U.S. patent application number 16/935861 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-11 for steam dispersion system.
The applicant listed for this patent is DRI-STEEM Corporation. Invention is credited to Daniel W. Celotta, Sukru Erisgen, Cole Kennedy Farley, James M. Lundgreen, Todd M. Poshusta.
Application Number | 20210041120 16/935861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005169985 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-11 |
![](/patent/app/20210041120/US20210041120A1-20210211-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20210041120/US20210041120A1-20210211-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20210041120/US20210041120A1-20210211-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20210041120/US20210041120A1-20210211-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20210041120/US20210041120A1-20210211-D00004.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20210041120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Celotta; Daniel W. ; et
al. |
February 11, 2021 |
STEAM DISPERSION SYSTEM
Abstract
A steam dispersion system includes a header defining a first end
and a second end, a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending
upwardly from the header, a condensate drain outlet located at the
first end, a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the pipe
defining a length extending in a direction generally from the first
end to the second end, the pipe defining a main humidification
steam inlet located at the first end and a main steam outlet that
is within the header. The hollow pipe is configured to receive
steam flowing in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam
outlet. The pipe may define a plurality of orifices along the
length thereof for allowing steam flowing through the pipe to enter
the header for distribution through the dispersion tubes. A steam
re-direction structure directs steam flow leaving through the main
steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.
Inventors: |
Celotta; Daniel W.; (Circle
Pines, MN) ; Erisgen; Sukru; (Eden Prairie, MN)
; Farley; Cole Kennedy; (Long Lake, MN) ;
Lundgreen; James M.; (Lakeville, MN) ; Poshusta; Todd
M.; (Shakopee, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DRI-STEEM Corporation |
Eden Prairie |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005169985 |
Appl. No.: |
16/935861 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16241126 |
Jan 7, 2019 |
|
|
|
16935861 |
|
|
|
|
15273097 |
Sep 22, 2016 |
10174960 |
|
|
16241126 |
|
|
|
|
62222538 |
Sep 23, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 6/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 6/18 20060101
F24F006/18 |
Claims
1. A humidification steam dispersion system comprising: a steam
header defining a first end and a second end; a plurality of steam
dispersion tubes extending from the header; a condensate drain
outlet located at the first end of the header; a hollow pipe
positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length
extending within the header in a direction generally from the first
end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main
humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header
and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe
is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam
inlet toward the main steam outlet, the hollow pipe defining a
plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam
that is flowing through the hollow pipe to enter the header for
distribution through the steam dispersion tubes; and a steam
re-direction structure configured to direct steam flow leaving
through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the
header.
2. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 1, wherein
the steam re-direction structure is defined by a bent portion of
the hollow pipe that directs steam flow toward the first end of the
header.
3. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 2, wherein
the bent portion of the hollow pipe defines a U-shaped bend that is
greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees.
4. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 3, wherein
the bent portion defines a 180-degree bend that comprises two
90-degree bends of the hollow pipe.
5. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 1, wherein
the steam re-direction structure includes at least one deflection
plate configured to deflect the steam flow exiting the main steam
outlet toward the first end of the header.
6. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein
the at least one deflection plate is located outside of the hollow
pipe and inside the header.
7. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein
the main steam outlet is located at an end of the hollow pipe.
8. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein
the main steam outlet is located at an intermediate position along
the length of the hollow pipe with an end of the hollow pipe
defining a sealed end.
9. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 5, wherein
the at least one deflection plate is located within the hollow
pipe.
10. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 1, wherein
each steam dispersion tube defines a plurality of steam exit
points.
11. A humidification steam dispersion system comprising: a steam
header defining a first end, a second end, and a steam exit point
for supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere; a condensate
drain outlet located at the first end of the header; a hollow pipe
positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length
extending within the header in a direction generally from the first
end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main
humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header
and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe
is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam
inlet toward the main steam outlet; and a steam re-direction
structure configured to direct steam flow leaving through the main
steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.
12. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 11, wherein
the steam exit point is defined by at least one steam dispersion
tube extending from the header.
13. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 12, wherein
the at least one steam dispersion tube includes a plurality of
steam dispersion tubes extending upwardly from the header, each
steam dispersion tube defining a plurality of steam dispersion
openings.
14. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 13, wherein
the hollow pipe defines a plurality of orifices along the length
thereof for allowing steam that is flowing through the hollow pipe
to enter the header for distribution through the steam dispersion
tubes.
15. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 11, wherein
the steam re-direction structure is defined by a bent portion of
the hollow pipe that directs steam flow toward the first end of the
header.
16. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 15, wherein
the bent portion of the hollow pipe defines a U-shaped bend that is
greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees.
17. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 11, wherein
the steam re-direction structure includes at least one deflection
plate configured to deflect the steam flow exiting the main steam
outlet toward the first end of the header.
18. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 17, wherein
the at least one deflection plate is located outside of the hollow
pipe and inside the header.
19. The humidification steam dispersion system of claim 17, wherein
the main steam outlet is located at an intermediate position along
the length of the hollow pipe with an end of the hollow pipe
defining a sealed end, and wherein the at least one deflection
plate is located within the hollow pipe.
20. A humidification steam dispersion system comprising: a steam
header defining an interior and a steam exit point communicating
with the interior for supplying humidification steam to the
atmosphere; and a hollow pipe positioned within the header
interior, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam
inlet and a main steam outlet, wherein the hollow pipe is
configured to receive steam that flows through the pipe by entering
the pipe through the main steam inlet and exiting the pipe through
the main steam outlet into the header interior, wherein the main
steam inlet and the main steam outlet face in the same direction.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/241,126, filed Jan. 7, 2019; which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/273,097, filed Sep.
22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,174,960; which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/222,538, filed Sep. 23, 2015,
the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The principles disclosed herein relate generally to the
field of steam dispersion humidification. More particularly, the
disclosure relates to control and evacuation of unwanted condensate
from steam dispersion systems.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Industrial buildings which use steam boilers for heating may
use the boiler steam for humidification by injecting it directly
into the air. A steam dispersion system panel is used to uniformly
disperse the steam into an airstream within an air duct or air
handling unit (AHU).
[0004] Cool air flowing across the dispersion tubes of the steam
dispersion system panel causes some of the steam within the
dispersion tubes to condense. This condensate is drained out of the
steam dispersion system panel to prevent it from accumulating and
entering the airstream with the steam.
[0005] The condensate drain of a pressurized steam dispersion panel
is typically located on the end of a steam header of the panel
opposite of the steam inlet. The velocity of the pressurized steam
entering the header of the steam dispersion system forces the
condensate to the opposite end of the header where the drain is
typically located. If the drain were on the same side as the steam
inlet, then unwanted condensate could accumulate in the header and
enter the airstream. For this reason, condensate drains are
typically located on the end opposite of the pressurized steam
inlet.
[0006] However, locating the drain on the opposite end of a header
from the steam inlet necessitates access to both ends of the header
for installation of steam and condensate piping, thus potentially
increasing the size of the AHU or reducing the active dispersion
area of the panel. Installation costs may also be higher for the
piping.
[0007] An external condensate drain pipe can be installed
underneath the header and sloped back to the steam inlet side of
the header, but this may increase cost and requires space
underneath the header which may reduce the active steam dispersion
area of the panel.
[0008] It is desirable for the steam inlet and condensate drain to
be on the same side of the header. Access to only one side, instead
of both sides, of the header is then needed for steam and
condensate piping. This can reduce installation costs and utilize
the AHU space more efficiently. However, unwanted accumulation of
the condensate is a serious concern as noted above.
[0009] Improvements in this area are desired.
SUMMARY
[0010] The principles disclosed herein relate to improvements in
piping of unwanted condensate from steam dispersion humidification
systems.
[0011] The inventive principles relate to the use of an internal
feature or structure within the header which re-directs the flow of
the entering steam approximately 180 degrees back towards the steam
inlet. The drain port can be located on the same side as the steam
inlet since the condensate is pushed towards the drain by the
re-directed steam flow. The condensate does not accumulate in the
header or enter the airstream. The condensate drain can be located
on the same side as the steam inlet while reliably draining the
condensate from the header. The advantages of same-side piping are
combined with effective condensate drainage from the header without
the need for an external condensate drain pipe underneath the
header.
[0012] The internal steam re-directing feature may include a hollow
structure or a pipe through which the steam is transported towards
the opposite end of the header. Orifices that penetrate the hollow
structure or pipe allow some of the steam to exit to enhance
uniform steam distribution within the header and control back
pressure before the remaining steam is re-directed approximately
180 degrees back towards the steam inlet side of the header. The
redirecting structure can include a 180-degree U-bend of the pipe,
two quantity 90-degree bends of the pipe, or multiple styles of
deflecting shields or deflectors provided within the header that
cooperate with the pipe in re-directing the steam.
[0013] In one particular aspect, the disclosure is directed to a
steam dispersion system including a steam header defining a first
end and a second end, a plurality of steam dispersion tubes
extending upwardly from the header, a condensate drain outlet
located at the first end of the header, a hollow pipe positioned
within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length extending
within the header in a direction generally from the first end to
the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification
steam inlet located at the first end of the header and a main steam
outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to
receive steam that flows in from the main steam inlet toward the
main steam outlet. The hollow pipe may define a plurality of
orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam that is
flowing through the hollow pipe to enter the header for
distribution through the steam dispersion tubes. A steam
re-direction structure is configured to direct steam flow leaving
through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the
header.
[0014] According to another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a
humidification steam dispersion system comprising a steam header
defining a first end, a second end, and a steam exit point for
supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere, a condensate
drain outlet located at the first end of the header, a hollow pipe
positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length
extending within the header in a direction generally from the first
end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main
humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header
and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe
is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam
inlet toward the main steam outlet, and a steam re-direction
structure configured to direct steam flow leaving through the main
steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.
[0015] According to yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed
to a humidification steam dispersion system comprising a steam
header defining an interior and a steam exit point communicating
with the interior for supplying humidification steam to the
atmosphere and a hollow pipe positioned within the header interior,
the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet and a
main steam outlet, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive
steam that flows through the pipe by entering the pipe through the
main steam inlet and exiting the pipe through the main steam outlet
into the header interior, wherein the main steam inlet and the main
steam outlet face in the same direction.
[0016] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth
in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate
to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be
understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which
the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example steam dispersion
system having features that are examples of inventive aspects in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the steam dispersion
system of FIG. 1 illustrating the internal features thereof;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the
steam dispersion system of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective close-up view of the steam
re-direction portion of the steam dispersion system of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the steam re-direction
portion of another version of the steam dispersion system of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the
steam dispersion system of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the
steam dispersion system of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side view of another version of the
steam dispersion system of FIG. 1; and
[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates two portions of the steam re-direction
pipe that form the U-shaped bend in the system of FIG. 8, the two
portions shown before attachment/welding thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] A steam dispersion system 10 having features that are
examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The steam
dispersion system 10 generally includes a steam header 12 and a
plurality of steam dispersion tubes 14 extending upwardly from the
header 12. It should be noted that the steam dispersion system 10
illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 is simply one example in which the
inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure can be used. Other systems are certainly possible.
[0027] As will be described in further detail below, the header 12
is configured to receive steam from a steam source, and the steam
is dispersed into duct air through steam delivery points 16 of the
steam dispersion tubes 14. The steam source may be a boiler or
another source providing pressurized steam. The steam source
provides pressurized steam towards the header 12. In the depicted
example, each of the tubes 14 communicates with the header interior
18 for receiving pressurized steam. The steam tubes 14, in turn,
disperse the steam to the atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. The
header 12 is designed to distribute pressure evenly among the tubes
14 protruding therefrom.
[0028] In a system such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the steam
supplied by the steam source is piped through the system 10 at a
pressure generally higher than atmospheric pressure, which is
normally the pressure at the point where the steam exits the tubes
14 and meets duct air. The pressure created by the flowing steam
can be used for piping unwanted condensate 20 (see FIG. 3) from the
system 10 as will be discussed in further detail below.
[0029] Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, each steam dispersion tube 14,
as depicted, includes a generally cylindrical wall 22 defining an
outer surface 24 and an inner surface 26. In other embodiments, the
steam dispersion tubes 14 may be of other shapes, such as square,
triangular, elliptical, etc. Also, in other embodiments, the steam
dispersion tubes 14 may be formed from multiple pieces that are
attached together to form the tubes 14. The steam dispersion tube
14 defines a hollow interior 28 for carrying steam. The steam
dispersion tube 14 includes a plurality of openings 30 through the
cylindrical wall 22 for emitting the steam. In certain embodiments,
the outer surface 24 of the cylindrical wall 22 may be covered with
insulation material. The insulation material may define a plurality
of openings through the insulation that are aligned with the
openings 30 of the steam dispersion tube 14.
[0030] The steam delivery points 16 of the steam dispersion tube 14
may be defined by nozzles (i.e., tubelets) provided in the openings
30. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the steam
delivery points 16 may be defined simply by the openings 30 of the
tubes 14 without the use of any nozzles. Each of the tubes 14
communicates with the header interior 18 for receiving and
dispersing humidification steam to the atmosphere (e.g., to an air
duct).
[0031] Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the header 12 of the steam
dispersion system 10 may be mounted via a frame structure (not
shown) across an air duct for positioning the tubes 14 in the duct
air flow.
[0032] The header 12 defines a first end 32 and a second end 34.
The first end 32 includes a condensate drain opening 36 for
allowing unwanted accumulated condensate to be drained from the
system 10.
[0033] The header 12 receives the supply steam through a hollow
structure or pipe 38 that extends within the header 12 in a
direction generally extending from the first end 32 to the second
end 34. The hollow pipe 38 defines a main steam inlet 40 at the
first end 32 of the header 12, generally adjacent the same side as
the condensate drain opening 36 of the system 10.
[0034] Supply steam is transported through the hollow pipe 38
towards the opposite second end 34 of the header from the first end
32 that has the main steam inlet 40.
[0035] As shown, the hollow pipe 38 includes orifices or openings
42 that penetrate the hollow structure or pipe 38 to allow some of
the steam to exit to enhance uniform steam distribution within the
header 12 and to control back pressure. The steam distributed
through the orifices is used as humidification steam that enters
the air duct through the tubes 14 extending from the header 12.
[0036] The hollow pipe 38, in the example depicted in FIGS. 1-2, is
also utilized to pipe condensate toward the condensate drain 36
that is positioned at the same end 32 as the main steam inlet
40.
[0037] The depicted pipe 38 is configured to re-direct the
pressurized steam approximately 180 degrees back towards the steam
inlet end 32 of the header 12. The redirecting structure 44 can
include a 180-degree u-bend of the pipe, two quantity 90-degree
bends of the pipe, or multiple styles of deflecting shields or
deflectors 46 provided within the header 12 that cooperate with the
pipe 38 in re-directing the steam, as will be discussed in further
detail below.
[0038] In the example shown in FIGS. 1-2, the steam redirecting
structure 44 is in the form of a 180-degree bend of the hollow pipe
38 that is formed from two 90-degree bends positioned at an
opposite second end 48 of the pipe 38 from the steam inlet end 50.
In other example embodiments, the bend can be less than 180
degrees. Depending upon the configuration of the system 10, the
bend can be provided at any angle greater than 90 degrees and less
than or equal to 180 degrees. Pressurized steam flow exits the
hollow pipe 38 at a main steam outlet opening 52 at the second end
48 that directs the steam toward the same end 32 as the condensate
drain 36.
[0039] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a 180-degree bend of the hollow pipe 38
that is formed from a 180-degree U-bend that is formed from two
tube portions 54 that are cut at sharp angles that are welded
together.
[0040] As noted above, the steam redirecting structure 44 can also
include different styles of types of deflecting shields or
deflectors 46 that cooperate with the hollow pipe 38 in
re-directing steam flow toward the condensate drain 36.
[0041] For example, in the depicted example of the system 10 in
FIGS. 3 and 4, the steam redirecting structure 44 is provided by a
combination of an angled outlet opening 52 at the second end 48 and
a curved deflector 46 having a concave configuration for directing
the steam flow towards the condensate drain 36.
[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the system 10 with multiple
such curved deflectors 46.
[0043] The second end 48 of the hollow pipe 38 that defines the
main steam outlet/opening 52 can be cut at different angles and
dimensions to control the opening 52 to allow optimum steam
velocity hitting the deflector(s) 46 to create sufficient force to
flow condensation toward the condensate drain 36. The angle and the
size of the opening 52 can also be used to control the amount of
backpressure to optimize the proper amount of steam dispersed
through the orifices 42 along the length of the pipe.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 6, an example of the system 10 is
illustrated wherein deflector(s) 46 positioned both partially below
and above the hollow pipe 38 are used to redirect steam flow toward
the condensate drain 36. The deflectors 46 are positioned at the
second end 34 of the header 12 adjacent the main steam outlet 52 of
the pipe 38. It should be noted that in the example of FIG. 6, the
outlet opening 52 formed at the second end 48 of the pipe 38 is not
angled and generally faces toward the second end 34 of the header
12. The deflectors 46 re-direct the steam flow back toward the
condensate drain 36 from both above and below the hollow pipe 38 as
shown.
[0045] Another example of a deflector 46 in combination with the
pipe 38 being used as a steam re-direction structure 44 is
illustrated in FIG. 7. In the example depicted in FIG. 7, the
hollow pipe 38 defines a sealed end 48 with an outlet opening 52
that is positioned generally at a bottom side of the pipe 38 at an
intermediate location before the sealed end 48. The pipe 38 further
includes a deflector 46 within the pipe 38 that splits the pipe 38
generally into two steam flow channels, a forward flow channel 56
and a rearward flow channel 58. The deflector 46 cooperates with
the sealed end 48 and the bottom opening 52 of the pipe 38 in
creating a generally circular clockwise flow pattern, as depicted,
for the steam and directs the steam back through the rearward flow
channel 58 and out the opening 52 toward the condensate drain
36.
[0046] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the inventive
aspects of the disclosure. Since many embodiments of the inventive
aspects can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of
the disclosure, the inventive aspects reside in the claims
hereinafter appended.
* * * * *