Abstract:
A feedring for use with an axial flow preheat steam generator which utilizes a double wrapper to direct feedwater flow to the cold leg tube bundle region. The feedring is positioned directly over the double wrapper and includes a plurality of standpipes spaced circumferentially along the feedring. The standpipes respectively extend vertically from a lower portion of an interior of the feedring upward through the interior of the feedring. The standpipes have a feedwater intake in the upper portion of the feedring to minimize the potential for vapor formation and bubble collapse water hammer. The components of the standpipe are arranged to minimize the transmission of entrained loose parts from traveling with the feedwater to the tube bundle. A feedwater discharge is provided at the exit of the standpipe at or below the bottom of the feedring, for evenly distributing the feedwater into the double wrapper downcomer.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This invention relates generally to U-tube steam generators and, more particularly, to such generators that disperse feedwater into a downcomer between a wrapper and the steam generator shell. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A pressurized water nuclear reactor steam generator typically comprises a vertically oriented shell, a plurality of U-shaped tubes disposed in the shell so as to form a tube bundle, a tube sheet for supporting the tubes at the ends opposite the U-like curvature, a divider plate that cooperates with the tube sheet and a channel head forming a primary fluid inlet header at one end of the tube bundle and a primary fluid outlet header at the other end of the tube bundle. A primary fluid inlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the primary fluid inlet header and a primary fluid outlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the primary fluid outlet header. The steam generator secondary side comprises a wrapper disposed between the tube bundle and the shell to form an annular chamber made up of the shell on the outside and the wrapper on the inside and a feedwater ring disposed above the U-like curvature end of the tube bundle. 
     The primary fluid having been heated by circulation through the reactor enters the steam generator through the primary fluid inlet nozzle. From the primary fluid inlet nozzle, the primary fluid is conducted through the primary fluid inlet header, through the U-tube bundle, out the primary fluid outlet header and through the primary fluid outlet nozzle to the remainder of the reactor coolant system. At the same time, feedwater is introduced into the steam generator secondary side, i.e., the side of the steam generator interfacing with the outside of the tube bundle above the tube sheet, through a feedwater nozzle which is connected to a feedwater ring inside the steam generator. In one embodiment, upon entering the steam generator, the feedwater mixes with water returning from moisture separators. This mixture, called the downcomer flow, is conducted down the annular chamber adjacent the shell until the tube sheet located at the bottom of the annular chamber causes the water to change direction passing in heat transfer relationship with the outside of the U-tubes and up through the inside of the tube wrapper. While the water is circulating in heat transfer relationship with the tube bundle, heat is transferred from the primary fluid in the tubes to water surrounding the tubes causing a portion of the water surrounding the tubes to be converted to steam. To differentiate the steam/water mixture from the single phase downcomer flow, the fluid flow surrounding the tubes is designated as the tube bundle flow. The steam then rises and is conducted through a number of moisture separators that separate entrained water from the steam and the steam vapor then exits the steam generator and is typically circulated through a turbine to generate electricity in a manner well known in the art. 
     The U-shaped heat exchange tubes of such steam generators are typically described as having a hot leg, which is directly in fluid communication with the primary fluid inlet header and a cold leg which is directly in fluid communication with the primary fluid outlet header. A number of these types of steam generators preheat the downcomer flow by passing the cooler portions of the downcomer flow by the cold legs of the tube bundle to increase the log mean temperature difference and thereby enhance heat transfer. This is accomplished by employing a partition plate which extends across the tube sheet through a center tube lane between the hot legs and cold legs of the heat exchange tubes. The partition plate extends axially up between the tubes from the tube sheet to an elevation below the U-bends. In this preheat class of steam generators, the downcomer region typically extends less than 180° around the cold legs side of the wrapper and is partitioned to separate the downcomer region from the circumferential area around the wrapper that surrounds the hot legs. A nearly semicircular feedwater distribution ring is supported above the cold leg downcomer region in the partitioned area between the shell and the wrapper, so that the feedwater is distributed down the outside of the wrapper surrounding the cold legs, underneath the wrapper at the tube sheet and up and around the cold legs of the heat exchange tubes. 
     Axial flow preheat steam generator feedrings must evenly distribute feedwater flow over approximately 160° of a steam generator&#39;s upper shell circumference. As explained above, this serves to introduce the colder feedwater into the cold leg side of the tube bundle, whereby the preheating benefit of increased heat transfer occurs. Prior art reference, U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,680, accomplished this objective utilizing a large inverted duct to direct and distribute flow into the downcomer, and included a loose parts screen within the feedring, which requires access through bolted flanges. 
     An improved feedwater distribution ring is desired that provides a much lower pressure drop loose parts screening arrangement with enhanced access features. 
     Furthermore, such a feedwater feedring design is desired that will accomplished substantially even feedwater distribution over the cold leg downcomer, using a more compact arrangement. 
     SUMMARY 
     The foregoing objectives are achieved by a steam generator having a primary side including an inlet chamber for receiving heated primary fluid and an outlet chamber for returning the primary fluid to a heating source. A tube sheet forms at least one wall of the inlet chamber and at least one wall of the outlet chamber. A plurality of heat exchange tubes respectively having first and second ends and an intermediate extent, have the first ends extending through the tube sheet and opening into the inlet chamber and the second ends extending through the tube sheet and opening into the outlet chamber, with the intermediate extent passing through and in heat exchange relationship with the secondary side of the steam generator. The secondary side includes a generally cylindrical outer shell having a central axis and a generally cylindrical wrapper supported above at least a portion of the tube sheet, within, spaced from and co-axially positioned with the shell so as to form a downcomer region between at least part of the wrapper and the shell. A nearly semicircular feedring is positioned above the cold leg downcomer region for introducing feedwater into the downcomer region. A plurality of standpipes are spaced circumferentially along the feedring, extending vertically from a lower portion of an interior of the feedring upward through the interior of the feedring. The standpipes have a feedwater intake in the upper portion of the interior of the feedring and a feedwater discharge at or below a bottom of the feedring, for distributing the feedwater into the downcomer region. 
     In one embodiment, the steam generator includes a spray nozzle suspended within the standpipe. Preferably, the spray nozzle is a generally tubular member with perforated sidewalls, a closed lower end and an intake near the upper portion of the interior of the feedring. Desirably, the perforations in the spray nozzle sidewalls are arranged substantially uniformly over the sidewall and are spaced from an opposing interior sidewall of the standpipe. In one embodiment, portions of the sidewalls of the spray nozzle converge towards an opposing wall of the spray nozzle as the walls of the spray nozzle extend towards its lower end. Preferably, a lower portion of the spray nozzle is supported from the opposing interior sidewalls of the standpipe. In the one embodiment, the nozzle is supported from the top of the standpipe and the perforations are sized to trap debris of a preselected size. 
     In still another embodiment, the feedring includes a port housing having walls that extend upward from a top of the feedring, in line with the spray nozzle and through which the spray nozzle can be serviced. Preferably, a top of the port housing is sealed with a plug and in one embodiment, the plug has an exterior thread that mates with a female thread on an interior wall of the port housing. Preferably, the plug is formed as part of the spray nozzle above the spray nozzle intake and desirably includes a vent hole for venting steam from the interior of the feedring. Preferably, the vent hole is large enough to accommodate a video probe that can be used to inspect the spray nozzle. Preferably, the standpipe extends into the port housing. 
     In still another embodiment, the standpipe is an inverted J-tube with a curve of the inverted J-tube extending from an opening in a top surface of the feedring, turning 180°, back through the top surface, through the interior of the feedring and down through the bottom of the feedring. Preferably, the curve of the inverted J-tube is centered around the top surface of the feedring, with a horizontal line drawn between each side of the curve at an acute angle to a circumferential, horizontal line drawn along a center of the top surface of the feedring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A further understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a vertical tube and shell axial flow steam generator; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view, partially in section, of a prior art steam generator showing the divider plate in the hemispherical head that separates the inlet channel from the outlet channel on the primary side and a partition plate extending upwardly from the tube sheet that separates the hot leg flow from the cold leg flow; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of a steam generator feedwater distribution feedring; 
         FIG. 4  is cross section of the feedring shown in  FIG. 3  taken along the lines A-A thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section of the port housing on the feedring of  FIG. 3  taken along the lines B-B thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the port housing shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the feedwater spray nozzle taken along the lines C-C thereof in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the feedwater feedring shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a spray nozzle/loose part collector assembly; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section through the spray nozzle as it is assembled into the feedring port and standpipe; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the spray nozzle showing the standpipe length increase such that the top of the standpipe extends above the top inside diameter of the feedring pipe; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a second embodiment of a feedwater feedring that employs J-tube distribution nozzles; 
         FIG. 13  is cross sectional view taken along the lines D-D of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the feedwater ring illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a cross section of the feedring shown in  FIG. 3 , similar to  FIG. 4 , with the spray nozzle lowered into the bottom of the standpipe. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a steam or vapor generator  10  that utilizes a plurality of U-shaped tubes which form a tube bundle  12  to provide the heating surface required to transfer heat from a primary fluid to vaporize or boil a secondary fluid. The steam generator  10  comprises a vessel having a vertically oriented tubular lower shell portion  14 , a generally cylindrical upper shell portion  15  and a top enclosure or dished head  16  enclosing the upper end and a generally hemispherical shaped channel head  18  enclosing the lower end. The lower shell portion  14  is smaller in diameter than the generally cylindrical upper shell portion  15  and a frustoconical shaped transition  20  connects the upper and lower portions. A tube sheet  22  is attached to the channel head  18  and has a plurality of holes  24  disposed therein to receive ends of the U-shaped tubes. A dividing plate  26  is centrally disposed within the channel head  18  to divide the channel head into two compartments  28  and  30 , which serve as headers for the tube bundle. Compartment  30  is the primary fluid inlet compartment and has primary fluid inlet nozzle  32  in fluid communication therewith. Compartment  28  is the primary fluid outlet compartment and has a primary fluid outlet nozzle  34  in fluid communication therewith. Thus, primary fluid, i.e., the reactor coolant, which enters fluid compartment  30  is caused to flow through the tube bundle  12  and out through outlet nozzle  34 . 
     The tube bundle  12  is encircled by a wrapper  36 , which forms an annular passage  38  between the wrapper  36  and the lower shell  14  and frustoconical transition cone  20 . The top of the wrapper  36  is covered by a lower deck plate  40  which includes a plurality of openings  42  in fluid communication with a plurality of riser tubes  44 . Swirl vanes  46  are disposed within the riser tubes to cause steam flowing therethrough to spin and centrifugally remove some of the moisture contained within the steam as it flows through the primary centrifugal separator. The water separated from the steam in this primary separator is returned to the water pool above the lower deck plate  40 . After flowing through the primary centrifugal separator, the steam passes through a secondary separator  48  before reaching a steam outlet nozzle  50  centrally disposed in the dished head  16 . 
     The feedwater inlet structure of this generator includes a feedwater inlet nozzle  52  having a generally horizontal portion called a feedring  54  and discharge nozzles  56  elevated above the feedring. Feedwater, which is supplied through the feedwater inlet nozzle  52 , passes through the feedring  54 , and exits through discharge nozzles  56  and mixes with water which was separated from the steam and is being recirculated. The mixture then flows down over the lower deck plate  40  and into the annular passage  38  which is also known as the downcomer region. The water then enters the tube bundle at the lower portion of the wrapper  36  and flows among and up the tube bundle where it is heated to generate steam. 
       FIG. 2  is a variation on the steam generator of  FIG. 1  that has a preheat section that preheats the cooler portion of the downcomer flow before it merges with the hot leg side of the tube bundle  12 . In many respects, the preheat steam generator of  FIG. 2  is constructed the same as that described for the steam generator illustrated in  FIG. 1  except a partition plate  58  is provided on the secondary side of the steam generator, across the center tube lane between the lower parts of the hot legs  62  and the cold legs  64  of the heat exchange tubes of the tube bundle  12 . The partition plate  58  extends vertically between the legs of the tube bundle and is fixed at its lower end to the tube sheet  22 , extending across the full diameter of the tube sheet within the wrapper  36 . Additionally, a downcomer skirt  60  is inserted in the annulus between the combination of the shell  14  and the transition  20 , and the wrapper  36 , around the cold leg portion of the tube bundle  64 , extending over an arc of approximately 160°, with walls connecting the skirt  60  to the wrapper  36  over the height of the wrapper at both circumferential ends. The nearly semicircular feedring  54  is situated at the top of the skirt annulus  38  and distributes the feedwater directly in the annulus that spans around the cold legs  64  of the tube bundle  12 . In most other respects, the preheat generator of  FIG. 2  may be considered the same as that shown for the steam generator illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Like reference characters are used in the several figures to refer to corresponding components. 
     Axial flow preheat steam generator feedrings must evenly distribute feedwater flow over approximately 160° of a steam generator&#39;s upper shell circumference to be efficient. This serves to introduce the colder feedwater into the cold leg side of the tube bundle, whereby the preheating benefit of increased heat transfer occurs. One prior art preheat steam generator described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,680, utilized a large inverted duct to direct and distribute feedwater flow into the downcomer  38  and included a high pressure drop loose part screen within the feedring which requires access through bolted flanges to service the screen. The embodiments described herein provide a more efficient feedring design that will achieve the same objective with a reduced pressure drop through the feedring by providing a larger total area for loose parts screening, while directing fluid into the cold leg downcomer using a more compact arrangement. 
     In one embodiment, a feedring design is provided for application with an axial flow preheat U-tube steam generator which effectively provides features for evenly distributing feedwater around an approximate arc of 160°, which minimizes the potential for stratification and water hammer and prevents loose parts which could enter the steam generator through the feedwater nozzle, from reaching the tube bundle region  12 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3-9 , a standpipe  68  is provided internal to the feedring  54  with removably spray nozzles  70  to direct the flow of feedwater into the cold leg downcomer annulus  38 .  FIG. 3  is a plan view of a feedring  54  having a feedwater distribution pipe  66  extending in an arc from either side of an inlet “T”  72 . Eighteen removable spray nozzle assemblies  70  are shown extending through the top and evenly distributed around the curved feedwater distribution pipes  66 .  FIG. 10  shows a sectional view of one of the multiple standpipes  68  at each of the spray nozzle assembly locations identified in  FIG. 3 , though, it should be appreciated that the number of spray nozzles may vary. It is anticipated that there will be approximately ten to twenty spray nozzle assemblies  70  on each side of the feedwater ring “T”  72 . The standpipe  68  is welded full circumference into the feedring semicircular torus on the bottom of the pipes  66 , and the top end of the standpipe is open to receive flow entering from the feedwater ring via the feedwater nozzle  52 .  FIG. 8  provides a perspective side view of the feedring illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  shows one embodiment of a cross section of the feedring distribution pipe  66  taken along the lines A-A of  FIG. 3 . Similar cross sections can be found in  FIGS. 11 and 15 , providing different perspectives of similar embodiments. From these figures it can be appreciated that the spray nozzle  70  has a flange  74  just below the feedwater intake  76 . An end plug  78  is attached on top of the feedwater intake  76  and is designed to seal an opening in the flow nozzle port  80 . The flow nozzle port  80  is a vertical extension of an opening in the top of the feedwater distribution pipes  66  that is sized to access the flow nozzle  70  for servicing. The end plug  78  is attached to the flow nozzle intake with several circumferentially spaced vertically extending struts  82  which can be observed from  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the lines B-B of  FIG. 4  and provides a better view of the flange  74 , feedwater intake  76  and end plug  78 . 
     The spray nozzle is fully shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11  and  15  with the cross section of the lower portion of the spray nozzle taken along the lines C-C of  FIG. 4  shown in  FIG. 7 . The spray nozzle  70  is of generally tubular construction with converging opposing walls  86  that space the perforated side walls  88  of the flow nozzle  70  from the opposing sidewalls of the standpipe  68 . The lower end  84  of the flow nozzle  70  may be supported laterally against vibration by the radially extending rods  90  which extend between the walls of the standpipe  68  and the lower perforated section of the flow nozzle as may be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . The lower end of the flow nozzle  84  may be recessed within the lower end of the standpipe  92  as shown in  FIG. 4  or the lower end  84  may extend out of the lower end of the standpipe as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 .  FIG. 9  shows a spray nozzle/loose part collector assembly. This single piece unit has a threaded end  94  between the end plug  78  and the feedwater intake  76 , for assembly into complimentary threads on the interior of the spray nozzle port  80  on the top of the feedring  54 . A hexagonal head  96  provides for installation and torquing of spray nozzle into the opening on the port  80 . The perforated filtering section  88  is attached to the threaded cap end by three or more strut elements  82  formed from the spray nozzle cylinder. In between the three or more supporting elements  82  are open regions  76  through which feedwater passes into the center of the spray nozzle assembly before exiting through the holes, i.e., the perforations, and then, in the preferred embodiment, into the standpipe  68 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a cross section through the spray nozzle  70  as it is assembled into the feedring port  80  and standpipe  68 . The spray nozzle  70  may be supported by lateral and/or vertical bracing elements  90  within the stand pipe to reduce vibration (as previously described with regard to  FIG. 7 ). Flow passes through the holes in the spray nozzle, which are substantially evenly distributed, but may vary in size. The flow then moves generally downward through the annular region between the spray nozzle and the inside diameter of the standpipe. Once installed, the spray nozzle is secured from rotation by welding or other fastening techniques. The perforations in the walls  88  should be small enough to capture debris within the spray nozzle that could get caught along the tubes in the tube bundle  12 . 
     It should be appreciated that the spray nozzle may be conical, as shown in  FIG. 4 , rather than cylindrical as shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  11  or may assume a combination of those configurations as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, the spray pipe  88  may be lengthened as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  or shortened as shown in  FIG. 4 , as needed, to satisfy the thermal and hydraulic considerations of the application. Further, the supporting elements  90  on the spray nozzle may be deleted, and the spray nozzles attached to the standpipe directly. A separate plug/cap  78  could then be provided for the opening to the port  80 . The standpipe may also be provided with teardrop shaped trailing edges to reduce pressure drop, or with plates spanning tangentially to two adjacent standpipes to reduce flow resistance. A small opening  98  may be provided in the top of the end plug of the spray nozzle to aid venting and/or inspection of the spray nozzle through insertion of a video probe. 
       FIG. 11  is another cross sectional view of the spray nozzle  70  showing the standpipe  68  length increased such that the top of the standpipe extends above the top inside diameter of the feedring pipe  66 . This arrangement ensures that the feedring pipe  66  remains completely filled with water even when the water level is lowered on the secondary side of the generator below the elevation of the feedring  54  (provided there is no leakage through the feedwater nozzle). 
     As may be appreciated from  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a gravity held locking tab  100  may be provided which fits into slots at the top of the port pipe  80  and in end cap  78  to prevent the end cap  78  from rotating instead of using welds as previously mentioned. Four centering pins  102  may be provided through the port pipe  80  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to further support the standpipe  68 . These pins are welded after assembly. A threaded end thermal sleeve  104  is installed in the bottom  92  of the standpipe  68 . Slots  106  on the thermal sleeve  104  are used to turn the sleeve into the female threads in the standpipe. The thermal sleeve may be used to reduce thermal gradients at the juncture of the standpipe and the feedring. 
       FIGS. 12 through 14  illustrate another embodiment of this concept that employs J-tubes as the standpipes.  FIG. 12  is a plan view of this embodiment similar to that previously described with regard to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 14  is a side view similar to that previously provided in  FIG. 8 . As previously stated, like reference characters are used in the several figures to refer to corresponding components. The J-tubes  108  replace the standpipe  68 /nozzles  70  arrangement of the embodiments described above. An open end  110  of the curved section  112  of the J-tube  108  forms the intake through which feedwater flowing through the interior of the feedring distribution pipe  66  enters the J-tube. The tight curve on the curved section  112  and gravity discourage loose parts entrained in the feedwater from entering the J-nozzle opening  110 . The straight section of the J-tube  116  passes from just above the top of the feedwater distribution pipe  66  through the interior of the feedwater distribution pipe  66  and terminates in a discharge end  114  at the lower end of or just below the distribution pipe  66 . As can be seen from  FIG. 13 , the curved section  112  of the J-tube is oriented at an acute angle to a circumferential line  118  passing through the center of the top of the distribution pipe  66 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates still another embodiment of the feedring that provides a reduced pressure drop through the feedring system. The figure shows the spray nozzle  70  lowered into the bottom of the standpipe  68 . The upper end of the spray nozzle is stopped from further insertion by a small ledge  120  in the standpipe bore. There are male threads  122  on the outside diameter of the spray nozzle that fit into female threads at the bottom of the standpipe. U-shaped cutouts  124  in the top edge of the spray nozzle aid in rotating the spray nozzle in and out of the standpipe. 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular embodiments disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.