Steam Generation Device with Compressor and Electric Heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generation devices that use heat pumps to generate high-pressure steam require two heat exchangers and a refrigerant, which can be inefficient and unstable when the heat source fluctuates.
Innovation Solution
A steam generation device that includes a heat exchanger with an electric heater, a compressor to compress low-pressure steam into high-pressure steam, and a control unit to adjust the outputs of the compressor and electric heater based on heat source fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat pump system with refrigerant is used to generate high-pressure steam, then steam generation is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to requiring two heat exchangers and refrigerant management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function and steam generation function into a single heat exchanger unit. The heat source medium flow path directly heats water to generate steam, eliminating the need for separate heat exchangers required in traditional heat pump systems. This merging of functions reduces system complexity while maintaining steam generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the refrigerant cycle components from the steam generation system. By using a direct heating approach where hot wastewater heats water in a heat exchanger, the system eliminates the need for refrigerant circulation, compressors, and multiple heat exchangers, thereby simplifying the overall system configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If hot wastewater with fluctuating temperature and flow rate is used as heat source, then heat source utilization is achieved, but steam generation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the temperature and flow rate of the heat source medium, as well as the steam generation rate. Based on this feedback information, the control unit dynamically adjusts the water supply amount to the heat exchanger, ensuring stable steam generation even when heat source conditions fluctuate. This closed-loop control mechanism maintains steam supply stability despite variable heat source characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control where the water supply amount is continuously adjusted based on real-time heat source conditions. The control unit modifies operating parameters dynamically to adapt to changing heat source temperature and flow rate, enabling the system to maintain stable steam generation under varying operational conditions
3Reliability
If electric heater is added to the heat exchanger, then heating capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prioritizes using the available hot wastewater as the primary heat source, allowing the system to serve itself by utilizing waste heat that would otherwise be discarded. The electric heater serves only as a supplementary source, activating only when heat source conditions are insufficient, thereby minimizing external energy input while maintaining heating stability
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of both the heat exchanger and electric heater based on heat source availability. When hot wastewater provides sufficient heat, the electric heater operation is reduced or stopped. When heat source conditions deteriorate, the electric heater output is increased to compensate, optimizing the balance between heating stability and energy consumption
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 device stably supplies high-pressure steam even when the heat source fluctuations occur, reducing the need for refrigerants and maintaining efficient steam generation.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source medium flow path heating the water
Implementation Method 2
an electric heater
Implementation Method 3
the compressor is configured to compress low-pressure steam generated from the water by the heat exchanger into high-pressure steam
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
This steam generation device comprises a heat exchanger, a compressor, and a control unit, wherein: the heat exchanger has a heat source medium flow path, water supply piping that supplies water, and an electric heater; the heat source medium flow path has a configuration for heating the water; the compressor has a configuration for compressing low-pressure steam generated from the water in the heat exchanger to produce high-pressure steam; the control unit adjusts the output of the compressor and the electric heater; and the control unit determines whether heating by the electric heater is necessary. The foregoing makes it possible to stably supply high-pressure steam even if there is a fluctuation in the heat exchange amount from a heat source, in a steam generation device which generates high-pressure steam without using a refrigerant and in which the heat source is warm drainage or the like that has a low temperature with susceptibility to fluctuations in temperature and flow rate.