Patent Number: 053274709
Section: abstract

A cross point spacer is provided with subchannel vertical tubes at the subchannel volumes, these tubes being supplied with an inner flow free cylindrical volume and an peripheral steam separator in the form of a surface which imparts a spiral flow pattern to steam/water mixture flowing peripherally upwardly within the subchannel tube. According to a first and preferred embodiment, the subchannel tube of the cross point spacer is provided with rifling. According to a second embodiment, twisted vanes are installed and fastened to the interior of the subchannel tube and drilled away at the central portion of the twisted vanes to leave strips of metal defining rifling like paths on the subchannel tube interior. In either case, the main and central portion of the subchannel volume through the spacer is provided with an unobstructed central portion for upward steam flow. At the same time, the peripheral portion of the subchannel tube imparts a steam separator centrifugal upward spiral flow to water particles within the subchannel tube. Upon exit of the water and generated steam from the vertically disposed subchannel tube, a separated steam flow overlying the subchannel tube occurs. At the same time, entrained water is centrifugally classified outwardly from the steam flow to the surrounding steam generating fuel rods for the generation of steam.