Care Instructions for the Steam Generator (Device with Electrode)
General Description:
The steam generator of “Thermarium” Baeder-Bau uses the electrical conductivity, which is normally available, in supply water for the steam production. The electrodes in a closed steam cylinder are immerged directly into the supply water. The electrodes will be connected to alternating voltage. The supplied electrical energy will be transferred directly and loss-free into heat. The current results from the surrounding voltage of the immerged electrode areas, the mean electrode distance, and the conductivity of the water. The steam production of the humidifiers depends on the amount of the absorbed electrical energy; the power control is made through the modification of the electrode immersion depth. The conductance will be maintained parallel in a specific range with a self-regulating control. The produced steam has a temperature of approximately 100 °C with only a slight overpressure (“pressure-less” steam). It is free of minerals and almost sterile. Most of the hardness components remain in the cylinder.
The steam generator of “Thermarium” Baeder-Bau GmbH is maintenance-free; although operational disturbances may occur due to insufficient or incorrect maintenance. Regular maintenances are necessary for a long service life of the machine.
• Only qualified and authorized personnel may maintain the machine.
• Pay attention to the safety instructions.
• Turn off the machine before carrying out maintenance works and safeguard to prevent unintentional restart.
• Qualified personnel may inspect the machine after the maintenance works for its operational safety.
The operating performance and the maintenance periods do mainly depend on the provided water quality (carbonate hardness, conductivity) and the meanwhile produced amount of steam. Differing water quality may shorten or extend the period of maintenance. The residues in the steam cylinder may give information about future maintenance periods.
The latest point in time for the cylinder maintenance is indicated by simultaneous flashing of the red and green LED on the display and the display of the message “Service” respectively. The machine will be shut off automatically at the same time.
Products:
Descaler solution (Cleaner) order number: 06328
Elutriation pump C06 to C58 order number: 05808
Set of electrodes C06 order number: 05813
Set of electrodes C10 order number: 00090
Set of electrodes C17 order number:04409
Set of electrodes C30 to C45 order number:00089
O-ring set C06 order number: 09888
O-ring set C10 order number: 09889
O-ring set C17 order number: 09884
O-ring set C22 to C30 order number: 13608
O-ring set C45 order number: 09886
Solenoid valve C06 order number: 06270
Solenoid valve C10 order number: 05516
Solenoid valve C17 to C58 order number: 05809
Cleaning:
Mineral deposits precipitate and crystallize very differently in different types of water, even when two types have the same conductivity and hardness levels (the various constituents in the water interact differently). Instructions on maintenance and cleaning intervals, or on electrode service life, are based entirely on empirical data.
A visual inspection of the electrical and mechanical connections has to be carried out the latest four weeks after the initial operation (with normal water quality); visual inspection of the level control and the inside of the steam cylinder. The hardness components in the steam cylinder, the water drain hose, and the elutriation pump may also be removed. The electrodes may be checked for their combustion at the same time.
It is absolutely necessary that a half-yearly (normal water quality and normal operation 8h/day) visual inspection of the electrical and mechanical connections is carried out. A visual inspection of the level control, the heaters/thermo controller, the inside of the steam cylinder and if necessary a cleaning of the steam cylinder and thermo controller may also be carried out. The hardness components in the steam cylinder, the water drain hose, and the elutriation pump may also be removed. The electrodes may be checked for their combustion at the same time and replaced if necessary (replacement if the electrode is burned down to 1/3 of its original length).
Dismantling and Cleaning of the Steam Cylinder:
• Close the water supply
• Turn the control switch to position II and turn off the machine after draining the cylinder.
• De-energize the machine (main switch position 0), safeguard to prevent unintentional restart (remove main fuse and control fuse F1), and open the cover afterwards.
• Check if it is de-energized.
• Remove the cap from the drain hose.
• Drain the residual water from the cylinder.
• Check the cylinder warmth and remove the clip from the steam hose adapter.
• Put the clip outside the casing on the adapter.
• Push the steam cylinder out of the outrigger, take-off the connection cable and remove the cylinder.
• Loosen the clamps of the cylinder partition, separate the steam cylinder and remove the old o-ring. Clean the inside of the cylinder. No acids or other chemicals may be used for the cleaning. The cylinder filter may also be cleaned.
• Check the inside of the upper cylinder part for encrustations and eventual electrical bridgings (black depressions between the electrode feedthroughs) have to be removed by washing.
• The upper part has to be exchanged if electrical bridges diffused deeply into the material.
• The sensor electrode may be metallic bright.
• Insert the new or-ring, assemble the two cylinder halves, and connect with the clamps. Please make sure that the plates and reinforcements of the upper and lower cylinder part are on top of each other.
• All old o-rings on the cylinder outside have to be removed and replaced by new ones.
• All connection cables may be connected again and the cylinder may be inserted vertically into the outrigger. The plugs may be connected with the correct electrodes (pay attention to the colour of the knurled nut). The plugs have to be tight on the electrode pins and pushed on as far as they will go.
• Put the steam hose adapter on the cylinder and fasten it with the clip.
• Turn on the main fuse again and open the water supply.
• Turn on the machine and check the leak tightness after 15-30 minutes of operation.
• Close the cover of the steam generator.Exchange of the Electrodes:
• Dismantle the cylinder and open it (see “Dismantling and Cleaning of the Steam Cylinder“)
• Loosen the knurled nuts and remove the electrodes.
• Insert the new electrodes and tighten the knurled nuts manually.
• Replace the o-ring (flange, outrigger, and steam hose adapter) with a solvent-free product. Assemble the cylinder and install it.
• Put the electrode plugs directly on the electrodes (knurled nut grey, red, and black). The knurled nuts do not need to be loosened! The plugs have to be tight on the electrode pins and pushed on as far as they will go. Pay attention to the colour of the knurled nuts.
• Connect the plugs with the sensor electrodes (knurled nut – grey) and turn on the fuses again.
• Turn on the machine and check the leak tightness after 15-30 minutes of operation.Cleaning of the Inlet Solenoid Valve:
• Close the water supply, loose the screwing of the water supply hose and dismantle the cylinder (see “Dismantling and Cleaning of the Steam Cylinder“)
• Remove the connection hose from the outrigger and remove the electric cable from the solenoid valve.
• Loosen the fastening screws of the solenoid valve and remove the solenoid valve from the drilling.
• Take the fine filter out of the solenoid valve, clean it and replace it if necessary. Put the fine filter back in again afterwards.
• Insert the solenoid valve with the sealing into the drilling of the casing and tighten it.
• Turn on the water supply.
• Connect the electric cable with the solenoid valve.
• Connect the connection hose with the outrigger.
• Assemble the cylinder and open the water supply.
• Turn on the machine and check the leak tightness after 15-30 minutes of operation.Cleaning of the Elutriation Pump:
• Dismantle the cylinder (see dismantling of the steam cylinder) and remove the electric cables from the pump.
• Remove the adapter from the pump.
• Loosen the screws and remove the pump from the outrigger.
• Open the pump (bayonet closing).
• Remove the residues in the drain hoses and pump (eventually replace o-ring (33) and the casing respectively if the parts are not fit for service anymore).
• Assemble the pump.
• Dampen the o-ring and put it into the fitting on the side of the outrigger.
• Push the pump into the outrigger and tighten the screws.
• Dampen the o-ring and insert the adapter.
• Push the adapter through the fitting on the side.
• Connect the electric cable and the pump and assemble the cylinder.
• Turn on the machine and check the leak tightness after 15-30 minutes of operation.
Product Care:
Following points may be considered for the general product care:
• Check all cable-screwings and plug-in cable connections for its tight fit. All plugs have to have a tight fit. Loose cable connections cause a higher transfer resistance and overheating of the contact area.
• Check the insulation of the electrode plugs and replace the plugs if necessary. The electrodes should be replaced after repeated dismantling and assembly.
• Check the safety system.
• Check the hose connections for eventual leakages.
Time Interval:
The first clean may take place the latest four weeks after the initial operation. The following cleaning depends on the water quality and the time of operation, but may take place not later than twice a year.
The product care should be carried out every week.
Safety related Details:
Please pay attention to the detailed instructions on the package of the used product. The operating instructions of the respective machine have to be followed.
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