Superheated steam dryer with reduced pressure airflow for agricultural, commercial and residential areas

Abstract

The present patent application relates to a superheated steam dryer with depressurized air flow for use in the agricultural, commercial and residential fields. The application of cleaning surfaces with steam has been relatively mature in the market, but the system / equipment used has limitations in design, resulting in the inability to make full use of the heat available by generating steam, mainly superheated steam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model patent application relates to an overheated steam dryer with a pressure-reducing airflow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields. The application of steam to clean surfaces is already relatively mature in the market. However, the systems / devices used have limitations in design, resulting in the inability to fully utilize the heat that can be obtained through steam generation (mainly heated steam). Background Art

[0002] Currently, the process of generating superheated heat is widely used in industrial environments such as thermal power plants for power generation and refrigeration plants in the agricultural industry. Different from saturated steam in which steam and water can coexist, the process of generating superheated heat involves heating water to a temperature at which it cannot condense.

[0003] Currently, Patent MU8900003-2U2 discloses an overheated steam generation system applied to drying and cleaning systems in urban and rural areas. This patent proposes a steam generation system and a pressure vessel for accumulating steam, which are by the same inventor as this patent application.

[0004] Cristanini company (cristanini.it) owns a high-pressure jet cleaning device that uses saturated steam. This system aims to clean surfaces with steam and operates using a manual spray gun similar to a household jet cleaning device.

[0005] Patent PI7705600 discloses a similar device.

[0006] MSD company (www.msd-ag.de) owns a device for sterilizing the soil for growing vegetables and beans. This device includes a saturated steam generation device installed in a pressure vessel, a moving platform for applying steam to the soil, and the entire system is installed on a trailer towed by a tractor.

[0007] Patents US6073859A, US546682, US6047900A, PT1768489E disclose similar devices.

[0008] Weedtechnics company (www.weedtechnics.com) owns a device for removing weeds in urban and rural areas. This device includes a saturated steam generation device, a manual spray gun similar to a household jet cleaning device, and the entire system is installed on a trailer towed by a tractor or a vehicle.

[0009] Patents CA2161680, US2005 / 0143259A1, KR20090084234A, CA2515380 disclose similar devices.

[0010] The application of steam to clean surfaces (in the broadest sense) is relatively mature in the market. However, the systems / devices used have limitations in design, resulting in the inability to fully utilize the heat obtained by generating steam (especially superheated steam).

[0011] In the case of generating steam in saturated form, the fluid temperature can reach 200 °C, which is just a temperature reference value and is directly related to the system pressure. When the system uses superheated steam, the fluid temperature will increase significantly, thereby improving the efficiency of the generated heat. However, this will also cause a significant upward trend in the system pressure.

[0012] In both cases, the heat generated by the steam is used for various purposes, mainly power generation and applications in the food industry.

[0013] However, steam is a fluid that can be used to almost instantaneously cook organic substances and thus eliminate almost all plant organisms.

[0014] Currently, in cases where the use of pesticides is not allowed, especially in urban areas, saturated steam is used to remove weeds. Some companies provide this service through equipment that generates and stores high-pressure steam, which means that operators are always faced with the risk of failures that may cause an explosion in the steam storage system, which includes a pressure vessel.

[0015] Problems related to the safety of personnel near the equipment are always regarded as the top priority, which limits the use of steam in residential areas, streets, and places where people flow. Even the operators of the system themselves are at risk, and once triggered, these risks can be fatal. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Problems to be Solved by the Present Invention

[0017] The superheated steam generation system proposed in this patent includes equipment capable of generating superheated steam without storing superheated steam for subsequent use, and the generated steam can directly act on the surface of concern. This operating mode does not require a pressure vessel, thus eliminating the risk of equipment explosion.

[0018] The gas generated by fuel combustion is mixed with the generated steam, which means that the final superheated fluid can be used to dry the surface without the risk of burning the material. This characteristic enables superheated steam to be applied to crops, sidewalks, or any place where there are dry plants and live weeds without the risk of fire. Summary of the Invention

[0020] The superheated steam dryer described in this article includes a superheated steam generation system. The superheated steam generation system does not require a system for accumulating high-pressure steam during operation, that is, it does not require a pressure vessel. With continuous water supply and heat supply to the equipment, all generated steam will be continuously discharged from the system.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, all generated steam is generated on demand. When the steam discharge flow is interrupted, the supply of fluid (for generating steam) and heat to the equipment is stopped. This concept brings the following advantages to the equipment:

[0022] The high-pressure storage system is removed, thus avoiding the risk of explosion and accidental injury to personnel near the equipment;

[0023] Since the mechanical and electrical components related to the steam storage system and the safety facilities associated with this condition are removed, the equipment is simplified;

[0024] The second embodiment includes a control system that automatically changes the steam flow direction at the moment of steam discharge interruption, keeps the generating device running, and guides the superheated steam to a path where it can be safely dissipated into the environment. This configuration eliminates the need to restart the steam generating device and also eliminates the system preheating time. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] To better illustrate this patent application, Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 are provided and described as follows:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the superheated steam dryer;

[0027] 1 - Superheated steam dryer;

[0028] 2 - Burner;

[0029] 3 - Heat conduction tube;

[0030] 4 - Superheating unit;

[0031] 5 - Temperature sensor;

[0032] 7 - Feed coil;

[0033] 7a - Coil inlet pipe;

[0034] 8 - Expansion chamber;

[0035] 8a - Bottom of the expansion chamber (8);

[0036] 8c’, 8c” and 8c”’ - Injection pipes of each intermediate conduit (11); 9 - Connecting pipe;

[0037] 10 - Shunt chamber;

[0038] 12 - Collection chamber;

[0039] 13 - Compression device;

[0040] 16 - System outlet;

[0041] Figure 2 Side sectional view of the superheated steam dryer; 5 - Temperature sensor;

[0042] 6 - Heating duct;

[0043] 7b - Helical section;

[0044] Figure 3 Side view of the superheated steam dryer;

[0045] 2 - Burner;

[0046] 3 - Heat conduction pipe;

[0047] 5 - Temperature sensor;

[0048] 7 - Feed coil;

[0049] 8 - Expansion chamber;

[0050] 8b - Outlet of the expansion chamber (8);

[0051] 9 - Connecting pipe;

[0052] 10 - Shunt chamber;

[0053] 11’, 11” and 11”’ - Lower intermediate ducts;

[0054] 12 - Collection chamber;

[0055] 13 - Compression device;

[0056] 14 - Collection chamber;

[0057] 14’, 14” and 14”’ - Upper intermediate ducts;

[0058] 16 - System outlet;

[0059] Figure 4 Side view of the superheated steam dryer;

[0060] 15 - Heat insulation chamber; Detailed implementation mode

[0061] The superheated steam dryer (1) includes a burner (2). The burner preferably uses petroleum as fuel, but natural gas, kerosene or any other fuel that can generate a stable and minimum required heat flow can also be used to ensure that the water injected into the system reaches the required temperature.

[0062] The burner is coupled to a heat conduction tube (3), which conducts the heat generated by the burner to the inlet of the superheating unit (4). In a preferred embodiment, the heat conduction tube (3) is coupled with a temperature sensor (5) to monitor the temperature of the system, ensure that the system operates within the temperature range tolerable by the materials used in the equipment, and at the same time ensure the efficient operation of the system and avoid wasting fuel.

[0063] The superheating unit (4) preferably includes a chamber with a series of small conduits (referred to as superheating conduits (6)) provided inside. These conduits are arranged such that the heat from the burner can pass through their interiors, and then transfer this heat to the fluid substance composed of the gas generated by fuel combustion and the steam / heated water from the feed coil (7) through their pipe walls, thereby achieving fluid superheating.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the feed coil (7) is installed inside the heat conduction tube (3), and this arrangement serves to preheat the water that will be injected into the system for the superheated steam generation process.

[0065] The coil has an inlet pipe (7a), through which water (which may or may not be preheated) is supplied from an external source. Preferably, the coil also has a helical section (7b). The helical section can be straight, curved, or any other shape that can capture heat and transfer it to the fluid (in this case, water) flowing through the coil. The helical section is preferably installed inside the heat conduction tube (3) to preheat the water and improve the efficiency of the system.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, after preheating, the water is directed to the expansion chamber (8). In the expansion chamber, the heated fluid is released, then expands, and can coexist with the superheated steam, so as to be subsequently directed and injected into the superheating unit (4). Preferably, the expansion chamber (8) is externally connected to the superheating unit (4). The heat generated by the superheating unit (4) is transferred to the expansion chamber (8), causing the preheated water in the coil (7) to be converted into saturated steam or even into superheated steam, which is then injected into the system, preferably near the superheating unit (4), and can also be injected at any position in the superheating unit (4), the connecting pipe (9), or even the shunt chamber (10), or at any position in the system, thereby improving the efficiency of the system, and even an auxiliary heating and fluid injection system can be added.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet point of the coil (7) into the expansion chamber (8) is close to the bottom (8a) of the expansion chamber (8), so that the fluid injected into the expansion chamber can agitate any remaining water volume in the chamber. At the same time, the outlet (8b) of the expansion chamber is located above the center of the expansion chamber volume, so that only steam can be directed and injected into the superheating unit (4).

[0068] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the outlet of the expansion chamber (8) is provided with an injection tube (8c) for each intermediate conduit (11) connected to the superheating unit (4), but the number is not limited thereto, and any number of injection tubes (8c) can be added as needed to maximize the system efficiency.

[0069] In other solutions, water can reach the injection point (8c) in the system directly, or the expansion chamber (8) can even be equipped with a dedicated heating system. The superheating unit (4) is responsible for two stages in the process of superheated steam generation: the first stage occurs inside the superheating conduits (6), allowing the heat from the burner (2) to pass through these conduits (6) and heat the superheating unit (4). In this stage, only the heat flow and combustion gases generated by the burner (2) are present.

[0070] The number and size of these conduits (6) must be designed according to the expected capacity of the system, and there is no limitation on this.

[0071] This heat flow passes through the inside of the superheating conduits (6) and is conducted to the collection chamber (12). The collection chamber is responsible for collecting the gases and standardizing their flow rate, and it guides the gas flow through the connecting pipe (9). The connecting pipe (9) connects the outlet of the superheating conduits (6) to the inlet of the superheating unit (4) itself. The function of the superheating conduits (6) is to raise the temperature of the heat flow, combustion gases, and water / steam mixture in contact with their surfaces to the temperature of superheated steam, so that this fluid is suitable for the intended uses, such as weed or any plant removal, surface disinfection and cleaning, etc. These are just the main applications of this application, but are not limited to these applications.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, a compression device (13) is provided along the connecting pipe (9). The compression device can be a turbine, a check valve, or any device capable of keeping the gas flow unidirectional, which is used to maintain the gas flowing always in the direction of the system outlet (16), prevent the gas from flowing back, and avoid the burner (2) from going out.

[0073] A diversion chamber (10) is provided before the superheating unit (4). In this preferred embodiment (but not limited to this embodiment), the diversion chamber has three intermediate conduits (11) for conducting the heat flow, combustion gases, and water / steam to the superheating unit (4). The main function of the diversion chamber (10) is to collect the gases that have passed through the superheating conduits (6) from the burner (2) and divert these gases so that they enter the superheating unit (4) more evenly and dispersedly.

[0074] A collection chamber (14) is provided at the outlet of the superheating unit (4) for collecting the mixture of superheated steam and combustion gases and guiding this fluid in the intended direction for using the product.

[0075] The collection chamber (14) is also provided with three intermediate conduits (14'), which is a preferred embodiment and is not limited thereto. Any number of intermediate conduits (14') can be provided as needed to achieve the best system efficiency. The lower intermediate conduit (11') and the upper intermediate conduit (14') connected to the superheating unit (4) are both used to optimize the heat transfer from the superheating unit (4) and distribute the heat flow, combustion gas, and water / steam through the superheating unit (4) in the most efficient manner.

[0076] The entire superheated steam generation system (1) is surrounded by a heat insulation chamber (15). The heat insulation chamber is used to maintain the efficiency of the system by restricting heat loss while protecting the personnel moving around the system from direct contact with the high-temperature components of the equipment.

Claims

1. An overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields, wherein, The superheated steam dryer has a superheated steam generation system that re-uses the heat generated before the superheating unit.

2. An overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields, wherein, The superheated steam dryer is capable of generating superheated steam before the superheating unit.

3. An overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields, wherein, Steam is mainly generated by the heat generated on the outer surface of the superheating unit.

4. An overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields, wherein, The heat-generated gas is re-injected into the superheating unit to increase the output of superheated steam.

5. An overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields, wherein, The pressurizing component is generally arranged before the superheating unit.

6. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 1, wherein, The superheated steam dryer has a superheated steam generation system that does not have a pressure vessel system.

7. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 2, wherein, Steam is mainly generated during the process of the fluid flowing along its path towards the superheating unit.

8. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 2, wherein, The superheated steam dryer also generates superheated steam in the superheating unit.

9. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 8, wherein, The superheating unit has at least two superheated fluid injection channels and at least two superheated steam discharge channels.

10. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 7, wherein, The fluid flows through a pipe that passes through the inside of the heat-conducting pipe.

11. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 7, wherein, The fluid flows through a pipe whose external channel is substantially tangent to the superheating unit.

12. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 5, wherein, The supercharger prevents gas backflow.

13. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 4, wherein, The heat-generated gas and the fluid for overheating converge at a position before contacting the superheating unit.

14. The overheated steam dryer with a decompressed air flow for agricultural, commercial, and residential fields according to claim 3, wherein, The superheated fluid generated in the expansion chamber is preferably injected into the superheating unit through at least two injection channels.

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