Steam Generator Z-Shaped Flow Path for Uniform Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generators face issues with unstable operation, non-uniform heat distribution and flux, bumping phenomena, and reduced boiler efficiency due to concentrated heat transfer, leading to defects and water discharge into cavities.
Innovation Solution
A steam generator design featuring a chamber body with multiple partition walls forming a Z-shaped steam flow path and inclined angles to disperse heat transfer, prevent bumping, and improve boiler efficiency by creating a uniform heat flux and temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the heater is located in the inner space of the steam generator where water is accommodated, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the inner space instantaneously increases as water level decreases, causing unstable operation and defects
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator inner space is divided into multiple heating zones using partition walls, creating a first heating zone near the heater and a second heating zone away from the heater. This segmentation allows different regions to have different temperature characteristics, preventing instantaneous temperature spikes while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the steam generator are given different thermal properties through the partition wall structure. The first heating zone has direct heater exposure for efficient heating, while the second heating zone has indirect heating for temperature stabilization, creating local quality differences that resolve the contradiction between heating efficiency and operational stability.
2Power
If the heat source concentrates heat transfer in a certain region, then the heating power is improved, but the temperature distribution and heat flux inside the steam generator become non-uniform, causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls divide the heating space into multiple zones, distributing the heat transfer across different regions. This creates a more uniform temperature distribution and heat flux throughout the steam generator while maintaining adequate heating power through the segmented heating zones.
3Productivity
If the heating process intensifies to improve steam generation speed, then the productivity is improved, but the bumping phenomenon occurs where steam water is generated and discharged into the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls create separate heating zones that control the steam generation process. The first heating zone generates steam while the second heating zone and partition structure control water movement, preventing the bumping phenomenon even during intensive heating operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls act as intermediaries between the intense heating process and the water/steam mixture. They mediate the heat transfer process to prevent direct violent boiling and water discharge into the cavity, while still maintaining high steam generation productivity.
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 design stabilizes steam generation, reduces defects, minimizes water discharge, and enhances boiler efficiency by ensuring uniform heat transfer and preventing bumping phenomena.
Implementation Method 1
a steam heater configured to provide heat... steam generated by heating the supply water flow
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer, which had been concentrated only in a predetermined region, may be dispersed by the flow path formed in the chamber body
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator and a cooking device including the same, according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a water supply pipe into which steam water is introduced, a heating chamber having a chamber body and a chamber cover, and a steam heater configured to provide heat, wherein the steam heater is provided to be embedded in the chamber body and the chamber body includes a plurality of partition walls protruding in one direction along an inner peripheral surface to form a Z-shaped steam flow path through which supply water introduced into the chamber body and steam generated by heating the supply water flow. Therefore, the heat transfer, which had been concentrated only in a predetermined region, may be dispersed by the flow path formed in the chamber body, thereby stably generating the steam even in repetitive steam generation operation.