Steam condensation recovery device and steaming equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steam condensation recovery device and steaming equipment, which can recycle steam while removing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in a microgravity environment so as to meet the steaming requirement of a space station. The steam condensation recovery device comprises a VOCs treatment assembly which is used for being arranged at an exhaust port of a steaming cavity to filter steam exhausted from the exhaust port so as to filter out VOCs in the steam; the condensation assembly comprises a condensation pipe, a liquid discharge pipe communicated with the condensation pipe, a first valve piece, a second valve piece arranged on the liquid discharge pipe and a waterproof ventilation piece; the condensation pipe is provided with an inlet end connected with the VOCs treatment assembly through a pipeline and an outlet end provided with the first valve; the waterproof ventilation piece is arranged on the condensation pipe, and the waterproof ventilation piece is located at the position between the communication position of the liquid discharging pipe and the condensation pipe and the first valve piece; a collection bag; an inlet pipeline of the gas-liquid pump is connected to the second valve piece, and an outlet of the gas-liquid pump is connected to the collecting bag.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of space cooking technology, and in particular to a steam condensation recovery device and a steaming equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As a special group of people, astronauts work in a microgravity environment, which severely limits not only the diversity of their food but also the methods of food preparation. During spaceflight, due to the unique characteristics of the space environment—specifically, the flow of water vapor differs from that on Earth under microgravity, lacking gravity-driven flow and tending to clump together and remain suspended—conventional steaming equipment such as steamers, ovens, or steam-grill combinations are generally unusable. For example, conventional steaming equipment typically lacks a condensation recovery system, generating large amounts of steam during cooking that contains VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are clearly unacceptable when directly released into the space station.

[0003] However, although the space station is currently equipped with a humidity control system that uses water cooling for condensation and capillary action for recovery, it can only handle a small amount of water vapor and cannot remove VOCs. Therefore, conventional evaporation equipment is not convenient to connect with the existing condensation recovery system in the space station. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to address the problem that conventional steaming equipment cannot be used in space stations in existing space cooking solutions. This application provides a steam condensation and recovery device and a steaming device that can remove VOCs in a microgravity environment while recovering and reusing steam to meet the steaming requirements of the space station.

[0005] In one embodiment of this application, a steam condensation recovery device is provided for recovering steam in a microgravity environment, comprising:

[0006] A VOCs treatment component is installed at the exhaust port of the steaming chamber to filter out VOCs from the steam discharged through the exhaust port.

[0007] A condensation assembly includes a condenser tube, a drain pipe communicating with the condenser tube, a first valve, a second valve disposed on the drain pipe, and a water-proof and ventilated component; the condenser tube has an inlet end connected to the pipeline of the VOCs treatment assembly and an outlet end provided with the first valve; the water-proof and ventilated component is disposed on the condenser tube, and the water-proof and ventilated component is located between the connection between the drain pipe and the condenser tube and the first valve;

[0008] Collection bags; and

[0009] A gas-liquid pump, wherein the inlet pipe of the gas-liquid pump is connected to the second valve, and the outlet of the gas-liquid pump is connected to the collection bag.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, the VOCs treatment component is a multi-component catalytic component.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, the condenser tube is a finned tube.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, the condensation assembly further includes a fan, and the condenser tube is located on the air supply side of the fan.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, the collection bag is detachably connected to the outlet of the gas-liquid pump.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the water-proof and breathable component is a microporous filter assembly.

[0015] According to another aspect of this application, one embodiment of this application further provides a steaming apparatus, comprising:

[0016] The steaming chamber has a steam inlet and a steam outlet;

[0017] A steam supply assembly, connected to the steam inlet of the steaming chamber, is used to supply steam to the steaming chamber under microgravity conditions; and

[0018] The steam condensation and recovery device described above is connected to the exhaust port of the steaming chamber and is used to condense and recover the steam discharged through the exhaust port under microgravity conditions.

[0019] According to one embodiment of this application, the steaming equipment further includes a housing that accommodates the steaming chamber and a door that is movably connected to the housing to open or close the opening of the steaming chamber; the steam supply assembly and the steam condensation and recovery device are both disposed in the space between the housing and the steaming chamber.

[0020] According to one embodiment of this application, the steam supply assembly includes a steam generator connected to the steam inlet pipe of the steaming chamber, a water tank connected to the steam generator pipe, and a water pump disposed on the pipe between the steam generator and the water tank.

[0021] According to one embodiment of this application, the steam generator includes a heat exchange tube, a heating wire, and a plurality of partitions; the heat exchange tube has a water inlet end communicating with the water tank, a steam outlet end communicating with the steam inlet of the steaming chamber, and a steam-generating tube body extending from the water inlet end to the steam outlet end; the heating wire is wound around the outer wall of the steam-generating tube body; the plurality of partitions are arranged at intervals inside the steam-generating tube body to divide the steam-generating tube body into a plurality of sequentially connected steam-generating tube segments.

[0022] In summary, the steam condensation recovery device of this application first filters out VOCs from the steam through the VOCs treatment component during the food steaming process, then condenses the steam through the condensation component, and performs gas-liquid separation through the water-proof and breathable component, so that the low-temperature gas is directly discharged into the space station, while the condensate is collected in the pipe of the condensation tube; then, after the food steaming is completed, the gas-liquid pump is used to pump the condensate collected in the pipe into the collection bag so as to achieve recycling in a microgravity environment. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a steaming apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steaming apparatus according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of part A in the steaming apparatus according to the above embodiments of this application is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a steam generator in a steaming apparatus according to the above embodiments of this application is shown.

[0027] Explanation of key component symbols:

[0028] 1. Steaming equipment; 10. Steaming chamber; 101. Steam inlet; 102. Steam outlet; 20. Steam supply assembly; 21. Steam generator; 211. Heat exchange tube; 2111. Water inlet end; 2112. Steam outlet end; 2113. Steam generation pipe body; 212. Heating wire; 213. Partition screen; 22. Water tank; 23. Water pump; 30. Steam condensation and recovery device; 31. VOCs treatment assembly; 32. Condensation assembly; 321. Condensation tube; 3211. Inlet end; 3212. Outlet end; 322. Drain pipe; 323. First valve; 324. Second valve; 325. Waterproof and breathable component; 326. Fan; 33. Collection bag; 34. Gas-liquid pump; 40. Shell; 50. Door.

[0029] The above description of the main component symbols, together with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0031] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0032] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] Considering that although the space station is currently equipped with a humidity control system that uses water cooling for condensation and capillary action for recovery, it can only handle a small amount of water vapor and cannot remove VOCs, conventional steaming equipment is not convenient to connect with the existing condensation recovery system in the space station, making it unusable. Therefore, this application provides a steam condensation recovery device and steaming equipment that can remove VOCs in a microgravity environment while recovering and reusing steam to meet the steaming requirements of the space station.

[0035] Specifically, see the attached document. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, one embodiment of this application provides a steaming device 1, which may include a steaming chamber 10 having a steam inlet 101 and a steam outlet 102, a steam supply assembly 20 communicating with the steam inlet 101 of the steaming chamber 10, and a steam condensation and recovery device 30 communicating with the steam outlet 102 of the steaming chamber 10. The steam supply assembly 20 is used to supply steam to the steaming chamber 10 in a microgravity environment so that it enters the steaming chamber 10 from the steam inlet 101 to steam food W. The steam condensation and recovery device 30 is used to condense and recover the steam discharged through the steam outlet 102 of the steaming chamber 10 in a microgravity environment so as to achieve steam recovery and utilization while meeting the steaming requirements of the space station.

[0036] More specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the steam condensation recovery device 30 includes a VOCs treatment component 31, a condensation component 32, a collection bag 33, and a gas-liquid pump 34. The VOCs treatment component 31 is located at the exhaust port 102 of the steaming chamber 10 and is used to filter the steam discharged through the exhaust port 102 to remove VOCs from the steam. The condensation component 32 includes a condenser pipe 321, a drain pipe 322 communicating with the condenser pipe 321, a first valve 323, a second valve 324 disposed on the drain pipe 322, and a water-proof and ventilated component 325. The condenser pipe 321 has an inlet end 3211 connected to the VOCs treatment component 31 and an outlet end 3212 disposed on the first valve 323. The water-proof and ventilated component 325 is disposed on the condenser pipe 321 and is located between the connection point of the drain pipe 322 and the condenser pipe 321 and the first valve 323. The inlet pipe of the gas-liquid pump 34 is connected to the second valve 324, and the outlet of the gas-liquid pump 34 is connected to the collection bag 33.

[0037] Thus, during the food steaming process, the first valve 323 is opened and the second valve 324 is closed. As the steam supply assembly 20 continuously supplies high-temperature steam to the steaming chamber 10 to steam the food, the steam pressure inside the steaming chamber 10 will increase, causing some steam to be discharged from the exhaust port 102 of the steaming chamber 10. Then, the steam discharged from the exhaust port 102 will first enter the VOCs treatment assembly 31 to filter out the VOCs, and then flow into the condenser pipe 321 of the condensation assembly 32 for condensation to form a low-temperature airflow carrying water droplets. Finally, the low-temperature gas is discharged into the space station through the water-proof vent 325 from the first valve 323, while the condensate is blocked by the water-proof vent 325 and accumulates in the pipe adjacent to the water-proof vent 325. After the food is steamed, the second valve 324 is opened and the gas-liquid pump 34 is turned on. The condensate collected in the pipe will be pumped to the collection bag 33 by the gas-liquid pump 34 for recycling.

[0038] It is worth noting that VOCs are usually generated during the steaming process from raw to cooked food. If the steam discharged from the exhaust port 102 is not first treated by the VOCs treatment component 31 and is directly condensed by the condensation component 32, the low-temperature gas separated from the condensate will still contain VOCs, which will not meet the environmental requirements of the space station. Therefore, the steam condensation recovery device 30 of this application first filters out the VOCs in the steam through the VOCs treatment component 31 during the food steaming process, then condenses it through the condensation component 32, and performs gas-liquid separation through the water-proof and breathable component 325, so that the low-temperature gas is directly discharged into the space station, while the condensate is collected in the pipe of the condensation pipe 321. Then, after the food is steamed, the gas-liquid pump 34 is used to pump the condensate collected in the pipe into the collection bag 33 so as to achieve recycling in a microgravity environment.

[0039] Furthermore, when the food is steamed, the first valve 323 is closed so that the steam in the steaming chamber 10 is further drawn in by the gas-liquid pump 34. This steam then passes through the VOCs treatment component 31 and the condensation component 32, and is collected in the collection bag 33 after VOCs are filtered out and condensed. This not only enables more efficient condensation and recovery of condensate, but also avoids the accumulation of a large amount of steam in the steaming chamber 10, preventing steam from rushing out when the door is opened, and improving the user's steaming experience.

[0040] For example, the VOCs treatment component 31 may be implemented as a multi-element catalytic component, such as a porous ceramic structure coated with a noble metal coating, so that the VOCs in the steam react with oxygen in the air under the catalysis of the noble metal coating, thereby decomposing the VOCs into ordinary gases and achieving the removal of VOCs.

[0041] Optionally, such as Figure 3 As shown, the condenser tube 321 in the condensation assembly 32 is implemented as a finned tube in order to increase the heat exchange area of ​​the condenser tube 321 and improve the condensation effect.

[0042] Optionally, such as Figure 3 As shown, the condensing assembly 32 further includes a fan 326, and the condensing pipe 321 is located on the air supply side of the fan 326, so that air is quickly blown across the condensing pipe 321 under the action of the fan 326, in order to further improve the condensation effect. It is worth noting that although the condensing assembly 32 of this application uses air-cooling technology for steam condensation, in other examples of this application, the condensing assembly 32 can also use water-cooling technology for steam condensation, which will not be described in detail here.

[0043] Optionally, the collection bag 33 is detachably connected to the outlet of the gas-liquid pump 34 so that after the condensate collection is completed or the collection bag 33 is full, the collection bag 33 can be removed from the outlet of the gas-liquid pump 34 and finally sent to the water circulation treatment system for purification. In other words, the collection bag 33 mentioned in this application is designed as a consumable.

[0044] Optionally, the water-proof and breathable element 325 is implemented as a microporous filtration assembly, such as a filter screen with a gas-liquid separation membrane, so as to block water droplets from passing through while allowing gas to pass through, thereby achieving gas-liquid separation.

[0045] According to the above embodiments of this application, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the steaming equipment 1 may further include a housing 40 that accommodates the steaming chamber 10 and a door 50 that is movably connected to the housing 40 to open or close the opening of the steaming chamber 10; the steam supply assembly 20 and the steam condensation and recovery device 30 are both arranged in the space between the housing 40 and the steaming chamber 10, making the overall structure of the steaming equipment 1 compact and easy to transport and use flexibly in the space station.

[0046] Optionally, such as Figure 2As shown, the steam supply assembly 20 includes a steam generator 21 connected to the steam inlet 101 of the steaming chamber 10, a water tank 22 connected to the steam generator 21, and a water pump 23 disposed on the pipeline between the steam generator 21 and the water tank 22. Thus, the liquid water contained in the water tank 22 is pumped to the steam generator 21 by the water pump 23 to be heated and evaporated into steam, which is then transported to the steaming chamber 10 to steam the food.

[0047] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the steam generator 21 includes a heat exchange tube 211, a heating wire 212, and a plurality of partitions 213; the heat exchange tube 211 has a water inlet end 2111 communicating with the water tank 22, a steam outlet end 2112 communicating with the steam inlet 101 of the steaming chamber 10, and a steam generating tube body 2113 extending from the water inlet end 2111 to the steam outlet end 2112; the heating wire 212 is wound around the outer wall of the steam generating tube body 2113; the plurality of partitions 213 are arranged at intervals within the steam generating tube body 2113 to divide the steam generating tube body 2113 into a plurality of sequentially connected steam generating tube segments. Thus, when water from the water tank 22 flows into the steam-generating pipe 2113 through the water inlet end 2111 under the action of the water pump 23, the heating wire 212 heats the steam-generating pipe 2113, so that the steam-generating pipe 2113 transfers heat to the water flowing into the steam-generating pipe 2113 to generate steam, which then flows from the steam outlet end 2112 into the steaming chamber 10 for food steaming.

[0048] At the same time, such as Figure 4 As shown, the steam generator 21 of this application has multiple partitions 213 spaced apart within the steam generating pipe body 2113 to divide the steam generating pipe body 2113 into multiple sequentially connected steam generating pipe sections. This is used to allow water vapor to pass through smoothly while blocking water droplets from passing through. In other words, water flowing into the steam generating pipe body 2113 through the water inlet end 2111 is blocked by the partitions 213 when it flows from the previous steam generating pipe section to the next steam generating pipe section. This ensures that the previous steam generating pipe section is filled with water before a large amount of water flows into the next steam generating pipe section. That is, the proportion of water in the steam generating pipe section closer to the water inlet end 2111 is larger, and the proportion of steam in the steam generating pipe section closer to the steam outlet end 2112 is larger. This not only improves the heat exchange efficiency to generate steam efficiently, but also restricts water from being sprayed directly out of the steam outlet end 2112 before it becomes water vapor. This ensures that the water vapor flowing out of the steam outlet end 2112 is not mixed with water droplets, so as to deliver saturated steam to the steaming chamber 10 and improve the steaming effect of food.

[0049] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0050] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and their descriptions are quite specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A steam condensation and recovery device for recovering steam under microgravity conditions, characterized in that, include: A VOCs treatment component is installed at the exhaust port of the steaming chamber to filter out VOCs from the steam discharged through the exhaust port. A condensation assembly includes a condenser tube, a drain pipe communicating with the condenser tube, a first valve, a second valve disposed on the drain pipe, and a water-proof and ventilated component; the condenser tube has an inlet end connected to the pipeline of the VOCs treatment assembly and an outlet end provided with the first valve; the water-proof and ventilated component is disposed on the condenser tube, and the water-proof and ventilated component is located between the connection between the drain pipe and the condenser tube and the first valve; Collection bags; as well as A gas-liquid pump, wherein the inlet pipe of the gas-liquid pump is connected to the second valve, and the outlet of the gas-liquid pump is connected to the collection bag.

2. The steam condensation recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The VOCs treatment component is a multi-element catalytic component.

3. The steam condensation recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The condenser tube is a finned tube.

4. The steam condensation recovery device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The condensation assembly also includes a fan, and the condenser tube is located on the air supply side of the fan.

5. The steam condensation recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection bag is detachably connected to the outlet of the gas-liquid pump.

6. The steam condensation recovery apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The water-proof and breathable component is a microporous filter assembly.

7. A steaming equipment, characterized in that, include: The steaming chamber has a steam inlet and a steam outlet; A steam supply assembly, connected to the steam inlet of the steaming chamber, is used to supply steam to the steaming chamber under microgravity conditions; as well as The steam condensation and recovery device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 is connected to the exhaust port of the steaming chamber and is used to condense and recover the steam discharged through the exhaust port under microgravity conditions.

8. The steaming equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The steaming equipment also includes a housing that accommodates the steaming chamber and a door that is movably connected to the housing to open or close the opening of the steaming chamber; the steam supply assembly and the steam condensation and recovery device are both disposed in the space between the housing and the steaming chamber.

9. The steaming equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The steam supply assembly includes a steam generator connected to the steam inlet pipe of the steaming chamber, a water tank connected to the steam generator pipe, and a water pump disposed on the pipe between the steam generator and the water tank.

10. The steaming equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The steam generator includes a heat exchange tube, a heating wire, and multiple partitions; the heat exchange tube has a water inlet end communicating with the water tank, a steam outlet end communicating with the steam inlet of the steaming chamber, and a steam-generating tube body extending from the water inlet end to the steam outlet end; the heating wire is wound around the outer wall of the steam-generating tube body; the multiple partitions are arranged at intervals inside the steam-generating tube body to divide the steam-generating tube body into multiple steam-generating tube segments that are connected in sequence.

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