Press Release

Press Release

Development of Hybrid SHS: a Hybrid Superheated Steam Generator Combining Electricity and Gas ~ Offers Both Reduced Power Consumption and Accurate Temperature Control ~

September 02, 2015
Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd
Naomoto Corporation

Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (President and Director: Satoru Katsuno; Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd (Representative Director, President: Michiaki Hirose; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), and Naomoto Corporation (President and Director: Yukio Naomoto; Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture ) jointly developed a hybrid superheated steam generator (product name: Hybrid SHS) that harnesses the features of electricity and gas alike, both of which are employed in heating or drying processes at factory production lines.

The developed product will be integrated into ovens and other industrial heating systems for food and auto factories, and is scheduled for launch from Naomoto Corporation in November 2015.

Superheated steam is high-temperature steam that exceeds 100°C. It allows quick heating of metal or non-metal, including resin and ceramics, and offers flavor-enhancing benefits by enclosing the savor of food under oxygen-less conditions while cooking. Given these features, an increasing use of superheated steam is seen in factories and household ovens.

Industrial-use superheated steam generators are primarily composed of electricity and gas combustion types. While electricity-driven generators provide accurate temperature control, the downside is its high rate of power consumption. Gas combustion types, meanwhile, can offer low running costs, but its low controllability of temperatures is its disadvantage.

By drawing on the fine temperature controllability of electricity and the highly efficient heating capabilities of gas combustion, the developed product embraced a hybrid scheme to enable both reduced power consumption and accurate temperature control; a balance that was previously difficult to achieve.

Key features of the hybrid superheated steam generator combining electricity and gas

(1) Reduced power consumption
With the combined use of a gas burner and electric heater, the product can reduce power consumption.

(2) Excellent temperature controllability
By optimizing the distribution ratio between electricity and gas loads, the product limits power consumption and enables a thoroughly accurate temperature control to within 5°C of the set temperature (max. 400°C).

(3) Enhanced energy-saving effectiveness
The product enables some 35% cutback of primary energy consumption compared to electric-driven superheated steam generators.

(4) Reduced size
With its small-sized design, the product allows easier integration into ovens and dehydrators.

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