GB1313636A - Liquid metal steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

1313636 Liquid metal steam generator UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION 7 Feb 1972 [2 March 1971] 5543/72 Heading F4A In a liquid metal steam generator, i.e. using liquid sodium, a pressure vessel 12 is divided by tube sheet means 22 into an upper high pressure water/steam region and a lower liquid metal low pressure region, and sets of tubes for evaporation 38 and superheat 36 extend from the upper region into the liquid metal, each set of tubes comprising concentrically arranged tube pairs, Fig. 3. Feedwater enters at 57 and passes via channel 48 down the inner tubes 82 of set 38. The liquid metal enters 24 and passes round baffle 42 and over set 38 to outlet 28 (arrows A); and the saturated steam produced in the evaporator tubes 38 passing up through the annular channel between inner 82 and outer 77 tubes to nozzle 23. Line 83 passes the saturated steam via nozzle 64, and openings 58 to the annular passage between inner, 74, and outer, 72, tubes of superheat set 36 extending into the liquid metal region. Superheated steam returns through the inner tubes 74, though upper tube sheet means 52 and chamber 55b to the outlet 62. To operate the generator in a recirculation mode valve V3 is closed valves V1, V2 opened and the saturated steam bearing nozzle 23 passes through steam drum 5 for separation of water and steam. Outlet 28 allows the discharge of any water/ liquid metal reaction products formed in the space between the metal level 32 and the tube sheet means 22.