Discussion Post
The operation of a nuclear, or any other type of industrial plant, results in components being exposed to a variety of environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, as well as a number of operational factors such as vibration and repeated start and stop cycles. Each of these factors induces a different type of stress into the component that has an impact on its operation and, ultimately, its operational lifetime. Components that cannot be operated or need to be repaired cost these industries time and money. Engineers incorporate design features into the installation of these components to minimize the stress on them due to the environmental and operational factors described above to maximize operation and the lifetime of a component.
For this discussion, respond to the following:
1. As an engineer working on the design of a cooling system to be installed in an industrial plant, you are challenged with a valve that will experience a 100 degree change in temperature during the cyclic operation of the cooling system.
2. What are some of the environmental and/or operational factors you need to consider for operation of this valve? What impact could these factors have on the operation and lifetime of the valve?
3. After examining the environmental and operational factors, identify how you can design the installation of the valve to minimize the effect of the stresses caused by the environmental and/or operational factors?