An apparatus for managing water levels in a boiler of a coffee machine is provided. The boiler is connected to a control circuit and includes a first probe arranged, in use, to measure a first water level and at least a second probe arranged to measure a second water level, or working level of the apparatus, higher than the first level. apparatus is arranged to supply steam or hot water through respective ducts connected to the boiler and controlled by respective valves. The first probe is configured for measuring a draining level of the boiler on the basis of draining commands generated by the control circuit and for automatically enabling water replacement in the boiler.

A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein, a first heating portion which heats water stored in the water storage chamber to generate steam, a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water, a controller, a steam spout port which ejects steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough, and a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, wherein a water level in the water storage chamber is calculated depending on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, and wherein at the time of steam generation, the controller is configured to perform a water supply control of the water supply device based on the calculated water level such that a water volume from the first heating portion to a water surface is smaller than a water volume from the first heating portion to the bottom surface of the water storage chamber.

A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein, a first heating portion which heats water stored in the water storage chamber to generate steam, a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water, a controller, a steam spout port which ejects steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough, and a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, wherein a water level in the water storage chamber is calculated depending on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, and wherein at the time of steam generation, the controller is configured to perform a water supply control of the water supply device based on the calculated water level such that a water volume from the first heating portion to a water surface is smaller than a water volume from the first heating portion to the bottom surface of the water storage chamber.

Systems and methods for providing override control for a feedwater pump recirculation valve are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive one or more measurements associated with pump motor power driving feedwater pump flow. The feedwater pump recirculation valve may be configured to maintain a predetermined minimum recirculation flow through the feedwater pump by regulating recirculation pump flow through a recirculation line. The processor may be also configured to calculate, based at least in part on the one or more measurements, the recirculation pump flow, and compare the recirculation pump flow to the predetermined minimum recirculation flow. Based at least in part on the comparing, the processor may selectively provide an override control signal to the feedwater pump recirculation valve to selectively modify the recirculation pump flow.

Systems and methods for providing override control for a feedwater pump recirculation valve are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive one or more measurements associated with pump motor power driving feedwater pump flow. The feedwater pump recirculation valve may be configured to maintain a predetermined minimum recirculation flow through the feedwater pump by regulating recirculation pump flow through a recirculation line. The processor may be also configured to calculate, based at least in part on the one or more measurements, the recirculation pump flow, and compare the recirculation pump flow to the predetermined minimum recirculation flow. Based at least in part on the comparing, the processor may selectively provide an override control signal to the feedwater pump recirculation valve to selectively modify the recirculation pump flow.

It is provided a method for level regulation of feed water in a chamber of a steam sterilizer or in a steam generator with a chamber of a steam sterilizer connected therewith wherein the feed water is heated by means of a heating element and steam thereby is generated for the chamber. A temperature change rate of the heating element is determined and refeeding with feed water is effected in dependence on the determined temperature change rate of the heating element.

It is provided a method for level regulation of feed water in a chamber of a steam sterilizer or in a steam generator with a chamber of a steam sterilizer connected therewith wherein the feed water is heated by means of a heating element and steam thereby is generated for the chamber. A temperature change rate of the heating element is determined and refeeding with feed water is effected in dependence on the determined temperature change rate of the heating element.

A water heater includes a water tank and a flow-through heating element. The water tank contains heated water. The flow-through heating element is located in the lower portion of the water tank and heats water as water is passed through an interior channel of the heating element. In another configuration, the water heater further includes a recirculation line and the heating element further includes an input end external of the water tank to receive water to be heated and an output end to output heated water into the water tank. The recirculation line transports water from the water tank to the input end of the heating element that is external of the water tank.

The steam boiler system comprises a steam boiler comprising a burner and a chimney for exhausting flue gases, a feedwater line for leading feedwater to said steam boiler for producing steam, a steam line leading from said steam boiler to at least one application heat exchanger for feeding steam to said application heat exchanger, said application heat exchanger for heating an application fluid, and a condensate line leading away from said application heat exchanger for recuperating condensate from said application heat exchanger. An economizer heat exchanger is provided in said chimney, wherein at least one of said condensate return line and said feedwater line circulates through said economizer heat exchanger for allowing at least one of said condensate and said feedwater to be in heat exchange relationship with the flue gases for simultaneously cooling the flue gases while heating at least one of the condensate and the feedwater.

The steam boiler system comprises a steam boiler comprising a burner and a chimney for exhausting flue gases, a feedwater line for leading feedwater to said steam boiler for producing steam, a steam line leading from said steam boiler to at least one application heat exchanger for feeding steam to said application heat exchanger, said application heat exchanger for heating an application fluid, and a condensate line leading away from said application heat exchanger for recuperating condensate from said application heat exchanger. An economizer heat exchanger is provided in said chimney, wherein at least one of said condensate return line and said feedwater line circulates through said economizer heat exchanger for allowing at least one of said condensate and said feedwater to be in heat exchange relationship with the flue gases for simultaneously cooling the flue gases while heating at least one of the condensate and the feedwater.