Electrode steam humidifier and method for its operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode steam humidifiers face issues with increased mineral concentration in the water, leading to electrode corrosion and lime scale formation, which necessitate regular draining and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An electrode steam humidifier with a steam container that has separate inlets for mineralized and demineralized water, and a controller that adjusts the water inflow based on conductivity assessments to maintain a desired mineralization level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tap water is continuously refilled to maintain water level, then steam production is sustained, but mineral concentration increases leading to electrode corrosion and lime scale formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of water composition by introducing a bypass line that allows demineralized water to be mixed with tap water. This maintains the conductivity needed for steam production while preventing excessive mineral accumulation that causes electrode corrosion and lime scale formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass line acts as an intermediary pathway that introduces demineralized water into the system. This mediator substance (demineralized water) adjusts the mineral content of the water in the steam generator, enabling sustained operation without the harmful effects of high mineral concentration.
2Duration of action of moving object
If water is continuously refilled to maintain steam production, then operational continuity is ensured, but maintenance cycles must be shortened due to mineral accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
By continuously adjusting the mineral content parameter through the bypass line, the system extends the time between maintenance cycles. The demineralized water reduces mineral accumulation rate, allowing longer operational periods before draining and cleaning are required.
3Power
If high conductivity water is used to ensure current flow, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but electrode corrosion and lime scale formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the conductivity parameter by mixing demineralized water with tap water. This creates a balanced water composition that provides sufficient conductivity for efficient steam generation while preventing the excessive mineral concentration that leads to electrode corrosion and lime scale formation.
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 extends the maintenance cycles of the humidifier by reducing electrode degradation and mineral precipitation, while maintaining efficient steam production and minimizing variations in steam output.
Implementation Method 1
a sufficient electric voltage applied to the electrode will lead to a current flow through the water that eventually leads to boiling the water, thus generating steam
Implementation Method 2
means to assess the conductivity of the water held within the steam container
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrode steam humidifier (1), a method for operating the same as well as a suitable computer program product for executing the method. The electrode steam humidifier (1) comprises a steam container (2) with a first water inlet (10) for mineralized water and at least two electrodes (6) arranged to be at least partly immersed in water filled in above a minimum fill level, wherein the electrodes (6) are supplied with an electric voltage so that at least one of the electrodes (6) has a different potential than the other electrode(s) (6) to cause an electric current in the water, wherein the steam container (2) comprises a second water inlet (11) for demineralized water and means to assess the conductivity of the water held within the steam container (2), wherein the throughflow through both water inlets (10, 11) for replenishing the steam container (2) is controlled by a controller (20) based on the assessed conductivity in order to obtain or maintain a desired conductivity. In the method for operating an electrode steam humidifier (1), the conductivity of the water within the steam container (2) of the steam humidifier (1) is assessed and the conductivity of water introduced into the steam container (2) for replenishment is adjusted so that the resulting water mixture in the steam container (2) has a desired conductivity. The inventive computer program product comprises program parts that are designed, when loaded in a digital controller connected to the required sensors and actuators of at least an electrode steam humidifier, to execute the inventive.