Condensing Boiler Condensate Evaporation Without Drain Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Condensing boilers require a connection to the domestic drainage system for disposing of condensed vapour, which complicates installation, especially when there is no direct access to the drainage piping in existing buildings.

Innovation Solution

A condensing boiler design that includes a discharge pump to transport condensate from a collecting vessel to an external evaporation station, eliminating the need for a drainage connection by utilizing the boiler's heat to evaporate the condensate, thus avoiding the need for a drainage connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If condensing boilers are equipped with connection to domestic drainage system for condensate disposal, then condensate can be effectively eliminated, but installation complexity increases significantly especially when direct access to drainage piping is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondensate disposalVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the condensate disposal function from the traditional drainage system connection and relocates it to an autonomous evaporation chamber within the boiler system. The condensate is pumped into a combustion chamber where it is evaporated and discharged through the existing flue gas pathway, eliminating the need for external drainage piping connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the condensate disposal function with the existing combustion and flue gas discharge system. The evaporation chamber is integrated into the combustion chamber, and the evaporated condensate is discharged together with the flue gases through the existing exhaust pathway, combining multiple functions into existing system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If condensing boilers are designed with drainage connection requirements, then environmental sustainability is improved through proper condensate management, but ease of installation deteriorates in existing buildings without accessible drainage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the dependency on external drainage infrastructure and replaces it with an self-contained evaporation system. The condensate is processed within the boiler itself through evaporation in the combustion chamber, removing the constraint of requiring external drainage access while maintaining proper condensate management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The boiler system performs its own condensate disposal function autonomously without requiring external drainage infrastructure. The integrated pump and evaporation chamber system handles condensate management internally, making the boiler self-sufficient and suitable for installation in any location regardless of drainage accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a discharge pump is added to transport condensate to an evaporation station, then drainage connection is eliminated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the discharge pump, evaporation chamber, and flue gas discharge system into an integrated unit. The pump is positioned to draw from the condensate collection area and discharge into the combustion chamber, where evaporation occurs naturally as part of the combustion process, and the combined gases exit through the existing flue pathway.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The combustion chamber serves multiple functions: it performs the primary combustion function and simultaneously acts as an evaporation chamber for condensate disposal. The flue gas pathway also serves dual purposes: exhaust combustion gases and evaporated condensate together. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy installation of condensing boilers without direct access to drainage piping, as the condensate is evaporated externally, simplifying the installation process and reducing additional installation work required.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge pump, configured to transport said condensate from the collecting vessel to an evaporation station external to said flow path of the fumes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

an evaporation station external to said flow path of the fumes, but heated by said burner in an operating condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

heated by said burner in an operating condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

the heat is recovered from them by means of recondensation of the water vapour in a suitably designed heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 5

recovered from them by means of recondensation of the water vapour in a suitably designed heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3171094B1Enhanced type condensing boiler
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 UNIVERSITY OF CALABRIA
  • EP3171094B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3171094B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP3171094B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A condensing boiler (1), designed for unusually easy installation also in premises without domestic drainage outlets, comprises: at least one heat exchanger (4); a combustion chamber (2); a burner (3) arranged inside said combustion chamber (2), a flow path for the fumes (5) generated by the burner (3) crossing a hot side of said heat exchanger (4); a collecting vessel (6) in fluid connection with the hot side of said heat exchanger (4) and designed to collect a condensate (W) formed thereon; a discharge pump (7), configured to transport said condensate (W) from the collecting vessel (6) to an evaporation station (11) external to said flow path of the fumes (5), but heated by said burner (3) in an operating condition; as well as control means (10) configured to activate said discharge pump (7) in predefined conditions.