The Trimming-Based Design Method for PWR Coolant Flow Distribution Device

Abstract

In order to resolve the situations of nonuniform coolant flow distribution and insufficient vortex suppression, the existing Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) usually adopts complex coolant mixing structures. However, those structures will greatly increase the complexity and maintenance cost of the system. To solve this problem, a trimming-based design method is proposed in this paper for the complex system and applies it to the design process of the PWR coolant flow distribution device. The function model of the coolant flow distribution system is built based on its functional analysis, and, according to the result of the component feature analysis, the columns and part of the basket are trimmed in order to simplify the overall structure of the system. To further solve the technical contradictions occurred in the simplified system, the contradiction solving tools of TRIZ theory are adopted. By setting the stereo flow equalizing plate, which can strengthen the function of flow distribution and vortex suppression, a coolant flow distribution device for PWR based on dome structure is obtained finally. This device owns a simple structure with good effect on coolant flow distribution and vortex suppression, which can achieve the goal of uniform coolant flow distribution of the system effectively.