Flash Boiler Hyperboloid Passage Helical Tube Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional boilers require the entire water reservoir to reach boiling point before producing steam, which delays energy generation, and they lack efficient heat transfer and pressure management systems, especially in compact or remote applications.
Innovation Solution
A flash boiler with a hyperboloid interior passage and water/superheating tubes arranged in helical paths, utilizing additive manufacturing for enhanced heat transfer and pressure relief, allowing for efficient heat collection from small or impromptu heat sources and minimizing unheated flue gas passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional boilers heat the entire water reservoir, then steam can be produced, but the time to reach boiling point is excessive and energy generation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is segmented into two zones: a small inner volume that is actively heated by concentrated heating, and a larger outer volume that serves as a thermal mass. This segmentation allows the system to rapidly boil the inner fraction without requiring the entire reservoir to reach boiling point, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining steam production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flash evaporation (phase transition) where a small fraction of water is rapidly vaporized by concentrated heating. This phase transition mechanism allows quick steam generation from the heated fraction without waiting for the entire water body to reach boiling point, significantly reducing the time to produce steam.
2Productivity
If heat is concentrated on a small fraction of water, then steam production speed increases, but the heating system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the inner water volume serves both as the active heating zone and as a thermal storage medium, while the outer water volume provides thermal mass and stability. This merging of functions reduces system complexity compared to separate heating chambers, allowing fast steam production through coordinated action of the integrated system.
3Area of stationary object
If fins are attached to tube exteriors, then heat transfer area increases, but manufacturing becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction where fins are integrated with tubes to form a unified heat transfer assembly. This composite approach combines the heat transfer surface area of fins with the structural integrity of tubes, creating an efficient heat exchange component that is manufactured as a single unit, thereby simplifying production compared to separate attachment methods.
4Use of energy by moving object
If water tubes are arranged to maximize heat transfer, then heat collection efficiency increases, but the boiler volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where water tubes are positioned within the flue passage, and fins are attached to the tube exteriors. This nesting configuration allows multiple heat transfer surfaces (tubes and fins) to occupy the same spatial envelope, maximizing heat collection efficiency from flue gas without proportionally increasing the overall boiler volume.
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 faster steam production from smaller heat sources, maximizes heat transfer, and provides safe pressure management, suitable for remote or emergency use, including steam power generation and heating.
Implementation Method 1
Water tubes and superheating tubes may include, internally or externally or both, heat transfer aids such as pins, fins or vanes
Implementation Method 2
The interior passage is a hyperboloid surface to induce draft
Implementation Method 3
The interior passage is a hyperboloid surface to induce draft
Implementation Method 4
enhances draft or convective flow, or enhances the flow velocity of flue gas there through
Implementation Method 5
Evaporation of the heated fraction of water can begin and be sustained without having to wait for the entire reservoir of water to approach the boiling point
Implementation Method 6
Superheating tubes re-pass steam developed in the boiler back into the flue gas to acquire a last dose of additional heat energy
Implementation Method 7
provide a pressure relief valve to safely vent unwanted high pressures and prevent rupture or explosion
Data Source
AI summary
A flash boiler has a water jacket and a vertically oriented interior passage which includes water tubes or superheating tubes, or both. The interior passage is a hyperboloid surface to induce draft. Water tubes and superheating tubes can be staggered so as to create a helical path for flue gas passing through the boiler. Water tubes and superheating tubes may include, internally or externally or both, heat transfer aids such as pins, fins or vanes, which may also be helices.