Method of reducing carry-over and reducing pressure drop through steam separators

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6711746· OSTI ID:6711746

Carson, W. R.; Williams, H. K.

Steam separation equipment affects both the operation and performance of a PWR steam generator in terms of pressure drop, carryover, and carryunder. Carryover, the moisture entrained in the exiting steam flow, results in decreased plant efficiency and may lead to premature turbine blade failure. Carryunder, steam entrained in the circulating water flow, has a potential for decreasing the circulating water flow rate, and it may adversely affect the operating performance of the steam generator. To help prevent chemical hideout in the tube bundle, a high circulating water flow (i.e., circulation ratio) should be developed. The differential pressure for this circulating flow cannot be maintained if excessive carryunder exists which cannot be condensed by the addition of subcooled feedwater in the steam generator downcomer. Recognizing these principles of operation, this project determined the benefits which might be recognized from improved primary steam generator performance, identified three separator designs worthy of future development, and developed a recommended test program for verification testing of separator design improvement. In general, however, the studies revealed that the circulation ratio cannot be significantly improved by decreasing the primary separator pressure drop. Backfit of presently used primary separators into field steam generators to obtain improved performance was evaluated. An extensive literature search in the area of separator design was also developed.

• Research Organization: Combustion Engineering, Inc., Chattanooga, TN (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6711746
• Report Number(s): EPRI-NP-1607
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210200* -- Power Reactors
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Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
BOILERS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
MOISTURE
PRESSURE DROP
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTORS
STEAM GENERATORS
STEAM SEPARATORS
VAPOR GENERATORS
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