Integrated Steam Generator with Switchable Power-to-Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generator units in combined heat and power (CHP) plants face high investment costs and significant energy consumption in standby mode due to the need for separate electrically operated boiler units to provide additional heat, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator unit with an optionally switchable power-to-heat function, integrating an electrode evaporator unit with a steam boiler, where the gas and water spaces are fluidly connected, allowing for controlled steam generation using a controllable valve system, eliminating the need for separate boiler units and enabling energy-efficient standby operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If separate electrically operated boiler units are used to provide additional heat in CHP plants, then the heat output can be increased, but the investment costs and energy consumption in standby mode increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam boiler and electrode evaporator unit into a single integrated system with shared water space and fluid connections. This merging eliminates the need for separate standby boiler units, reducing both investment costs and energy consumption while maintaining the capability to provide additional heat when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions: it operates as a steam boiler during normal operation and as an electrode evaporator unit when additional heat is required. The controllable valve system enables the same apparatus to adapt to different operational requirements, eliminating dedicated standby equipment.
2Power
If separate electrically operated boiler units are used to provide additional heat, then the heat output can be increased, but the investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steam boiler and electrode evaporator unit into a single integrated system with shared water space and fluid connections. This merging eliminates the need for separate standby boiler units, reducing both investment costs and energy consumption while maintaining the capability to provide additional heat when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the fluid connection between water spaces is closed to enable power-to-heat function, then steam generation control is improved, but the system complexity increases due to valve control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs controllable valves that dynamically adjust the fluid connection between water spaces based on operational requirements. This dynamic control enables flexible switching between normal steam generation mode and power-to-heat mode, improving operational control while managing system complexity through intelligent valve management.
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
This solution reduces investment costs and energy consumption by allowing for efficient steam generation and heat distribution, eliminating the need for separate boiler units and enabling precise control over steam production, thus improving overall efficiency and reducing energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode evaporator unit (4) is provided with at least one switchable heating electrode (42) protruding into a pressure vessel (43) comprising a gas and water space
Implementation Method 2
the hot flue gases resulting from combustion processes are mostly used to generate steam
Implementation Method 3
steam is generated from water with the addition of heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a steam generator unit (1) with an optionally switchable power-to-heat function and a method for operating a corresponding steam generator unit (1). The steam generator unit (1) with optionally switchable power-to-heat function comprises a steam boiler (2) with a gas space (24) and a water space (25) for generating steam using a fluid heating medium, wherein water is supplied via a first controllable feedwater connection (20) and the steam exits through a steam boiler outlet (26). Furthermore, an electrode evaporator unit (4) is provided with at least one switchable heating electrode (42) projecting into a pressure vessel, each comprising a gas space (44) and a water space (45), wherein the gas spaces (24) and water spaces (45) are each controlled by a gas space (24) and a water space (45), respectively.The water chambers (25, 45) of the steam boiler (2) and the electrode evaporator unit (4) are fluidly connected to each other, wherein the fluid connection (55) between the two water chambers (25, 45) is controllable by a valve (56), the gas chamber (44) of the electrode evaporator unit comprises a controllable outlet (46), and the electrode evaporator unit (4) has a second controllable feedwater connection (40). The method according to the invention relates to the operation of such a steam generator unit (1).