Vapor Generation System with Separator Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor generation systems based on heat exchange with high temperature fluids face limitations in efficiently generating superheated vapor, particularly during reduced temperature and mass flow conditions, such as shut-down phases or decreased load scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The vapor generation system incorporates a channel for high temperature fluid, an economizer, an evaporator, a superheater, and a liquid-vapor separator, along with a first heating device in the liquid-vapor separator to convert liquid to vapor, and a control unit to regulate heat release based on sensing device inputs, enhancing vapor generation capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional vapor generation system uses only heat exchange in the evaporator, then the system structure is simple, but the vapor generation capacity is insufficient during reduced temperature and mass flow conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-vapor separator is divided into multiple functional zones: a first zone for liquid-vapor separation and a second zone for additional vapor generation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple overall structure while enhancing vapor generation capacity through the first heating device in the second zone, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and structural complexity.
2Productivity
If the system operates during shut-down phases or decreased load scenarios, then energy consumption is reduced, but vapor production becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The first heating device in the second zone of the liquid-vapor separator provides preliminary vapor generation action that supplements the evaporator's output during reduced load conditions. This preliminary action ensures adequate vapor production even when the main evaporator operates at reduced capacity, maintaining productivity without proportionally increasing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by activating the first heating device in the liquid-vapor separator when the evaporator's temperature and mass flow are reduced. This parameter change allows the system to maintain adequate vapor production during shut-down phases or decreased load scenarios by utilizing the second zone for additional vapor generation.
3Productivity
If the system uses a forced circulation design with a circulation pump, then vapor generation is enhanced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid-vapor separator's second zone with the first heating device serves itself by utilizing the liquid-vapor mixture already present in the separator. This self-service approach enhances vapor generation without requiring external circulation pumps or complex forced circulation systems, as the heating device directly processes the separated liquid in the second zone.
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 configuration boosts the generation of superheated vapor, compensating for reduced production in evaporators and maintaining consistent output by actively managing heat release, thereby improving system efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
the economizer is arranged to receive a first fluid to be preheated via an economizer inlet and to preheat the received first fluid by heat exchange with the high temperature fluid
Implementation Method 2
the evaporator is arranged to receive a second fluid to be heated and to heat the received second fluid by heat exchange with the high temperature fluid
Implementation Method 3
the liquid-vapor separator is arranged to separate liquid and vapor of the received heated second fluid and to discharge liquid through a first separator outlet and vapor through a second separator outlet
Implementation Method 4
the superheater is arranged to receive a vapor fluid comprising vapor discharged by the liquid-vapor separator, to heat the received vapor fluid by heat exchange with the high temperature fluid so as to provide superheated vapor
Implementation Method 5
a first heating device arranged to heat liquid in the liquid-vapor separator so as to convert liquid to vapor
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) and method for generation of vapor. The system comprises a channel (3) for a high temperature fluid, an economizer (7), an evaporator (8) and a superheater (9) arranged in the channel and a liquid-vapor separator (10). The economizer is arranged to preheat a first fluid and the evaporator is arranged to heat a second fluid by heat exchange with the high temperature fluid. The separator is arranged to receive heated second fluid and to separate liquid and vapor thereof. The superheater is arranged to receive vapor discharged by the separator, to heat the vapor by heat exchange with the high temperature fluid and to discharge superheated vapor. The second fluid comprises preheated first fluid and/or liquid discharged by the separator. The system comprises further a heating device (23), which is arranged to heat liquid in the separator so as to convert liquid to vapor.