Method of determining the enthalpy and moisture content of wet steam

Patent · Tue Oct 29 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5485177

Silvestri, Jr, G J

This patent describes a nuclear powered multi-stage steam turbine system wherein steam at higher than atmospheric pressure is introduced into the turbine system at a high pressure turbine element and thereafter flows through a series of turbine elements at successively decreasing pressures, wherein portions of the steam are extracted from the turbine elements at a plurality of lower pressure points and the steam is finally exhausted at a lowest pressure point, the method of determining moisture content and enthalpy of steam at a selected pressure point. It comprises sampling a small quantity of steam at the selected pressure point; super heating the steam sample to a single-phase state by reducing its pressure and bottling it in a closed measuring chamber whereby the flow energy of the sample is converted into internal energy; measuring the pressure of the steam sample within the chamber; determining the sonic velocity of the steam sample by passing a sound wave through the sample from a transmitter to a receiver located at a known distance from the transmitter and measuring the time required for the sound wave to travel from transmitter to receiver; and utilizing the measured pressure and sonic velocity of the steam sample to calculate the moisture content and enthalpy of the steam at the selected pressure point.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5061431
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-401671
• OSTI ID: 5485177
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220400* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Control Systems
42 ENGINEERING
420400 -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
ENTHALPY
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
MACHINERY
MEASURING METHODS
MOISTURE
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
NUCLEAR SUPERHEATING
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MONITORING SYSTEMS
STEAM TURBINES
SUPERHEATING
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY