Flexible Steam Dispersion Tubes for Low-Condensate Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam dispersion systems face challenges in achieving short absorption distances, reducing condensate and heat gain, and minimizing static air pressure drop while also addressing high material and shipping costs associated with rigid stainless steel components.
Innovation Solution
The use of flexible materials, such as polymeric or fabric materials, for constructing steam dispersion components like tubes, headers, and frames, which are impermeable yet perforated to allow steam exit through apertures that adjust in size with steam load, and can collapse to reduce obstruction, allowing for efficient steam distribution and reduced energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple closely spaced stainless steel dispersion tubes are used to achieve short absorption distance, then absorption distance is reduced, but condensate formation and heat gain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid stainless steel tubes with flexible polymer tubes that have collapsible walls. These flexible tubes maintain their structural integrity while allowing the wall to collapse inward during operation, which reduces the effective surface area available for condensate formation and heat transfer to the surrounding air, thereby reducing condensate loss while maintaining short absorption distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the dispersion tubes by making them collapsible rather than rigid. The tubes dynamically adjust their shape during steam dispersion operation, collapsing inward to reduce heat gain and condensate formation. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance during operation while maintaining the required absorption distance
2Length of stationary object
If multiple closely spaced stainless steel dispersion tubes are used to achieve short absorption distance, then absorption distance is reduced, but heat gain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible polymer tubes with collapsible walls reduce heat gain by minimizing the surface area exposed to surrounding air during operation. As the tubes collapse inward, less heat is transferred from the hot tubes to the cooler surrounding air, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining effective steam dispersion over short distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the dispersion tubes by using flexible polymer material instead of rigid stainless steel. This material change allows the tubes to dynamically alter their shape and surface area, reducing heat transfer coefficient and surface area for heat gain, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining short absorption distance
3Strength
If rigid stainless steel tubes and headers are used, then structural strength is maintained, but material and shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rigid stainless steel tubes and headers with flexible polymer tubes that can be easily manufactured and shipped. The flexible nature of these tubes allows them to be collapsed into a compact configuration for economical shipping and storage, while maintaining sufficient structural strength during operation through their collapsible design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a disposable approach by using inexpensive flexible polymer tubes that can be easily replaced rather than maintaining expensive rigid stainless steel components. These flexible tubes are designed to be used and then discarded, eliminating the need for costly material and shipping associated with durable stainless steel systems
4Loss of substance
If insulation is added to dispersion tubes to reduce condensate and heat gain, then condensate and heat gain are reduced, but static air pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible polymer tubes inherently reduce condensate formation through their collapsible design without requiring additional insulation layers. The tube walls collapse inward during operation, reducing the surface area for heat transfer and condensate formation, while maintaining low static air pressure drop because the flexible material creates minimal resistance to steam flow compared to rigid insulated tubes
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 approach results in shorter absorption distances, reduced condensate and heat gain, lower static air pressure drops, and lower material and installation costs, enhancing energy efficiency and ease of handling and storage compared to traditional steel systems.
Implementation Method 1
the material making up portions of the steam dispersion system is configured to collapse for changing the outer dimension of the portion comprised of the flexible material from a greater, higher-pressure size to a smaller, lower-pressure, size
Data Source
AI summary
A steam dispersion system for building humidification is disclosed. At least a portion of the steam dispersion system is comprised of a flexible material that is collapsible for changing the outer dimension of the portion comprised of the flexible material from a greater, higher-pressure, size, to a smaller, lower-pressure, size.