External Steam Generator for Laboratory Incubator Humidity Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory incubators face challenges in maintaining high humidity without risking contamination or steam explosions, and existing solutions are complex, expensive, and difficult to regulate.
Innovation Solution
An external steam generator is used to supply steam to the incubator, with a water container acting as a pressure relief valve, eliminating the risk of steam explosions and avoiding the need for pressure vessel regulations, while allowing for controlled and continuous steam supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a water reservoir is placed inside the incubator for evaporation, then humidity is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is extracted from the incubator interior and relocated to the exterior environment. The steam generator receives water from an external source and delivers steam to the incubator through a steam supply line, eliminating the contaminating water bath inside while maintaining humidity generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
Steam acts as an intermediary substance between the external water reservoir and the incubator interior. Water is converted to steam externally and then introduced into the incubator, providing humidity without introducing liquid water that could contaminate samples
2Object-affected harmful factors
If superheated steam is supplied under pressure from an external steam boiler, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity and safety regulations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation parameters are changed from high-pressure superheated steam to low-pressure saturated steam. The steam generator operates at atmospheric or slightly elevated pressure without requiring pressure vessel certification, simplifying the system while still effectively reducing contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, easily replaceable components rather than complex, regulated pressure vessels. The steam generator can be a simple heated chamber that is easily maintained and replaced if needed, avoiding the burden of pressure vessel safety regulations
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an external steam generator is used, then contamination risk is reduced, but steam supply regulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback control system monitors humidity and temperature parameters inside the incubator and automatically adjusts the steam supply rate. The controller receives sensor data and modulates the steam generator operation to maintain optimal conditions, making the system easy to operate despite external steam generation
4Reliability
If a water column is used for pressure relief, then steam explosion risk is eliminated, but pressure regulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water column in the steam supply line automatically provides pressure relief without requiring external control mechanisms. When steam pressure exceeds the hydrostatic pressure of the water column, steam naturally pushes water into the reservoir, creating a passive safety mechanism that eliminates steam explosion risk without adding regulatory complexity
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 ensures high humidity with minimal effort, reduces contamination risk, and simplifies manufacturing, approval, and maintenance by eliminating the need for pressure vessel regulations, while allowing for precise regulation of steam supply based on humidity and temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (4) connected to the interior (3) via a steam supply line (7)... If the water reservoir (6) in the steam generator is heated by means of the heating device (5), for example a plate heater in the bottom area of the steam generator, preferably to the point of boiling, an overpressure builds up inside the steam generator
Implementation Method 2
The maximum pressure that prevails in the steam generator results from the height of the water column above the water level of the steam generator in the water tank and water supply line... The water tank is preferably arranged above the steam generator, it being sufficient if the height of the floors on which the water reservoir stands is different
Implementation Method 3
If the water reservoir (6) in the steam generator is heated by means of the heating device (5), for example a plate heater in the bottom area of the steam generator
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Incubator (1), preferably a gassed incubator, comprises: an interior (3) enclosed by a housing (2); and a steam generator (4) arranged outside the interior, which comprises a heating device (5) for heating a water reservoir and for generating steam, and is in communication with the interior via a steam supply line. The steam generator is connected with a pressure-open water tank via a water supply line and the water tank arranged such that the water level in the water tank, during the steam generation, is above the water level in the steam generator.