Steam Nozzle Flow Division for Quieter Direct Liquid Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for heating liquids in commercial laundries using steam result in high noise levels due to high flow velocities, and the use of compressed air to mitigate noise leads to energy loss and increased costs without significant noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that divide the steam or condensate-steam mixture into multiple partial streams, increasing flow velocity and reducing noise, achieved through the use of a flow divider in the steam nozzle or mixing chamber, particularly after the condensate-steam mixture is formed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam is supplied to liquids through nozzles at high flow velocities, then heating efficiency is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam flow is divided into multiple partial streams by flow dividers positioned at different locations (in the nozzle, at the nozzle exit, or in the mixing chamber). This segmentation breaks the single high-velocity steam jet into several smaller streams, reducing the noise generated by steam impacting the liquid surface while maintaining effective heat transfer through increased steam-liquid contact area.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If compressed air is supplied to reduce noise, then noise level is minimally reduced, but energy loss increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for compressed air by using purely structural modifications to the steam delivery system. Flow dividers made of simple geometric elements (plates, rings, or shaped bodies) redirect and fragment the steam flow to achieve noise reduction without requiring additional energy-consuming compressed air supply systems.
3Productivity
If steam flow velocity is increased, then heating performance is improved, but oscillations and vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the steam flow into multiple partial streams, the concentrated high-velocity jet that causes strong oscillations and vibrations is transformed into several smaller streams. This distribution reduces the intensity of individual steam impacts on the liquid, thereby minimizing harmful oscillations and vibrations while preserving overall heating effectiveness through increased steam-liquid interaction.
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 noise and vibrations without the need for compressed air, maintaining effective heat transfer and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
divide the steam or a condensate-steam mixture emerging from the nozzle and/or the mixing chamber into at least two, but possibly also several, partial streams
Implementation Method 2
the previously formed condensate-steam mixture is divided
Implementation Method 3
a cross-sectional change occurs
Implementation Method 4
atomize the sucked-in liquid into a large number of very fine particles
Implementation Method 5
heating, in particular washing, of items of laundry using steam
Implementation Method 6
Method and device for direct heating of liquids
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Liquids for the wet treatment of laundry items are often heated with steam. For this purpose, the steam is fed at high speed through a nozzle (30) directly to the liquid to be heated. Due to the high speed with which the steam flows into the heated liquid, loud noises as well as oscillations and vibrations are generated. In order to at least reduce the noise, it is already known to additionally supply compressed air. This worsens the heat transfer. According to the invention, a small amount of the liquid to be heated is sucked into the nozzle (30) and a mixture of condensate and vapor is thereby formed in the nozzle (30). Alternatively or additionally, a flow divider can be provided behind the nozzle (30), which increases the flow rate of the steam or steam-condensate mixture. This and/or the formation of a steam-condensate mixture in the nozzle (30) reduces the noise generated when the steam is introduced into the liquid to be heated, as well as oscillations and vibrations without the supply of compressed air.