Boiler Annular Space Design for Steam Overheating Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boiler designs for producing superheated steam can suffer from liquid water ingress and local overheating issues, leading to mechanical failures and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A vertically oriented boiler with a spirally formed conduit and an annular space design that allows for co-current or counter-current flow of saturated steam with hot gas, incorporating a demister to prevent liquid water entry and positioning outlets/inlets in the water bath space to mitigate overheating, enhancing heat transfer and reducing mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If liquid water enters the annular space, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but mechanical failure occurs due to local overheating
Solution Approach 1:
A demister element is introduced as an intermediary component between the water bath and the annular space. This demister allows heat transfer benefits from water proximity while preventing liquid water from entering the annular space, thus avoiding local overheating and mechanical failure of pipes
Solution Approach 2:
The boiler is segmented into distinct functional zones: a water bath space, a demister separation zone, and an annular space for superheating. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function - water evaporation, liquid separation, and steam superheating - without interference that would cause overheating or inefficiency
2Productivity
If saturated steam flows through the annular space, then superheated steam production is achieved, but local overheating at the inlet occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet for saturated steam is positioned in the water bath space, allowing the steam to be pre-cooled by contact with water before entering the annular superheating zone. This preliminary cooling action prevents local overheating at the annular space inlet while maintaining superheated steam production capability
Solution Approach 2:
Different temperature conditions are applied to different parts of the steam flow path: the inlet region experiences cooling contact with water, while the annular space provides controlled superheating. This local quality variation prevents overheating at critical inlet points while achieving the required superheated steam output
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents liquid water entry and overheating, ensuring reliable and efficient production of superheated steam while maintaining the effective heat transfer of the annular space design, thus extending the boiler's operational lifespan and improving steam quality.
Implementation Method 1
a spirally formed evaporating section located in the water bath space
Implementation Method 2
indirect heat exchange of water against a hot gas
Implementation Method 3
a spirally formed super heater section at the upper end of the vessel, wherein the conduit of the super heater section is surrounded by a second conduit forming an annular space
Implementation Method 4
saturated steam may flow co-currently with the hot gas or counter-currently with the hot gas through the annular space
Data Source
AI summary
A boiler for making super heated steam by indirect heat exchange of water against a hot gas, said boiler being a vertically oriented vessel comprising a spirally formed conduit around the vertical axis of the vessel, which vessel is provided with an inlet for hot gas fluidly connected to the lower end of the conduit for upwardly passage of hot gas through the spirally formed conduit, an outlet for cooled gas fluidly connected to the upper end of the conduit, an inlet for fresh water and a vessel outlet for super heated steam,said vessel further provided with a water bath space in the lower end of the vessel and a saturated steam collection space above said water bath space,said spirally formed conduit comprising of a spirally formed evaporating section located in the water bath space and a spirally formed super heater section at the upper end of the vessel, wherein the conduit of the super heater section is surrounded by a second conduit forming an annular space between said super heater conduit and said second conduit, said annular space being provided with an inlet for saturated steam fluidly connected to the saturated steam collection space and an outlet for super heated steam located at the opposite end of said annular space and fluidly connected to the vessel outlet for super heated steam, wherein outlet or inlet are positioned in water bath space.