Segmented Steam Generator Design for Low Hazard Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current steam generators with high hazard potential are costly and inefficient, producing small amounts of low-quality steam, while those with low hazard potential are exempt from stringent regulations but unsuitable for many applications due to limited steam production.

Innovation Solution

A steam generator design with multiple steam boilers, each up to DN 32, arranged to achieve a low risk potential, featuring a heat exchanger in the flue gas duct and combustion chamber wall steam boilers for improved energy efficiency and vapor yield, with steam extraction lines and superheater pipes for enhanced steam quality and production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If steam generators with high hazard potential are used, then large quantities of steam can be produced, but operational costs and regulatory compliance costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam production quantityVSAvoidregulatory compliance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steam generator is divided into multiple individual steam boilers (at least two) with separate water circuits, each having a maximum hazard potential of 350 bar·l. This segmentation allows the system to produce large quantities of steam while each individual unit remains exempt from strict regulatory monitoring requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If steam generators with high hazard potential are used, then large quantities of steam can be produced, but operational costs increase due to extensive inspection and monitoring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam production quantityVSAvoidoperational cost efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into multiple low-hazard steam boilers, the patent eliminates the need for expensive external monitoring services and extensive inspection protocols while maintaining high steam production capacity through the combined output of multiple units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If high-speed steam generators are used, then regulatory compliance costs are reduced, but steam quality and quantity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory compliance simplicityVSAvoidsteam production quality and quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple steam boilers operating at low hazard potential levels into a single integrated system that achieves high steam production quantities and quality. The combined output of multiple boilers exceeds the capabilities of single-unit high-speed generators while maintaining regulatory simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple steam boilers are arranged to achieve low risk potential, then operational costs are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational cost efficiencyVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steam boilers are designed with universal components and standardized configurations that can be easily replicated and arranged in different system configurations. This universality simplifies the overall system design despite having multiple units, reducing installation and maintenance complexity while maintaining cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The design enables the production of large quantities of high-quality steam with reduced operational costs and compliance with safety regulations, suitable for various applications including power generation from biomass or gas, while maintaining low hazard potential.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger for preheating the feed water can preferably be arranged in the flue gas duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a combustion chamber, at least one flue gas duct and a boiler assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

each of which has a tubular structure, which has at least one riser pipe guided through the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2715229B1Steam generator
Publication Date: 2015.07.29 VEP UMWELTTECHN NEUMOT PRODIONS UND VERTRIEBS
  • EP2715229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2715229B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2715229B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a steam generator, comprising a combustion chamber (1), a flue gas duct (10), and a boiler assembly (2). The boiler assembly (2) has a plurality of individual, identically designed steam boilers (3) for obtaining an appropriate amount of steam. The steam boilers have riser pipes (4) that are guided through the combustion chamber (1). The steam boilers (3) can optionally have a respective pipe array, which comprises at least the riser pipe (4), a steam discharge pipe (5), a down pipe (6), and a connecting pipe (7) that leads from the down pipe (6) to the riser pipe (4).