SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING A NUCLEAR HEAT EXCHANGER HEAT TRANSFER TUBE

摘要

System and method for stabilizing a nuclear heat exchanger heat transfer tube (90) against lateral movement thereof, which tube is received in a plate member (40) for supporting the tube, which includes a sleeve (340) disposed therein. A mandrel (140) is disposed in the sleeve (340), the mandrel (140) having a flow channel (160) formed therethrough. A pair of spaced-apart resilient bladders (150A, 150B) surround the mandrel. A pressurizer (170) in communication with the flow channel (160) supplies a pressurized fluid into the flow channel to radially expand the bladders. A controller (180) operates the pressurizer (170) to controllably supply the fluid to the bladders. Even if complete separation of the tube were to occur, the installed sleeve prevents lateral movement of the severed tube ends.