Efficient Laser Steam Generation for High Pressure Vessels: Expert Suggestions

[Chippit]

I am working on a new concept design and would like some suggestions on which Lasers(s) would be most appropriate for heating a high pressure vessel for producing steam. The concept requires very quick steam generation but heat can not be excessive enough to harm the vessel being heated. As a starting point, 115 degrees C should be sufficient. My concept calls for a number of lasers used in a concentric sprial application.
Any Thoughts?

 

[berkeman]

I am working on a new concept design and would like some suggestions on which Lasers(s) would be most appropriate for heating a high pressure vessel for producing steam. The concept requires very quick steam generation but heat can not be excessive enough to harm the vessel being heated. As a starting point, 115 degrees C should be sufficient. My concept calls for a number of lasers used in a concentric sprial application.
Any Thoughts?

Welcome to the PF.

That's an extremely inefficient way to heat a vessel. Can you say why you want to use lasers instead of just using nichrome wire?

 

[tygerdawg]

I concur. Heat by laser is not very efficient. Current solid state lasers are much better than other technologies used in the past. But still, multi-kilowatt lasers sufficient for any kind of significant heating will require a lot of input energy...most of which goes up in waste heat. What size vessel? Lasers typically only achieve sufficient power density (watt/cm^2) to do useful thermal work when focused to a small spot. And THAT is one of the primary useful features of lasers: focusing to a small spot.

 

[SteamKing]

Current boiler technology is about 88% efficient in transferring the heat of combustion into turning water into superheated steam. It's not clear how quick 'very quick' is for the OP's application. Also, you don't necessarily want to heat the pressure vessel to generate the steam: you want to heat the water inside the PV.

 

[alphy]

I would suggest considering using a fiber laser for this application. Fiber lasers have high power and can be easily focused to a small spot, making them efficient for heating a specific area quickly. Additionally, they have a high repetition rate, allowing for rapid heating and steam generation.

In terms of the laser parameters, I would recommend using a continuous wave (CW) fiber laser with a wavelength in the near-infrared range, such as 1064 nm. This wavelength is known for its efficient absorption in water, which is the main component of steam. It also has low absorption in most materials, reducing the risk of damaging the vessel.

To further control the heat and prevent excessive heating, you could consider using a pulsed mode of the laser. This would allow for precise control of the heating process and avoid overheating the vessel.

In terms of the concentric spiral application, it would be important to carefully design the positioning and spacing of the lasers to ensure uniform heating and steam generation. Computational modeling and simulations can be helpful in optimizing this setup.

Overall, using a high-power fiber laser with a near-infrared wavelength and precise control of the pulse mode would be my recommendation for efficient laser steam generation in high pressure vessels. I would also suggest conducting thorough testing and safety measures to ensure the vessel is not harmed during the process.