Dry steam generator to minimize liquid holdup

摘要

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for dry steam generation. A manifold assembly with passages delivers liquid from the liquid source to a liquid reservoir secured to the manifold assembly. Such a liquid holding container includes a filling tube connected to a passage of a manifold assembly, and a leaching chamber having a steam outlet and a steam inlet having a cross section smaller than that of the liquid holding container. The heater heats the liquid in the liquid holding vessel to generate steam entering the leaching chamber through the steam inlet. As the steam moves through the leaching chamber, droplets are leached out of the vapor and dry steam leaves the liquid holding vessel through the steam outlet of the leaching chamber. A more detailed embodiment of the present invention includes a second leaching chamber located above the first leaching chamber in the liquid holding vessel. This second leaching chamber is for further leaching the droplets in the water vapor. In the method for providing dry steam of the present invention, a liquid is supplied to a liquid holding container having a filling tube connected to a passage of the manifold assembly through the manifold assembly having a passage. The liquid in the liquid holding vessel is heated to produce steam. Steam is delivered to the leaching chamber located in the liquid holding vessel through a steam inlet having a smaller cross section than that of the liquid holding vessel. As the velocity of the steam decreases, droplets are leached from this steam. These droplets are recovered to the bottom of the liquid holding vessel and dry steam is conveyed from the leaching chamber.