Steam dispersion system

Abstract

A steam dispersion system includes a header defining a first end and a second end, a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending upwardly from the header, a condensate drain outlet located at the first end, a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the pipe defining a length extending in a direction generally from the first end to the second end, the pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located at the first end and a main steam outlet that is within the header. The hollow pipe is configured to receive steam flowing in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet. The pipe may define a plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam flowing through the pipe to enter the header for distribution through the dispersion tubes. A steam re-direction structure directs steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A humidification steam dispersion system comprising:
 a steam header defining a first end and a second end;   a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending from the header;   a condensate drain outlet located at the first end of the header;   a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length extending within the header in a direction generally from the first end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet, the hollow pipe defining a plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam that is flowing through the hollow pipe to enter the header for distribution through the steam dispersion tubes; and   a steam re-direction structure configured to direct steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.   
     
     
         2 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the steam re-direction structure is defined by a bent portion of the hollow pipe that directs steam flow toward the first end of the header. 
     
     
         3 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 2 , wherein the bent portion of the hollow pipe defines a U-shaped bend that is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 3 , wherein the bent portion defines a 180-degree bend that comprises two 90-degree bends of the hollow pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein the steam re-direction structure includes at least one deflection plate configured to deflect the steam flow exiting the main steam outlet toward the first end of the header. 
     
     
         6 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one deflection plate is located outside of the hollow pipe and inside the header. 
     
     
         7 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 5 , wherein the main steam outlet is located at an end of the hollow pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 5 , wherein the main steam outlet is located at an intermediate position along the length of the hollow pipe with an end of the hollow pipe defining a sealed end. 
     
     
         9 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one deflection plate is located within the hollow pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 1 , wherein each steam dispersion tube defines a plurality of steam exit points. 
     
     
         11 . A humidification steam dispersion system comprising:
 a steam header defining a first end, a second end, and a steam exit point for supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere;   a condensate drain outlet located at the first end of the header;   a hollow pipe positioned within the header, the hollow pipe defining a length extending within the header in a direction generally from the first end to the second end, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet located at the first end of the header and a main steam outlet within the header, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows in from the main steam inlet toward the main steam outlet; and   a steam re-direction structure configured to direct steam flow leaving through the main steam outlet back toward the first end of the header.   
     
     
         12 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 11 , wherein the steam exit point is defined by at least one steam dispersion tube extending from the header. 
     
     
         13 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one steam dispersion tube includes a plurality of steam dispersion tubes extending upwardly from the header, each steam dispersion tube defining a plurality of steam dispersion openings. 
     
     
         14 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 13 , wherein the hollow pipe defines a plurality of orifices along the length thereof for allowing steam that is flowing through the hollow pipe to enter the header for distribution through the steam dispersion tubes. 
     
     
         15 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 11 , wherein the steam re-direction structure is defined by a bent portion of the hollow pipe that directs steam flow toward the first end of the header. 
     
     
         16 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 15 , wherein the bent portion of the hollow pipe defines a U-shaped bend that is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 11 , wherein the steam re-direction structure includes at least one deflection plate configured to deflect the steam flow exiting the main steam outlet toward the first end of the header. 
     
     
         18 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one deflection plate is located outside of the hollow pipe and inside the header. 
     
     
         19 . The humidification steam dispersion system of  claim 17 , wherein the main steam outlet is located at an intermediate position along the length of the hollow pipe with an end of the hollow pipe defining a sealed end, and wherein the at least one deflection plate is located within the hollow pipe. 
     
     
         20 . A humidification steam dispersion system comprising:
 a steam header defining an interior and a steam exit point communicating with the interior for supplying humidification steam to the atmosphere; and   a hollow pipe positioned within the header interior, the hollow pipe defining a main humidification steam inlet and a main steam outlet, wherein the hollow pipe is configured to receive steam that flows through the pipe by entering the pipe through the main steam inlet and exiting the pipe through the main steam outlet into the header interior, wherein the main steam inlet and the main steam outlet face in the same direction.