Steam tank efficiency (small size)

[enzo2015]

Hi,
I'm wondering if there is a better more efficient shape to tank design for producing steam? I would like to make a tank that is 3 to 3.5 liters in size with a heating element in the 1000 to 1200 watt range. I need this to be able to steam at close to full for about 8 to 10 seconds, and recover the steam power to do it again in about 20 seconds. Would a smaller tank than the 3 to 3.5 liters be better for this type of use? Also, I need this to run off 110 volt household circuit, hence the low wattage. Any ideas?
Thanks.....

 

[TD2K]

What type of a vessel are you using to boil the water in and how is it protected against overpressure (I have all sorts of warning bells going off here)?

 

[enzo2015]

I guess I should go a little more into detail about this. The pressure vessel is stainless steel 12 Ga.

See link(you have to scroll down to see entire photo) for photo of pressure relief, vacuum breaker, manual reset switch:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/ERmd/Steamtank.jpg

I should say, I already have a larger system working very well on a 220volt system, but really need one a bit smaller to work on house current (US) 110 volt. With the 220volt system it has no problem because of the larger heating elements, I just don't know if there is a more efficient shape, or something else I may not know of. Thanks....

 

[enzo2015]

One more detail:
the temperature in the tank will be from 250F to 260F for a steam pressure of 15 to 25 psi controlled by p.i.d.
Did I forget any other details?

 

[kenvlach]

I was very impressed with the portable steam cleaners at a trade show a few years back. Tankless designs eliminate a lot of weight, safety devices, costs, etc. Of course, need a tank for autoclaves.

Don't fully understand your application, but suggest a 3-3.5 L tank is too large. Examine what competitors are doing. I see some claims for instantaneous (tankless) heaters for 40 minutes of continuous steam with a 1500 watt heater. Of course, the steam quantity isn't advertised.
Probably 1500 watts is the max. allowable load for UL-listing for household use (15 Amp circuits at 120 VAC), but check with electrical people.

Lowest price portable steam cleaners:

http://www.nextag.com/portable-steam-cleaners/search-html

This site looks like it has the full range, from cheapo to professional, with a bit more info than most:

http://www.vaporcleanproducts.com/

Some professional units for jewelers:

http://www.kassoy.com/clean001.htm

Sterilizers and autoclaves:

http://www.sterilizers.com/

Of course, you can outsource:

http://yiqing.en.alibaba.com/