Steam Sampling Pocket for Fast Water-Free Purity Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing steam purity consume large amounts of water and have long response times due to the use of cooling water for condensing samples and draining them after analysis, which is also energy-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that direct a part of the steam flow into a sampling pocket, condense it into water, determine purity using a conductivity sensor, and return the sample back to the steam line, utilizing an electrically powered cooling chiller and an ejector for efficient condensation and vaporization without water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cooling water is used to condense steam samples for purity analysis, then condensation can be achieved, but water consumption increases significantly (up to 120,000 liters per year)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the condensation method from water-cooling to air-cooling, altering the thermal parameter from liquid cooling medium to gas cooling medium. This parameter change eliminates water consumption while maintaining condensation functionality through natural or forced air convection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the cooling water component from the condensation system, replacing it with an air-cooling mechanism. This extraction eliminates the harmful water consumption effect while preserving the essential condensation function.
2Loss of time
If steam samples are drained after analysis, then the analysis process is simple, but response time between purity measurement and contamination detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous steam sampling and analysis rather than periodic batch analysis. The sampling system continuously draws steam samples through the condensation chamber, enabling real-time monitoring of steam purity and reducing detection response time while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated continuous operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If steam samples are condensed into water for analysis, then purity can be measured with conductivity sensors, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs natural convection and radiation for steam condensation in the air-cooled chamber, allowing the system to utilize ambient environmental conditions for cooling. This self-service approach minimizes external energy input while still achieving effective condensation and maintaining measurement precision through proper chamber design and insulation.
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 significantly reduces water consumption and sampling time, achieving a sampling time of less than 5 minutes while using minimal energy, ensuring efficient and continuous steam purity analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The design of the sampling pocket creates a pressure drop or subjects the sample flow entering the sampling pocket to a pressure drop, which condenses the sample flow into water or at least facilitates the condensing of the sample flow into water.
Implementation Method 2
determining the purity of the condensed sample by determining the conductivity of the sample with a conductivity sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an apparatus and method for analysing the purity of a steam flow in a steam line (1). A sample of the steam flow from the steam line (1) is directed into a sampling pocket (4) and condensed into water in the sampling pocket. The purity of the condensed sample is determined (5) and the sample is returned back to the steam line (1).