Patent Number: 047160144
Section: abstract

A steam generator level measurement system of the type having a reference leg which is kept full of water by a condensation pot, has a separator pot in the connecting line between the condensation pot and the steam phase in the steam generator to remove excess liquid from the steam externally of the steam generator. The separator pot has an expansion chamber which slows down the velocity of the steam/liquid mixture to aid in separation, and a baffle, which directs steam introduced at the top of the chamber on one side of the baffle to flow downward and then upward for discharge on the other side of the baffle to avoid direct liquid penetration into the line connected to the condensate pot. The extracted liquid, and excess condensate from the condensation pot which runs down the section of the connecting line through which the steam passes from the separator pot to the condensation pot, are collected in the bottom of the expansion chamber and returned to the steam generator below the water level through a drain line. Thus, countercurrent flow of steam and excess condensate only occurs in the section of the connecting line between the separator pot and condensation pot after excess moisture has been removed from the steam thereby reducing the likelihood of liquid blocking steam flow, since the condensate flow from the condensate pot is much smaller than the liquid flow entering the separation chamber.