Steam humidification system

Abstract

A steam distribution apparatus having a heat exchanger header defining a chamber; steam distribution apparatus communicating with the heat exchanger chamber; a source of steam at a pressure higher than atmospheric; a heat exchanger having one end communicating with the source of steam and another end for communicating with the chamber and steam dispersion apparatus; and a valve. The valve operates the heat exchanger in an open-loop configuration which supplies humidification steam to the steam distribution apparatus at atmospheric pressure and operates the heat exchanger in a closed-loop at the steam pressure higher than atmospheric for heating the heat exchanger chamber wherein condensate within the chamber or steam distribution apparatus can be converted back to humidification steam.

1 . A steam dispersion system comprising:
 a. steam dispersion apparatus;   b. a source of steam at a pressure higher than atmospheric;   c. a heat exchanger communicating with the source of steam and operable in a closed and open loop for:
 i. supplying humidification steam to the steam dispersion apparatus configured to provide humidification steam to the air in the open loop; 
 ii. inhibiting the formation of condensate in the steam dispersion system in the open loop. 
   
     
     
         2 . The steam dispersion system as claimed in claim I, including a steam header defining a heat exchanger chamber communicating with the steam dispersion apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the steam dispersion apparatus includes steam supply lines communicating with the heat exchanger and steam dispersion tubes when the cross section of the heat exchanger is equal to or larger than the cross section of the steam supply lines and steam dispersion tubes. 
     
     
         4 . The steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein any condensate from the steam dispersion tubes falls onto the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The steam dispersion tube as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a steam injector delivers steam and any condensate onto the heat exchanger in the steam header. 
     
     
         6 . The steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the steam header has an angled bottom to direct any condensate into close proximity of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         7 . A steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 3 , further including a controller. 
     
     
         8 . A steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the steam dispersion tubes are either in a horizontal or vertical position. 
     
     
         9 . The steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 7 , including valve means operable between said open and closed loops, by a controller. 
     
     
         10 . The steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said steam dispersion tubes include a nozzle having a hole disposed at an angle. 
     
     
         11 . A steam dispersion system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said valve means IS operated in a first preheat stage and a second humidification stage. 
     
     
         12 . A steam distribution apparatus comprising:
 a. a heat exchanger header defining a chamber;   b. a steam distribution apparatus communicating with the heat exchanger chamber;   c. a source of steam at a pressure higher than atmospheric;   d. a heat exchanger having:
 i. one end communicating with the source of steam 
 ii. another end for communicating with the chamber and steam dispersion apparatus 
   e. valve means for:
 i. operating the heat exchanger header in an open-loop for supplying humidification steam to the steam distribution apparatus at atmospheric pressure; 
 ii. operating the heat exchanger in a closed-loop at the steam pressure higher than atmospheric for heating the heat exchanger chamber wherein condensate within the chamber or steam distribution apparatus can be converted back to humidification steam; 
 iii. the valve means having a first preheat stage and a second humidification stage. 
   
     
     
         13 . A steam dispersion apparatus as claimed in claim II, wherein the heat exchange header is comprised of either stainless steel, copper, sheet metal, iron, cast iron, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A steam distribution apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , including a plurality of holes for distributing humidification steam. 
     
     
         15 . A steam distribution apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the steam distribution apparatus includes insulation disposed about the steam distribution apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . A steam distribution apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , including a steam control valve for opening the open-looped system. 
     
     
         17 . A steam distribution apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the heat exchanger is comprised of either stainless steel, copper, sheet metal, iron, cast iron, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A steam distribution apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the heat exchanger is disposed in a vertical position and includes a plurality of frustoconical collectors at an acute angle within the steam header. 
     
     
         19 . A method of steam humidifying air comprising:
 a. supplying a source of steam at a pressure above atmospheric pressure to a heat exchanger disposed within a header defining a chamber wherein the chamber communicates with steam distribution pipes communicating with the air   b. controlling:
 i. an isolating valve to supply the steam to one end of the heat exchanger at the pressure above atmospheric to heat the chamber in a closed-loop 
 ii. a steam control valve to supply steam to the chamber and distribution pipes to supply humidification steam to the air at atmospheric pressure in an open-loop. 
   
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the distribution pipes are insulated. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the pressure of the steam above atmospheric is typically about 15 psi. 
     
     
         22 . A steam dispersion system comprising:
 a. steam dispersion apparatus;   b. a source of steam at a pressure higher than atmospheric;   c. a heat exchanger communicating with the source of steam and operable in a closed and open loop;   d. an isolating valve to pre-heat the heat exchanger in a closed loop to cause reevaporation of condensate on its external surface;   e. a steam control valve to operate the steam dispersion system in an open-loop so as to provide controlled humidification   
     
     
         23 . A nozzle for steam dispersion tubes, the nozzle comprising body extending longitudinally about a generally cylindrical axis; a hole through the body whereby the hole has an axis disposed at an acute angle relative to the cylindrical axis to assist in discharging any condensate by gravity. 
     
     
         24 . Insulation for a steam dispersion tube having an outer wall with a plurality of aligned nozzles, said insulation disposed about said outer wall where the cross section of said insulation in the vicinity of the nozzles is less than the cross section of the insulation remote from said nozzles. 
     
     
         25 . Insulation as claimed in  claim 23  wherein said steam dispersion tube presents a longitudinal axis and said nozzles are longitudinally aligned along said outer wall.