Method and apparatus for removal of residual sludge from a nuclear steam generator

Patent · Tue Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6346752

Lahoda, E J; Echardt, D A

This patent describes a method for removing sludge deposits from the tube sheet of a nuclear steam generator vessel to which is connected a bundle of parallel heat exchange tubes arranged in parallel rows separated by lanes and parallel columns separated by channels. The method includes the steps of: directing a cleaning stream of sequentially advancing a lance past the channels one channel at a time, fluid along a first channel for dislodging sludge deposits and moving them toward the periphery of the bundle of tubes, substantially simultaneously directing a barrier stream of fluid from the lance in substantially the same direction as the cleaning stream. Stream continues along a second channel spaced from the first channel by at least two columns of tubes with no streams directed from the lance along any other channel between the first and second channels to prevent the dislodged sludge from being moved past the barrier stream into previously cleaned channels. Each of the streams has an axis immovable with respect to the other stream in directions parallel to the tube sheet and having a width in directions perpendicular to the axis and parallel to the tube sheet less than the width of the associated channel along which the stream is directed. This removes sludge-loaded fluid from the periphery of the bundle of tubes.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4676201
• OSTI ID: 6346752
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
BOILERS
CLEANING
DESCALING
FLUID FLOW
HEAT EXCHANGERS
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
REMOVAL
SLUDGES
STEAM GENERATORS
SURFACE FINISHING
TUBES
VAPOR GENERATORS