STEAM GENERATOR WITH HEAT PIPE HEAT EXCHANGER

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP A FIELD STEAM GENERATOR CAPABLE OF USING ANY UNTREATED WATER. THE PROPOSED CONCEPT UTILIZES HEAT PIPES AS INTERMEDIATE HEAT TRANSFER ELEMENTS BETWEEN THE BURNER AND THE BOILER SECTIONS. THE INCORPORATION OF HEAT PIPES CONVERTS THE STEAM GENERATOR FROM A "WATER TUBE" TO A "FIRE TUBE" BOILER. STEAM LOCOMOTIVES HAVE USED THIS DESIGN FOR OVER A CENTURY WITHOUT REQUIRING A TREATED WATER SUPPLY. THE HEAT PIPES WOULD BE FABRICATED FROM STAINLESS STEEL AND USE WATER AS THE WORKING FLUID. THE EVAPORATOR SECTIONS OF THE HEAT PIPE ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE BURNER COMPARTMENT; THE CONDENSERS ARE IMMERSED IN THE BOILER SECTION OF THE STEAM GENERATOR. BOILING AND STEAM GENERATION OCCURS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HEAT PIPES WHICH REDUCES THE TENDENCY OF BUILD-UP OF DEPOSITS. SINCE THE PIPES HAVE SMOOTH WALLS ANY DEPOSITS CAN BE REMOVED BY PERIODIC MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS. DURING THE PROPOSED PROJECT SEVERAL CONFIGURATIONS OF HEAT PIPE STEAM GENERATORS WILL BE STUDIES. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND DESIGN STUDIES WILL BE CONDUCTED AND CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT ITEMS IDENTIFIED. TYPICAL HEAT PIPES WILL BE TESTED UNDER CONDITIONS WHICH SIMULATE THOSE OF A STEAM GENERATOR. THE FINAL OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO FABRICATE AND TEST A FUNCTIONAL MODEL, EITHER A COMPLETE SUBSCALE UNIT OR A REPRESENTATIVE SECTION OF A FULL SCALE STEAM GENERATOR.