EP4153910B1 - An electrode boiler - Google Patents
An electrode boiler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4153910B1 EP4153910B1 EP20744162.7A EP20744162A EP4153910B1 EP 4153910 B1 EP4153910 B1 EP 4153910B1 EP 20744162 A EP20744162 A EP 20744162A EP 4153910 B1 EP4153910 B1 EP 4153910B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- electrode
- boiler
- container
- level
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 41
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910010293 ceramic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000010891 electric arc Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052573 porcelain Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003303 reheating Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically
- F22B1/30—Electrode boilers
- F22B1/303—Electrode boilers with means for injecting or spraying water against electrodes or with means for water circulation
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/28—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically
- F22B1/284—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically with water in reservoirs
- F22B1/285—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method in boilers heated electrically with water in reservoirs the water being fed by a pump to the reservoirs
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electrode boiler for providing hot water or steam and a method for operating the electrode boiler.
- An electrode boiler includes a number of electrodes, one for each phase, immersed in a water bath. Heat is generated by passing an AC electrical current between the electrodes or to a counter electrode using the water as conductor.
- the boilers are designed for low voltage ((230 - 690 V) or high voltage (1 - 36 kV) supply and with heat ratings from about 0 - 100 MW. Electrode boilers have many advantages, such as an efficiency approaching 100%, easy control of output range and a fast startup.
- the output of the boiler may be controlled with the water level covering more or less of the electrodes.
- the output may be shut off either with switches or by lowering the water level out of reach of the electrodes.
- Each method has its merits.
- the switches are subject to wear as they have to handle large currents. By lowering the water level below the electrodes, the boiler may be shut off avoiding switches altogether.
- an arc may be created. This arc may reach another electrode directly or via metal parts of the boiler. Such a situation may lead to a full short circuit.
- the inventive electrode boiler includes a container holding water, a number of electrodes, each electrode including a first upper end connected to a source of electric power and a second lower end submerged in the water, and means for controlling the water level in said container.
- Said means include a circulation pump supplying water to the container through a supply line, and a throttle valve.
- the supply line is connected to an arc stopper located beneath the second lower end of each electrode, the arc stopper comprising a receptacle made of an electrically insulating material, wherein an upper rim of said side wall is positioned level with or just above the second lower end of the associated electrode.
- the electrode boiler is operated using the method according to claim 2 and 3.
- the presence of the insulating arc stopper will effectively prevent the formation of arcs.
- the invention relates to an electrode boiler, and the embodiment of the invention described in the following paragraphs is intended to supply hot water.
- the boiler 1 is connected in a closed water loop to a circulation pump 2 and a heat exchanger 3.
- the pump circulates water continuously through the boiler, in which it is heated, the produced heat being removed in the heat exchanger 3 whereupon the now colder water is sent back to the boiler for reheating.
- the heat exchanger will be omitted and the steam delivered directly to a pipe network.
- the boiler includes a boiler drum 4. Inside the drum 4 there is mounted an inner container 5 on electrically insulated brackets. A number of electrodes 7 are suspended from the roof of the drum, in conductive rods passing through insulated bushings. The rods are connected to a source of AC electric power by means of conductors 10.
- the boiler system includes a 3-way throttle valve 6 controlling the flow in the closed water loop including the circulation pump 2 and the supply line 16 supplying water to the container 5, a level safety gauge 8 and level control system 9, a pressure safety valve 11, a throttle valve 14 for draining water from the inner container 5, a processed feed water inlet 12 and a blow down outlet line 13.
- the inner container 5 holds water at a predefined level.
- the water level is controlled by the throttle valve 14, from readings from a level gauge.
- the production from the boiler may be controlled by changing the water level.
- the water is supplied through the supply line 16 which branches out into a number of small tubes entering the bottom of the inner container 5.
- Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of the invention.
- Each arc stopper comprises a receptacle of an electrically insulating material, such a ceramic material (e.g. porcelain), glass or PFTE.
- the arch stoppers may be positioned at the bottom of the container 5.
- the arc stoppers are mounted to ensure that the top rim of the receptacle is positioned on level with, or preferably a bit above the lower end of the associated electrode 7.
- In the bottom of each arc stopper there is an opening connecting the receptacle to the water supply line 16.
- the water in the inner container 5 is drained via the throttle valve 14.
- the water outside the arc stopper 15 will drain away completely, while water inside the arc stopper will remain at level with the upper rim of the receptacle and maintain in contact with the electrode 7.
- the circulation pump 2 supplying water through the supply line 16 is stopped, whereupon the water level will drop also inside the arc stoppers 15.
- the water will lose contact with the electrode 7. This is the moment when an arc could occur.
- the presence of the arc stopper means that the arc will have to climb an insulating barrier to reach another electrode or the metal of the surrounding container 4. This will effectively prevent the formation of an arc.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Treatment By Electricity Or Magnetism (AREA)
- Discharge Heating (AREA)
- Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an electrode boiler for providing hot water or steam and a method for operating the electrode boiler.
- An electrode boiler includes a number of electrodes, one for each phase, immersed in a water bath. Heat is generated by passing an AC electrical current between the electrodes or to a counter electrode using the water as conductor. The boilers are designed for low voltage ((230 - 690 V) or high voltage (1 - 36 kV) supply and with heat ratings from about 0 - 100 MW. Electrode boilers have many advantages, such as an efficiency approaching 100%, easy control of output range and a fast startup.
- The output of the boiler may be controlled with the water level covering more or less of the electrodes. The output may be shut off either with switches or by lowering the water level out of reach of the electrodes. Each method has its merits. The switches are subject to wear as they have to handle large currents. By lowering the water level below the electrodes, the boiler may be shut off avoiding switches altogether. However, when water is drained and gets below the electrode tips, an arc may be created. This arc may reach another electrode directly or via metal parts of the boiler. Such a situation may lead to a full short circuit.
- From
GB 472,479 - Documents
FR2604846A1 US4418269A disclose electric arc boilers from the prior art. - It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode boiler that may be shut off by lowering the water level without the risk of creating an arc and thereby short circuit the power supply.
- This is achieved in a boiler as defined in the appended claim 1. In particular, the inventive electrode boiler includes a container holding water, a number of electrodes, each electrode including a first upper end connected to a source of electric power and a second lower end submerged in the water, and means for controlling the water level in said container. Said means include a circulation pump supplying water to the container through a supply line, and a throttle valve. Furthermore, the supply line is connected to an arc stopper located beneath the second lower end of each electrode, the arc stopper comprising a receptacle made of an electrically insulating material, wherein an upper rim of said side wall is positioned level with or just above the second lower end of the associated electrode.
- The electrode boiler is operated using the method according to
claim 2 and 3. In particular, when shutting off the boiler by dropping the water level inside the container, the presence of the insulating arc stopper will effectively prevent the formation of arcs. - The advantages of the invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description in reference to the appended drawings, in which
-
Fig. 1 is a general overview of a boiler installation showing its main components, -
Fig. 2 shows a detail of a boiler according to the present invention. - The invention relates to an electrode boiler, and the embodiment of the invention described in the following paragraphs is intended to supply hot water. As shown in
Fig. 1 , the boiler 1 is connected in a closed water loop to acirculation pump 2 and a heat exchanger 3. The pump circulates water continuously through the boiler, in which it is heated, the produced heat being removed in the heat exchanger 3 whereupon the now colder water is sent back to the boiler for reheating. In a corresponding embodiment for steam generation, the heat exchanger will be omitted and the steam delivered directly to a pipe network. - The boiler includes a boiler drum 4. Inside the drum 4 there is mounted an
inner container 5 on electrically insulated brackets. A number ofelectrodes 7 are suspended from the roof of the drum, in conductive rods passing through insulated bushings. The rods are connected to a source of AC electric power by means ofconductors 10. - Furthermore, the boiler system includes a 3-way throttle valve 6 controlling the flow in the closed water loop including the
circulation pump 2 and thesupply line 16 supplying water to thecontainer 5, a level safety gauge 8 and level control system 9, apressure safety valve 11, athrottle valve 14 for draining water from theinner container 5, a processedfeed water inlet 12 and a blow downoutlet line 13. - The
inner container 5 holds water at a predefined level. The water level is controlled by thethrottle valve 14, from readings from a level gauge. The production from the boiler may be controlled by changing the water level. The water is supplied through thesupply line 16 which branches out into a number of small tubes entering the bottom of theinner container 5. -
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of the invention. Below eachelectrode 7 there are mountedarc stoppers 15. Each arc stopper comprises a receptacle of an electrically insulating material, such a ceramic material (e.g. porcelain), glass or PFTE. The arch stoppers may be positioned at the bottom of thecontainer 5. The arc stoppers are mounted to ensure that the top rim of the receptacle is positioned on level with, or preferably a bit above the lower end of the associatedelectrode 7. In the bottom of each arc stopper there is an opening connecting the receptacle to thewater supply line 16. - When it is desired to stop production, the water in the
inner container 5 is drained via thethrottle valve 14. The water outside thearc stopper 15 will drain away completely, while water inside the arc stopper will remain at level with the upper rim of the receptacle and maintain in contact with theelectrode 7. Then, thecirculation pump 2 supplying water through thesupply line 16 is stopped, whereupon the water level will drop also inside thearc stoppers 15. At some point the water will lose contact with theelectrode 7. This is the moment when an arc could occur. However, the presence of the arc stopper means that the arc will have to climb an insulating barrier to reach another electrode or the metal of the surrounding container 4. This will effectively prevent the formation of an arc.
Claims (3)
- An electrode boiler including a container (5) holding water, a number of electrodes (7), each electrode including a first upper end connected to a source of electric power and a second lower end submerged in the water, and means for controlling the water level in said container (5), wherein said means includes a circulation pump (2) for supplying water to said container (5) through a supply line (16) and a throttle valve (14),wherein the supply line (16) is connected to an arc stopper (15) located beneath the second lower end of each electrode (7),characterized in that the arc stopper (15) comprises a receptacle with a bottom wall and a side wall made of an electrically insulating material,wherein an upper rim of said receptacle is positioned level with or just above the second lower end of the associated electrode (7).
- A method for operating an electrode boiler according to claim 1, wherein production of the electrode boiler is started and stopped by controlling the level of water outside and inside the arc stopper (15).
- A method according to claim 2, wherein production is stopped by first draining the water from said container (5) and then draining the water from the arc stopper (15).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/NO2020/050135 WO2021235938A1 (en) | 2020-05-22 | 2020-05-22 | An electrode boiler |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4153910A1 EP4153910A1 (en) | 2023-03-29 |
EP4153910B1 true EP4153910B1 (en) | 2023-11-22 |
Family
ID=71741855
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20744162.7A Active EP4153910B1 (en) | 2020-05-22 | 2020-05-22 | An electrode boiler |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4153910B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN115667797A (en) |
DK (1) | DK4153910T3 (en) |
FI (1) | FI4153910T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021235938A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB193405A (en) * | 1922-02-15 | 1923-10-18 | British Thomson Houston Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to vapour or steam generators or boilers |
GB472479A (en) | 1936-03-20 | 1937-09-20 | Sydney Cyril Harling | Improvements in or relating to electrode boilers |
US4418269A (en) * | 1980-03-24 | 1983-11-29 | Eaton Williams Raymond H | Multi-electrode boiler |
FR2604846B1 (en) * | 1986-10-03 | 1993-11-19 | Electricite De France | DIRECT CONDUCTION ELECTROTHERMAL GENERATOR |
WO2014087190A1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-12 | KIM, No Eul | Electrode boiler with electrodes unit |
-
2020
- 2020-05-22 CN CN202080101159.6A patent/CN115667797A/en active Pending
- 2020-05-22 DK DK20744162.7T patent/DK4153910T3/en active
- 2020-05-22 FI FIEP20744162.7T patent/FI4153910T3/en active
- 2020-05-22 WO PCT/NO2020/050135 patent/WO2021235938A1/en unknown
- 2020-05-22 EP EP20744162.7A patent/EP4153910B1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK4153910T3 (en) | 2024-02-26 |
CN115667797A (en) | 2023-01-31 |
WO2021235938A1 (en) | 2021-11-25 |
FI4153910T3 (en) | 2024-02-22 |
EP4153910A1 (en) | 2023-03-29 |
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