Steam Generator Water Jacket Cooling and Spray Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam generators face inefficiencies in capturing combustion heat, requiring high-purity hydrogen, and are prone to failures due to temperature and pressure fluctuations, which limits their geographical deployment and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator design using standard materials and manufacturing processes, incorporating a pressure vessel with a water jacket for cooling and a controlled combustion zone to efficiently generate steam by mixing hydrogen and oxygen, with a controller to regulate temperature and pressure, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fuel cells are used to provide continuous electricity, then energy supply consistency is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to high-purity hydrogen requirements and temperature management systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature management function from the fuel cell system by introducing a separate water injection system that cools the combustion chamber walls directly, eliminating the need for complex external cooling systems and high-purity hydrogen requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Water acts as an intermediary substance that serves dual purposes: it cools the combustion chamber walls by absorbing heat and prevents excessive temperature buildup, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining continuous operation capability
2Temperature
If water is injected into the combustion chamber to cool it, then temperature control is improved, but steam generation efficiency decreases due to heat absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by injecting water specifically at the combustion chamber walls where heat accumulation occurs, rather than into the central combustion zone. This localized cooling approach controls temperature where needed while minimizing interference with the combustion process and energy conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water (liquid to vapor) as a cooling mechanism. Water injected onto the hot chamber walls evaporates, absorbing excess heat and forming a protective water vapor layer that prevents overheating while the resulting steam contributes to the overall steam generation output
3Adaptability or versatility
If steam generators are deployed in various geographical locations, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases due to temperature and pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control through automated water injection systems that adjust the rate of water addition based on real-time temperature and pressure conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying environmental conditions across different geographical locations while maintaining stable and reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor temperature and pressure parameters and automatically adjust water injection rates accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures reliable operation across diverse geographical conditions by compensating for environmental variations in real-time
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 solution enables a consistent, renewable energy supply with improved system efficiency, reduced risk of failure, and the ability to deploy steam generators in various environments without the need for specialized materials or high-purity gases, enhancing energy output and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a water jacket in or on the pressure vessel... water received at the water inlet passes along said water jacket to provide cooling of the pressure vessel
Implementation Method 2
water...mixes with the ignited hydrogen and oxygen to vaporize the water spray and/or film
Implementation Method 3
an ignition means within the pressure vessel, arranged to ignite hydrogen and oxygen received at the gas inlet
Implementation Method 4
output at said water outlet to provide a water spray and/or film that mixes with the ignited hydrogen and oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator comprises: a pressure vessel; a gas inlet to the pressure vessel, arranged to receive hydrogen and oxygen under pressure; an ignition means within the pressure vessel, arranged to ignite hydrogen and oxygen received at the gas inlet; a water jacket in or on the pressure vessel; a water inlet arranged to receive water under pressure and feed it to the water jacket; a spray outlet within the pressure vessel; and a steam outlet for the outlet of steam from the pressure vessel. In use, water received at the water inlet passes along the water jacket to provide cooling of the pressure vessel and is output at the spray outlet to provide a water spray (and/or film) that mixes with the ignited hydrogen and oxygen to vaporize the water spray.