Steam Generator Fin Layout to Prevent Boiling Water Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators fail to reliably prevent boiling water from running up and ejecting from the steam spout port, leading to inefficiencies and noise due to large bubble formation.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator design featuring a water storage chamber with heating portions and fins that extend along the steam-generating direction under the steam spout port, increasing heat transfer efficiency and reducing large bubble generation by enhancing contact area and uniform temperature distribution, while also providing heating elements above and below the water surface to convert rising bubbles into steam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat dissipation fins are provided in the steam generating chamber, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but boiling water may still run up and eject from the steam spout port
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is divided into multiple fins that extend into the water storage chamber, segmenting the heating function across multiple surfaces. This increases the total heat transfer area while the fins also act as physical barriers to prevent boiling water from reaching the steam spout port, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and boiling water prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The fins serve as an intermediary structure between the heating element and the water. They mediate the heat transfer process by providing extended heating surfaces, and simultaneously act as a protective barrier that intercepts boiling water before it can reach the steam spout port, thereby preventing water ejection while maintaining efficient heating
2Reliability
If heating portion is placed above water surface, then boiling water ejection is prevented by converting bubbles to steam, but heat transfer efficiency to water decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed with different portions having different functions: the fins extend into the water to provide local heating and prevent boiling water ejection, while the portion above the water surface converts rising bubbles to steam. This local differentiation of heating functions resolves the contradiction between preventing water ejection and maintaining heat transfer efficiency
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 prevents boiling water from ejecting from the steam spout port, reduces bubble formation and associated noise, and enhances steam flow and temperature uniformity, thereby improving the steam generator's performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating portion which heats water in the water storage chamber to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
the fins can transmit heat in a vicinity of the heating portion, with a high temperature in particular, to the inside of the water in the water storage chamber
Implementation Method 3
the heating portion arranged above the water surface heats the bubbles and changes them into steam
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator includes a water storage chamber that stores water and at least one heating portion that heats the water in the water storage chamber to generate steam. A water supply device supplies water into the water storage chamber. A plurality of fins are provided in the water storage chamber. The water storage chamber has a steam spout port from which the steam generated by the heating portion spouts. The plurality of fins extend along a steam-generating direction under the steam spout port, and are separated from each other and cross the heating portion. The heating portion may be above and below a water surface that emerges in the water storage chamber during heating.