Steam Collapsing Apparatus for Sterilizer Effluent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary steam sterilizer systems waste substantial amounts of water due to continuous cooling water flow, which is unnecessary and inefficient, as the cooling water is used solely to cool steam condensate before it is discharged into drains.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and system that eliminates the need for continuous cooling water flow by using a tank with an effluent receiving conduit to collapse steam into condensate using cooling water, ensuring the discharge temperature remains below 140 degrees Fahrenheit, thus conserving water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If continuous cooling water flow is used to cool steam condensate, then the discharge temperature meets building code requirements (below 140°F), but substantial amounts of water are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces continuous cooling water flow with periodic action by using a tank that accumulates steam condensate and periodically discharges it after natural cooling. The cooling process occurs in intervals rather than continuously, with the tank serving as a buffer that allows the condensate to cool naturally before discharge, thereby eliminating the need for continuous water flow while still meeting temperature requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service by allowing steam condensate to cool naturally in the tank without requiring external cooling water. The accumulated condensate cools itself through heat dissipation to the surrounding environment, and the system automatically discharges when the temperature criterion is met, eliminating the need for continuous auxiliary water supply and reducing water waste.
2Ease of operation
If needle valves are used to control cooling water flow, then the system can regulate water flow rate, but the cooling water still runs continuously and wastes water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the needle valve component from the system. By removing the flow control valve, the system no longer requires regulated continuous water flow. Instead, it uses a simple tank-based accumulation and periodic discharge mechanism that inherently controls the cooling process without needing active flow regulation components, thereby eliminating water waste while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Temperature
If cooling water is supplied at rates of 0.5 to 5 gallons per minute, then the steam condensate is cooled sufficiently, but substantial amounts of water are wasted going unused to the drain
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces high-rate continuous water supply with periodic action by accumulating steam condensate in a tank and discharging it periodically after natural cooling. Instead of continuously supplying 0.5 to 5 gallons per minute of cooling water, the system allows condensate to cool in the tank and then discharges the accumulated cooled condensate in periodic cycles, dramatically improving water usage efficiency while maintaining adequate cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers the cooling effect that would otherwise be wasted by continuously flowing water. By accumulating steam condensate in the tank and allowing it to cool naturally, the system recovers the thermal energy dissipation process and utilizes the cooled condensate for discharge, thereby recovering the cooling function without the continuous water waste associated with traditional flow-based cooling systems.
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 solution effectively reduces water wastage by controlling the cooling water flow only when necessary, ensuring compliance with building codes while minimizing water usage in steam sterilizer systems.
Implementation Method 1
the conduit configured for providing a path for steam in an effluent to the fluid in the container to collapse the steam
Implementation Method 2
mixed with cooling water from a cool water line 32... The mixed water and steam condensate is then mixed and passed through lines 36 to the drain line 38 at a temperature, sufficiently cool (below 140 degrees F.)
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and systems serve to collapse steam in effluent released from steam sterilizers and sterilizer systems. These systems include tanks or containers configured for receiving and holding fluids, for example, water, and include a fluid outlet and a port that receives the released effluent. A conduit extending into the tank from the effluent receiving port provides a path for the steam to the fluid in the tank, to collapse the steam.