Abstract: An anti-cavitation valve assembly includes a seat positioned within a fluid pathway between a fluid inlet and outlet of a valve. Spaced apart elongated seat apertures are formed in a circumferential wall of the seat that have a varying opening width along a length thereof to direct fluid flow into an inner seat chamber of the seat. A disc guide is slidably movable relative to the seat and has a wall having spaced apart disc guide apertures formed therein. A tortuous fluid flow pathway is formed as fluid enters through the seat apertures, into the inner seat chamber, and exits through the disc guide apertures to minimize fluid cavitation.

Abstract: According to at least some example embodiments, a dome collector separation stage includes an inner side wall that defines an inner channel; and an outer side wall that, together with the inner side wall, defines an outer channel, the inner channel being configured to receive a two-phase flow stream (FS) of water and steam, and pass the two-phase FS to the outer channel via inlets included in the inner side wall, the outer channel being configured to separate at least some water from the two-phase FS, and pass moisture-reduced steam out of the steam separator stage via outlets included in the outer side wall.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising an evaporator; a water reservoir in fluid communication with the evaporator; the water reservoir being located upstream of the evaporator; and a first steam drum in fluid communication with the evaporator; the first steam drum being located downstream of the evaporator; where the water reservoir is operative to supply feedwater to the evaporator while maintaining a predetermined water level in the first steam drum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solar energy system including a tower having a solar radiation receiver, the solar radiation receiver including a plurality of tubes carrying a heat-transfer medium and a drum, the drum in thermal communication with the tubes, and one or more mirrors configured to reflect solar radiation onto the receiver, wherein the receiver receives the reflected solar radiation from the mirrors, thereby heating the heat transfer medium and vaporizing the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for recovering heat from multiple hot process streams without multiplying instrumentation. Each hot process stream is indirectly heat exchanged with a water circuit which leaves and feeds a steam drum. Heat is added to the steam drum through the addition of water heated outside of the steam drum. The heated liquid and vapor water is heated in heat exchangers decoupled from the steam drum. The water circuits are arranged in parallel with each other and feed a single steam drum to provide a steam product of a desired pressure for which only one set of instrumentation is needed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and process for recovering heat from multiple hot process streams without multiplying instrumentation. Each hot process stream is indirectly heat exchanged with a water circuit which leaves and feeds a steam drum. Heat is added to the steam drum through the addition of water heated outside of the steam drum. The heated liquid and vapor water is heated in heat exchangers decoupled from the steam drum. The water circuits are arranged in parallel with each other and feed a single steam drum to provide a steam product of a desired pressure for which only one set of instrumentation is needed.

Abstract: A steam generator system incorporates multiple processes, either in series or independently and with each process having a process fluid associated therewith, to transfer heat between a common working fluid and the process fluids in order to generate steam from the working fluid. The heat transfer may be controlled by controlling the flow of the working fluid to further regulate and control the generation of steam and/or the individual processes themselves. The generator system includes a vessel and may optionally have baffles located within the vessel to separate the flow of working fluid into a recirculation system to facilitate in the overall operation of the system. The working fluid must be capable of forming steam and preferably consists essentially of water. Straight tubes, plate-type heat exchange surfaces having a common boiling fluid stream, U-tubes, helical tubes, and/or curved tubes may be used as heat exchange means for transferring heat between the working fluid and the process fluids.

Abstract: The invention concerns a water steam sterilizer, a so-called autoclave which consists of a steam generator (5), a chamber (13), a condenser (19) and a vacuum pump (20), whereby a pipe (9) connects the steam generator (5) with the chamber (13) and a pipe (35) connects the chamber (13) with the steam generator (5), whereby a valve (16) is provided in a pipe (34) between the chamber (13) and the condenser (19). The autoclav according to the invention is characterised in that valves (10, 17) are provided in the pipe (9) and the pipe (35) respectively. The invention further relates to a method for steam-sterilizing a load in a chamber.

Abstract: A separator separates water and steam. The separator has a steam-side outlet conduit, a water-side outlet conduit, and a separating chamber between a number of inlet conduits. A swirl breaker is upstream of the water-side outlet conduit. To achieve the lowest possible pressure loss with a simultaneously high medium throughput and an effective separating action, the length of the separating chamber is at least 5 times the internal diameter (DI) of the chamber. Furthermore, the ratio of the overall flow cross section of the inlet conduits to the square of the internal diameter of the separating chamber is between 0.2 and 0.3. Within a water/steam separating apparatus, the separator is connected to a water-collecting tank such that the top end of the latter is located beneath halfway along the length of the separator—calculated from the water-side, bottom end of the same.

Abstract: A water separating system for separating water from a water/water vapor mixture includes at least one inlet tube disposed on the periphery of a vessel, as well as an outlet tube for steam provided above the inlet tube. In order to achieve a separation quality which is as high as possible, a separation apparatus, preferably in the form of a tube bend, for partial-stream steam is connected in parallel with the vessel on the inlet side.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating water and steam in a water-steam mixture includes two collectors being disposed horizontally at different heights and being connected together by a connecting pipe. In addition to the connecting pipe, the first collector situated at the bottom has an inlet pipe for the water-steam mixture and as well as a water outlet pipe for the separated water. The second collector lying thereabove includes a steam outlet pipe for the separated steam, in addition to the connecting pipe. The apparatus, which works in accordance with the gravity separation principle, is particularly thermally resilient and therefore permits reliable operation even with large temperature gradients.

Abstract: A device for trapping migrating bodies in nuclear power station steam generators or boilers is provided to prevent them from jamming between the generator tubes. The device, in the form of a grating or grid, is placed above a horizontal plate to which are fixed the upper ends of the pipes containing cyclone separators. It defines passages, whose largest dimensions are smaller than the minimum distance separating the tubes.

Abstract: Recirculation-type steam generator ensuring heat transfer between a fluid circulating in a primary circuit and a fluid circulating in a secondary circuit, constituted by a pressure envelope containing a vaporization enclosure having a roof and covering a bundle of tubes traversed by the primary fluid. The generator receives the secondary fluid which circulates in the vaporization enclosure. The steam produced by the secondary fluid is extracted during this circulation and is dried by cyclone separators constituted by cyclones fixed to first ends of tubular columns whose ends are fixed to the vaporization enclosure roof communicating with the vaporization enclosure. The cyclone separators are detachably fixed to the vaporization enclosure roof.

Abstract: In a steam generator or boiler of the type having a pressure vessel having a zone in which heated water and steam can be separated, an outlet for the flow of pressurized steam and an outlet for the flow of liquid, a riser section in which fluid passes for heating therein and flow into the vessel zone, and a downcomer to receive the recirculated liquid from the vessel zone and feedwater for flow to the inlet of the riser section, the system includes feedwater control apparatus for sensing the mass flow of liquid in the downcomer, determining the liquid mass in the vessel zone, downcomer and riser section and controlling the feedwater rate in relation to such mass and the respective power conditions of the system, thereby providing better stability in the system operation. Trips and other problems caused by shrink and swell are thereby avoided and other benefits achieved.

Abstract: In a steam generator or boiler of the type having a pressure vessel having a zone in which heated water and steam can be separated, an outlet for the flow of pressurized steam and an outlet for the flow of liquid, a riser section in which fluid passes for heating therein and flow into the vessel zone, and a downcomer to receive the recirculated liquid from the vessel zone and feedwater for flow to the inlet of the riser section, the system includes feedwater control apparatus for sensing the mass flow of liquid in the downcomer, determining the liquid mass in the vessel zone, downcomer and riser section and controlling the feedwater rate in relation to such mass and the respective power conditions of the system, thereby providing better stability in the system operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating and degassing water by means of steam, consisting of two columns (1, 17) with a co-current arrangement and counter-current arrangement of water and steam, and having packing or internals arranged therein, having a water distributor (11, 16) arranged at the top of each of the columns, having a water feed line (8) and a steam feed line (9), having a flushing steam feed line (22) arranged below the counter-current column and a deaeration line (15), located between the two columns, for the gas/steam mixture which is to be extracted. The lines lead into housings which are joined above, between and below the preferably cylindrical columns to the latter. In the upper part of the apparatus, a mixing chamber (5) is provided into which the water to be degassed is introduced via spray nozzles (7).

Abstract: A steam chamber has a bottom portion that defines a tray for holding water to be distilled and a top portion for collecting steam created in the chamber by heating the water in the tray. An outlet conducts steam from the top portion of the steam chamber to a condenser. A check valve occupies the outlet for opening communication between the steam chamber and the condenser in response to steam pressure above atmospheric pressure in the steam chamber and for closing communication between the steam chamber and the condenser in the absence of the steam pressure in the steam chamber. In a preferred arrangement, a baffle member extends between the tray and the top portion of the steam chamber for allowing steam to enter the top portion of the steam chamber while preventing water globules carried in the steam from entering the top portion of the steam chamber.

Abstract: Liquefaction apparatus and method for removing liquid molecules from a vaporous or gaseous medium, use being made of an annular porous layer (5) of van der Waals-type material through which the medium is radially outwardly directed, the layer being rotatably driven to discharge by centrifugal force the liquid modules that are bound by van der Waals forces in the layer. The layer is mounted concentrically on the inner periphery of a rotatably driven cylindrical separator member (4) having an annular wall portion provided with a passage system at least the outlet portion of which terminates in a plurality of radial passages (17) through which the liquid molecules are centrifugally discharged. In one embodiment, the separator member is cooled by a cooling bath (18) the liquid of which is recirculated through a refrigeration-type heat exchanger (12).

Abstract: A steam processing apparatus and method in which a plurality of separators are disposed along the length of a cylindrical drum having inlet means for receiving a mixture of liquid and vapor and outlet means for discharging the separated liquid and vapor. The mixture is discharged against a baffle after which the separated liquid is passed to the drum liquid outlet and the separated vapor is passed upwardly by natural buoyant forces to the drum vapor outlet. The separators are disposed in a plurality of rows--two to each side of the axis of the drum along the length thereof.

Abstract: A deaerator tray in the form of a horizontally elongated trough for receiving a quantity of liquid to be deaerated. The trough has a flat bottom having a pair of spaced, elongated sides having upper liquid overflow edges. Guide structure is provided for directing the flow of liquid overflowing from the edges, the guide structure includes a pair of flat elongated inclined wall members each directly connected to a respective one of the sides below the upper liquid overflow edges along the length thereof. The wall members extend outwardly away from each other and downwardly away from the respective upper liquid overflow edges. Each wall member is inclined relative to the vertical and terminates in a lower edge to enhance deaeration of the liquid as the latter is guided down the wall members and falls from the lower edge.

Abstract: A water-cleansing tank for steam generators is disclosed. It consists of a bottom, a side wall and a roof. It has a conduit which encompasses the lower end of a drain (20) collecting the water to be cleansed. Side holes provide for a calm flow inside the cleansing tank and for the depositing, by gravity, of the polluting particles. The overall arrangement is simple and efficient. The invention can be applied to nuclear power plants.

Abstract: A tray stack for a boiler feedwater deaerator is provided with a plurality of horizontally spaced troughs arranged in vertically spaced and staggered tiers. Each of the troughs has a generally V-shaped bottom and a pair of outwardly-extending, inclined wall members having notched lower edges. The vertical projected dimension of the inclined wall members is less than the overall depth of the trough such that the distance of travel encountered by the feedwater dropping from the lower edge of the wall members to the next adjacent, underlying trough is maximized, thereby increasing the interactive area of contact between the cascading water and uprising flow of steam. The lower edge of each wall member is preferably notched to enhance dispersion of the falling water, and the wall members also are disposed to positively guide the falling water into the adjacent underlying trough without bypassing the same.

Abstract: A pure steam generator having a feed line for conducting feed water thereinto, a heating steam input for conducting heating steam thereinto, and a heat exchange apparatus therein for providing heat exchange between the heating steam and the feed water. A pure steam output is also provided, with a separation space being located in a lower portion of the pure steam generator, along with a centrifugal separator through which the pure steam flows from the separation space to the pure steam output.The pure steam output communicates through a circulation line with the pure steam generator for circulating pure steam from the pure steam output to the pure steam generator. The circulation line is preferably arranged to feed a mixing space, in which the feed water and the circulating pure steam are mixed.

Abstract: A device for cooling a reactor positioned in a vessel. The vessel comprises a water space and a steam space. Cooling pipes that convey evaporating water extend through the reactor. The pipes communicate outside the reactor with the water space at the intake end and with the steam space at the outflow end. The object is to prevent local excess cooling that would interfere with the reaction. A fresh-water preheating section is positioned inside the steam space. The preheating section communicates with an inflow outside the vessel and with an outflow inside the steam space. The preheating section also has open pipes extending through it from top to bottom into the steam space.

Abstract: A moisture pre-separator for the exhaust portion of a high pressure steam turbine is disclosed. The pre-separator mounts in the nozzle and adjoining piping of the exhaust portion and provides a first channel for capturing moisture caused by secondary flow and a second channel for capturing moisture flowing on the exhaust hood wall. Drains are provided for both channels.

Abstract: A reaction gas cooler, including a refractory lined gas inlet, a first stage in the form of a tube bundle heat exchanger through which gas flows, an intermediate chamber, and a second stage in the form of a tube bundle heat exchanger through which gas flows. The second stage has a double flow design, which is effected by a central pipe which is disposed in the intermediate chamber and divides the second stage into an in-flow zone and a reverse-flow zone.

Abstract: Steam turbine apparatus is disclosed as comprising first and second turbine sections having respectively an outlet opening and an inlet opening. The first or high pressure turbine section has a plenum wall adjacent its exhaust opening that collects water thereon. A crossover structure is disposed between the outlet opening and the inlet opening for transmitting a steam/water mixture to the second or low pressure turbine section. A hollow member having first and second openings at its respective ends, is associated with the first turbine section such that the first opening is sealed with respect to the outlet opening. The hollow member extends into the first turbine section and its second opening is dimensioned to shadow the outlet opening so that the hollow member captures and discharges the water contacting the adjacent plenum wall and to inhibit the steam/water mixture directed through the outlet opening from stripping and conveying the contacting water to the crossover structure.

Abstract: Steam generator of the type comprising within a vertically axed type enclosure a plurality of U-tubes in which circulates a primary liquid and on the outer wall of which flows a secondary liquid, a cylindrical envelope surrounding the said tubes and defining with the inner wall of the enclosure an annular passage, whose lower part is connected to the inner space of the envelope, the latter being sealed in its upper part by a cover, which is itself surmounted by at least one device for separating the steam by centrifuging, a means for drying the steam in the upper part of the enclosure, said means incorporating at least one steam dryer surrounding the axis of the enclosure, each dryer being connected by its lower part to at least one discharge pipe for removing the water separated from the steam, wherein each discharge pipe is linked with a dynamic draining or bleeding device able to produce a pressure reduction or vacuum in order to suck in the water collected in the dryer.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying steam in steam power generating stations, includes a plurality of cyclone separators having upper regions and lower ends, substantially tangential feed lines for a water-steam mixture leading to the upper regions of the cyclone separators, a water tank having an upper region and a lower end, respective discharge lines connected from the lower ends of the cyclone separators to the water tank, a water drain line connected to the lower end of the water tank, and equalizing lines respectively connected at an incline from the highest points of the upper regions of the water tank to a location of the upper regions of each of the cyclone separators above the feed lines.

Abstract: A moisture separator is provided which incorporates two perforated plates assembled in association with a plurality of nipples. The nipples extend through a plurality of holes in a first of the two perforated plates. Each nipple is provided with one end which has an upset portion to prevent its complete passage through the holes of the first perforated plate. A second perforated plate is assembled with the first perforated plate in such a way so as to prevent the reverse passage of the nipples in a direction opposite that of assembly. The first and second perforated plates can be rigidly fastened together by bolting, riveting or welding. In a moisture separator made in accordance with the present invention, the individual nipples do not require welding, rolling or hydraulic expansion during the assembly process and do not have to be rigidly attached to either of the two perforated plates. The cooperation of the two plates holds the nipples in position.

Abstract: A waste heat boiler (10, 38) of the type which is particularly suited for use in marine applications and which incorporates a feed mixing nozzle (50) that is operative for purposes of effecting, by utilizing steam taken from the steam generating bank (20, 48), a preheating of the feedwater that is fed to the steam drum (14, 42). In addition to the aforesaid feed mixing nozzle (50), the subject waste heat boiler (10, 38) includes a feedwater control valve (12, 40), a steam drum (14, 42), a circulation pump (18, 46), a steam generating bank (20, 48) and a centrifugal water separator (16, 44). The feedwater control valve (12, 40) is employed to modulate the flow rate of the incoming feedwater in order to maintain the desired level of water in the steam drum (14, 42). In turn the latter steam drum (14, 42) is intended to function in the manner of a reservoir for the circulating water that through the operation of the circulating pump (18, 46) is supplied to the steam generating bank (20, 48).

Abstract: An apparatus for the distilling and evaporating of sea water so to produce pure fresh water on a large production basis; the apparatus including an evaporator having a baffle system of novel design therein so as to separate evaporated steam from non-evaporated water drops, a duct for conveying the evaporated steam to a condenser and a pure water supply tank; the evaporator being supplied by sea water.

Abstract: A compact and modularized boiler is comprised of interconnected modules. h module is removable and replaceable with an identical module for easy on site repair. The modules are separated physically and in function as a supercharger module connected to provide compressed air; a burner module connected to receive fuel and compressed air for combustion; a furnace module housing a combustion chamber for receiving hot gas from the burner module and water to be heated from a pump module; a steam drum module for separating liquid and steam; a superheater module interfaced with the furnace module for generating superheated steam; and a convection module for providing additional surface area for heat transfer from the hot gas to the working liquid. The boiler is compact and modular.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separaton of the liquid and vapor phases of a fluid incorporating an open ended cylinder in which are arranged blades. Each blade is in the form of a curvilinear triangular surface, whereof a first side contiguous with the cylindrical wall of the cylinder defines a helix whose axis coincides with the cylinder axis, an apex opposite to said first side is arranged substantially at the axis and the remaining sides define a leading edge substantially perpendicular to the cylinder axis and a trailing edge inclined with respect to said axis. A number of blades are joined together at their apices to define the blade arrangement within the cylinder.The invention also relates to a steam generator having an outer casing, a first circuit in which circulates a hotprimary fluid and a second circuit in which circulates a secondary fluid, whereby the latter incorporates at least one group of two separation apparatuses connected in series.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating water and steam at the outlet of a vaporization vessel of a recycling steam generator. The device constitutes an assembly of vertical cylindrical tubes enclosing the deflector elements enabling the separation of water and steam. These vertical separators or cyclones are grouped in sub-assemblies. Each of the cyclones of a sub-assembly is fixed to the upper portion of a common support structure, comprising from below upwards a tubular column fixed vertically on the upper portion of the vaporization vessel and a structure in the form of an upwardly flared vessel, in communication with the tubular column and with the cyclones fixed at its upper portion. The separation device is thus constructed in modular form. The invention is particularly applicable to steam generators of pressurized water nuclear reactors.

Abstract: A vertical shell-and-tube steam generator (10) which has a plurality of U-shaped tubes (60,62) through which the heating fluid flows, vaporizing fluid flowing on the outside of the tubes. A plurality of separators (26) are located above the tubes to remove liquid from the generated vapor. Orifices are located in some of the separator inlets (22) located above the hot leg region (60) of the U-tubes reducing the problem of overloading of these separators (26) by accomplishing a more uniform flow distribution of vapor from the areas above both the hot (60) and cold (62) legs of the U-tubes.

Abstract: An improved centrifugal separator for vapor-liquid mixtures having a vertical upflow conduit closed at the top end and open at the bottom end. A plurality of curved arms similar in shape to a truncated torus of rectangular cross-section penetrate and extend within the conduit at its upper portion. A second plurality of curved arms are located immediately below the upper group and are contiguous thereto. The vertical upflow conduit has a lesser internal diameter in the lower portion, interconnected with a greater internal diameter portion in the upper portion by a frusto-conical section.

Abstract: Centrifugal separating apparatus comprising a concentric inner and outer housing enclosing a swirling chamber through which a steam-water mixture is directed to separate the water from the steam. The inner housing encloses a first set of vanes that impart a rotary movement to the steam-water mixture accompanied by a centrifugal action sufficient to separate water from the steam and move it outward through perforations in the inner housing. A second set of inclined vanes in the space between the inner and outer housing members serve to swirl the water and remove residual steam therefrom before it is recirculated.

Abstract: A device for separating drops of liquid from a stream of gas or steam comprises a closed casing having a horizontal inlet and an outlet respectively having their openings in two compartments separated by a vertical grid, a deflecting nozzle in coaxial relation with the inlet and providing a slit leading to a gap external of the nozzle forming part of a first collecting chamber which communicates with a reservoir, a cusped inner shell cooperating with the nozzle coaxially and provided with a trailing edge forming a slit with an overlapping edge of a second collecting chamber which also communicates with the reservoir, and means for the fine separation of liquid known in the prior art which are placed between the vertical grid and the outlet.

Abstract: A vertical separator for liquid-gas media comprising a cylindrical housing accommodating a gas discharge pipe coaxial therewith, the pipe and the inner surface of the housing define an annular space divided by a partition wall with openings for gas passage into a liquid-gas space, and a gas space communicating with the internal space of the pipe. The liquid-gas space accommodates blocks for separating the media into liquid and gas, the blocks extending in the radial direction. Each separation block is provided with a gas discharge means accommodated in spaces between adjacent separation blocks and embracing the gas-passage openings in the partition wall.