Page 10
4. Functional Description and
Device Composition
4.1 Mode of Action
The immersion heater principle
Depending on the output rating, up to six
heater elements are arranged within a closed
cylinder. Examplary given, the figure below
shows the heater element and other main
components of a FlexLine steam generator
model.
The cylinder(s) are filled with either tap water
of varying quality, fully desalinated water or
partially softened water. The heat introduced
by the heater element(s) heats up the cylin-
derwater to approx. 212 °F, transforming the
water into steam with a temperature of
approx. 212 °F and very little positive pres-
sure (so called pressureless steam). This
steam is virtually mineral-free and germ-free.
When fully desalinated water is used, the cy-
linder water is almost totally clear of minerals.
This situation guarantees a long lifetime of
the cylinder(s) and the heater element(s),
since virtually no hardeners will fall-out and
no mineral deposits will occur. Such, the
number of inspections and/or maintenance
operations required will be reduced to a mini-
mum.
When tap water is used for operation, some
of the minerals dissolved in the water are
likely to settle in the cylinder in form of solids
of various compositions. However, most of
the solids are flushed out by cyclic blow-down
with the help of a heavy-duty blow-down
pump.
Wastewater outlet
Steam exit
Steam hose adapter
Thermo switch
Steam cylinder
Level control
Control switch
Cable bushing
Blow-down pump
Main contactor
Solid state relay
on heat sink
Connector for
heater element
wiring
Mainboard
(Control)
display
Solenoid valve
Water inlet
Control panel/
Cylinder base
Heater element
Capillary tube
(aligned with
heater element)
