Steam Generator Membrane Purity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing high purity steam are limited by the difficulty in removing impurities such as dissolved gases and aerosols, which can reintroduce contaminants into the steam during condensation, and pose safety risks due to high temperatures and pressures involved in steam synthesis processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a steam generator with a filtering membrane that delivers steam to one side of the membrane, purifies it, and controls the duty cycle of the heater based on determined coefficients to optimize steam flow rate and purity, using a substantially gas-impermeable ion exchange membrane to separate water vapor from other gases and impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard de-ionization processes are used to produce high purity water, then the process cost is reduced, but the removal of biologically active macromolecules, viruses, and inorganic substances like borates and silicates is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes specific impurities (biologically active macromolecules, viruses, inorganic substances) from water using de-ionization processes, separating them from the purified water stream to achieve high purity standards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes chemical parameters through de-ionization to remove impurities, transforming the water composition by removing ions and contaminants to achieve the desired purity level
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple boiling/condensation cycles are used in a hermetically sealed environment to remove dissolved gases, then the purity of steam is improved, but the process cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary removal of dissolved gases and impurities from water before the boiling process, so that when steam is generated, it already has reduced impurity content, minimizing the need for multiple complex condensation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts dissolved gases and volatile impurities from water prior to steam generation, separating them from the liquid phase to prevent their incorporation into the steam
3Productivity
If high concentrations of gaseous hydrogen are used for steam synthesis reaction with oxygen, then the production rate of steam is improved, but safety risks increase due to operation above the explosive limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of hydrogen gas from high concentrations (above explosive limit) to controlled concentrations (at or below explosive limit), maintaining productivity while eliminating safety hazards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high concentration hydrogen environment into a safe operating condition by operating at or below the explosive limit, where the same hydrogen concentration range that could be dangerous becomes a controlled, safe parameter for steam synthesis
4Device complexity
If boiling of de-ionized water is used to produce steam, then the process is simplified, but aerosols containing non-volatile materials and metal contaminants are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary purification of de-ionized water to remove non-volatile materials and metal contaminants before boiling, so that when steam is generated through the simplified boiling process, the aerosols formed contain minimal impurities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes non-volatile materials and metal contaminants from de-ionized water prior to the boiling process, separating these impurities from the water to prevent their incorporation into aerosols during steam generation
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 approach effectively produces ultrapure steam with a high water content purity, reducing impurities and safety risks, while avoiding complex separation processes and minimizing aerosol incorporation, thus enhancing the efficiency and safety of steam generation.
Implementation Method 1
using a substantially gas-impermeable ion exchange membrane to separate water vapor from other gases and impurities
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator with a heater for heating fluid in a vessel
Implementation Method 3
steam generator...heating fluid in a vessel...produces ultrapure steam
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of controlling a flow of steam in a steam generator having a heater for heating fluid in a vessel is disclosed. The method includes: delivering the steam from the steam generator to a first side of a filtering membrane; receiving purified steam from a second side of the filtering membrane, the purified steam having a steam flow rate; determining at least one coefficient of a substantially linear mathematical relationship between the steam flow rate of the purified steam and duty cycle; and configuring the steam generator to control: the duty cycle of the heater based on the determined at least one coefficient and a target steam flow rate; and/or the target steam flow rate based on the at least one coefficient and a target duty cycle of the heater.