial penetration between the plates, considerable time under flow conditions is required to pass debris through the larger holes in lower corrugated plate 210. When the flow is stopped, the debris will fall onto the lower plate 210. With no reverse flow, it is highly unlikely that debris will fall through the holes in lower plate 210. Accordingly, the vast majority of such debris will be trapped and consequently be removed with the fuel bundle. It will understood that the disclosed double plate construction can be utilized with any of the forgoing strainer constructions previously set forth. The reader will understand that the concepts here disclosed will admit of modification. For example, the interior of the lower tie plate volume V can be cast in anticipation of the receipt of the three dimensional grid construction. For example, a boss running along the interior of flow volume V having the profile of grid 100 can receive and seat the three dimensional grid interior of flow volume V. Likewise, other modifications can be made.