What Is a Steam Generator?
A steam generator is a device that produces steam by heating water. There are two types of steam generators: one uses electricity to heat water to produce steam, and the other uses heat generated by a turbine or combustion furnace, if available, to heat water to produce steam. There are two types of methods that use electricity to obtain steam: electrode and electric heating. Also, there are devices that generate super-heated steam by further heating saturated steam and heated steam is used as a power source for steam engines and power generation, as well as for sterilization and drying.
Uses of Steam Generators
Steam generators are used in food production plants, ceramic product manufacturing plants, chemical product manufacturing plants, and medical equipment manufacturing sites. The main examples of use are heating and sterilization of food products, heating of ceramic and chemical products, and sterilization of powerful equipment using steam generated from steam generators. When selecting a steam generator, it is necessary to consider the amount of steam to be generated, steam pressure, type of steam to be generated, steam temperature, power consumption, size, and ease of maintenance.
Principle of Steam Generators
The steam generator consists of a feed water section, a steam generator section, and a steam discharge section. The steam generating section can be classified into electrode type, electric heating type, and external heat supply type, depending on the generation method. The principle of operation of each is explained below.
- Electrode Type
Consists of a container containing water and two electrodes. The water used should not be distilled water, but water that contains impurities. In operation, when voltage is applied to each of the electrodes, energy is generated by the movement of impurities, and this energy causes the water to evaporate, resulting in vapor. Depending on the type of water used, salt may adhere to the electrodes. - Electrothermal Type
The electrothermal type consists of an electric heating rod connected to a power source and a container containing water. During operation, the electric heating rod generates heat when electricity is applied to it, and the water is evaporated by the heat generated to produce steam. - External Heat Supply Type
At plants with gas turbines, steam turbines, fuel furnaces, etc., the heat generated by these turbines is recovered to heat water to produce steam. If the heat from external sources is not sufficient to generate steam, additional heating or other means are used.