CA1137419A - Cartridge filter for separating radioactive contaminants from reactor cooling water - Google Patents
Cartridge filter for separating radioactive contaminants from reactor cooling waterInfo
- Publication number
- CA1137419A CA1137419A CA000340573A CA340573A CA1137419A CA 1137419 A CA1137419 A CA 1137419A CA 000340573 A CA000340573 A CA 000340573A CA 340573 A CA340573 A CA 340573A CA 1137419 A CA1137419 A CA 1137419A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- cartridge
- housing
- lid
- cartridges
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000000498 cooling water Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 10
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 8
- 230000002285 radioactive effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910017052 cobalt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010941 cobalt Substances 0.000 description 1
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N cobalt atom Chemical compound [Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
- G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
- G21F9/04—Treating liquids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/002—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with multiple filtering elements in parallel connection
- B01D24/004—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with multiple filtering elements in parallel connection arranged concentrically or coaxially
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/02—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration
- B01D24/04—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
- B01D24/06—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls the pervious walls comprising a series of louvres or slots
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/02—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration
- B01D24/04—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls
- B01D24/08—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being clamped between pervious fixed walls the filtering material being supported by at least two pervious coaxial walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/02—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration
- B01D24/10—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof with the filter bed stationary during the filtration the filtering material being held in a closed container
- B01D24/14—Downward filtration, the container having distribution or collection headers or pervious conduits
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/38—Feed or discharge devices
- B01D24/40—Feed or discharge devices for feeding
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D24/00—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof
- B01D24/48—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof integrally combined with devices for controlling the filtration
- B01D24/4876—Filters comprising loose filtering material, i.e. filtering material without any binder between the individual particles or fibres thereof integrally combined with devices for controlling the filtration in which the filtering elements are moved between filtering operations; particular measures for removing or replacing the filtering elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
- B01D35/14—Safety devices specially adapted for filtration; Devices for indicating clogging
- B01D35/153—Anti-leakage or anti-return valves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D35/00—Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions
- B01D35/30—Filter housing constructions
- B01D35/31—Filter housing constructions including arrangements for environmental protection, e.g. pressure resisting features
- B01D35/32—Filter housing constructions including arrangements for environmental protection, e.g. pressure resisting features against radiation
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D39/00—Filtering material for liquid or gaseous fluids
- B01D39/02—Loose filtering material, e.g. loose fibres
- B01D39/06—Inorganic material, e.g. asbestos fibres, glass beads or fibres
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2201/00—Details relating to filtering apparatus
- B01D2201/30—Filter housing constructions
- B01D2201/307—Filtering elements contained in an insert body mounted in a filter housing (double casing), e.g. to avoid contamination when removing or replacing the filter element
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Filtration Of Liquid (AREA)
- Filtering Of Dispersed Particles In Gases (AREA)
- Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
- Structure Of Emergency Protection For Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
- Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
Abstract
-- ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE --A cartridge-type filter has easily exchangeable and safe distance handling filter cartridges contaminated with radia-tion-emitting contaminants. The filter includes a filter housing having an inner annular shoulder forming a valve seat, and a filter cartridge has an outer ring in sealing engagement with the¦
shoulder for both supporting the cartridge and dividing the filter housing into two separate chambers respectively in communication with the supply and return conduits provided on the housing. A
portion of the reactor cooling water is conducted continuously through the filter circuit which is parallel to the main water flow.
shoulder for both supporting the cartridge and dividing the filter housing into two separate chambers respectively in communication with the supply and return conduits provided on the housing. A
portion of the reactor cooling water is conducted continuously through the filter circuit which is parallel to the main water flow.
Description
~13'~
, il BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1 ~
¦ This invention relates generally to a cartridge-type filter for separating contaminants in a fluid, and more parti-1 cularly to such a filter for separating solid contaminants in the , circulating cooling water of a nuclear power plant.
,I Chemical attacks in nuclear power plants lead to the formation of oxides or other substances on the surface of various structural elements as, for example, on the inner sur-i face of the reactor vessel, in conduits or on the surface of 1 components included in the reactor core. Further, flow and abrasion result in the loosening of various machine elements, such as valves, pumps, etc.
I Because the contaminants are formed and circulate in ' an environment with high radioactivity, radioactive isotopes are ' ~` formed in the particulate material. For example, a radioactive isotope Co 60 may be formed from an alloy such as cobalt. Thus, the filter containing a considerable quantity of separated ~, material is highly radioactive so that the handling of it involves Ii special problems because of the radiation emitted by the filter ¦, material. The filter must thus be surrounded by radiation - j~ protectors, and the removal and exchange of filter material must take place via remote operation.
' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
!' ~ It is an object of the present invention to provide a I filter wherein exchange and removal of the filter material may be simply carried out in an effective and efficient manner despite its high level of radiation.
The filter according to the invention is of a cartridge~
i filter-type in which a filter cartridge can be easily installed or removed from a filter housing by simple remote control 7gl~ 1 means. The filter housing has a top opening and a lid which covers the opening, and the lid is capable of being connected to one of several interconnected filter cartridges which contain ' I filter material for separating contaminants, primarily solid jl particles, present in the cooling water of the reactor. The cartridge filter may include a plurality of filter housings which are suitably cylindrical and are vertically disposed. Each filter housing has an inner, annular flange or shoulder defin-1, ing a valve seat and serving to support the filter cartridges.
j One of the filter cartridges has an outer, annular seal ring in ~¦ sealing engagement with the shoulder for supporting the filter cartridge within the housing and for dividing the housing into two separate chambers respectively in communication with supply Il and return conduits provided on the housing above and below the seal ring. Foul water is supplied to the upper chamber and the ¦ filtered water is collected in the lower chamber and is returned l! to the reactor vessel. The filter is suitably included in a ¦~ circuit parallel to the main water flow of the reactor with only ¦
Il a minor portion of the flow passing through this cleaning cir-
, il BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1 ~
¦ This invention relates generally to a cartridge-type filter for separating contaminants in a fluid, and more parti-1 cularly to such a filter for separating solid contaminants in the , circulating cooling water of a nuclear power plant.
,I Chemical attacks in nuclear power plants lead to the formation of oxides or other substances on the surface of various structural elements as, for example, on the inner sur-i face of the reactor vessel, in conduits or on the surface of 1 components included in the reactor core. Further, flow and abrasion result in the loosening of various machine elements, such as valves, pumps, etc.
I Because the contaminants are formed and circulate in ' an environment with high radioactivity, radioactive isotopes are ' ~` formed in the particulate material. For example, a radioactive isotope Co 60 may be formed from an alloy such as cobalt. Thus, the filter containing a considerable quantity of separated ~, material is highly radioactive so that the handling of it involves Ii special problems because of the radiation emitted by the filter ¦, material. The filter must thus be surrounded by radiation - j~ protectors, and the removal and exchange of filter material must take place via remote operation.
' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
!' ~ It is an object of the present invention to provide a I filter wherein exchange and removal of the filter material may be simply carried out in an effective and efficient manner despite its high level of radiation.
The filter according to the invention is of a cartridge~
i filter-type in which a filter cartridge can be easily installed or removed from a filter housing by simple remote control 7gl~ 1 means. The filter housing has a top opening and a lid which covers the opening, and the lid is capable of being connected to one of several interconnected filter cartridges which contain ' I filter material for separating contaminants, primarily solid jl particles, present in the cooling water of the reactor. The cartridge filter may include a plurality of filter housings which are suitably cylindrical and are vertically disposed. Each filter housing has an inner, annular flange or shoulder defin-1, ing a valve seat and serving to support the filter cartridges.
j One of the filter cartridges has an outer, annular seal ring in ~¦ sealing engagement with the shoulder for supporting the filter cartridge within the housing and for dividing the housing into two separate chambers respectively in communication with supply Il and return conduits provided on the housing above and below the seal ring. Foul water is supplied to the upper chamber and the ¦ filtered water is collected in the lower chamber and is returned l! to the reactor vessel. The filter is suitably included in a ¦~ circuit parallel to the main water flow of the reactor with only ¦
Il a minor portion of the flow passing through this cleaning cir-
2 d Ijll cuit.
Several filter cartridges may be located in one filter i housing and, the cartridges may be series- or parallel-connected. Also, several filter housings may be included in one ,i filter group with the housings being either parallel-1 or series-connected. The filter material contained within the ¦ filter cartridges may be located between strainers provided at the inlet and outlet sides of each cartridge so that the foul water will pass axially through the filter bed between the I strainers. Or, each cartridge may have two concentric, annular gap strainers between which an annular filter bed is located, ;~ -2-1137~
through which the foul water ~lows radially.. The ~ilter bed material, used in either of these constructi.o~s, ma~ be com-prised of metal wire clippings. A filter ca~tridge within the housing may be joined to the lid co~e~i~g the top opening such that when the lid is removed, the cartridge or cartridges are lifted together therewi.th. And, to increase the sealing en.gage-ment between the seal ring and the shoulder in the filter housing, springs may be provided between the lid and the filter cartridge.
Accord.in~ly, the in.~ention claimed therein is 10 essentially a cartridge filter for separatin.g radioactive con-taminants from reactor cooling water used, for example, in nuclear power plants, comprising, a.t leas.t one top opening filter housing having a supply conduit thereon for admittin.g cooling water to be filtered and a return conduit th.ereon for returning the filtered water, a lid covering said top opening, said housing having in its upper part an ïnwardly directed annular shoulder defining a ~alve.seat, at least one removable filter cartridge containing filter materi.al and being pro~ided at its upper part with an outwardly directed supporting ring thereon in sealing en.gagement with said shoulder for carrying said filter cartridge freely suspended within said housing, said cartridge diYiding said housin.g into two separate chambers respectively in communication with said supply and said return conduits, and means interconnecting said lid and said filter cartridge so that by lifting said lid the cartridge is simulta-neously lifted.
Other objects, ad~antages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the followlng detalled description of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawlngs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the filter 1~l3 7~ 9 according to the invention as positioned in a nuclear power plant, Figure 2 is a.view simila:rl to Figure 1 showing the manner of removing the filter cartridges~
Figures 3 and 4 are ~ertica~ sectional~iews of the Figure 1 filter, at enlarged scale, of two embodiments.acco~ding . to the invention~
Figure 5 is a detail view in.~ertical section a.t an even larger scale of a portion of the Figure 3 embodiment;~ and Figure 6 is a horizontal sectian.al ~ie~ taken through the concentric, annular gap strainers of Figure 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IN~ENTION
A portion of a nuclear power plant needed to describe the invention is shown in Figure 1 as including a space 1 defined by concrete ~alls 2 and a closing lid 3 which includes an outer annular section.3a and an inner~ plug 3b. A cartridge _ . . . _ . . . _ . _ _ . , _ ~13~7~
filter unit according to the invention, generally designated 4, is located in space 1 and comprises a cylindrical filter housing 5 having a top opening covered by a detachable lid 6 attached to the housing by bolts 9. The filter housing is connected to the primary cooling water system of a reactor (not shown) by a supply conduit 7 for receiving the foul water to be cleaned and by a return conduit 8 for returning the cleaned water. Since filter unit 4 communicates with the primary cooling system of the reac-I tor, the filter unit must be constructed to withstand the same pressure existing in the system, i.e., usually about 70 bar in a boiling reactor. It may also be suitable to adapt the filter ' unit to the steam pressure system, which is about 300C. Two ! :
filter cartridges 10 and 11 are mounted in the filter housing, upper cartridge 10 being connected to an inlet portion 12 for ~ control of the direction of the water flow at the inlet end of this cartridge. The cartridges are interconnected, as in a manner to be later described, and inlet portion 12 interconnects lid 6 with cartridge 10 so that cartridges 10 and 11 may be removed upon the removal of lid 6 as shown in Figure 2. During such ~ 20 ,I removal operation, concrete plug 3_ is removed and a radiation protection device 13 is mounted on lid 3a over opening 14 defined by the removal of the plug. A rod 15 is connected to ! lid 6 and the entire unit comprising lid 6, inlet portion 12 and cartridges 10,11 are lifted up into device 13 by means of a ~ suitable hoisting device. Radiation protection device 13 together with its contents is then removed, cartridges 10 and 11 and inlet portion 12 are separated, whereafter cartridges 10 and 11 may be cast into concrete or deposited in any conventional manner.
As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the upper portion of 11379~19 ,1 .
, filter housing 5 has a larger diameter than its lower portion.
An annular shoulder 16 is formed at the transition between the larger and smaller diameters, such shoulder or flange having a Il conical surface 17 defining a valve seat. Upper cartridge 10 ¦I has a seal ring 20 thereon of substantially spherical shape as at 21 for sealingly engaging with surface 17 to thereby divide the filter housing into two separate upper and lower chambers 22 and 23 which are sealed against intercommunication. The Il upper and lower chambers respectively communicate with the supply 1~ and return conduits 7 and 8.
¦l Thus, interconnected cartridges 10 and 11 are suspended from ring 20 in engagement with shoulder 16. Upper cartridge 10 includes a sleeve 24 spaced inwardly from the inner surface of ll the filter housing and having radially extending flanges 25 and ¦ 26 at opposite ends. Lower cartridge 11 includes a similar sleeve 27 slightly spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the ¦
~ filter housing and having a radially extending flange 25a at ¦~ its upper end and an annular bottom wall 28. Inlet portion 12 ¦1 is provided with flanges 30 and 31 at its opposite ends, and li cartridges 10 and 11 are interconnected by bolts 32. Inlet portion 12 and cartridge 10 are interconnected by bolts 33, and ,~ the inlet portion is connected to lid 6 by bolts 34 extending jl through flange 31 and into the lid. Bolts 32 and 33 may be ,~ welded to flanges 25 and 25a, and flanges 26 and 30 may be pro-I vided with openings for the bolt heads and slots for the bolt ! shanks so that the bolt heads may be inserted through the open-ings whereafter the cartridges are turned so that the bolt , shanks are moved into the slots to thereby form a bayonet-type l! connection.
,; Coil springs 29 are located between lid 6 and plate 31 ~ -6-37~
for resiliently biasing the entire cartridge unit with an increased force against surface 17 to thereby increase the seal between surfaces 21 and 17. Filter material 35, which may be in ~i the form of metal wire chips or trimmings, lies between two ¦~ annular concentric strainers 36 and 37 and between closing plate ¦ 38 at the upper end of cartridge 10 and lower ring 40 of this cartridge. Similar filter material is located between two annu-~ lar concentric strainers 36 and 37 and between upper and lower ¦ rings 41 and 28 of lower cartridge 11.
¦ As shown in Figures 5 and 6, strainers 36 and 37 1~ respectively include rings 42 and 43 separated by spacers 44 ¦l and 45 and held in stacked relationship, respectively, by bolts ¦ 46. The thickness of the gaps between the stacked rings is Il designed to be somewhat smalIer than the grain size of filter ¦ material 35. Thus, if metal wire clippings having a length of ¦! 0.4 mm and a diamter of 0.4 mm are used, spaces 44 and 45 would ¦i have a thickness of 0.2 mm.
In accordance with the filter design shown in Figure Il 3, foul water to be cleaned flows from supply conduit 7 and into I! chamber 22 and from there to the interior of inlet portion 12 via ¦~ the small inlet openings shown in the drawings. The foul water ¦ then flows into space 47 and down into intercommunicating annular ¦ gaps 48 and 50 (Fig. 5) which are formed between annular I strainers 36 and the inner surfaces of sleeves 24 and 27. The 1l water in gaps 48 and 50 flow radially through filter material 35 of both cartridges and into a central space 51 defined within j inner annular strainers 37, then down into the bottom of lower chamber 23 and out through returr. conduit 8.
I, In the filter design according to Figure 4, which is similar in many respects to Figure 3, cartridges 10 and 11 ~ -7-1~l3~
respectively have lids 51,52 and bottom walls 53,54 having open-ings therein over which strainers 55,56 and 57,58 are respective-, ly mounted. The cartridges contain filter material 60 in the I spaces between the strainers. Lid 51 and bottom plate 53 are interconnected by a sleeve 61 spaced slightly inwardly of sleeve 24 so as to form an annular gap 62 therewith. Lid 52 and bottom wall 54 are interconnected by sleeve 27 and by an inner sleeve or tube 63 thus defining with sleeve 27 an annular space for ~'l filter material 60. Sleeve 63 defines a central axial channel 64, and another bottom wall 65 on sleeve 61 of cartridge 10 is provided with a depending sleeve 66 which fits within a muff 67 extending upwardly from sleeve 63 for interconnecting car-tridges 10 and 11 together. Space 68 between bottom walls 53 1 and 65 is therefore in open communication with channel 64.
l~ The foul water to-be cleaned flows into chamber 22 ' via supply conduit 7 and from there flows into space 47 via inlet portion 12, all as in the same manner described with reference to Figure 3. The foul water then flows along one ~, path from space 47 through strainer 55 and axially through the l bed of filter material 60 in cartridge 10 and then through ~ , strainer 56 and into space 68 and from there through channel 64 , to chamber 23 and out through return conduit 8. Also, the foul water flows along another path from space 47 through annular ' gap 62 and into an annular space 69 located outwardly of muff 67 and from there it flows through strainer 57 and axially , through the bed of filter material 60 in cartridge 11 and then through strainer 58 and into lower chamber 23 and out through return conduit 8.
I It should be pointed out that sleeves 24 and 27 of the cartridges 10 and 11 are interconnected at the bottom and top r ~l37~15 thereof, respectively, in the same manner as that described with reference to Figure 3, i.e., via bayonet-type connections.
Also, the bottom of inlet portion 12 is interconnected with the ~ top of sleeve 24 by means of the same bayonet-type connections described for Figure 3, and the top of inlet portion 12 has a plate 31 thereon mounted to lid 6 by bolts 34 with coil springs 29 between plate 31 and the lid for resiliently urging the seal ring on cartridge 10 against shoulder 16 when the lid is mounted 1 over the top opening of the filter housing, all as similarly ~ described with reference to Figure 3.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are made possible in the light of the above teachings. For example, filter cartridges of different shapes I containing different filter materials may be utilized as compared ¦ to that disclosed herein without departing from the invention.
For example, the filter cartridges may be constructed as plane filters of different types. And, seal ring 20 may alternately be provided on inlet portion 12 at a suitable location for ' sealingly engaging with surface 17 so as to divide the filter _ 20 1 housing into the two separate upper and lower chambers. It is 1, .
, therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended ,I claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
_g_ '~ '
Several filter cartridges may be located in one filter i housing and, the cartridges may be series- or parallel-connected. Also, several filter housings may be included in one ,i filter group with the housings being either parallel-1 or series-connected. The filter material contained within the ¦ filter cartridges may be located between strainers provided at the inlet and outlet sides of each cartridge so that the foul water will pass axially through the filter bed between the I strainers. Or, each cartridge may have two concentric, annular gap strainers between which an annular filter bed is located, ;~ -2-1137~
through which the foul water ~lows radially.. The ~ilter bed material, used in either of these constructi.o~s, ma~ be com-prised of metal wire clippings. A filter ca~tridge within the housing may be joined to the lid co~e~i~g the top opening such that when the lid is removed, the cartridge or cartridges are lifted together therewi.th. And, to increase the sealing en.gage-ment between the seal ring and the shoulder in the filter housing, springs may be provided between the lid and the filter cartridge.
Accord.in~ly, the in.~ention claimed therein is 10 essentially a cartridge filter for separatin.g radioactive con-taminants from reactor cooling water used, for example, in nuclear power plants, comprising, a.t leas.t one top opening filter housing having a supply conduit thereon for admittin.g cooling water to be filtered and a return conduit th.ereon for returning the filtered water, a lid covering said top opening, said housing having in its upper part an ïnwardly directed annular shoulder defining a ~alve.seat, at least one removable filter cartridge containing filter materi.al and being pro~ided at its upper part with an outwardly directed supporting ring thereon in sealing en.gagement with said shoulder for carrying said filter cartridge freely suspended within said housing, said cartridge diYiding said housin.g into two separate chambers respectively in communication with said supply and said return conduits, and means interconnecting said lid and said filter cartridge so that by lifting said lid the cartridge is simulta-neously lifted.
Other objects, ad~antages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the followlng detalled description of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawlngs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the filter 1~l3 7~ 9 according to the invention as positioned in a nuclear power plant, Figure 2 is a.view simila:rl to Figure 1 showing the manner of removing the filter cartridges~
Figures 3 and 4 are ~ertica~ sectional~iews of the Figure 1 filter, at enlarged scale, of two embodiments.acco~ding . to the invention~
Figure 5 is a detail view in.~ertical section a.t an even larger scale of a portion of the Figure 3 embodiment;~ and Figure 6 is a horizontal sectian.al ~ie~ taken through the concentric, annular gap strainers of Figure 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IN~ENTION
A portion of a nuclear power plant needed to describe the invention is shown in Figure 1 as including a space 1 defined by concrete ~alls 2 and a closing lid 3 which includes an outer annular section.3a and an inner~ plug 3b. A cartridge _ . . . _ . . . _ . _ _ . , _ ~13~7~
filter unit according to the invention, generally designated 4, is located in space 1 and comprises a cylindrical filter housing 5 having a top opening covered by a detachable lid 6 attached to the housing by bolts 9. The filter housing is connected to the primary cooling water system of a reactor (not shown) by a supply conduit 7 for receiving the foul water to be cleaned and by a return conduit 8 for returning the cleaned water. Since filter unit 4 communicates with the primary cooling system of the reac-I tor, the filter unit must be constructed to withstand the same pressure existing in the system, i.e., usually about 70 bar in a boiling reactor. It may also be suitable to adapt the filter ' unit to the steam pressure system, which is about 300C. Two ! :
filter cartridges 10 and 11 are mounted in the filter housing, upper cartridge 10 being connected to an inlet portion 12 for ~ control of the direction of the water flow at the inlet end of this cartridge. The cartridges are interconnected, as in a manner to be later described, and inlet portion 12 interconnects lid 6 with cartridge 10 so that cartridges 10 and 11 may be removed upon the removal of lid 6 as shown in Figure 2. During such ~ 20 ,I removal operation, concrete plug 3_ is removed and a radiation protection device 13 is mounted on lid 3a over opening 14 defined by the removal of the plug. A rod 15 is connected to ! lid 6 and the entire unit comprising lid 6, inlet portion 12 and cartridges 10,11 are lifted up into device 13 by means of a ~ suitable hoisting device. Radiation protection device 13 together with its contents is then removed, cartridges 10 and 11 and inlet portion 12 are separated, whereafter cartridges 10 and 11 may be cast into concrete or deposited in any conventional manner.
As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the upper portion of 11379~19 ,1 .
, filter housing 5 has a larger diameter than its lower portion.
An annular shoulder 16 is formed at the transition between the larger and smaller diameters, such shoulder or flange having a Il conical surface 17 defining a valve seat. Upper cartridge 10 ¦I has a seal ring 20 thereon of substantially spherical shape as at 21 for sealingly engaging with surface 17 to thereby divide the filter housing into two separate upper and lower chambers 22 and 23 which are sealed against intercommunication. The Il upper and lower chambers respectively communicate with the supply 1~ and return conduits 7 and 8.
¦l Thus, interconnected cartridges 10 and 11 are suspended from ring 20 in engagement with shoulder 16. Upper cartridge 10 includes a sleeve 24 spaced inwardly from the inner surface of ll the filter housing and having radially extending flanges 25 and ¦ 26 at opposite ends. Lower cartridge 11 includes a similar sleeve 27 slightly spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the ¦
~ filter housing and having a radially extending flange 25a at ¦~ its upper end and an annular bottom wall 28. Inlet portion 12 ¦1 is provided with flanges 30 and 31 at its opposite ends, and li cartridges 10 and 11 are interconnected by bolts 32. Inlet portion 12 and cartridge 10 are interconnected by bolts 33, and ,~ the inlet portion is connected to lid 6 by bolts 34 extending jl through flange 31 and into the lid. Bolts 32 and 33 may be ,~ welded to flanges 25 and 25a, and flanges 26 and 30 may be pro-I vided with openings for the bolt heads and slots for the bolt ! shanks so that the bolt heads may be inserted through the open-ings whereafter the cartridges are turned so that the bolt , shanks are moved into the slots to thereby form a bayonet-type l! connection.
,; Coil springs 29 are located between lid 6 and plate 31 ~ -6-37~
for resiliently biasing the entire cartridge unit with an increased force against surface 17 to thereby increase the seal between surfaces 21 and 17. Filter material 35, which may be in ~i the form of metal wire chips or trimmings, lies between two ¦~ annular concentric strainers 36 and 37 and between closing plate ¦ 38 at the upper end of cartridge 10 and lower ring 40 of this cartridge. Similar filter material is located between two annu-~ lar concentric strainers 36 and 37 and between upper and lower ¦ rings 41 and 28 of lower cartridge 11.
¦ As shown in Figures 5 and 6, strainers 36 and 37 1~ respectively include rings 42 and 43 separated by spacers 44 ¦l and 45 and held in stacked relationship, respectively, by bolts ¦ 46. The thickness of the gaps between the stacked rings is Il designed to be somewhat smalIer than the grain size of filter ¦ material 35. Thus, if metal wire clippings having a length of ¦! 0.4 mm and a diamter of 0.4 mm are used, spaces 44 and 45 would ¦i have a thickness of 0.2 mm.
In accordance with the filter design shown in Figure Il 3, foul water to be cleaned flows from supply conduit 7 and into I! chamber 22 and from there to the interior of inlet portion 12 via ¦~ the small inlet openings shown in the drawings. The foul water ¦ then flows into space 47 and down into intercommunicating annular ¦ gaps 48 and 50 (Fig. 5) which are formed between annular I strainers 36 and the inner surfaces of sleeves 24 and 27. The 1l water in gaps 48 and 50 flow radially through filter material 35 of both cartridges and into a central space 51 defined within j inner annular strainers 37, then down into the bottom of lower chamber 23 and out through returr. conduit 8.
I, In the filter design according to Figure 4, which is similar in many respects to Figure 3, cartridges 10 and 11 ~ -7-1~l3~
respectively have lids 51,52 and bottom walls 53,54 having open-ings therein over which strainers 55,56 and 57,58 are respective-, ly mounted. The cartridges contain filter material 60 in the I spaces between the strainers. Lid 51 and bottom plate 53 are interconnected by a sleeve 61 spaced slightly inwardly of sleeve 24 so as to form an annular gap 62 therewith. Lid 52 and bottom wall 54 are interconnected by sleeve 27 and by an inner sleeve or tube 63 thus defining with sleeve 27 an annular space for ~'l filter material 60. Sleeve 63 defines a central axial channel 64, and another bottom wall 65 on sleeve 61 of cartridge 10 is provided with a depending sleeve 66 which fits within a muff 67 extending upwardly from sleeve 63 for interconnecting car-tridges 10 and 11 together. Space 68 between bottom walls 53 1 and 65 is therefore in open communication with channel 64.
l~ The foul water to-be cleaned flows into chamber 22 ' via supply conduit 7 and from there flows into space 47 via inlet portion 12, all as in the same manner described with reference to Figure 3. The foul water then flows along one ~, path from space 47 through strainer 55 and axially through the l bed of filter material 60 in cartridge 10 and then through ~ , strainer 56 and into space 68 and from there through channel 64 , to chamber 23 and out through return conduit 8. Also, the foul water flows along another path from space 47 through annular ' gap 62 and into an annular space 69 located outwardly of muff 67 and from there it flows through strainer 57 and axially , through the bed of filter material 60 in cartridge 11 and then through strainer 58 and into lower chamber 23 and out through return conduit 8.
I It should be pointed out that sleeves 24 and 27 of the cartridges 10 and 11 are interconnected at the bottom and top r ~l37~15 thereof, respectively, in the same manner as that described with reference to Figure 3, i.e., via bayonet-type connections.
Also, the bottom of inlet portion 12 is interconnected with the ~ top of sleeve 24 by means of the same bayonet-type connections described for Figure 3, and the top of inlet portion 12 has a plate 31 thereon mounted to lid 6 by bolts 34 with coil springs 29 between plate 31 and the lid for resiliently urging the seal ring on cartridge 10 against shoulder 16 when the lid is mounted 1 over the top opening of the filter housing, all as similarly ~ described with reference to Figure 3.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are made possible in the light of the above teachings. For example, filter cartridges of different shapes I containing different filter materials may be utilized as compared ¦ to that disclosed herein without departing from the invention.
For example, the filter cartridges may be constructed as plane filters of different types. And, seal ring 20 may alternately be provided on inlet portion 12 at a suitable location for ' sealingly engaging with surface 17 so as to divide the filter _ 20 1 housing into the two separate upper and lower chambers. It is 1, .
, therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended ,I claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
_g_ '~ '
Claims (9)
1. A cartridge filter for separating radioactive contaminants from reactor cooling water used, for example, in nuclear power plants, comprising, at least one top opening filter housing having a supply conduit thereon for admitting cooling water to be filtered and a return conduit thereon for returning the filtered water, a lid detachably covering said top opening, said housing having in its upper part an inwardly directed annular shoulder defining a valve seat, at least one removable filter cartridge containing filter material and being provided at its upper part with an outwardly directed supporting ring thereon in sealing engagement with said shoulder for carrying said filter cartridge freely suspended within said housing, said cartridge dividing said housing into two separate chambers respectively in communication with said supply and said return conduits, and means interconnecting said lid and said filter cartridge so that by lifting said lid the cartridge is simultaneously lifted.
2. The filter according to claim 1, wherein a plura-lity of interconnected removable filter cartridges containing filter material are supported within said housing.
3. The filter according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of filter housings are provided and are interconnected as a filter group.
4. The filter according to claim 2, wherein said cartridges each include two concentric gap strainers defining an annular space therebetween, said filter material being located within each said space.
5. The filter according to claim 2, wherein said cartridges are each provided at inlet and outlet ends thereof with gap strainers defining an axial space therebetween, said filter material being located within each said space so that the cooling water to be filtered flows axially through said filter material.
6. The filter according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said filter material comprises wire clippings.
7. The filter according to claim 1, wherein said interconnecting means includes means supporting, from said lid, said filter cartridge in said housing, and spring means between said lid and said supporting means for resiliently urging said supporting ring against said shoulder when said lid is closed over said top opening.
8. The filter according to claim 1, wherein the annular shoulder in the filter housing forming the valve seat is provided with an inwardly sloping conical seat surface.
9. The filter according to claim 8, wherein the supporting ring of said filter cartridge is provided with one of a conical and spherical surface cooperating with said valve seat surface of the annular shoulder in said filter housing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE7907077-7 | 1979-08-24 | ||
| SE7907077A SE430127B (en) | 1979-08-24 | 1979-08-24 | NUCLEAR REACTOR REFRIGERATOR INCLUDING FILTER |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1137419A true CA1137419A (en) | 1982-12-14 |
Family
ID=20338687
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000340573A Expired CA1137419A (en) | 1979-08-24 | 1979-11-26 | Cartridge filter for separating radioactive contaminants from reactor cooling water |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5635094A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1137419A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH649224A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3030321C2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES494398A0 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI69253C (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2463970A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2061123B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1128981B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE430127B (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2582850B1 (en) * | 1985-05-29 | 1987-08-21 | Framatome Sa | MODULAR DEVICE FOR ULTRAFILTRATION OF THE COOLING LIQUID OF A NUCLEAR REACTOR |
| GB8710793D0 (en) * | 1987-05-07 | 1987-06-10 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Valve & filter assembly |
| SE462303B (en) * | 1988-10-27 | 1990-05-28 | Asea Atom Ab | PREPARED TEST PREPARATION BY ANALYSIS OF PARTICULATE SOCIETIES IN A FLOW OF WATER |
| US5593578A (en) * | 1994-11-15 | 1997-01-14 | B & W Nuclear Technologies | Filter adapter and disposable filter |
| US5855777A (en) * | 1996-10-31 | 1999-01-05 | Fountainhead Technologies, Inc. | Multi-chamber water purification device and method of using the same |
| SE9801985L (en) * | 1998-06-02 | 1999-06-28 | Asea Brown Boveri | Purification device for a nuclear power plant as well as a purification plant with a number of such purification devices |
| US6322697B1 (en) | 1999-07-19 | 2001-11-27 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Oil filter assembly |
| DE10111064B4 (en) | 2001-03-08 | 2004-08-19 | Seitzschenk Filtersystems Gmbh | Filter module, installation kit for a filter module and filter device |
| DE102010031385B3 (en) * | 2010-07-15 | 2011-10-13 | Areva Np Gmbh | Filter for cooling water of a primary circuit of a nuclear power plant and method for filtering cooling water |
| DE102011051902A1 (en) * | 2011-07-18 | 2013-01-24 | Haomin Ding | Filter, in particular breathing air filter |
| JP6570936B2 (en) * | 2015-09-16 | 2019-09-04 | 日立Ｇｅニュークリア・エナジー株式会社 | Filter replacement method for filter |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1226660A (en) * | 1959-02-26 | 1960-07-15 | Soc Indatom | New quick-opening tank intended to contain filter elements |
| BE791352A (en) * | 1971-11-15 | 1973-03-01 | Kernforschung Gmbh Ges Fuer | LIQUID FILTRATION DEVICE |
-
1979
- 1979-08-24 SE SE7907077A patent/SE430127B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1979-11-26 CA CA000340573A patent/CA1137419A/en not_active Expired
-
1980
- 1980-08-11 DE DE3030321A patent/DE3030321C2/en not_active Expired
- 1980-08-15 CH CH6159/80A patent/CH649224A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-08-20 ES ES494398A patent/ES494398A0/en active Granted
- 1980-08-21 FR FR8018284A patent/FR2463970A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1980-08-21 FI FI802640A patent/FI69253C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1980-08-22 IT IT68310/80A patent/IT1128981B/en active
- 1980-08-22 GB GB8027480A patent/GB2061123B/en not_active Expired
- 1980-08-22 JP JP11576880A patent/JPS5635094A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2061123A (en) | 1981-05-13 |
| DE3030321C2 (en) | 1983-04-07 |
| DE3030321A1 (en) | 1981-03-12 |
| GB2061123B (en) | 1983-03-09 |
| JPS6333679B2 (en) | 1988-07-06 |
| FI69253C (en) | 1986-01-10 |
| IT8068310A0 (en) | 1980-08-22 |
| FI69253B (en) | 1985-09-30 |
| FI802640A (en) | 1981-02-25 |
| FR2463970A1 (en) | 1981-02-27 |
| SE7907077L (en) | 1981-02-25 |
| SE430127B (en) | 1983-10-24 |
| ES8300487A1 (en) | 1982-11-01 |
| ES494398A0 (en) | 1982-11-01 |
| CH649224A5 (en) | 1985-05-15 |
| JPS5635094A (en) | 1981-04-07 |
| IT1128981B (en) | 1986-06-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |