US4031706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Superheating steam from light water nuclear reactors
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-12-18
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1995-12-18
Abstract
Abstract Heat from an exothermic chemical reaction(s) is employed to superheat and/or reheat steam generated by a light water nuclear reactor (LWR). The use of such a source of heat enables the selection of a temperature for the heating limited by thermodynamic considerations that eliminates equipment failures due to overheating the heater tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 Himanshu B. Vakil
- 👤 Dale H. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:07
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K3/00; F01K3/18; F01K3/188; F24; F24V; F24V30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a process for heating the pressurized steam product stream produced by heat generated in a light water nuclear reactor wherein the steam product stream is brought into heat exchange relationship with a high temperature source in a heat exchange device and the temperature of the steam product stream is increased to at least about 650° F. after which the superheated steam so produced is used to operate a steam turbine-generator set, the improvement comprising using a combustion-less exothermic chemical reaction for the generation of heat utilized for the heating step, said exothermic chemical reaction having a maximum attainable temperature limited by thermodynamic considerations to a value below the design capability of any component of said heat exchange device exposed thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a process for heating the pressurized steam product stream produced by heat generated in a light water nuclear reactor wherein the steam product stream is brought into heat exchange relationship with a high temperature source in a heat exchange device and the temperature of the steam product stream is increased to at least about 650° F. after which the superheated steam so produced is used to operate a steam turbine-generator set, the improvement comprising using a combustion-less exothermic chemical reaction for the generation of heat utilized for the heating step, said exothermic chemical reaction having a maximum attainable temperature limited by thermodynamic considerations to a value below the design capability of any component of said heat exchange device exposed thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement recited in claim 1 wherein the chemical reaction is methanation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement recited in claim 2 wherein the temperature of the methanation reaction is in the range of from about 1100° to about 1400° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement recited in claim 1 wherein the chemical reaction is an oxidation-reduction reaction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement recited in claim 1 wherein the chemical reaction is hydrogenation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement recited in claim 1 wherein the exothermic chemical reaction is conducted at the delivery end of a closed loop chemical system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement recited in claim 6 wherein the chemical reaction is methanation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement recited in claim 1 wherein the superheated steam is supplied to a high pressure steam turbine, reheated with heat from an additional exothermic chemical reaction and then supplied to a low pressure steam turbine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement in claim 8 wherein the initial chemical reaction is methanation and the cooled products of the initial reaction are then reacted to provide the additional chemical reaction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement recited in claim 1 wherein the superheated steam produced has a temperature in the range of from about 1000°-1100° F.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3242053A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |