Abstract:
In a nuclear power plant making use of a high temperature gas cooled reactor, it is necessary, prior to commencing power generation and connection of a generator to an electrical distribution grid, to condition the power generation circuit of the plant. This involves creating stable conditions within the power generation circuit. To this end, the plant includes a start-up blower system for circulating working fluid, typically helium, around the power generation circuit until the desired conditions are satisfied. The start-up blower system typically includes a normally open in-line valve, at least one blower connected in parallel with the in-line valve and a normally closed isolation valve connected in series with the blower. Conditioning the power generation circuit will typically include stabilizing the pressure in the circuit at between 10 bar and 50 bar.
Abstract:
The invention provides a gas turbine having a housing and a rotor, at least part of which is mounted in the housing, for rotation about an axis of rotation. An electromagnetic thrust bearing supports the rotor. A counterbalancing chamber is positioned adjacent a downstream end of the rotor into which a high pressure gas can be fed to counterbalance axial loading on the rotor and hence reduce the loading on the bearing. A pressure balancing seal is provided for inhibiting leakage of gas from the counterbalancing chamber. The seal includes two relatively displaceable seal components, one of which is fixed to the rotor thereby permitting the relative spacing between the seal components to be controlled by the electromagnetic bearing.
Abstract:
A method of regulating the power generated in a nuclear power plant which includes the step of regulating the flow of helium through the reactor. To this end, the power plant includes a closed loop power generation circuit having at least one compressor and a recirculation circuit whereby helium can be recirculated around the compressor. By regulating the flow of helium around the recirculation circuit using suitable valves the flow of helium through the reactor and hence the power generated can be regulated. The plant includes a helium inventory control system whereby the inventory of helium in the power generation circuit can be varied thereby varying the power generated in the circuit.
Abstract:
The invention provides a gas turbine having a housing and a rotor, at least part of which is mounted in the housing, for rotation about an axis of rotation. An electromagnetic thrust bearing supports the rotor. A counterbalancing chamber is positioned adjacent a downstream end of the rotor into which a high pressure gas can be fed to counterbalance axial loading on the rotor and hence reduce the loading on the bearing. A pressure balancing seal is provided for inhibiting leakage of gas from the counterbalancing chamber. The seal includes two relatively displaceable seal components, one of which is fixed to the rotor thereby permitting the relative spacing between the seal components to be controlled by the electromagnetic bearing.
Abstract:
To provide a connecting structure of a double tube and an assembling or disassembling method of the double tube capable of disassembling or repairing an inner tube without cutting an outer tube. A connecting structure (10A) includes an outer tube (11) and an inner tube (12). The outer tube (11) is provided at a location corresponding to a connection flange portion (13) of the inner tube (12) with an outer tube short cylinder (15) including openings (14) each having a lid (14a). The outer tube short cylinder (15) is provided at respective ends with outer tube connection flange portions (16A and 16B). There are provided push-up bolts (21) capable of adjusting gaps respectively between an outer tube connection flange portions (17A-1 and 17A-2) which are opposed to each other, and between an outer tube connection flange portions (17B-1 and 17B-2).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of controlling an average temperature of a coolant at a reactor core outlet. The method includes the steps of detecting an actual average temperature of the coolant at the reactor core outlet, comparing the actual average temperature of the coolant at the reactor core outlet with a reference temperature thereby to generate an error signal, and adjusting the actual average temperature of the coolant at the reactor core outlet in response to the error signal. The invention extends to a nuclear reactor outlet temperature control system 10, to a cascade controller for a nuclear reactor, and to a nuclear power plant.
Abstract:
To provide a double pipe apparatus which prevents gas flowing through an outer pipe and an inner pipe from leaking outside the outer pipe. The double pipe apparatus (10) according to an embodiment includes an outer pipe (11) and an inner pipe (12) inserted into the outer pipe (11), and regulates a flow of a gas (A) flowing through the double pipe apparatus. The double pipe apparatus (10) includes a flow regulating valve (13) which regulates the flow of the gas (A) flowing through the inner pipe (12), a valve stem (14) which supports the flow regulating valve (13) and which penetrates the outer pipe (11) and the inner pipe (12), and fluid leakage preventing parts (16) including a bellows (15) which is provided between the outer pipe (11) and the inner pipe (12) and which prevents the gas (A) from leaking outside the outer pipe (11).
Abstract:
To reduce the size of a rotary machine and to provide a rotary machine in which it is possible to achieve an improvement in reliability and performance of the rotary machine. A first casing (1) and a second casing (2) formed by dividing a substantially cylindrical casing (101), enclosing in the interior thereof a rotor shaft (4) in which rotor blades (11) are embedded, into two at substantially a central portion relative to an axial direction of the rotor shaft (4) are provided; a first coupling flange (1A) and a second coupling flange (2A) are provided at openings in the first casing (1) and the second casing (2), respectively; a third coupling flange (3A) is provided, which is enclosed by the casing (101), which is positioned at substantially a central portion of the length in the axial direction in a substantially cylindrical blade ring (3) holding stator blades (10) and enclosing the rotor shaft (4), and which holds the blade ring (3); the first casing (1), the second casing (2), and the blade ring (3) being assembled by sandwiching the third coupling flange (3A) between the first coupling flange (1A) and the second coupling flange (2A).
Abstract:
To reduce the size of a rotary machine and to provide a rotary machine in which it is possible to achieve an improvement in reliability and performance of the rotary machine. A first casing (1) and a second casing (2) formed by dividing a substantially cylindrical casing (101), enclosing in the interior thereof a rotor shaft (4) in which rotor blades (11) are embedded, into two at substantially a central portion relative to an axial direction of the rotor shaft (4) are provided; a first coupling flange (1A) and a second coupling flange (2A) are provided at openings in the first casing (1) and the second casing (2), respectively; a third coupling flange (3A) is provided, which is enclosed by the casing (101), which is positioned at substantially a central portion of the length in the axial direction in a substantially cylindrical blade ring (3) holding stator blades (10) and enclosing the rotor shaft (4), and which holds the blade ring (3); the first casing (1), the second casing (2), and the blade ring (3) being assembled by sandwiching the third coupling flange (3A) between the first coupling flange (1A) and the second coupling flange (2A).
Abstract:
To provide a scroll structure of a rotary machine and a rotary machine in which it is possible to achieve an improvement in reliability and functionality of a rotary machine such as a turbine and to achieve a reduction in size of the rotary machine and the scroll structure. Provided are a casing (21) that entirely covers an area surrounding an annular channel extending in a circular shape about a rotational axis in a rotating portion of a rotary machine and a cylindrical channel extending from the annular channel at the rotational axis side and extending towards the rotating portion; and a fitting portion (23A) that supports the casing (21) with respect to a support portion accommodating the casing (21) so as to enable expansion and contraction in a radial direction centered on the rotational axis.