US 8,506,662 B2 · Proactive steam and mist removal system

Abstract

A proactive steam and mist removal apparatus is employed along a point of application of a rewet or steam shower system to remove excess steam and water droplets to prevent damage to machinery and products. The apparatus includes an internal chamber equipped with cooled baffles that promote condensation and a condensate collection mechanism. A vacuum source draws a stream of ambient steam and water droplets from the environment along a path into the chamber and a projected gas stream directs the stream into the chamber wherein at least a portion of the ambient steam condenses into condensate. The remaining portion of ambient steam is separated into water and cold air that is recycled as the projected gas. Steam and moisture that escape capture into the internal chamber are heated by a hot air blower that raises their relatively humidity so that the dried air dissipates harmlessly into the atmosphere.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for removing ambient steam and water droplets from the environment that comprises:

a. a housing defining a chamber comprising contact surfaces that promote condensation;
b. a vacuum source that draws ambient steam and water droplets from the environment along a path into the chamber;
c. a source of as that projects a stream of gas along the path of ambient steam and water droplets to direct the ambient steam and water droplets into the chamber wherein at least a portion of the ambient steam condenses into condensate and wherein the remaining portion of the ambient steam is directed into a separation means for separating the remaining portion of ambient steam into a liquid component comprising water and a gaseous component;
and
d. at least one header thorough which the gaseous component is recycled to form at least a portion of the stream of gas that is projected from the source of gas along the path of ambient steam and water droplets.

2 more elements

An apparatus for removing ambient steam and water droplets from the environment that comprises:

a. a housing defining a chamber comprising contact surfaces that promote condensation;
b. a vacuum source that draws ambient steam and water droplets from the environment along a path into the chamber;
c. a source of gas that projects a stream of gas along the path of ambient steam and water droplets to direct the ambient steam and water droplets into the chamber wherein at least a portion of the ambient steam condenses into condensate and wherein the remaining portion of the ambient steam is directed into a separation means for separating the remaining portion of ambient steam into a liquid component comprising water and a gaseous component;
d. means for cooling the contact surfaces including a source of fluid that delivers cold fluid to the contact surfaces;
and
e. at least one header thorough which the gaseous component is recycled to form the stream of gas that is projected front the source of gas along the path of ambient steam and water droplets wherein the stream of gas consists entirely of recycled gas that is derived from the gas component.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Proactive steam and mist removal system

Life of this patent

Proactive steam and mist removal system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20