Vertical Steam Generator Startup Water Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical BENSON waste-heat steam generators experience higher water consumption during startup due to increased water expulsion, leading to operational disadvantages and higher costs for disposal and refeeding systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for starting up a vertical forced-flow steam generator with a water separation system that geodetically returns non-evaporated working fluid to the evaporator, eliminating the need for pumps and optimizing water usage, featuring a separator and bottle design that allows automatic return and drainage based on geometry, without active regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a vertical BENSON waste-heat steam generator is used, then cost advantages are achieved, but water consumption increases considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by returning non-evaporated working fluid from the water separation system back to the evaporator through a return line. This closed-loop feedback reduces water loss by reutilizing the separated liquid, directly addressing the high water consumption issue while maintaining the cost-effective vertical design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers non-evaporated working fluid that would otherwise be discarded through blowdown. By separating and returning this fluid to the evaporator, the system recovers valuable water and working fluid, significantly reducing water consumption while preserving the economic advantages of the vertical configuration
2Loss of substance
If non-evaporated working fluid is returned to the evaporator, then water consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return line is positioned at a higher elevation than the evaporator inlet, utilizing gravity to enable natural flow of non-evaporated working fluid back to the evaporator. This geodetic arrangement eliminates the need for additional pumps or complex active control systems, reducing system complexity while achieving water conservation
Solution Approach 2:
The water separation system automatically separates and returns non-evaporated working fluid without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms. The system serves itself by utilizing its own geometry and gravity to accomplish the return flow, minimizing additional complexity
3Ease of operation
If pumps are used for returning working fluid, then flow control is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a gravity-based geodetic return system. By positioning the return line at a higher elevation, the system eliminates mechanical moving parts and potential pump failures, significantly improving reliability and fail-safety while maintaining adequate flow control through proper geometric design
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
Significantly reduces water consumption, lowers costs for disposal and refeeding systems, enhances safety, and eliminates the need for pumps, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective startup process.
Implementation Method 1
a water separation system in which non-evaporated working fluid is separated beyond evaporated working fluid and is collected
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the non-evaporated working fluid collected in the water separation system is supplied geodetically to the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
there flows firstly through a feed water preheater and then through an evaporator and in the process at least partially evaporates
Data Source
AI summary
A method for starting a vertical forced-flow steam generator in a waste-heat steam generator, wherein feed water is fed to the forced-flow steam generator as working fluid, and there flows firstly through a feed-water preheater and then through an evaporator and is at least partly evaporated, wherein the partly evaporated working fluid is fed to a water separation system, in which non-evaporated working fluid is separated from evaporated working fluid and is collected, in which at least part of the non-evaporated working fluid is fed geodetically to the evaporator and, beginning from a certain quantity of accumulating non-evaporated working fluid, a remaining part is automatically removed from the water separation system. A corresponding device is for starting a vertical forced-flow steam generator according to the method.