초록 ▼

Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module (46), a thermocouple module (41), and an electrode module (45) assembled within a containment enclosure (66). The multi-stage steam module (46) comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels (77) surrounding and feeding a secon

Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module (46), a thermocouple module (41), and an electrode module (45) assembled within a containment enclosure (66). The multi-stage steam module (46) comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels (77) surrounding and feeding a second stage pressure vessel (78). The steam module (46) is coaxially surrounded by insulation (48) disposed within a cylindrical shroud (72). The electrode module (45) radiantly heats the steam module with resistive heating elements (119). The thermocouple module (41) includes thermocouples monitoring first stage temperatures within and between pressure vessels (77). PLC computer SCADA software (600) operates the generators. Thermocouple data is analyzed to control heater temperatures, the water feeding system (340), and outputted steam temperature. PLC software (600) provides operating logic (602) establishing a start up subroutine (602), a ramp up subroutine (603), a steady state subroutine (605), and a shut down subroutine (606).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A superheated steam generator for producing superheated steam, the generator comprising: an enclosure having an interior;a unibody steam module comprising multiple, pressure vessels fitted within said enclosure;wherein the steam module comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels that fe

1. A superheated steam generator for producing superheated steam, the generator comprising: an enclosure having an interior;a unibody steam module comprising multiple, pressure vessels fitted within said enclosure;wherein the steam module comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels that feed at least one second stage pressure vessel, and wherein each pressure vessel comprises a rigid, bottom head and a spaced apart rigid, top head;wherein each top head of each first stage pressure vessel is penetrated by a steam feed pipe leading to the second stage pressure vessel for delivering steam to said second stage vessel;a plurality of heating elements for radiantly heating the steam module;means for sensing temperatures within said interior;said heating elements and said means for sensing temperatures disposed proximate said steam module;water delivery means for feeding water to said steam module;wherein said water delivery means interconnects with bottom head portions of said first stage pressure vessels; and,power control means for energizing said heating elements during operation of said generator. 2. The steam generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the first stage pressure vessels comprise sockets on their bottom head portions, and said water delivery means comprises water injectors interconnecting with said sockets of said first stage pressure vessels. 3. The steam generator as defined in claim 2 wherein each injector has an internal, single-fluid spray nozzle for establishing a water spray within each first stage pressure vessel. 4. The steam generator as defined in claim 1 wherein the second stage pressure vessel comprises a rigid top head penetrated by a plurality of steam feed pipes from said first stage pressure vessels for receiving steam from said first stage vessels, and a rigid bottom head mounting an output pipe that outputs superheated steam from said generator. 5. The steam generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for sensing temperatures comprises a plurality of thermocouples, and wherein each first stage pressure vessel comprises an interiorly closed, tubular passageway penetrating said top head for receiving a portion of a thermocouple. 6. The steam generator as defined in claim 5 wherein said thermocouples are secured to a thermocouple module that is suspended within said enclosure proximate said steam module. 7. The steam generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of heating elements is secured to an electrode module that is suspended within said enclosure. 8. The steam generator as defined in claim 7 wherein the electrode module comprises a plurality of electrically resistive, silicon carbide heating elements that project downwardly within said enclosure into the proximity of said steam module. 9. The steam generator as defined in claim 8 wherein the silicon carbide heating elements are geometrically spaced and arranged into separate arrays of individual heating elements which are electrically wired into zones. 10. The steam generator as defined in claim 9 further comprising computer automation means that monitors said means for sensing temperatures, operates said water delivery means, and operates said power control means. 11. A modularized superheated steam generator for producing superheated steam, the generator comprising: an upright containment enclosure;a unibody steam module comprising multiple, pressure vessels;an electrode module for radiantly heating the steam module;said steam module and said electrode module stacked proximate one another within said containment enclosure;a thermocouple module suspended within said enclosure, the thermocouple module comprising a plurality of thermocouples disposed proximate said steam module for sensing internal temperatures;water delivery means for feeding water to said steam module; and,power control means for energizing said heating elements during operation of said generator. 12. The steam generator as defined in claim 11 wherein the thermocouple module comprises a first thermocouple array that monitors interior regions proximate the steam module between individual pressure vessels, and a second thermocouple array that monitors the interior temperature of preselected steam module pressure vessels. 13. The steam generator as defined in claim 11 wherein: the steam module comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels that feed at least one second stage pressure vessel;each pressure vessel comprises a rigid top head and a rigid, spaced apart bottom head;each top head of each first stage pressure vessel is penetrated by a steam feed pipe leading to the second stage pressure vessel for delivering steam to said second stage vessel; and,said water delivery means interconnects with bottom head portions of said first stage pressure vessels. 14. The steam generator as defined in claim 13 wherein the first stage pressure vessels comprise sockets on their bottom head portions, and said water delivery means comprises water injectors interconnecting with said sockets of said first stage pressure vessels. 15. The steam generator as defined in claim 14 wherein each injector has an internal, single-fluid spray nozzle for establishing a water spray within each first stage pressure vessel. 16. The steam generator as defined in claim 13 wherein the second stage pressure vessel top head is penetrated by a plurality of steam feed pipes from said first stage pressure vessels for receiving steam from said first stage vessels, and the second stage pressure vessel bottom head mounts an output pipe that outputs superheated steam from said generator. 17. The steam generator as defined in claim 11 wherein each first stage pressure vessel comprises a rigid top head and an interiorly closed, tubular passageway penetrating said top head for receiving a portion of a thermocouple. 18. The steam generator as defined in claim 11 wherein the electrode module comprises a plurality of electrically resistive, silicon carbide heating elements that project downwardly into the proximity of said steam module, wherein the silicon carbide heating elements are geometrically spaced and arranged into separate arrays of individual heating elements which are electrically wired into zones. 19. A modularized superheated steam generator for producing superheated steam, the generator comprising: an enclosure;a unibody steam module comprising multiple, pressure vessels;wherein the steam module comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels that feed at least one second stage pressure vessel;wherein each pressure vessel comprises a rigid, bottom head and a rigid, spaced apart top head;wherein each top head of each first stage pressure vessel is penetrated by a steam feed pipe leading to the second stage pressure vessel for delivering steam to said second stage vessel;a plurality of canisters receiving said pressure vessels for heating the steam module, the canisters comprising internal heating elements;means for sensing temperatures within said enclosure;water delivery means for feeding water to said steam module;said water delivery means interconnects with bottom head portions of said first stage pressure vessels; and,power control means for energizing said canister heating elements during operation of said generator. 20. The steam generator as defined in claim 19 wherein the first stage pressure vessels comprise sockets on their bottom head portions, and said water delivery means comprises water injectors interconnecting with said sockets of said first stage pressure vessels. 21. The steam generator as defined in claim 20 wherein each injector has an internal, single-fluid spray nozzle for establishing a water spray within each first stage pressure vessel. 22. The steam generator as defined in 19 wherein the second stage pressure vessel top head is penetrated by a plurality of steam feed pipes from said first stage pressure vessels for receiving steam from said first stage vessels, and the second stage pressure vessel bottom head mounts an output pipe that outputs superheated steam from said generator. 23. The steam generator as defined in claim 19 wherein each first stage pressure vessel comprises an interiorly closed, tubular passageway penetrating said top head for receiving a portion of a thermocouple. 24. A modularized superheated steam generator for producing superheated steam, the generator comprising: an enclosure;a unibody steam module comprising multiple, first stage pressure vessels that output steam to at least one second stage pressure vessel;an electrode module for heating the steam module, the electrode module comprising a plurality of canisters receiving said pressure vessels, the canisters comprising internal heating elements;wherein each pressure vessel comprises a rigid bottom head and a rigid, spaced apart top head, and each top head of each first stage pressure vessel is penetrated by a steam feed pipe leading to the second stage pressure vessel for delivering steam to said second stage vessel;a thermocouple module comprising a plurality of thermocouples for sensing temperatures within said enclosure;water delivery means for feeding water to said steam module;said water delivery means interconnects with bottom head portions of said first stage pressure vessels; and,power control means for energizing said canister heating elements during operation of said generator. 25. The steam generator as defined in claim 24 wherein the first stage pressure vessels comprise sockets on their bottom head portions, and said water delivery means comprises water injectors interconnecting with said sockets of said first stage pressure vessels. 26. The steam generator as defined in claim 25 wherein each injector has an internal, single-fluid spray nozzle for establishing a water spray within each first stage pressure vessel. 27. The steam generator as defined in 25 wherein the second stage pressure vessel top head is penetrated by a plurality of steam feed pipes from said first stage pressure vessels for receiving steam from said first stage vessels, and said bottom head mounts an output pipe that outputs superheated steam from said generator. 28. The steam generator as defined in claim 25 wherein each first stage pressure vessel comprises a rigid top head and an interiorly closed, tubular passageway penetrating said top head for receiving a portion of a thermocouple. 29. The steam generator as defined in claim 27 further comprising computer automation means for monitoring said thermocouples, operating said water delivery means, and operating said power control means.