WO1996004059A1

WO1996004059A1 - Steam enhancer

Info

Publication number: WO1996004059A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/007496
Authority: WO
Inventors: James S. Langley
Original assignee: Langley James S
Priority date: 1994-08-03
Filing date: 1995-06-13
Publication date: 1996-02-15

Abstract

A steam enhancer apparatus (10) is provided which is configured for regenerating a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of water to a nearly pure vapor phase. The steam enhancer apparatus (10) includes an essentially hollow vessel (12) including a sidewall (16) defining a steam reservoir. The vessel (12) includes a steam inlet port (20) for receiving a source of steam, a steam outlet port (22) for conveying regenerated steam from the vessel (12), and a steam passageway (24) extending between the inlet and outlet ports (20, 22). The vessel (12) also includes interrupting structure (14) disposed within the steam passageway (24) for interrupting the passage of steam through the vessel (12) and forcing the steam to follow a tortuous path between the inlet and outlet ports (20, 22). The preferred interrupting means includes a plurality of interior walls (15, 17, 19) extending inwardly from the sidewall (16) into the passageway (24). The interior walls (15, 17, 19) define a tortuous steam path between the inlet and outlet ports (20, 22) of the vessel (12).

Description

STEAM ENHANCER

Background of the invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to steam delivery systems and valves, and more particularly to steam enhancing devices for regenerating a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of water to an essentially pure vapor phase.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Steam is commonly used for cooking, heating and power applications. In a typical steam system, steam is generated in a boiler and delivered to remote locations by piping to perform its intended function.

Steam exists in basically two physical states: vapor and liquid. Although steam exiting a boiler is nearly entirely in the vapor state, the delivery of the steam to remote locations causes the steam to condense to a combination liquid and vapor state. Condensation of steam to liquid causes a number of problems. For example, when a portion of the liquid in steam condenses out of the steam supply, the remaining steam has a lower moisture content. In cooking applications, it is important to keep the steam at a high moisture level to prevent the cooked product from drying out. Thus, steam which condenses to water is an inferior cooking source.

Another disadvantage of condensation is that it reduces the net amount of usable steam. Accordingly, the boiler must operate longer to supply an adequate source of steam. This results in increased energy use as well as premature boiler wear.

It is known to provide caustic valves for removing condensed water from a steam supply. These valves typically separate the steam into a vapor stream and a liquid stream and then drain the liquid from the steam supply. Although these prior art caustic valves are effective at separating condensed water from a steam supply, they suffer from several disadvantages. First, caustic valves merely separate steam into vapor and liquid streams but do not regenerate the condensed liquid back to steam. This process leads to a lower moisture content steam which is not suitable for cooking applications.

A second disadvantage of caustic valves is that they decrease the net steam output of the boiler and thus cause the boiler to operate longer to produce an adequate supply of steam. A final disadvantage of caustic valves is that they are expensive and thus not cost effective for many applications.

Accordingly, the prior art points out the need for an improved apparatus and method for regenerating a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of water to an essentially pure vapor phase.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam enhancer apparatus which regenerates a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of water to an essentially pure vapor phase.

It is another object of the invention to provide a steam enhancer apparatus which can regenerate a relatively low moisture content steam to a higher moisture content steam.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a steam enhancer apparatus which is easy and inexpensive to construct. In accordance with these and other ebjects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a steam enhancer apparatus is provided which is configured for regenerating a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of steam to an essentially pure vapor phase. The steam enhancer apparatus includes an essentially hollow vessel presenting a sidewall defining a steam reservoir. The vessel includes a steam inlet port for receiving a source of steam, a steam outlet port for conveying regenerated steam from the vessel, and a steam passageway extending between the inlet and outlet ports. The vessel also includes interrupting structure disposed within the vessel passageway for interrupting the passage of steam through the vessel and forcing the steam to follow a tortuous path between the inlet and outlet ports. The preferred interrupting structure includes a plurality of interior walls extending inwardly from the sidewall into the passageway. The interior walls are oriented to define a tortuous steam path between the inlet and outlet ports of the vessel.

The unique design of the steam passageway and interrupting structure of the steam enhancer allows it to regenerate steam. Since the steam is forced to follow a tortuous path through the vessel, a great deal of turbulence is developed within the vessel. This turbulence causes the temperature and pressure within the vessel to increase. The increased temperature and pres¬ sure within the vessel regenerates the condensed water to its initial vapor state and provides a steam supply of higher moisture content.

By providing this construction, numerous advantages are obtained. For example, since no additional energy is added to the present invention, the net steam output of the boiler is increased and less energy is required to produce an adequate supply of steam. Another advantage is that a steam supply of increased moisture content is produced. This increased moisture steam provides a superior cooking medium. A final advantage is that the steam enhancer is relatively easy and inexpensive to construct. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a front sectional view of a steam enhancer apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the apparatus taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a front sectional view of the apparatus illustrating the tortuous flow of steam through the vessel.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Turning now to the drawings, and particularly Fig. 1, a steam enhancer 10 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment is illustrated. The steam enhancer broadly includes an essentially hollow vessel 12 and interrupting structure 14 for interrupting the passage of steam through the vessel and forcing the steam to follow a tortuous path through the vessel. In more detail, the vessel 12 presents an impervious sidewall 16 which defines a steam reservoir for containing steam therein. The sidewall 16 is preferably formed of a conventional steel pipe having an exemplary diameter of 12 inches. The sidewall 16 is capped at its respective ends by conventional steel end caps 18. The end caps are welded or screwed to the sidewall and also have an exemplary diameter of 12 inches. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the diameter of the pipe and end caps can be varied to accommodate a variety of steam delivery applications. The vessel includes steam inlet and outlet ports, 20 and 22. The ports are conventional steel couplings and present exemplary diameters of 3 inches. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the diameter of the ports can be varied to accommodate a variety of steam delivery applications. In use, the steam inlet port is coupled to a conventional steam conduit for delivering steam to the vessel, and the steam outlet port is coupled to a conduit directed to a steam process application for conveying regenerated steam from the vessel. In preferred forms, the inlet port 20 extends through either of the vessel end caps 18, and the outlet port 22 extends through the vessel sidewall 16.

The vessel 12 also includes a drainage port 23 extending through the bottom of the sidewall 16 for draining condensed water from the vessel when the boiler is not in use. A safety-release port 25 is also provided so that a pop-off valve may be installed to prevent excessive pressure build-up in the vessel. As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the vessel sidewall defines a steam passageway 24 extending between the inlet and outlet ports configured for passing steam therethrough. Interrupting structure 14 is disposed within the steam passageway 24 and is configured for interrupting the passage of steam through the vessel. The interrupting structure 14 forces the steam to follow a tortuous path between the inlet and outlet ports. In preferred forms, the interrupting structure includes first 15, second 17 and third 19 interior walls extending inwardly from the sidewall into the steam passageway.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the first interior wall 15 is generally straight and is positioned closest to the inlet port 20. The first interior wall 15 extends downwardly from the top of the vessel sidewall and spans approximately 3/4 of the diameter of the vessel. The bottom end of the first interior wall and the bottom of the vessel sidewall define a first narrow throat 30 for the passage of steam therethrough.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the second interior wall 17 is L-shaped and is positioned to the right of the first interior wall 15. The second interior wall 17 extends upwardly from the bottom of the vessel sidewall and spans approximately 3/4 of the diameter of the vessel. The top end of the second interior wall and the top of the vessel sidewall define a second narrow throat 32 for the passage of steam therethrough.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the third interior wall 19 is serpentine-shaped and is positioned adjacent the outlet port 22 of the vessel. The third interior wall 19 extends downwardly from the top of the vessel sidewall and spans approximately 3/4 of the diameter of the vessel. The bottom end of the third interior wall and the bottom of the vessel sidewall define a third narrow throat 34 for the passage of steam therethrough.

As best illustrated in Fig. 5, the interior walls 15, 17 and 19 define a tortuous steam path between the inlet and outlet ports of the vessel. Steam entering the inlet port 20 is first interrupted by the first interior wall 15 and is forced to pass through the first throat 30. Steam passing through the first throat is then interrupted by the second interior wall 17 and is forced through the second throat 32. Steam passing through the second throat is then interrupted by the third interior wall 19 and is forced through the third throat 34. Finally, the steam is allowed to pass out of the vessel through the outlet port 22. Thus, steam entering the vessel is forced to follow a tortuous path on its way to the vessel outlet port. In operation, the steam enhancer receives steam generated at a remote boiler in a conventional manner. The unique design of the steam passageway and interrupting structure of the steam enhancer allows it to regenerate water which has condensed from the steam during transit back to its initial vapor state. Once the steam enters the inlet port of the vessel, it is interrupted by the interrupting structure and is forced to follow a tortuous path through the vessel on its way to the outlet port. Since the steam is forced to follow a tortuous path through the vessel, a great deal of turbulence is developed within the vessel. This turbulence causes the temperature and pressure within the vessel to increase. The increased temperature and pressure within the vessel regenerates the condensed water to its initial vapor state and provides a steam supply of higher moisture content.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. For example, the interior walls defining the tortuous steam path may be placed in a variety of configurations to obtain the desired results of the invention. Additionally, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, the size of the piping used to form the vessel may be varied to suit a variety of steam applications.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes:

Claims

Clai s :

1. A steam enhancer apparatus for regenerating a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of water to a nearly pure vapor phase, comprising: an essentially hollow vessel presenting a sidewall defining a steam reservoir, said vessel including a steam inlet port for receiving a source of steam and a steam outlet port for conveying regenerated steam from said vessel; a steam passageway extending between said inlet and outlet ports configured for passing steam there¬ through; and interrupting means disposed within said passageway for interrupting the passage of steam through said vessel and forcing the steam to follow a tortuous path between said inlet and outlet ports.

2. A steam enhancer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said interrupting means includes a plurality of interior walls extending inwardly from said sidewall into said passageway, said interior walls defining a tortuous steam path between said inlet and outlet ports of said vessel.

3. A steam enhancer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said hollow vessel is formed of a capped steel pipe.

4. A steam enhancer apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet ports are formed of steel couplings inserted in said vessel sidewall.

5. A steam enhancer apparatus as recited in claim 1 including a drainage port extending through said sidewall for draining condensed water from said vessel.

6. A method of regenerating a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of water to a nearly pure vapor phase, comprising the steps of: providing an essentially hollow vessel presenting a sidewall defining a steam reservoir, said vessel including a steam inlet port for receiving a source of steam, a steam outlet port for conveying regenerated steam from said vessel, and a steam passageway extending between said inlet and outlet ports configured for passing steam therethrough; delivering a steam supply containing both liquid and vapor phases of steam to said inlet port; interrupting the passage of said steam through said vessel by forcing the steam to follow a tortuous path in said passageway between said inlet and outlet ports; and conveying regenerated steam presenting a nearly pure vapor phase out of said vessel.