Improved Apparatus for and System of Cooling Water and other Liquids.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1896-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES CAMPBELL WORTHINGTON, of
Irvington, in the State of New York, United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer.]
Improved Apparatus for and System of Cooling Water and other
Liquids.
.
I PHILIP ARTHUR NEWTON of The Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of London, Patent Agent, 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus of that class now used for
cooling water, and especially designed for cooling the water used for condensation
in large steam plants, where it is desirable to use the water over and over again
with as little waste as possible, in order to secure the benefit of condensation,
without a large natural water supply.
The principle upon which such cooling apparatus operates, is that of bringing
the water, while in a finely subdivided condition, into contact with air, to secure
the desired transfer of heat to the air, resulting in the evaporation of a small part
of the water and consequent cooling of the latter, a current of air through the
apparatus being usually employed; then finally returning the liquid to the supply
reservoir, to be used again for condensation. Such cooling apparatus, in its
preferred form, consists of a structure of considerable height, to the top of which
the water is raised, and through which it falls in a finely divided state, in contact
with an upward current of air, such structures being commonly known as cooling
towers, and, when used in connection with a condensing apparatus, forming systems
known as self-cooling condensers.
The especial object of the present invention is to provide an improved filling for
such cooling towers, by which a more uniform distribution of the liquid, and a
more efficient action of such apparatus, shall be secured, with a simple, cheap, and
durable construction, and this result is secured by the use of layers of tubular
bodies arranged as hereafter fully described.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this
class, by which the fan or equivalent device for producing the cooling current of
air is driven without the use of an extra fan engine, or the extensive driving
connections which have been used in such constructions, when, as is frequently
necessary, the tower is placed at a considerable distance from the engine room, &
by which the quantity of air forced through the tower is proportionate to the
quantity of water circulated for cooling; and this result is secured by combining
with the tower, fan, and condenser, a fan-actuating water-motor of any suitable
form, which is operated by means either of the circulating column of water, or by
a column of water moved or controlled in any other manner by the motor which
circulates the water to be cooled, so that the action of the fan-actuating motor is
controlled by, and varies with, the water circulated.
For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of constructions
embodying all the features of the invention, in their preferred form, as applied in
connection with a steam engine plant, and certain modified forms of this apparatus,
will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part
of this specification, and the features forming the invention will then be specifically
pointed out in the claims.

page_text: Fig. 1 shows, in diagram, a steam plant of simple form, employing a self-cooling
condenser with the improved cooling tower, and in which the water from the
exhaust steam of the nuxiliary engines goes to the water used for circulation and
condensation and
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the self-cooling condenser, on an enlarged scale,
but with the condenser connected directly with the pump, and omitting the fan
water-motor.
Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sectious on respectively the lines 3 and 4 of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan of a portion of the tower filling, in one of the
preferred forms.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, show modified forms of filling which may be used.
Figs. 10 to 15 show modified arrangements for the fan water-motor.
Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a construction in which the fan
is operated by the condensing water, as it passes from the reservoir to the jet
condenser, the water motor being placed above the reservoir, and the water forced
through it by the atmospherio pressure acting against the vacuum in the
condenser.
Fig. 11 is a similar view, shewing a construction in which the water motor is
placed below the reservoir, so as to be operated by the water head, plus atmospheric
pressure acting against the vacuum in the condenser.
Fig. 12 shows a construction in which separnte pumps are used on the condenser,
and for raising the water to the top of the tower.
Fig. 13 shows a construction in which the water motor is actuated by the
circulating column of condensing water, as it passes from the condensor pump to
the top of the cooling tower, as in Fig. 1, except that the water motor is directly
on the fan shaft.
Fig. 14 shows a construction in which the water motor is operated by a column
of water driven by a pump actuated from the steam cylinders of the condenser
pump, the water returning from the water-motor to the reservoir.
Fig. 15 shows a construction employing a surface condenser and air pump, in
which the water motor is operated by the column of condensing water, as it passes
from the condenser to the top of the cooling tower.
Referring now to the general system shown in Fig. 1, A is the steam hoiler,
13 the main steam engine, receiving steam from the boiler through the main steam
pipe a and branch pipe b, the engine exhausting through the exhaust pipe c, and
the main heater C, to the jet condenser D, which may be of any suitable form,
that shown being one well known, the water used for condensation, and the water
condensed from the exhaust steam, then passing through the pipe d to the pump E,
and being raised thereby, through pipe e, to the top of the cooling tower F, which
may be of any suitable construction, and the cooled water being received into
reservoir G at the foot of the tower, from which the pipe for the water for
condensation passes to the top of the condenser D, a fan X being used for
supplying a current of air through the tower, and driven by the water motor Y of
any suitable form, which is shown in this construction as placed on the pipe e, and
connected to the fan X by belt 10. The condenser D, pump E, tower F, and
connections, thus form a self-cooling condenser.
In the construction shown in this figure, this self-cooling condenser is arranged
so that the vacuum in the condenser does a part of the work of raising the water
of condensation from the supply G to the top of the tower F, thus relieving the
condenser pump E of so much of the work, this result being secured by elevating
the coudenser D above the pump E and water supply G, so as to utilize the
vacuum in the condenser to lift the water from the tank G, and making the
condenser D and pipe d of such form and relative size, as to cause the discharge
water to flow to the pump E through pipe d under the head duo to the column of
water in the pipe, thus assisting the pump. By this means, it will be found that,

page_text: with the proper form of pump and condenser, the work of the pump may be reduced
very largely.
This result is also aided, and the amount of water required for the condenser
reduced, while the securing of the vacuum desired is assured, by the use of an air
pump H connected with the condenser by pipe g, this pump acting to withdraw
from the condenser D uncondensable vapors, and the air brought in with the water
of condensation and exhaust steam, and not carried out by the water, and this
pump may form another auxiliary engine of the plant. The injector or condenser
shown, and other forms of injector, ejector, siphon, or induction condensers, to
which may be applied the general term of "aspirating condensers," will operate to
carry off with the water a large part of the air, and it will be understood that
fairly good results may be secured with such condensers without the air pump, but,
especially in plants of considerable size, the air pump is preferably employed with
such condensers, and important results are secured thereby. Thus, the amount of
water required is reduced to only that necessary for condensation, even under light
loads, as the current or flow of water need not be so large and rapid as that
required to carry off the air without the air pump, even sufficiently for small an
most carefully constructed plants. The air pump is not required to remove all the
air, but only that not removed with the water by the aspirating condenser, so that
its work is light.
The steam supply for the condenser pump E is received from the boiler A
through the branch steam pipe ', and this pump exhausts through the exhaust
pipe c' to the supplementary heater C. The steam supply for the air pump H is
received from the boiler A through the branch steam pipe 2, and this pump
exhausts through the exhaust pipes c², c¹, to the supplementary heater C'. The
boiler feed pump I, which forms another auxiliary engine of the system, receives
its steam supply through the branch pipe 3, and exhausts through the pipe into
pipe c', and thus into the supplementary heater C. The feed water is received
from the feed water supply through the pipe h, and delivered by the pipe i through
the main heater Cand supplementary heater C to the boiler A, the interior
arrangements of the main and supplementary heaters C and C being of any
common or suitable form, to secure the proper heating of the feed water, the heat
of the exhaust steam of the three auxiliary engines E, H, I, thus being applied for
this purpose. The water condensed from the exhaust steam from the cylinders of
these three auxiliary engines in the supplementary heater C, is conducted through
a drip pipe to the water used for condensation, entering the coudensation or
circulating system at any suitable point, but preferably at as high a level in the
tower as convenient, so as to be cooled therein. The pipe o is a waste pipe used
in starting the pump E. The relief valve m on the pipe c is supplied with scaling
water from heater C' by a pipe n, so that the valve is kept submerged to the
proper level, any excess passing off through the pipe k. This secures an automatic
control of the sealing water, the proper level being maintained, while the exhaust
pipe will not fill up in case the engine be stopped, as in case an outside supply of
sealing water be used.
The engines of the pumps E, H, I, thus form the auxiliary engines of the steam
plant, the exhaust steam from which is utilized for heating, and the water condensed
from the steam utilized as a part of the water supply for condensation and
circulation. The loss of heat and water is thus reduced to a minimum, the only
loss of water being that evaporated from the cooling tower, and its equivalent
quantity being restored by the water condensed from the exhaust steam, so that the
only outside water supply required is that for the boiler feed water. There is an
advantage in using the water condensed from the exhaust steam for condensation
water, instead of for boiler feed water, as this makes it possible, without loss of
economy, to use for the boiler only, clean water free from grease and lubricants.
While, however, it is preferable that the water condensed from the exhaust steam.
should be used for condensation water instead of for boiler feed water, a construction
involving the latter use of this water may be employed.

page_text: It is obviously not necessary in this construction that the exhaust steam should
be fully condensed in the supplementary heater, or even that two henters should
be used, although the latter construction is desirable. Thus, the exhaust steam
from the auxiliary engine may be delivered to, and its heat utilized in, the main
heater, or it may be partially condensed in the supplementary heater, and then
delivered, through a suitable valve, directly to the condenser, or to the main
heater. It is also obvious that if the condensation water be increased by the
water from the condensed steam, to an amount greater than that necessary for
circulation, such surplus may be run to waste, or it may be utilized as boiler feed-
water thus giving still further economy.
Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 to 9 of the drawings, the cooling tower
will be described in detail. The hollow vertical shaft F, forming the wall of the
structure, may be of any suitable polygonal or cylindrical form, and of any suitable
material, being shown as cylindrical, and formed of sheet metal, which will be
found a cheap and efficient construction. Below this shaft is the chamber G,
receiving the cooled water, and through which the current of air from the fan X
passes upward through the shaft. The base of the chamber G is shown in these
figures as connected by a water-pipe p with a well G, from which the pipe for
the condensing water runs to the injector condenser D, receiving the steam
through the pipe c, but it will be understood that the pipe may connect directly
with the chamber G, as in Fig. 1. The heated water from the condenser D is
delivered by the pump E, through the pipe e, to the top of the tower, where it is
distributed upon the filling by any suitable means, so as to secure its general
distribution at the top of the shaft. This distribution may well be secured by a
series of stationary perforated pipes or sprays within the shaft, but the construction
shown will be found simple and more efficient, in which perforated cross pipes
are suspended from the end of the pipe e, so as to rotate freely thereon, this
forming a common Barker's mill. The shaft F is preferably open at the top for
free egress of the current of air, and water evaporated during the cooling process,
and, at the base, is closed by the grate M, of any form suitable to permit the
free passage of the air and water in opposite directions, and to support the
filling.
In order to secure the best results, it is important that the water should be kept
in as thin layers as possible during its passage downward through the shaft, and
that these thin sheets of water should be constantly redistributed, so ns to break
the water up as far as possible, prevent the forming of rivulets, and effect the same
cooling action on all parts of it, and it is desirable, also, that the air current, when
employed, should likewise be constantly redistributed.
A very efficient cooling action is secured by using, as a filling, a series of layers
of tubular bodies of suitable material, placed side by side, and forming spaces
through cach layer, extending longitudinally of the structure, that is, vertically,
in the construction shown, the walls of the next layer extending across the spaces
of the preceding layer, so as to re-distribute the water and the air, as they pass
into the successive layers. These tubular bodies are preferably arranged with
their walls extending vertically, as in the construction shown, and these bodies
may be of any suitable material, such as metal, stone, glass, paper pulp, fibre, or
wood, but preferably common earthern tile is employed, when the weight is not
objectionable, and while glazed tile may be employed, the unglazed tile is
preferred, as it will be found that such unglazed tile will require less water to
thoroughly cover its surface, and it is more efficient on account of its adhesive
quality.
The uniform distribution of the water, and the desired contact of all parts of it
with the air in its passage through the shaft, is aided by providing that all, or a
number of, the bodies of euch layer shall be so connected by surfaces in contact,
that particles of water may pass from the outside of one body to another, and thus
horizontally through a part or the whole of the layer, and this result, with the
desired support of the particles of water between the bodies, may be socured with

page_text: bodies of smooth material, by grooves or passages of any suitable form in the
surfaces of the bodies, but this result is attained admirably by the use of tile, the
surfaces of which are such as to permit the passage of water between tile and tile,
although touching each other. It will be understood, however, that this feature is
not essential, and the tile or other bodies may be so arranged that the passage of
water from body to body horizontally of the layer is limited or prevented.
The tubular bodies may be of any suitable form, but preferably are hollow
cylindrical or polygonal bodies, and are preferably simply piled on cud within the
shaft F, so as to fill it in horizontal layers placed one upon the other, as shown in
Figs. 2 and 5, the successive layers of bodies breaking joint with each other, so as
to secure with each successive layer a redistribution of the water. It will be
understood, however, that the invention includes also a construction in which the
successive layers are not piled on each other, but supported from the shaft by
grates or similar structures permitting the passage of the water and air, but the
piling of the layers on cach other is preferred, not only for economy, but for
efficiency and durability, as hereinafter explained.
It is desirable that the distribution of the water and the air should be as uniform
as possible throughout the shaft, and for this purpose, instead of using common
cylindrical tile, as shown in Fig. 5, tile of the form shewn in Fig. 6 may be
employed, in which interior cross bars 1 sub-divide the interior space of each
tile into three spaces of substantially the same size as those between three
adjacent tiles. Other forms of bodies which may be used, and may prove preferable
to plain cylindrical bodies, on account of the larger surface and better distribution
secured, ure shewn in Figures 7, 8, and 9, Fig. 9 shewing a rectangular tile having
projections 2 on two sides, for separating adjacent tiles, and preserving the proper
spacing.
It will be understood that any suitable number of layers may be employed, but,
for efficiency, it is desirable that as large a number as convenient should be used,
the number to be employed depending upon the balance of economy between
efficiency and cost of construction. The size of the bodies, also, may be varied,
but it is important that a large number should be used in each layer. The con-
struction illustrated has been found efficient, in which the filling consists of ten
layers of tile, the tiles being two feet high, with walls an inch thick, and of
eight inches outside diameter. A very large surface is thus secured in each layer
with plain cylindrical bodies, and this surface is increased largely if bodies of the
form shown in Figures 6 to 8 be used.
The current of air which is preferably used, should flow in a direction opposite
to the movement of the water, that is, from the bottom upwards, in the vertical
construction shown, for the best results, so that the coldest air is thus in contact
with the coldest water, and vice versa, but it will be understood that contact of the
air and water may be otherwise secured. A current of air longitudinally of the
structure, however, has a special function in combination with applicant's preferred
form of filling, in which the successive layers of bodies are in contact with each
other, as it is evident that, at the line between two layers of bodies, the space for
the passage of the air is greatly reduced, and the increased velocity of the air thus
caused, together with the reduction of the space for the passage of the water,
causes a backing up of the water, producing the spreading of the water at this
point over the whole layer, and thus promotes greatly the even distribution of the
water, before passing into the next layer of bodies. It is found, in practice, that
this construction provides a very efficient apparatus, designed either for cooling
liquid or for evaporating, and the simplicity and cheapness of manufacture of the
apparatus is apparent, the filling of the shaft, in its preferred form, involving
simply the piling of the bodies upon each other in layers breaking joint with each
other, while the construction is very durable, and cannot get out of order, as there
is no securing of any parts of the filling rigidly in place, nor does its effectiveness
depend on the maintenance of strict rigidity or exact levels.
If tiles be used, as is preferred, when the weight is not objectionable, the cost of

page_text: the filling is trifling, while the results obtained are excellent, and there is practically
no limit to the durability of the apparatus, as it does not rot, nor is it deteriorate
by beat or moisture. It is an important feature, also, that the tile filling does not
warp or crack, on drying, as is the case in wooden constructions, so that this
cooling apparatus may stand dry indefinitely.
Referring now to the dingrammatic views, Figures 10 to 15, the modified
arrangements for the fan-motor shown therein will be described.
In the construetion shewn in Figure 10, the water-motor Y is situated in the air
chamber at the base of the tower, and is placed on pipe 11, through which the
water passes from the reservoir G to the jet condenser, and the water delivered
from the condensing chamber D being forced by the condenser pump E through
the pipe 12 to the distributor L at the top of the cooling tower F. In this con-
struction, therefore, it will be seen that the fan X is operated by water from the
reservoir G, raised by atmospheric pressure against the vacuum in the jet condenser,
the water passing from the water-motor, which in this instance is preferably a
turbine, to the condensing chamber.
n
In the construction shewn in Figure 11, the water motor Y is placed some
distance below the reservoir, so that the water passes downward to the motor, the
pipe connections 11, 12, being the same as previously described. The shaft of the
water motor Y, in this construction, is shewn as connected to the fan X by
n belt 13, as in Figure 1, but it may be connected in any other suitable manner.
It will be seen that, in this construction, the water, as before, passes from the
water-motor to the condenser, but the water passes to the water-motor under a head
depending upon the distance of the water-motor below the level of the water in the
reservoir G, atmospheric pressure also acting against the vacuum in the condensing
chatnher D, as in the construction shewn in Figure 10. The form shewn in
Figure 10, however, is more economical than that shown in Figure 11, because the
vacuum in the condensing chamber D is fully utilized for raising the water from
the reservoir to the condenser, but the construction shewn in Figure 11 is well
suited for construction, in which it is desirable to use an elevated tower, as, for
instance, one on the roof of the building.
In Figure 12 is shewn a construction which may be used when, on account of
the elevation of the tower, or for any other reasons, it is not desirable to use the
same pump for maintaining the vacuum in the condenser, and for raising the
circulating water to the top of the tower. In this construction, the water from
the condenser pump E is delivered through the pipe 12 to a tank or second
reservoir G', instead of to the tower, and a second pump E receives the water
from the reservoir G' through suction pipe 12, and delivers it to the distributor L,
at the top of the tower F, through pipe 12, the fan water motor 1 being placed
upon this pipe 12. In this construction, therefore, the fan motor is actuated by
the columu of water forced by the motor which circulates the condensing water.
It is obvious that the pump cylinder, by which the water is raised to the top of the
Lower, in this construction, may, if desired, be operated by the steam cylinders or
other motor of the condenser pump E, by placing the pump cylinder E upon the
Imotor of pump E, as shown in Figure 14, or in any other suitable manner.
In the construction shown in Figure 13, the condensing chamber D receives its
water directly from the reservoir G through pipe 14, and the water delivered from
the condensing chamber D is forced by the pump E, through pipe 15, to the water
motor Y, and passes from the water-motor to the distributor L, at the top of the
tower, through pipe 10. In this construction, therefore, the water-motor is
operated by water forced by the condenser pump, but, as before, the water from
the water motor returns to the reservoir and condenser.
In the construction shewn in Figure 14, the condensing chamber D takes its
water directly from the reservoir G through pipe 17, and the condenser pump E
delivers water directly to the distributor L through pipe 18. The water-motor is
placed within the air chamber at the foot of the tower, as in the construction shewa
in Figures 10 and 12, but instead of being operated by water passing from the

page_text: condenser pump, is supplied from pump cylinder K, operated by the same steam
cylinders or motor as the condenser pump E, the water being received and
delivered by said pump cylinder K through pipes 19, 20, and passing from the
water motor directly back to the reservoir G. In this construction, a Pelton
water wheel may conveniently be used, and will be found efficient.
All the constructions thus far described employ jet condensers, but it is obvious
that the cooling tower and fan water-motor may be used also in constructions
employing surface condensers; such a construction is shewn in Fig. 15, in which
the circulating condensing water passes from the reservoir G to the condenser or
circulating pump E through pipe 21, and thence through pipe 22, to the
condensing chamber N and the water motor Y, and theuce to the distributor L
through pipe 23, the usual air pump O being used in connection with the
condenser.
It will be understood that other arrangements of apparatus may be used to carry
out the invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific form or
arrangement of the constructions shown. The term "fan" is used herein, for
convenience, to cover any suitable equivalent device for producing the air current ;
and the terms "water" and "air" are intended to include any other suitable
liquid or gas which may be used. It will be understood, also, that the improved
cooling tower may be used, not only in connection with condensing, but for cooling
liquid for
many other purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed (as communicated to me
from abroad), I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An apparatus of the class described, baving a series of layers, each layer
consisting of tubular bodies placed side by side, with their walls extending
transversely to the layer, and forming distributing surfaces and spaces between
them extending through the layer, the spaces through each layer being opposite
the walls of the next layer, whereby the subdivision of fluid passing through the
spaces is secured, substantially as described.
2. An apparatus of the class described having a series of layers, each layer
consisting of tubular bodies placed side by side, with their walls extending
transversely to the layer, and forming distributing surfaces, and spaces between
them extending through the layer, and with surface contact between the bodies of
each layer, the spaces through each layer being opposite the walls of the next
layer, whereby the subdivision of fluid passing through the spaces is secured,
substantially as described.
3. An apparatus of the class described, having a series of layers, each layer
consisting of tubular bodies having longitudinal cross walls or projections dividing
their interior space, said bodies being placed side by side, with their walls
extending transversely to the layer, the spaces through each layer being opposite
the walls of the next layer, whereby the subdivision of fluid passing through the
spaces is secured, substantially as described.
a
4. An apparatus of the class described, having filling consisting of a series of
layers, each layer consisting of tubular bodies placed side by side, with their walls
vertical, and forming distributing surfaces, and spaces between them extending
through the layer, the layers being piled one upon the other, and each layer being
arranged to subdivide the sheets of liquid received from the next layer above,
substantially as described.
5. The combination with a structure having a series of layers, each layer
consisting of tubular bodies placed side by side, with their walls extending trans-
versely to the layers, and forming distributing surfaces, and spaces between them
extending through the layer, the spaces through each layer being opposite the
walls of the next layer, whereby the subdivision of fluid passing through the spaces
is secured, of menus for supplying liquid at the top of the structure, and a current
of air transversely to the layers, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. The combination with a structure having a filling consisting of a series of
layers, each layer consisting of tubular bodies placed side by side, with their walls
vertical, and forming distributing surfaces, and spaces between them extending
through the layer, the layers being piled one upon the other, and each layer being
arranged to subdivide the sheets of liquid received from the next layer above, of
means for supplying liquid at the top of the structure, and a current of air
transversely to the layers, substantially as described.
7. The combination with apparatus constructed to secure contact of water with
a current of air, a motor for delivering the water to the tower, and a fan for
producing the air current, of a fan-actuating water-motor controlled by the water-
delivering motor, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the cooling tower, fan, and motor for circulating the
water to be cooled, of a fan-actuating motor operated by a column of water moved
by said water-circulating motor, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the cooling tower, fan, and condensing chamber, of a
fan-actunting water-motor, for operating said fan placed on the water circulating
connections, substantially as described."
10. The combination with the cooling tower and fan, of an aspirating condensing
chamber, a fan-nctuating water-motor, and connections for the condensing water
from the reservoir through the water-imotor to the condensing chamber, substantially
as described.
11. The combination with a cooling tower and a pump for raising the water, of
an aspirating condenser, and au air pump connected with said condenser, substantially
as described.
12. The combination with a cooling tower and a pump for raising the water, of
an aspirating condenser connected with the pump and elevated above the water
supply, and pump to utilize the condenser vacuuin in raising the water, whereby
the water passes from the condenser to the pump under a head, and the pump is
thus assisted, substantially as described.
13. The combination with a cooling tower, and a pump for raising the water to
be cooled, of an aspirating condenser connected with the pump, and elevated above
the water supply and pump, to utilize the condenser vacuum in raising the water,
whereby the water passes from the condenser to the pump under a head, and the
pump is thus assisted, and an air pump connected with said condenser, substantially
as described.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1896
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.