Year: 1889

page_text: I, FRANCIS JULIUS CLAMER, Chemist and Metallurgist, of Philadelphia, in the
County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to means for cleaning and removing what is technically
known as "boiler scale" from steam boilors and generators and for preventing the
formation of such scale theroin.
In an application filed on even date herewith I have described and claimed a
metallic compound consisting of zinc and phosphorus for the same purpose in other
conditions of water.
The present invention contemplates the combination with said compound of a
third element or ingredient-to wit: copper, which I introduce in waters strongly
impregnated with acids or alkalies or both. A piece of such compound (zinc,
phosphorus and copper) placed in the water in or to be fed into a steam-boiler will
entirely prevent the formation of scale, will neutralize and destroy the hydrogen
gases, and will dissolve and break up the scale previously formed, thus restoring an
incrusted boiler to its original state of cleanness and purity."
I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to any particular manner of
applying or using the same, as its good effects will be produced irrespectively of the
manner in which the compound is employed; but I prefer to suspend the compound
in the water of the boiler, generator, or preliminary heating device and it will be also
understood that the compound produces its effects whether placed in the water in the
boiler or generator directly, or in a preliminary heating device for water to be fed
into the boiler or generator; and I prefer to use some conducting metal for a
suspending means for the compound when it is suspended, as, for instance and by
preference, copper wire or other copper connection; and when the compound is
suspended in a net, basket or bag, as may be done to utilize broken pieces, &c., I
prefer to form the basket of copper wire.
The composition may be formed into any convenient shape, as for instance, a plate
or mass, and I prefer to perforate, indent or serrate the said plate or mass to increase
its effective or exposed surface.
The accompanying drawings illustrate what I consider a good means for carrying
my invention into practice.
Figure 1 is a section of a boiler with the composition suspended, and also placed
upon the boiler iron. Figure 2 is a section of a feed water heater applied to a boiler

page_text: with the composition in it. Figure 3 is a face view of a plate having perforations,
serrations, &c., to expose a greater superficial area of the composition.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A is a boiler, generator or heater, and B the metallic compound which I place
therein. This compound, being zinc, phosphorus and copper, may be made in the
form of a plate or mass, as shown at the left hand in figure 1, and figure 3, perforated,
indented or serrated in order to increase its exposed area, as shown at 6; or it may
be in the plain form of a mass or plate, or in broken pieces, as shown in the basket,
bag or net to the right hand of figure 1; and in whatever shape the compound is
formed it may be applied either by suspending it or placing it directly upon the
boiler iron, both of which methods are shown in figure 1; or it may be placed in
the water of the boiler, generator, or heater in any other way that is convenient, as
upon the tubes or elsewhere. I prefer, however. to suspend it because the results are
better when suspended; and when suspended a conducting wire or connection, C, is
employed, preferably copper, which is attached to the tubes; braces or other parts of
the boiler above; and when the perforated plate is employed the wire will be inter-
laced in the openings b, as shown, and when the basket, net or bag is used this is
preferably made of the same conducting substance as wire C.
With the copper wire to suspend the part B, I believe it practicable to dispense
with copper as an element in the plate, but it will be found preferable, I think, to
have the compound itself contain all these elements.
It will be understood that the number of plates or parts B may be varied according
to the requirements of different sized boilers or generators. In boilers where suffi-
cient extent of surface may be had upon one plato or mass, one plate may be found
more convenient than a larger number. In larger boilers where more than one plate
is necessary, I prefer to place the plates at regular intervals therein, so that their effect
is more thoroughly diffused over the boiler. The composite metal (zinc, phosphorus,
and copper) suspended in the water of a boiler, generator, or feed water heater
creates a galvanic current in the water, which cleanses it from all scale-producing
elements, separating the acids from the alkalies and preventing the formation of scale
from these causes, and from the production of hydrogen gases, which the presence of
the copper destroys, and also loosens and dissolves the already deposited scale, thus
completely cleansing the boiler or generator and restoring it to usefulness and
prolonging its life, the phosphorus acting as a deoxidizing metalloid in this composi-
tion, as it does where it is combined with zinc alone.
For ordinary water I have found that the composite metal may be made of about
the following proportions: sixteen (16) parts zinc, one (1) part phosphorus, and
one (1) part copper; but it will be understood that these proportions can be variod
to any extent required by the character of the water.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.
1. A composite metal for preventing the formation of scale in and removing scale
from steam-boilers and generators, consisting of zinc, phosphorus and copper.
2. A plate or mass of zinc, phosphorus and copper, perforated, indented, or serrated
for use in water in and to be fed into steam-boilers and generators, as and for the
purpose described.
1000