Superheated steam generator

Abstract

To simplify and downsize the device configuration of a superheated steam generation device.SOLUTION: A superheated steam generation device comprises a steam generation part 2 for generating steam from water by energizing and heating a first conductor pipe 21 having a helical shape, a superheated steam generation device 3 for generating superheated steam from steam by energizing and heating a second conductor pipe 31 having a helical shape, and a steam separator 4 for separating water from steam. The first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 are arranged concentrically with each other. The steam separator 4 is arranged inside the first conductor pipe 21 or the second conductor pipe 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a superheated steam generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional superheated steam generator has been considered to have a steam generating unit that generates steam from water and a superheated steam generating unit that generates superheated steam from steam, as shown in Patent Document 1. This superheated steam generator is of the so-called transformer type, and each of the steam generating unit and the superheated steam generating unit has an induction coil wound around a leg core as a primary coil, and a heating conductor tube wound inside or outside the primary coil.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned transformer system requires a primary coil and an iron core in addition to the heating conductor tube, which not only increases the number of parts but also increases the installation space, and also increases the weight of the superheated steam generator and the manufacturing cost. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-116183 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its main object to simplify the device configuration and reduce the size of a superheated steam generator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In other words, the superheated steam generation device of the present invention comprises a steam generation unit that generates steam from water by electrically heating a first spiral conductor tube, a superheated steam generation unit that generates superheated steam from water vapor by electrically heating a second spiral conductor tube, and an air-water separation unit that separates water from the steam, wherein the first conductor tube and the second conductor tube are arranged concentrically with each other, and the air-water separation unit is arranged inside the first conductor tube or the second conductor tube.

[0007] In such a device, the first and second spiral conductor tubes are heated by passing electricity through them to generate superheated steam, making it possible to eliminate the need for a primary coil and iron core in a transformer system. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in the superheated steam generator and simplify the device configuration. Furthermore, because a primary coil and iron core are not required, the superheated steam generator can be made smaller and the installation space can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and the weight of the device. In particular, in the present invention, the first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe are arranged concentrically with each other, and the air-water separation section is arranged inside the first conductor pipe or the second conductor pipe, so that the superheated steam generation device can be made even smaller and the installation space can be reduced.

[0008] As a specific arrangement of the superheated steam generating unit, it is desirable that the first conductor pipe is arranged below the second conductor pipe, and the steam-water separation unit is arranged inside the first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe. By arranging the water-air separation section inside both the first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe, the capacity of the water-air separation section can be made as large as possible while still reducing the size of the superheated steam generation device, allowing water to be separated reliably with a compact configuration.

[0009] As a specific embodiment for electrically heating the first and second conductor tubes, it is preferable that the steam generating unit has a first DC power source that supplies DC power to the first conductor tube, and the superheated steam generating unit has a second DC power source that supplies DC power to the second conductor tube. Note that the first DC power source and the second DC power source may be a common DC power source. In this way, by electrically heating the first and second conductor pipes with a DC power source, there is no need to worry about induction heating even if the steam separator is made of a magnetic material, and this makes it possible to effectively utilize the space inside the first or second conductor pipe and to reduce the size of the superheated steam generator.

[0010] As a specific control mode of the water vapor generating unit and the superheated steam generating unit, it is preferable that the water vapor generating unit electrically heats the first conductor tube by constant power control based on the latent heat of vaporization to obtain a desired amount of water vapor, and the superheated steam generating unit electrically heats the second conductor tube by temperature control to obtain a desired superheated steam temperature. This control makes it possible to generate a desired amount of superheated steam at a desired temperature. Here, constant power control based on the latent heat of vaporization includes constant power control taking into consideration the sensible heat of water, heat radiation from the conductor tubes, etc. in addition to the latent heat of vaporization of water.

[0011] In order to automatically supply the amount of water supplied to the first introduction pipe, it is preferable to further include an adjustment valve for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the first conductor pipe.

[0012] In order to improve the durability of the device, it is desirable that the first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe are made of stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention configured as above, the device configuration of the superheated steam generator can be simplified and made smaller in size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a superheated steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a system flow diagram of the superheated steam generating device of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a first conductor pipe and an air-water separator in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of a second conductor pipe and an air-water separator in the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a superheated steam generator 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <1.Device configuration> The superheated steam generator 100 of this embodiment generates superheated steam by heating water, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is equipped with a steam generation unit 2 that generates steam from water, a superheated steam generation unit 3 that generates superheated steam from steam, an air-water separation unit 4 that separates water from the steam, a first connection pipe 5 that connects the steam generation unit 2 and the air-water separation unit 4, and a second connection pipe 6 that connects the air-water separation unit 4 and the superheated steam generation unit 3.

[0017] <2. Steam generation unit 2> The water vapor generating unit 2 generates water vapor from water by electrically heating a spiral first conductor tube 21.

[0018] Specifically, the water vapor generation unit 2 has a spiral first conductor pipe 21, a first DC power source 22 that supplies DC power to the first conductor pipe 21, and a first control device 23 that controls the first DC power source 22.

[0019] The spiral first conductor pipe 21 is made of stainless steel or nickel-based alloy. This first conductor pipe 21 is wound a predetermined number of times, and is configured so that an inlet port P1 through which water is introduced is located on the lower side, and an outlet port P2 through which water vapor is discharged is located on the upper side. Here, a flow rate adjustment valve 7 for adjusting the water supplied to the first conductor pipe 21 is provided at or near the inlet port P1.

[0020] Furthermore, an electrode 8a for supplying DC power is provided in the first conductor pipe 21 downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 7 at the beginning of the spiral winding of the first conductor pipe 21. Furthermore, an electrode 8b for supplying DC power is provided at the end of the spiral winding of the first conductor pipe 21. One end of the first connection pipe 5 is connected to the outlet port P2 of the first conductor pipe 21, and the other end of the first connection pipe 5 is connected to the air-water separation unit 4.

[0021] Furthermore, the first control device 23 energizes and heats the first conductor pipe 21 by constant power control based on the latent heat of vaporization to obtain a desired amount of water vapor. Specifically, the first control device 23 has a power regulator 231 that adjusts the supplied DC power, a power measurement unit 232 that measures the supplied DC power, and a first control unit 233 that compares the measured power of the power measurement unit 232 with a predetermined constant power to control the power regulator 231. In this embodiment, as the constant power control based on the latent heat of vaporization, constant power control is performed in consideration of the sensible heat of water, heat dissipation of the conductor pipe, and the like in addition to the latent heat of vaporization of water. The power regulator 231 may be one that uses a semiconductor element (e.g., a transistor, a thyristor, etc.), or may be one that uses a magnet relay other than the semiconductor element. The power measurement unit 232 may be composed of a voltmeter and an ammeter. The predetermined constant power is set based on the latent heat of vaporization to obtain a desired amount of water vapor.

[0022] <3. Superheated steam generating section 3> The superheated steam generating section 3 generates superheated steam from water vapor by electrically heating a spiral second conductor tube 31.

[0023] Specifically, the superheated steam generation unit 3 has a spiral second conductor pipe 31, a second DC power source 32 that supplies DC power to the second conductor pipe 31, and a second control device 33 that controls the second DC power source 32.

[0024] The spiral second conductor pipe 31 is made of stainless steel or nickel-based alloy. This second conductor pipe 31 is wound a predetermined number of times, and is configured so that an inlet port P3 for introducing steam is located on the upper side, and an outlet port P4 for discharging superheated steam is located on the lower side.

[0025] An electrode 9a for supplying DC power is provided at the start of the spiral of the second conductor pipe 31. An electrode 9b for supplying DC power is provided at the end of the spiral of the second conductor pipe 31. One end of the second connection pipe 6 is connected to the introduction port P3 of the second conductor pipe 31, and the other end of the second connection pipe 6 is connected to the air-water separation unit 4.

[0026] Furthermore, the second control device 33 energizes and heats the second conductor pipe 31 by controlling the temperature to obtain a desired superheated steam temperature. Specifically, the second control device 33 has a power regulator 331 that adjusts the supplied DC power, a thermometer 332 such as a thermocouple that measures the temperature of the generated superheated steam, and a second control unit 333 that compares the measured temperature of the thermometer 332 with a predetermined set temperature to control the power regulator 331. The power regulator 331 may be one that uses a semiconductor element (such as a transistor or a thyristor), or may be one that uses a magnet relay other than the semiconductor element. The thermometer 332 is inserted into a branch pipe 311 (see FIG. 1) that branches off from the second conductor pipe 31.

[0027] <4. Layout of each part> In the above-described superheated steam generator 100, the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 are arranged concentrically with each other, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, and the steam-water separation unit 4 is arranged inside the first conductor pipe 21 or the second conductor pipe 31. In this embodiment, the steam-water separation unit 4 has a cylindrical container that separates steam and water, and is arranged concentrically with the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31.

[0028] Specifically, the first conductor pipe 21 is disposed below and apart from the second conductor pipe 31 (see FIG. 1), and the water-air separation section 4 is disposed inside the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 and apart from each of the conductor pipes 21, 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The first connection pipe 5 connected to the outlet port P2 of the first conductor pipe 21 is connected to the water-air separation section 4 between the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 (see FIG. 1). The second connection pipe 6 connected to the inlet port P3 of the second conductor pipe 31 is connected to the upper part of the water-air separation section 4 (see FIG. 1). A drain discharge section 10 for discharging the drain water separated by the water-air separation section 4 to the outside is connected to the bottom of the water-air separation section 4.

[0029] 1, 3, and 4, the electrodes 8a, 8b connected to the first conductor pipe 21 are connected to extend in the vertical direction (axial direction) relative to the first conductor pipe 21. Moreover, the electrodes 9a, 9b connected to the second conductor pipe 31 are connected to extend in the vertical direction (axial direction) relative to the second conductor pipe 31. With this configuration, the installation space for the superheated steam generator 100 can be made smaller than when the electrodes 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b are extended laterally.

[0030] <5. Operation of the superheated steam generator 100> Next, the operation of the superheated steam generator 100 will be briefly described.

[0031] First, the flow rate regulating valve 7 is opened to supply a predetermined amount of water to the first conductor pipe 21. The first control device 23 of the water vapor generating unit 2 controls the power regulator 231 to electrically heat the first conductor pipe 21 by constant power control based on the latent heat of vaporization to obtain a desired amount of water vapor. Note that, at the same time as the water vapor generating unit 2 electrically heats the first conductor pipe 21, the superheated steam generating unit 3 starts electrically heating the second conductor pipe 31.

[0032] Then, the water vapor generated by the first conductor pipe 21 of the water vapor generating unit 2 flows through the first connecting pipe and is introduced into the water-vapor separating unit 4. The water vapor and the water are separated in the water-vapor separating unit 4. The drain water separated in the water-vapor separating unit 4 is discharged to the outside via the drain discharge unit 10.

[0033] Furthermore, the water vapor (dry steam) from which water has been separated in the water-steam separator 4 flows through the second connection pipe 6 and is introduced into the second conductor pipe 31 of the superheated steam generator 3. Here, the second control device 33 of the superheated steam generator 3 controls the power regulator 331 to electrically heat the second conductor pipe 31 by temperature control to obtain a desired superheated steam temperature. As a result, a desired amount of superheated steam at a desired temperature is discharged from the outlet port P4 of the second conductor pipe 31.

[0034] <6. Effects of this embodiment> According to the superheated steam generator 100 configured in this manner, the spiral first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 are electrically heated to generate superheated steam, making it possible to eliminate the need for a primary coil and an iron core in a transformer system. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts in the superheated steam generator 100 and simplify the device configuration. Furthermore, since a primary coil and an iron core are not required, the superheated steam generator 100 can be made smaller and the installation space can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and the weight of the device.

[0035] In particular, in this embodiment, the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 are arranged concentrically with each other, and the air-water separation section 4 is arranged inside the first conductor pipe 21 or the second conductor pipe 31, so that the superheated steam generation device 100 can be made even smaller and the installation space can be reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, by arranging the water-air separation section 4 inside both the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31, the capacity of the water-air separation section 4 can be made as large as possible while still reducing the size of the superheated steam generation device 100, and water can be separated reliably with a compact configuration.

[0037] Furthermore, by electrically heating the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 using the DC power sources 22, 32, there is no need to worry about induction heating even if the steam separator 4 is made of a magnetic material. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the space inside the first conductor pipe 21 or the second conductor pipe 31 and to reduce the size of the superheated steam generator 100.

[0038] <7. Other Modified Embodiments> For example, in the above embodiment, in addition to the configuration in which the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 are arranged above and below, the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31 may be arranged concentrically. For example, the first conductor pipe 21 may be arranged on the outside and the second conductor pipe 31 may be arranged on the inside, or vice versa.

[0039] Further, although the air-water separation section 4 in the above embodiment is arranged inside both the first conductor pipe 21 and the second conductor pipe 31, it may also be configured to be arranged inside either the first conductor pipe 21 or the second conductor pipe 31.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 100 Superheated steam generator 2. Water vapor generating section 21 First conductor tube 22...1st DC power supply 3. Superheated steam generator 31 Second conductor tube 32...Second DC power supply 4...Air-water separation section 5...First flow path piping 6 Second flow path piping 7 Flow control valve 10 Drain discharge section

Claims

1. a steam generating unit that generates steam from water by electrically heating a first spiral conductor tube; a superheated steam generating unit that generates superheated steam from water vapor by electrically heating a second spiral conductor tube; A water-vapor separator that separates water from water vapor, The first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe are arranged concentrically with each other, The superheated steam generating apparatus, wherein the water-steam separating section is disposed inside the first conductor pipe or the second conductor pipe.

2. the first conductor pipe is disposed below the second conductor pipe, The superheated steam generator according to claim 1 , wherein the water-steam separator is disposed inside the first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe.

3. the water vapor generating unit has a first DC power source that supplies DC power to the first conductor pipe, 3. The superheated steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam generator includes a second DC power source that supplies DC power to the second conductor pipe.

4. the water vapor generating unit electrically heats the first conductor tube by constant power control based on latent heat of vaporization to obtain a desired amount of water vapor; 4. The superheated steam generating device according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam generating unit electrically heats the second conductor tube by temperature control to obtain a desired superheated steam temperature.

5. The superheated steam generator according to claim 1 , further comprising a flow rate regulating valve that adjusts an amount of water supplied to the first conductor pipe.

6. The superheated steam generator according to claim 1 , wherein the first conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe are made of stainless steel or a nickel-based alloy.

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