Steam Generator Self-Cleaning via High-Pressure Water Surges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam generators in continuous boilers often suffer from deposits, such as limestone, which reduce the effective cross-section of pipes and can lead to clogging, necessitating a solution for effective removal.
Innovation Solution
A device with a high-pressure pump capable of supplying water at a cleaning pressure significantly higher than normal operating pressure, which can be used to remove deposits through pressure surges or continuous exposure, with optional automatic activation based on differential pressure or direct measurement, and featuring a decalcification agent for enhanced cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is supplied at normal operating pressure through the steam generator, then steam is generated continuously, but deposits accumulate and reduce the effective cross-section of pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between normal operation mode and cleaning mode. During normal operation, water is supplied at operating pressure for continuous steam generation. Periodically, the system switches to cleaning mode where water is supplied at elevated cleaning pressure to remove deposits from the steam generator pipes, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving continuous productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator performs its own cleaning function using the water supply system already present in the device. By periodically switching to cleaning pressure mode, the system self-cleans its pipes without requiring external maintenance intervention, thus maintaining both continuous operation capability and pipe clearance
2Device complexity
If a single pump is used for both operating pressure and cleaning pressure, then device complexity is reduced, but pressure regulation precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single pump that can dynamically adjust its output pressure between two distinct operating modes: normal operating pressure for steam generation and elevated cleaning pressure for deposit removal. This dynamic pressure adjustment capability allows one pump to perform both functions while maintaining the necessary pressure precision for each mode through control system regulation
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
Effectively removes deposits by applying a cleaning pressure at least five times higher than operating pressure, ensuring the steam generator's efficiency and functionality, while also allowing for double use in high-pressure cold water outlets for hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
This so-called cleaning pressure can be temporarily supplied to the steam generator in order to remove deposits, especially limestone, from the steam generator. This is preferably possible in the form of pressure surges
Implementation Method 2
In the second line, which leads to the pump and is responsible for the cleaning process, a decalcification device for supplying a decalcification agent (for example formic acid) can in particular be provided
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for generating steam, in particular a supply device for an external cleaning machine that operates with steam, which cleaning machine can be connected by means of at least one flexible hose line, the device for generating steam comprising at least a pump and a steam generator, to which water coming from the pump can be fed at an operating pressure, which preferably is adjustable, during normal operation and which outputs pressurized steam, in particular dry steam. Intermittently, water can be fed to the steam generator (11) from the pump (2) at a cleaning pressure above the operating pressure in order to remove deposits, in particular limestone, from the steam generator (11).