Improvements in Apparatus for Heating and Purifying Water.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Heating and Purifying Water.
I, HENRY WHITE BOWDEN, of 25, Langham Mansions, Earl's Court, London,
S.W., Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to an improved construction of that kind of
apparatus wherein water flows from one vessel or compartment to another into
which there dip serrated or other plates whilst steam is caused to flow in a sub-
stantially reverse direction (or with live steam in the same direction) into the
water in said vessels or compartments so as to raise the temperature of the water
with as little back pressure as possible and cause deposit of calcareous and other
matters contained therein. Various forms of such apparatus are known.
In my apparatus the purifying compartments or chambers are annular pockets
in tiers with or without radial partitions and with annular or curved plates partly
serrated partly plain edged dipping into them the serrated portions of one being
radially opposite the plain portions of the plates next within and without it, and
water to be treated enters the central vessel of the top tier and flows over from
one vessel to another underneath the edge of the plate dipping into each such
vessel and finally into a purified water receptacle below which is fitted with an
outlet controlled by a cock or valve and has passing up through it an exhaust
steam inlet pipe (furnished with cock or valve and with grease overflow and water
drain) which pipe terminates in a central space that is surrounded by the lower
tier of purifying pockets an annular space being left between the exterior of the
exhaust steam pipe and the inner wall of the inner lower pocket and between
said pipe and a larger pipe or curtain that dips down to within a short distance
of the bottom of the purified water receptacle. In that receptacle is a float
connected to the valve or cock that controls the supply to the top tier of purifying
vessels of water to be treated. There are a spent steam outlet from and a live
steam inlet to the central or first vessel of the top series, each provided with a
suitable cock or valve. The cover of the top tier may resemble a hollow trun-
cated cone; so may the bottom of the bottom series-the bottom of the top series
and the top of the bottom series being flat and corresponding to the bases of
the cones.
The annular joints are so arranged that by breaking one joint all the top
pockets can be got at-and by lifting the central part of the apparatus comprising
the upper pockets and lower plates all the bottom pockets can be got at for
cleaning or other purposes; also the upper, part of the apparatus containing
all the purifying chambers or pockets can be readily lifted from so as to afford
access to the purified water receptacle. Each of the lower pockets is provided
with a plug or cock for draining away the water before cleaning.
An advantage of my above described improved construction is that the top
cover with its depending plates and the bottom set of purifying pockets may
be two identical castings: so also may be the top series of pockets and the cover
with dipping plates of the bottom series of pockets. The dipping plates (or

page_text: some of them) have their lower edges with portions that are serrated and alter-
nating portions that are plain and higher than the serrated portions thus consti-
tuting lips.
Thus the apparatus is simple, its various parts are easily accessible and it is
inexpensive to construct.
The details may be more or less modified to suit circumstances.
By admission of exhaust steam (which first enters the innermost pocket of
the bottom set) the temperature of the water is increased and as the flow of steam
continues the increase in temperature proceeds the water in one pocket after
another in succession being raised to the boiling point and steam passing from
pocket to pocket and finally away by the spent steam outlet.
By the construction and operation of apparatus such as described the steam
will be wholly or partially condensed before it reaches the top of the apparatus
where a partial vacuum will consequently obtain.
When live steam is used it will travel in the same direction as the water,
entering at the top and passing into the innermost pocket of the top set and
then continuing to pass from pocket to pocket downwards until it finally reaches
the purified water receptacle. In this way the water may be heated very
effectually and economically by live steam without waste. In the purified water
receptacle at the lower part of the apparatus and communicating with the part
thereof which is under steam pressure there is a low, pressure relief valve fixed
above the water line and provided with a bye pass cock from which a small jet
of steam may be allowed to flow periodically or continuously as desired for the
purpose of indicating whether the apparatus is working.
בד
.
1 1
1
T
1000
Improvements in Apparatus for Heating and Purifying Water.
I, HENRY WHITE BOWDEN, of 25, Langham Mansions, Earl's Court, London,
Engineer, 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 has reference to an improved construction of that kind of
apparatus wherein water flows from one vessel or compartment to another into
which there dip serrated or other plates, whilst steam is caused to flow into or
through the water in said vessels or compartments so as to raise the temperature
of the water with as little back pressure as possible and cause deposit of calcareous
and other matters contained therein. Various forms of such apparatus are known.
Referring to the accompanying illustrative drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional
elevation of one form of apparatus according to this invention. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8 are purifying compartments or chambers in the form of annular pockets
arranged in tiers and having annular or curved plates 1, 2, 3, 4ª, 6ª, 6ª, 7ª
and 8, whose edges are partly serrated and partly plain, dipping into them, the
serrated portions of each plate being radially opposite the plain portions of the
plates next within and without it.
The water to be treated enters the central vessel 8 of the top tier through a

page_text: pipe 9 controlled by a valve 10, and flows over from each pocket to the next,
underneath the edge of the plate which dips into each such pocket, and finally
into a purified water receptacle 11 below, which has an outlet 12 controlled by
a cock or valve 13. The receptacle 11 has passing up through it an exhaust
steam inlet pipe 14 furnished with cock or valve 15 and with grease overflow 16
and water drain 17. The pipe 14 terminates in a central space 18, which is
surrounded by the lower purifying pocket 1; an annular space being left between
the exterior of the exhaust steam pipe 14 and the inner wall of the said lower
pocket, and between said pipe and a larger pipe or curtain 19, that dips down
to within a short distance of the bottom of the purified water receptacle 11. The
pipe 14 is provided with a grease deflecting plate 14°, which tends to throw down
the grease, but should any grease find its way up the pipe 14, it will deposit on
the surface of the water, between the said pipe and the curtain 19, whence it can
be readily blown off through a suitable pipe and cock, not shown. In the recep-
tacle 11, is a float 20 connected in any suitable manner to the valve or cock 10
that controls the supply of water to be treated. 21 is a spent steam outlet from
the central pocket 8, and 22 is a live steam inlet thereto; the outlet 21 and the
inlet 22 are each provided with a suitable cock or valve, as shown. The top
cover 23 of the apparatus may resemble a hollow truncated cone and may have
the annular plates 5ª, 6, 7 and 8* formed in one therewith, as shown, and the
cover 24 of the receptacle 11 may be of similar shape, and formed with a series
of annular rims, which serve as the walls of the annular pockets 1, 2, 3 and 4,
when the said cover is arranged in the inverted position shown. The pockets 5, 6,
7, and 8 may be formed in one casting, comprising a flat plate with a series of
annular rims, as shown, said casting being connected, back to back, with another
similar casting formed with depending walls 1ª, 2, 3" and 4".
The annular joints 25, 25 and 25 are so arranged that by breaking the joint 25
the top pockets 5, 6, 7 and 8 can be got at, and the central part of the apparatus
comprising the upper pockets and lower dipping plates, which is normally sup-
ported in position by lugs formed upon it and resting on corresponding lugs upon
the next lower part of the apparatus can then be lifted so that the lower pockets
1, 2, 3 and can be got at, for cleaning or other purposes. Further, by breaking
the joint 25 the upper part of the apparatus, containing all the purifying
chambers or pockets 1 to 8 inclusive, can be readily lifted from the purified
water receptacle 11, so as to afford access to it. Each of the lower pockets may
be provided with a plug or cock (not shown) for draining away the water before
cleaning. The jointing surfaces are suitably packed, so as to prevent escape of
steam, and the several parts are preferably secured together by means of swing
bolts and nuts as shown.
Thus the apparatus is simple, its various parts are easily accessible, and it is
inexpensive to construct.
By admission of exhaust steam (which first enters the innermost lower pocket 1)
the temperature of the water is increased, and, as the flow of steam continues,
the increase in temperature proceeds, the water in one pocket after another in
succession being raised to the boiling point, and steam passing from pocket to
pocket and finally away by the spent steam outlet 21. By the construction and
operation of apparatus such as described, the steam will be wholly or partially
condensed before it reaches the top of the apparatus where a partial vacuum will
consequently obtain.
When live steam is used it will travel in the same direction as the water,
entering through the pipe 22 at the top and passing into the innermost top
pocket 8 and then continuing to pass from pocket to pocket downwards. until it
finally reaches the purified water receptacle 11. In this way the water may be
heated very effectually and economically by live steam without waste. At the
lower part of the apparatus and communicating with that part of the purified
water receptacle which is under stean: pressure, or preferably, as shown, with
the pipe 14, there is a low pressure relief valve 26; this valve may be provided

page_text: with a bye pass cock from which a small jet of steam may be allowed to flow
periodically, or continuously, as desired, for the purpose of indicating whether
the apparatus is working.
The dipping plates (or some of them) may have their lower edges with portions
that are serrated and alternating portions that are plain and of greater depth
than the serrated portions thus constituting lips, also, in some cases, the pockets
may be formed with radial partitions.
A modified arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 2, which is a similar view to
Fig. 1; in this case, the exhaust steam (as well as the live steam, if such be used)
flow from pocket to pocket in the same direction as the water. The pipe 14
extends to the upper part of the apparatus and discharges into the central pocket 8.
The spent steam outlet pipe is extended downwardly within the pipe 14 and is
in communication with the space 18. In other respects this arrangement may
be similar to that illustrated by Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of a modification in which the steam and
water pass in opposite directions through six annular pockets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and G,
which are arranged in tiers or sets of two; in this case the water enters the
outer pocket 6 and flows inwardly therefrom to the inner pocket of the upper tier
or set, thence into the middle pocket of the next lower tier or set and outwardly
into the outer pocket of the same tier or set; the water overflows into the outer
and thence into the inner pocket of the lower set, finally overflowing into the
receptacle 11.
Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 of a slightly modified arrangement in which
there are eight annular pockets arranged in tiers.
In cases where the amount of water treated is subject to variation in quantity,
apparatus such as above described may be divided into sections, for instance,
by means of vertically and radially arranged division plates, the several sections
being provided with the necessary inlet and outlet pipes for steam and water etc.
Three or more heaters may be connected to one central exhaust steam supply pipe
fitted with a separate water admission valve for each heater and each heater having
a separate spent steam outlet pipe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. An apparatus for heating and purifying water, constructed with series of
purifying compartments or chambers in the form of annular pockets, which are
arranged in tiers and into which annular pockets there dip annular or curved
plates, the arrangement being such that water being treated flows from each
pocket over its annular wall into the next annular pocket of the series; the water
entering each pocket at one side of the plate which dips into that pocket passing
under such plate then flowing over the annular wall of the pocket into the next
pocket, and so on, according to the number of pockets employed and finally
entering a purified water receptacle, means being provided for introducing
exhaust or other steam to the water whilst it is flowing through the series of
annular pockets, substantially as described.
2. In an apparatus of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the arrangement of the
annular pockets in such a manner that the direction of flow of water and steam
through the apparatus will, during a part or parts of the time, flow from the
inner or central portion of the apparatus through successive annular pockets
towards the outer part or side of the apparatus and during another part (or other
parts) of the time from the outer or side portion of the apparatus through successive
annular pockets towards the inner or central portion of the apparatus, sub-
stantially as described.
3. In apparatus of the kind referred to in Claim 1, constructing the annular
or curved dipping plates with lower edges that are partly serrated and partly
plain and arranging the said plates so that the serrated portions of one plate are

page_text: radially opposite to the plain portions of the plates next within and without it.
whether or not the plain portions of the dipping plates be of greater depth than
the serrated portions, substantially as described.
4. In an apparatus of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the combined arrange-
ment of (a) a combined top cover with set of annular dipping plates; (b) a
combined lower set of annular pockets and cover for purified water receptacle;
(c) an upper set of annular pockets; and (d) a lower set of annular dipping plates
the whole arranged substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. Water heating and purifying apparatus of the kind referred to, constructed,
arranged and operating substantially as hereinabove described with reference to
the examples respectively illustrated in Fig. 1, in Fig. 2, in Fig. 3 and in Fig. 4
of the accompanying drawings.