Boiler-Riser Humidifier Control for Low-Pressure Steam Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air humidification devices face challenges in achieving rapid humidity control with minimal energy loss and simplified approval processes, often requiring complex pressurized systems that are costly and prone to failures.
Innovation Solution
A device with a boiler heated by a heating element and a steam valve, where the boiler is connected to a riser with a liquid level sensor, allowing the heating element to be alternately switched on and off to maintain the liquid at boiling point without high pressure, and using a float switch to control the steam valve for efficient energy use and pressureless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pressurized system is used to achieve rapid steam delivery, then steam can be supplied quickly to reach desired humidity values, but complex approvals are required and the system becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high to low (below 0.1 bar), transforming the system from a pressurized to a pressureless state. This allows rapid steam delivery to be achieved through alternative means (heating element control) while avoiding the complexity of pressure-containing systems and their associated approvals
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is switched on and off periodically based on humidity sensor feedback. This periodic heating action maintains liquid at boiling point and generates steam on demand, achieving rapid humidity control without requiring continuous high pressure
2Productivity
If the heating element operates continuously to maintain steam supply, then rapid humidity control is achieved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
A humidity sensor continuously monitors the air humidity and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the heating element operation based on this feedback, switching it on only when humidity is below the desired value and switching it off when the desired humidity is reached, thereby minimizing energy loss while maintaining rapid responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static continuous heating to dynamic controlled heating. The heating element's operation state changes dynamically based on real-time humidity conditions, allowing the system to adapt its energy consumption to actual needs while maintaining the capability for rapid humidity adjustment
3Device complexity
If a pressureless system is used to simplify approvals, then fewer approvals are required, but maintaining liquid at boiling point without high pressure is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the liquid's own boiling point as a natural temperature reference. When the heating element heats the liquid to boiling point in a pressureless environment, the phase change from liquid to vapor automatically occurs at 100°C, providing a self-regulating mechanism that maintains the liquid at boiling point without requiring complex temperature control systems
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
This solution enables efficient and energy-saving control of air humidification, maintaining the liquid at boiling point with minimal pressure, reducing energy loss, and simplifying approvals by operating as an open system with fewer components, thus enhancing reliability and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a boiler (12) for a liquid (24) to be evaporated, which can be heated by means of a heating element (14)
Implementation Method 2
a steam valve (16) through which steam can be released from the boiler (12) into a room
Implementation Method 3
the liquid is heated, creating a vapor pressure which forces liquid out of the boiler into the riser (20)
Implementation Method 4
the liquid is heated, creating a vapor pressure which forces liquid out of the boiler into the riser (20)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a device for air humidification with a boiler for a liquid to be evaporated that can be heated by means of a heating element and has a steam valve through which steam can be released from the boiler into a room, the boiler being in an area which is arranged below the liquid level during normal filling of the tank with liquid, is connected to a first riser and a device for determining the level of the liquid is arranged in the tank with the steps a) in the tank at least up to a predetermined upper level filling level of filled liquid Closing the steam valve, b) switching on the heating element and heating up the liquid, whereby a steam pressure is created which presses liquid out of the boiler into the riser, c) switching off the heating element as soon as a predetermined lower filling level in the boiler is fallen below, d ) Determining the time between switching on and switching off the heating element and determining the time between switching on the heating element and the point in time at which the specified upper fill level is reached again after the heating element has been switched off, e) determining a base load of the device from the ratio of the time between Switching the heating element on and off and the time between switching on the heating element and the point in time at which the specified upper level is reached again after the heating element has been switched off. The invention also relates to a device for air humidification, in particular a climate cabinet, with a boiler for a liquid to be evaporated, which can be heated by means of a heating element and has a steam valve, through which steam can be released from the boiler into a room, with the boiler in one area , which is arranged with liquid below the liquid level during normal operation of the boiler, is connected to a first riser, wherein in the arrangement of boiler and riser a device for determining the level of the liquid is arranged only in the boiler.