Superheated Electric Arc Steam Generator

Abstract

An arc producing apparatus, such as a plasma-jet, for generating superheated steam; comprising, an arc chamber axially aligned with a steam chamber so that water flowing through a water jacket thereof absorbs heat from the arc and is changed into steam. The steam is conducted from the water jacket of the arc producing apparatus into the steam chamber where the steam is superheated as it flows from the interior of the steam chamber, back up into the arc chamber, and then back into and out of the steam chamber, with the steam assuming a countercurrent spiral flow path.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of an electric arc for steam generation is old as evidenced by the patent to White, U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,423. The Kugler U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,996 teaches the use of gases employed in an irregular arc chamber for stabilization of the arc in a plasma generator. Reference is made to these two patents for further background of the present invention.

Applicant has discovered that the action of an arc within an arc chamber causes the gases therein to assume a countercurrent flow path when the arc producing apparatus is arranged in a particular manner. This arrangement can be used to advantage in superheating steam. Therefore, the present invention takes advantage of this phenomenon in combination with an arc and steam chamber of a particular configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a steam generation apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending arc chamber having an electrode at one end thereof and connected to a steam chamber at the opposed end. The electrode is insulated from the arc chamber while an annular water jacket is concentrically formed thereabout. The steam chamber is axially aligned and flow connected with the arc chamber within which the electrode is disposed.

The annular water jacket is concentrically formed about the arc chamber and provided with an inlet and outlet so that water flowing therethrough is heated into steam. The steam is conducted into a tangential inlet formed in the steam chamber to enable the steam to flow back into the arc chamber and then return into the steam chamber in a countercurrent spiral relationship induced by the action of the arc. This novel action causes the vaporized water to be heated to extremely high temperatures.

Therefore, a primary object of this invention is the provision of a new method and apparatus for generating superheated steam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of an arc chamber and a steam chamber for utilizing the energy of an electric arc for generation of superheated steam.

A further object of this invention is to disclose and provide a steam generation apparatus which utilizes the electric arc for imparting high temperatures into steam.

A still further object of this invention is to provide apparatus in conjunction with a plasma-jet apparatus which enables a countercurrent flow path to occur about the electrode thereof.

Another and still further object of the invention is to provide means by which a gaseous flow of steam can be used to stabilize an arc.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and claims and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

The above objects are attained in accordance with the present invention by the provision of a combination of elements which are fabricated in a manner substantially as described in the above abstract and summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail of part of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another form of the present invention, and;

FIG. 6 is a part diagrammatical, part schematical representation of the operation of the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 - 3, the present invention is generally indicated by the arrow at numeral 10 and comprises a main body 12 which reduces in diameter at 14 to form a holder for an electrode 16. A marginal length of the electrode is surrounded by a heat resistant insulator 18, such as ceremic insulation, so that the electrode is electrically insulated in sealed relationship from the remaining structure.

A metal arc chamber 20 is provided with an annulus 22 of a sufficient area which will provide adequate insulation to prevent inadvertent arcing occurring thereacross. A marginal end portion 24 of the electrode is received within the arc chamber. The interial wall 26 of the arc chamber is spaced from the electrode and from the outer shell 28, with the spacing of walls 26 and 28 being sufficient for the formation of a water jacket 30 therebetween. A spiral coolant conducting member 32 forms the water jacket into a spiraled configuration for imparting a high velocity spiraled flow path into any water flowing therethrough, thereby increasing the heat conductivity therebetween.

Annular member 34 is a part of the member which forms the before mentioned inner surface area of the arc chamber. The last named member is provided with the illustrated threaded areas disclosed at 36, 38, and 40, for engaging threaded complementary members. A removable threaded plug 42 forms a closure member for the remaining end of the arc chamber with the interior surface of the plug being provided with the illustrated concave surface seen at 44.

Water inlet 46 is in fluid communication with steam outlet 48 by means of the spiral formed annular water jacket which is concentrically arranged about the arc chamber.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, electrical conduit 50 and 52 provides a difference in potential across the electrode and the arc chamber so that closure of the illustrated switch enables the illustrated source of electrical energy to provide an arc between the end of the electrode and the interior surface of the arc chamber. For convenience, a high frequency current can be generated at 54 for initiating the arc.

FIG. 4 sets forth the details of a removable liner for use in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG. 5. The liner 56 is provided with a circumferentially extending enlargement 58 which is received within a complimentary groove in the illustrated manner of FIG. 5.

The spiral body 132 is comprised of an outer wall formed into a continuous spiral member having a pitch which provides a continuous space 130 between each convolution. The outer extremity of the spiral is threaded and provided with a diameter which preferably is equivalent to the diameter measured at 136 and 140. Interior wall surface 138 forms the outlet of the arc chamber, and is provided with the illustrated threaded surface for removably receiving a steam chamber, as will be more fully explained later on in this disclosure.

In FIG. 5 the metal arc chamber 112 is provided with the insert 56 of FIG. 4, with a steam chamber 70 having a throat 72 communicating the interior of the arc chamber with the interior 74 of the steam chamber. The exterior of the throat threadedly engages threads 138 of the insert. A plug 76 forms a closure member for the steam chamber. Steam flow conduit 60 interconnects vapor outlet 148 of the water jacket with the tangential vapor inlet port 62 of the steam chamber. Numeral 64 is intended to indicate that conduit 62 is placed tangentially with respect to the interior surface of the steam chamber. Steam outlet 68 provides a source of superheated steam when the apparatus is in proper operation.

In the past schematical, part diagrammatical illustration of FIG. 6, the various arrows associated therewith illustrate the flow through the apparatus. In particular, coolant, such as water, enters the water jacket at 146 and exits at 148 as steam. The steam enters the steam chamber 74 by means of the tangential inlet, whereupon the steam flows in a spiral path as illustrated at 78 and 80 as it continues through the throat and into the arc chamber. The spiral flow continues about the annulus formed between the electrode and the inner wall surface of the arc chamber, whereupon the spiral path reverses itself and flows in countercurrent relationship back through the throat and back through the outlets 68, as noted at 82 and 84. It may be said that a vortex is formed.

In operation of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 - 3, a suitable source of distilled water flows into inlet 46, about the spiraled grooves at 30, and through outlet 48, thereby removing heat from the apparatus. In order to initiate the arc, the end 24 of the electrode is moved into close proximity of the concave surface 44, the high frequency generator 54 is actuated, thereby enabling an arc to be initiated as it travels along the ionized path formed by the generator. The flow of water through the water jacket is regulated so that steam of low quality is formed at the outlet 48.

The gaseous atmosphere contained within the arc chamber 20 will soon change into nitrogen and CO.sub.2 as the available oxygen reacts with the electrodes to form an oxide, thereby leaving a nitrogen atmosphere within the arc chamber.

The operation of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 is carried out by establishing a flow of water into the spiral water jacket so that low quality steam emerges at the vapor outlet 148. The steam is conducted into the tangential inlet 62 where it follows a spiral flow path 80 back up into the arc chamber, where the flow reverses itself, and flows back through the imaginary core, much like the action of a cyclone separator, whereupon the superheated steam emerges at 84 and 68. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the high velocity steam flow path at 80 stabilizes the arc and enables the apparatus to operate at lower voltage than would otherwise be possible.

The materials of construction of the steam and arc chamber can be selected from known materials, depending upon the outlet temperature of the superheated steam. For example, it is possible to select flow rates and power inputs of a magnitude which brings about disassociation of the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of the water molecule.

In domestic water heating systems, a tank of water is heated to the desired temperature, and unless the heated water is used immediately, the temperature thereof begins to drop because of conduction and radiation heat losses, until the thermostat is activated, whereupon the water is reheated. During periods of low hot water demand, the same water may be reheated many times, which amounts to a waste of energy.

The superheated steam generator as seen in FIG. 1 can be used on reduced levels to provide an efficient water heater which has none of the flue losses associated with gas or oil water heaters, and practically no loss from conduction or radiation. Because of its small physical size to power ratio, the generator is almost instantaneous in operation and requires that no water be stored in the device. The power requirements can be regulated to suit the demand with ordinary power regulating systems, and the ability to utilize the heat generated by a power supply and the other components through the expedient of water cooling makes the device in many instances much more efficient than any domestic water heater presently in use.

An alternate method of starting the arc can be carried out as follows:

A heavy, relatively non-reactive substance with a low boiling point, such as lead or mercury, is placed within the arc chamber. The chamber is then filled with an inert gas at an appropriate pressure so that the gas will partially ionize at the normal open circuit potential of the power supply.

When power is applied, the inert gas will ionize and begin to conduct, generating enough heat to vaporize some of the heavy metal, thus releasing a cloud of metal atoms. This action causes an increase in pressure which causes a heavier current flow, which in turn causes an increase in heat, with this reaction continuing until a stable operating condition is achieved.

When the power is removed, the metal vapors cool and condense on the chamber walls, causing a reduction in pressure equivalent to the starting level, whereupon the inert gas may again be re-ionized to commence the process, thus providing for automatic arc ignition.

Claims

I claim:

1. Steam generation apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending metal arc chamber having opposed ends, a closure means in the form of an electrode holder at one end thereof; an electrode supportingly received by said electrode holder and having a marginal end portion thereof extending into the space enclosed by said arc chamber; means electrically insulating said electrode from said arc chamber;

an annular water jacket concentrically formed about said arc chamber, a water inlet and a steam outlet spaced from one another and connected in fluid flow relationship to said water jacket;

electric circuit means including an electric source of energy for causing an arc to occur between said electrode and the interior wall surface of said arc chamber, to thereby generate heat which is removed by water which may be circulating through the water jacket;

a steam chamber having opposed ends spaced from one another, a closure means at one end of said steam chamber, the remaining end of said steam chamber being sealed to and in open communication with the remaining end of said arc chamber;

said steam chamber having a steam inlet port and a steam outlet port, conduit means flow connecting said steam inlet port to said steam outlet;

so that water flows into said water inlet, changes into steam and flows through said inlet port into said steam chamber where the steam is superheated and flows through said steam outlet port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet port is arranged tangentially respective to the interior of the steam chamber to thereby impart a spiral flow path into the steam which flows into the steam chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arc chamber and said steam chamber are axially aligned and connected together by a throat of reduced diameter respective to the inside diameter of said arc chamber and said steam chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water jacket is made into a spiraled annulus circumferentially disposed about said arc chamber to thereby enhance the heat transfer between the arc chamber and any water flowing through said water jacket.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including a throat interconnecting said arc chamber and said steam chamber, said throat having a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the cross-sectional area of the arc chamber and the steam chamber, the inlet port of said steam chamber being arranged tangentially with respect to the inside surface thereof; the steam outlet being arranged perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the steam and arc chamber, and;

said water jacket being made into a spiraled annulus circumferentially disposed about said arc chamber to thereby enhance the heat transfer between the arc chamber and any water flowing through the water jacket.