SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVAPORATING MOISTURE FROM A GAP DEFINED BETWEEN A REPAIR SLEEVE AND A SURROUNDING HEAT TRANSFER TUBE IN A NUCLEAR STEAM GENERATOR

摘要

The nuclear steam generator (10) has a heat transfer tube (40) surrounding a repair sleeve (160) that has been hydraulically expanded into engagement with the tube. The tube (40) and the sleeve (160) define a gap (170) therebetween having moisture residing therein. The system (180) includes an air compressor (190) in communication with the gap (170) for supplying air to the gap and a dryer (250) in communication with the air compressor (190) for drying the gas supplied to the gap. A heater (240) in communication with the air compressor may also be provided for heating the air supplied to the gap, so that the moisture residing in the gap evaporates into the heated air. A vacuum pump (290) in communication with the gap may be provided for decreasing the pressure of the heated air in the gap, so that substantially all the moisture evaporates from the gap and into the heated air.