CA1168890A - Monitoring the thermodynamic state of a heated liquid in a closed system - Google Patents
Monitoring the thermodynamic state of a heated liquid in a closed systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1168890A CA1168890A CA000397676A CA397676A CA1168890A CA 1168890 A CA1168890 A CA 1168890A CA 000397676 A CA000397676 A CA 000397676A CA 397676 A CA397676 A CA 397676A CA 1168890 A CA1168890 A CA 1168890A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- saturation
- tube
- conduit
- pressure
- 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
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N25/00—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means
- G01N25/02—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means by investigating changes of state or changes of phase; by investigating sintering
- G01N25/08—Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means by investigating changes of state or changes of phase; by investigating sintering of boiling point
- G01N25/085—Investigating nucleation
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N7/00—Analysing materials by measuring the pressure or volume of a gas or vapour
Landscapes
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
- Measuring Fluid Pressure (AREA)
- Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
- Measuring Arrangements Characterized By The Use Of Fluids (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract A temperature measurement-independent process and apparatus for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid in a conduit.
Description
9 ~
Monitoring the Thermodynamic State of a Heated Liquid in a Closed Sys em Background of the Invention This invention concerns a method and apparatus for the determination of the saturation state or -the thermodynamic level below saturation of a heated liquid flowing under pressure in a closed system.
The sta-te of saturation is attained in such liquids under specific conditions of pressure and temperature. There are many practical examples where it is absolutely necessary to know precise information concerning the saturation state of the liquid or the thermodynamic level below saturation.
However, it is often difficult to determine the precise pressure and temperature for an indication of the state of the liquid. For example, the primary coolant system of a pressurized water reactor installation of the type described 15 in U.S. 3447509 (Sprague) operates at about 2200 psia and 600F. Heretofore in such a system, the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation has been determined by evaluation of the temperature and pressure values of the liquid to be monitored. For this purpose, temperature measurement devices are necessary for a range of about 300F to 680F and pressure measurement instruments for a range of about 150 to 2570 psia. Because of the large measurement ranges which must be covered by the instruments ; and the combination of measurements, undesirably large inaccuracies cannot be avoided.
"`' ''~
~. ~
, ' ~ ~. .
Brief Summary of the Invention It is therefore the purpose of this invention to provide a reliable device for the determination of the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a liquid, utilizing a single measurement whose ranae of measurement is small, thereby significantly reducing the measurement error.
This problem is solved pursuant to the preferred embodiment of the invention by connecting a differential pressure-measuring transducer directly to a liquid conduit with one measurement tube and indirectly to the liquid conduit with another tube having a sealed end, extending the sealed end of the indirectly connected measurement tube into the liquid conduit, evacuating this measurement tube, and partially filling it with the same type of liquid as is within the conduit, leaving an empty space to hold a steam cushion which forms, with the pressure difference between the two measurement chambers of the differential pressure-measuring transducer being a measure of the saturation state or of the thermo-dynamic level below saturation of the liquid in the conduit.
The steam cushion which is formed in the sealed end of the measurement tube has a pressure corresponding to the satura-tion pressure at the temperature of the liquid in the conduit.
The value of differential pressure which is sensed by the differential pressure-measuring transducer provides informa-tion concerning the saturation state or the thermodynamiclevel below saturation of the liquid. The pressure data are compared with one another by using only one type of measure-ment, namely a differential pressure measurement, which needs only a small measurement range, so that there is a reauction of the magnitude of measurement errors.
The sealed end of the measurement tube is preferable formed to maximize the surface to volume ratio thus promoting a more rapid temperature change of the liquid located in the end region of the measurement tube in order to reduce the 1 ~ ~;8~90 transient time response of the device.
A particular design intended for pipelines havina a small diameter provides that the pipe containinS the heated, pressurized liquid passes -through the internal volume of 5 ~ the sealed end of the measurement tube. To improve the heat conductivity of this design, projecting fins are provided on the pipe.
In accordance with one as~ect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid comprising a Eirst tube partially filled with liquid and closed at one end, the closed end of which extends into a conduit containing a pressurized heated liquid of the same type as in the first tube, a liquid level existing in the closed end above which steam in contact with the liquid is formed in a previously evacuated space, means to transmit pressure in the first tube to a first measurement chamber, means to transmit pressure in the conduit to a second measurement chamber, and means to compare the pressures in the measurement chambers to determine the state of satura-tion or the thermodynamic level below saturation of the liquid ; in the conduit.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid comprising determinina and measuring the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of a pressurized heated :Liquid in a conduit, determining and measuring the pressure of the liqui~ in the conduit and comparing these pressures to indicate the thermodynamic state of the liquid.
.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the inventive apparatus.
.
~ ~ 6~,~90 - 3a -Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Fi~. 1, a measurement tube 2 is connected and communicates with pipe 1 in which a pressurized heated liquid flows. The other end of tube 2 leads to a measure-ment chamber 3 of a di:Eferential pressure-measuring trans-ducer 4. The measurement tube 2 thus represents a direct connection of the pressurized heated liquid in pipe 1 to the measurement transducer 4, so that the pressure of the medium flowing in the pipe 1 is transmitted to the measure ment chamber 3. A measurement tube 6 connected to a measurement chamber 5 of transducer 4 is filled with the same liquid as that flowing in pipe 1 to line 7 after prior evacuation, so that an empty space 9 exists in sealed end 8 of the measurement tube 6, which is designed to be of such a size that it still has room for a steam cushion after the completion of the thermal expansion of the liquid located in the sealed measurement tube 6. Part of the liquid-filled region of the measurement tube 6 extends into the liquid flow of the pipe 1, so that the liquid located in this region of tube 6 assumes the temperature of the liquid in pipe 1 which in this example may be as high as 600~F. A steam cushion then forms in the empty space. The shape of the measurement tube 6 in the area of the sealed end 8, here shown only conceptially, provides for a rapid heat transfer to the liquid enclosed in it and thus reduces time lag in the measured results. The pressure attained in the steam cushion and the liquid in the sealed end 8 of tube 6 is the saturation pressure of this liquid at the temperature of the liquid flowing in pipe 1. This pressure value is transmitted to the measurement chamber 5. The pressure differential determined between the measurement chambers 3 and 5 of transducer ~ is displayed in a known way and is used as a measure of the saturation state or the thermo-dynamic level below saturation of the liquid flowing inpipe 1. Therefore, the saturation pressure of the liquid in tube 6 in indirect contact with the liquid in pipe 1 corresponding to the temperature of the liquid in pipe 1, is determined and compared with the liquid pressure in pipe 1. The saturation pressure of the liquid in pipe 1 is reached when the actual pressure of the liquid measured in chamber 3 is the same as the pressure in the measurement chamber 5. The determination of the thermodynamic level below saturation provides an operator, for example, in a nuclear reactor with reliable data, to make any necessary changes of the temperature, the pressure, or other para-meters through the control panel of a nuclear reactor system.
The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is preferred for small pipelines where fluid flow pressure losses may be critical.
In this embodiment the pipeline la to be monitored penetrates the internal space of the sealed end 8 of the measurement tube 6 which has an enlarged cross-sectional area to accommodate pipe la. Fins 10 extending from the pipe la facilitate the heat transfer from the medium flowing in the pipe la to the sealed end region of the measurement tube 6 containing the same medium. In this case also, a 9 û
pressure is formed at the sealed encl 8 of tube 6 in the steam cushion 9 and the adjacent liquid column, which is the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of the liquid flowing in the pipeline la. The saturation pressure is compared in the same way as described for the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the actual liquid pressure in the pipeline la.
Monitoring the Thermodynamic State of a Heated Liquid in a Closed Sys em Background of the Invention This invention concerns a method and apparatus for the determination of the saturation state or -the thermodynamic level below saturation of a heated liquid flowing under pressure in a closed system.
The sta-te of saturation is attained in such liquids under specific conditions of pressure and temperature. There are many practical examples where it is absolutely necessary to know precise information concerning the saturation state of the liquid or the thermodynamic level below saturation.
However, it is often difficult to determine the precise pressure and temperature for an indication of the state of the liquid. For example, the primary coolant system of a pressurized water reactor installation of the type described 15 in U.S. 3447509 (Sprague) operates at about 2200 psia and 600F. Heretofore in such a system, the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation has been determined by evaluation of the temperature and pressure values of the liquid to be monitored. For this purpose, temperature measurement devices are necessary for a range of about 300F to 680F and pressure measurement instruments for a range of about 150 to 2570 psia. Because of the large measurement ranges which must be covered by the instruments ; and the combination of measurements, undesirably large inaccuracies cannot be avoided.
"`' ''~
~. ~
, ' ~ ~. .
Brief Summary of the Invention It is therefore the purpose of this invention to provide a reliable device for the determination of the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a liquid, utilizing a single measurement whose ranae of measurement is small, thereby significantly reducing the measurement error.
This problem is solved pursuant to the preferred embodiment of the invention by connecting a differential pressure-measuring transducer directly to a liquid conduit with one measurement tube and indirectly to the liquid conduit with another tube having a sealed end, extending the sealed end of the indirectly connected measurement tube into the liquid conduit, evacuating this measurement tube, and partially filling it with the same type of liquid as is within the conduit, leaving an empty space to hold a steam cushion which forms, with the pressure difference between the two measurement chambers of the differential pressure-measuring transducer being a measure of the saturation state or of the thermo-dynamic level below saturation of the liquid in the conduit.
The steam cushion which is formed in the sealed end of the measurement tube has a pressure corresponding to the satura-tion pressure at the temperature of the liquid in the conduit.
The value of differential pressure which is sensed by the differential pressure-measuring transducer provides informa-tion concerning the saturation state or the thermodynamiclevel below saturation of the liquid. The pressure data are compared with one another by using only one type of measure-ment, namely a differential pressure measurement, which needs only a small measurement range, so that there is a reauction of the magnitude of measurement errors.
The sealed end of the measurement tube is preferable formed to maximize the surface to volume ratio thus promoting a more rapid temperature change of the liquid located in the end region of the measurement tube in order to reduce the 1 ~ ~;8~90 transient time response of the device.
A particular design intended for pipelines havina a small diameter provides that the pipe containinS the heated, pressurized liquid passes -through the internal volume of 5 ~ the sealed end of the measurement tube. To improve the heat conductivity of this design, projecting fins are provided on the pipe.
In accordance with one as~ect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid comprising a Eirst tube partially filled with liquid and closed at one end, the closed end of which extends into a conduit containing a pressurized heated liquid of the same type as in the first tube, a liquid level existing in the closed end above which steam in contact with the liquid is formed in a previously evacuated space, means to transmit pressure in the first tube to a first measurement chamber, means to transmit pressure in the conduit to a second measurement chamber, and means to compare the pressures in the measurement chambers to determine the state of satura-tion or the thermodynamic level below saturation of the liquid ; in the conduit.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid comprising determinina and measuring the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of a pressurized heated :Liquid in a conduit, determining and measuring the pressure of the liqui~ in the conduit and comparing these pressures to indicate the thermodynamic state of the liquid.
.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the inventive apparatus.
.
~ ~ 6~,~90 - 3a -Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring to Fi~. 1, a measurement tube 2 is connected and communicates with pipe 1 in which a pressurized heated liquid flows. The other end of tube 2 leads to a measure-ment chamber 3 of a di:Eferential pressure-measuring trans-ducer 4. The measurement tube 2 thus represents a direct connection of the pressurized heated liquid in pipe 1 to the measurement transducer 4, so that the pressure of the medium flowing in the pipe 1 is transmitted to the measure ment chamber 3. A measurement tube 6 connected to a measurement chamber 5 of transducer 4 is filled with the same liquid as that flowing in pipe 1 to line 7 after prior evacuation, so that an empty space 9 exists in sealed end 8 of the measurement tube 6, which is designed to be of such a size that it still has room for a steam cushion after the completion of the thermal expansion of the liquid located in the sealed measurement tube 6. Part of the liquid-filled region of the measurement tube 6 extends into the liquid flow of the pipe 1, so that the liquid located in this region of tube 6 assumes the temperature of the liquid in pipe 1 which in this example may be as high as 600~F. A steam cushion then forms in the empty space. The shape of the measurement tube 6 in the area of the sealed end 8, here shown only conceptially, provides for a rapid heat transfer to the liquid enclosed in it and thus reduces time lag in the measured results. The pressure attained in the steam cushion and the liquid in the sealed end 8 of tube 6 is the saturation pressure of this liquid at the temperature of the liquid flowing in pipe 1. This pressure value is transmitted to the measurement chamber 5. The pressure differential determined between the measurement chambers 3 and 5 of transducer ~ is displayed in a known way and is used as a measure of the saturation state or the thermo-dynamic level below saturation of the liquid flowing inpipe 1. Therefore, the saturation pressure of the liquid in tube 6 in indirect contact with the liquid in pipe 1 corresponding to the temperature of the liquid in pipe 1, is determined and compared with the liquid pressure in pipe 1. The saturation pressure of the liquid in pipe 1 is reached when the actual pressure of the liquid measured in chamber 3 is the same as the pressure in the measurement chamber 5. The determination of the thermodynamic level below saturation provides an operator, for example, in a nuclear reactor with reliable data, to make any necessary changes of the temperature, the pressure, or other para-meters through the control panel of a nuclear reactor system.
The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is preferred for small pipelines where fluid flow pressure losses may be critical.
In this embodiment the pipeline la to be monitored penetrates the internal space of the sealed end 8 of the measurement tube 6 which has an enlarged cross-sectional area to accommodate pipe la. Fins 10 extending from the pipe la facilitate the heat transfer from the medium flowing in the pipe la to the sealed end region of the measurement tube 6 containing the same medium. In this case also, a 9 û
pressure is formed at the sealed encl 8 of tube 6 in the steam cushion 9 and the adjacent liquid column, which is the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of the liquid flowing in the pipeline la. The saturation pressure is compared in the same way as described for the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the actual liquid pressure in the pipeline la.
Claims (4)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid comprising a first tube partially filled with liquid and closed at one end, the closed end of which extends into a conduit containing a pressurized heated liquid of the same type as in the first tube, a liquid level existing in the closed end above which steam in contact with the liquid is formed in a previously evacuated space, means to transmit pressure in the first tube to a first measurement chamber, means to transmit pressure in the conduit to a second measurement chamber, and means to compare the pressures in the measurement chambers to determine the state of saturation or the thermodynamic level below saturation of the liquid in the conduit.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 in which the sealed end of the first tube has a maximized surface to volume ratio with respect to the remainder of the first tube.
3. The apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the conduit penetrates the closed end of the first tube.
4. A method for determining the saturation state or the thermodynamic level below saturation of a pressurized heated liquid comprising determining and measuring the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of a pressurized heated liquid in a conduit, determining and measuring the pressure of the liquid in the conduit and comparing these pressures to indicate the thermodynamic state of the liquid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3108763.9 | 1981-03-07 | ||
| DE3108763A DE3108763C2 (en) | 1981-03-07 | 1981-03-07 | Device for determining the saturation state or the distance to saturation of a heated and pressurized liquid flowing in a closed system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1168890A true CA1168890A (en) | 1984-06-12 |
Family
ID=6126642
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000397676A Expired CA1168890A (en) | 1981-03-07 | 1982-03-05 | Monitoring the thermodynamic state of a heated liquid in a closed system |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0059863B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE13370T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1168890A (en) |
| DE (2) | DE3108763C2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3321015C2 (en) * | 1981-01-31 | 1986-08-07 | Brown Boveri Reaktor GmbH, 6800 Mannheim | Device for determining the saturation temperature of a hot, pressurized liquid |
| DE3415490A1 (en) * | 1984-04-26 | 1985-11-07 | Brown Boveri Reaktor GmbH, 6800 Mannheim | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE SATURATION TEMPERATURE OF A HOT, PRESSURIZED LIQUID |
| US8473226B2 (en) | 2010-09-17 | 2013-06-25 | Amminex A/S | Method of determining the filling level of a solid ammonia storage medium in an ammonia storage container |
| WO2012034706A1 (en) * | 2010-09-17 | 2012-03-22 | Amminex A/S | Method of determining the filling level of a solid ammonia storage medium in an ammonia storage container |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB953460A (en) * | 1960-07-08 | 1964-03-25 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | Apparatus for determining the composition of a liquid stream and methods for controlling the same |
| US3263491A (en) * | 1962-11-16 | 1966-08-02 | Mobil Oil Corp | Vapor pressure monitoring |
| DE1915172A1 (en) * | 1969-03-25 | 1970-10-15 | Linde Ag | Automatic vaporimeter for liquids at various - temps |
| BE757133A (en) * | 1969-10-07 | 1971-04-06 | Atomic Energy Authority Uk | LIQUID METAL MONITORS |
-
1981
- 1981-03-07 DE DE3108763A patent/DE3108763C2/en not_active Expired
-
1982
- 1982-02-18 AT AT82101214T patent/ATE13370T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1982-02-18 EP EP82101214A patent/EP0059863B1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-02-18 DE DE8282101214T patent/DE3263488D1/en not_active Expired
- 1982-03-05 CA CA000397676A patent/CA1168890A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3263488D1 (en) | 1985-06-20 |
| ATE13370T1 (en) | 1985-06-15 |
| EP0059863A1 (en) | 1982-09-15 |
| DE3108763C2 (en) | 1984-12-20 |
| DE3108763A1 (en) | 1982-05-06 |
| EP0059863B1 (en) | 1985-05-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |