IMPROVE- MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR, OR OTHER FLUIDS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CONDENSERS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Berryman, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR, OR OTHER FLUIDS, PARTS
OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO CONDENSERS."
Sealed the 14th July 1876, and dated the 10th May 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Berryman at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1876.
"
ROBERT BERRYMAN, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Mechanical Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR,
OR OTHER FLUIDS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
CONDENSERS."
My Invention relates principally to improved apparatus for economizing fuel and
increasing the safety and durability of steam boilers by heating and purifying the
feed water with the waste heat taken from the exhaust steam of steam engines. It
is also applicable for heating air with the exhaust steam, and is useful for other
purposes.
The heater resembles in its general features that described in the Specification of
Letters Patent granted to me, No. 2218, A.D. 1871, and claimed in the third claim-
ing clause of the amended Specification, but has applied to it the several improve-
ments herein-after mentioned.
According to one mode of carrying out my Invention I employ a wrought iron
cylinder, the cylindrical shape being cheaper and stronger than other forms. When
used for heating water the water is contained in the said cylinder and forced
through it with a pump injector or under town pressure if the latter is sufficient to
feed against the working pressure carried on the boilers. The cold water enters at
a suitable distance from the bottom and passes out at the top of the heater. In this
manner the best results can be obtained by taking the hottest and purest water
from the top.
A large chamber or space is left below the cold water inlet, so that the impurities
which fall below the water inlet pipe are not disturbed until blown out by the
arrangements to be herein-after more fully described. The tube plate is made of cast
iron and concaved by preference to an angle of about 45°, so that the mud or other
Impurities will not adhere to its surface, but will tend to slide down to the apex of

page_text: the cone forming the lowest point and centre of the tube plate, which has also a
chamber or pipe cast in it extending from the lower centre of the tube plate to the
outside of the exhaust chamber, to which is bolted a blow-cock for expelling the
impurities which settle in the concave tube plate. The cylinder has a joint ring by
preference rivetted on its lower end, which is bolted to a corresponding ring or
flange, which is cast with the tube plate and the exhaust pipe flanges, all of which
are cast in one piece. The bottom plate is cast independent, so as to allow the ends
of the tubes to be expanded from the bottom side of the tube plate. In the exhaust
chamber on the bottom plate is cast a midfeather or partition wall, which divides
the chamber into two spaces, one of which is termed the steam inlet and the other
the steain outlet. The steam exhaust pipe can be attached to either flange.
The bent tubes are arranged as described in my said former Specification, so as to
have each row of tubes span or cover the shorter row beneath it. The upper side
of the said tube plate has bosses cast on it so as to correspond with the angle of the
tubo plate, and thus give the important and requisite advantage of being able to
use thin tubes. The said bosses or rings can be cast so that the tubes are expanded
into a bearing of metal of any requisite thickness, and thus, instead of its being
necessary to use a thick tube, as in tubular or locomotive boilers, with a thin
wrought-iron tube plate, I am enabled to use very thin tubes, and instead of
having to expand a greater diameter into a thin plate I can reduce the stretching or
expanding of the ends of the tubes owing to the fact that I increase the adhesion
of the metal on the ends of the tubes by obtaining more than double the length of
bearing which can be had in any other form of tube plate than as cast and improved
in my heaters, which arrangements gives the important advantage of cheap con-
struction and durability not heretofore obtained by any other form of the tube plate.
The cast-iron tube plate, ns now improved and concaved, obviates any risk of
vibration from the action of the pump, which is a serious trouble in causing the
ends of tubes to leak from the concussion of the pump valves on flat tube plates.
In order to further improve the heater and obviate the difficulty of con-
cussion in the pump pipes and valves the outlet pipe in the top of the heater is
extended down to a sufficient length to form an air chamber in the top of the
heater, so that at each stroke of the pump the air or hot vapour will be compressed,
and by its clasticity the strain on the heater pumps, valves, and feed pipes will be
obviated.
Another important advantage derived from the construction of the henter is the
method I now propose to adopt of casting recesses in the tube plate, so that the
end of each tube can be expanded into one, two, or more recesses, and thereby at
the same time allow the end of each tube to rest on a ring of metal cast in the
under side of the tubes plate.
The heater operates in the following manner:-
:-The engine exhaust pipe is
attached to one of the flanges on the exhaust chamber, and the steain is caused to
flow up through the interior of the whole number of the inlet ends of the tubes at
once, and down again through the outlet ends into the outlet chamber. If large
quantities of water are required for other purposes than feeding boilers the steam
can be all condensed by forcing a proportionate quantity of water through the
heater. The bottom of the exhaust chamber is furnished with a syphon drip pipe
for the purpose of maintaining the chamber clear from the water of condensation
which is constantly passing from it when water is being drawn from the heater.
By the arrangement of drip pipes no steam can pass out of the exhaust chamber.
and the pipes are sufficiently large to discharge all the water of condensation.
It is important that the diameter of the tubes used should vary with the horse-
power of the various sized heaters, as a greater amount of heating surface can bo
obtained in proportion from tubes of say 14 inches diameter, than from 2-inch
tubes. I am thus enabled to obtain more heating surface in a reduced diameter of
water cylinder at a less cost than if tubes of the same diameter were used in all the
various sized heaters.
In some cases it is desirable to uso two or more sizes of tubes in the same cylinder,

page_text: in order to utilize the circular space to the best advantage. The flanges of the
cylinder and tube plate are so constructed as to leave an annular recess of a wedge
section between their opposite surfaces for the reception of an interposing washer of
india-rubber or other suitable material.
When I apply the apparatus herein-before described to the heating of air the cold
air may be passed through the tubes, and the exhaust steam conducted through the
cylinder at their exterior in lieu of the exhaust steam circulating in the interior of
the tubes, as described in reference to the feed water heater.
According to another modification, which is applicable both as a heater and a sur-
face condenser, I substitute for the n bent tubes straight tubes, the upper ends of
which are expanded into a tube plate, which is so constructed as to bo free to move
in order to allow the tubes to elongato and contract without danger of leaking at
the joints, the lower ends of such tubes being fitted into a concave tubo plate, in a
similar manner to that herein-before described. The lower chamber, with which the
tubes communicate, is divided or partitioned, as before mentioned, whilst an upper
chamber, which is provided above the upper tube plate, forms a substitute for tho
bends of the tubes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
tho said Robert Berryman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th Novem-
ber 1876.
"
ROBERT BERRYMAN, of Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Mechanical Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER,
AIR, OR OTHER FLUIDS, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
CONDENSERS."
My said Invention relates principally to improved apparatus for economizing fuel,
and increasing the safety and durability of steam boilers by heating and purifying
the feed water with the wasto heat derived from the oxhaust steam of steam engines.
It is also applicable for heating air with the exhaust steam, and is useful for other
purposes.
The heater, according to one modification, resembles in its general features that
known as Berryman's, in which a number of series of bent tubes are employed,
through which the exhaust steam is caused to circulate, as described in the Specifi-
cation of Letters Patent granted to me, the Twenty-third August One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-one, No. 2218, but this heater has applied to it the
several improvements herein-after described.
According to one mode of carrying out my Invention I employ a wrought-iron
cylinder, the cylindrical shape being cheaper and stronger than other forms. When
used for heating water the water is contained in the said cylinder, and forced
through it by means of a pump or an injector, or under town pressure, if the latter
is sufficient to feed against the working pressure carried on the boilers. The cold
water enters at a suitable distance from the bottom, and passes out at the top of the
heater. In this manner the best results can be obtained by taking the hottest and
purest water from the top.
A space is left below the cold water inlet and the bottom of the heater, so
that the impurities which fall below the water inlet pipe are not disturbed until
blown out by the arrangements to be herein-after more fully described. The tube
plate to which the heating tubes are fitted is made of cast iron, and concaved by
preference to an angle of about 45° on each sido, so that the mud or other impurities
from the water will not adhere to its surface, but will tend to slide down to the
apex of the cone forming the lowest point and centre of the tube plate, at which
place an opening is provided fitted with a blow-cock for expelling the impurities
which settle in the concave tube plate. The cylinder has a joint ring, by preferenco

page_text: rivetted on its lower end, which is bolted to a corresponding ring or flange cast
with the tube plate and with the exhaust pipe flanges, all of which are cast in one
piece. The bottom plate is cast independently, so as to allow the ends of the tubes
to be expanded from the bottom side of the tube plate. In the exhaust chamber
on the bottom plate is cast a midfeather or partition wall which divides the chamber
into two spaces, one of which constitutes the steam inlet, and the other the steam
outlet. The engine exhaust pipe can be attached to either flange.
The bent tubes for heating the water are arranged so as to have each row of
tules span or cover the shorter row beneath it. The upper side of the said tube plate
has bosses cast on it, so as to correspond with the angle of the tube plate, and thus
give the important and requisite advantage of being able to use thin tubes. The
said bosses or rings can be cast so that the tubes are expanded into a bearing of
metal of any requisite thickness, and thus instead of its being necessary to use a
thick tube, as in tubular or locomotive boilers with a thin wrought-iron tube plate,
I am enabled to use very thin tubes. In lieu also of having to expand n greater
diameter into a thin plate I can reduce the stretching or expanding of the ends of
the tubes, owing to the fact that I increase the adhesion of the metal of the ends
of the tubes by obtaining more than double the length of bearing which can be
had in any other form of tube plate, thereby obtaining the important advantage of
cheap construction and durability to a degree not heretoforo attained by any other
form of tube plate.
The cast-iron tube plate as now improved and concaved obviates any risk of
vibration from the action of the pump, which is a serious trouble, in causing the
ends of tubes to leak from the concussion of the pump valves on flat tube plates.
In order to further improve the heater, and obviate the difficulty of concussion in
the pump pipes and valves, the outlet pipe in the top of the heater is extended
down to a sufficient length to form an air chamber at that part, so that at each
stroke of the pump the air or hot vapour will be compressed, and by its elasticity
the strain on the heater pumps, valves, and feed pipes will be obviated.
Another important advantage derived from the construction of the heater is the
method I now adopt of casting recesses in the tube plate, so that the end of each
tube can be expanded into one or more recesses, and thereby at the same time
allow the end of each tube to rest on a ring of metal cast in the under side of the
tube plate.
According to another modification, which is applicable both as a heater and a
surface condenser, I substitute for the bent tubes straight tubes expanded at one
end into a tube plate, which is so constructed as to be free to move, in order to
allow the tubes to elongate and contract without danger of leaking at the joints, the
opposite ends of such tubes being fitted into either a concave tube plate in a similar
manner to that herein-before described or into a tube plate of flat or other form if
preferred. The lower chamber with which the tubes communicate is divided or
partitioned, as before mentioned, whilst an upper chamber, which is provided
above the upper tube plate, forms a substitute for the bends of the tubes.
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed
more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the several
Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings represents an elevation of my
improved apparatus for heating water according to one mode of constructing the
same; Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same; Figure 3, a plan; and Figure +,
a horizontal section taken along the line 1, 2, in Figure 2.
Figure is an elevation of a portion of the apparatus slightly modified in con-
struction.
Figure 6 is a vertical section illustrating a further modification, and Figures 7
and 8 represent respectively a vertical section and a horizontal section of an
apparatus constructed according to my Invention for condensing steam.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, A represents the water heating chamber con-

page_text: sisting of a wrought-iron cylinder B, bolted or rivetted at its lower end to a cast-iron
ring C, connected by bolts to a tube plate D, forming both the bottom of the
chamber A and the top of another chamber E, into which the steam employed in
heating the water contained in the chamber A is caused to enter and circulate, as
herein-after described.
The water to bo heated is admitted to the chamber A through an opening F,
situato a short distance above the bottom or tube plate D, in order that the
impurities contained in the water shall settle below the inlet and therefore not bo
liable to disturbance from the inflowing water, the heated water being drawn from
the top of the chamber through a pipe G, as shewn. The bottom or tube plate D
is made concave or of a conical form, the two sides of the cone forming together a
right angle, or nearly so, in order that the impurities contained in the water shall
be caused to slide down the interior surface to the lowest part or apex a of the
cone, at which part I provide an opening H fitted with a blow cock I, for the
purpose of expelling the impurities as they collect. The upper surface of the tube
plato D is formed with hollow bosses K for the reception of the ends of the heating.
tubes L, which are secured therein by expanding their ends into recesses b formned
in the interior of the hollow bosses K. These bosses may be made of any desired
length, whereby I am enabled to employ very thin heating tubes by reason of the
increased bearing surface provided by the length of the bosses, whilst the conical
or concave form of the tube plate prevents vibration froin the concussive action of
the pump valves, consequently the tubes are less liable to leakage by being
loosened than when fitted to ordinary flat tube plates.
In order to further obviate the difficulties arising from concussion in the pump
pipes and valves I arrange the outlet pipe G'in the top of the chamber A, so as
to descend some distance into the interior whereby a space c is formed between
the surface of the water and the interior of the top of the chamber to contain air,
which is compressed at each stroke of the pump and will by its elasticity prevent
injurious concussion by relieving the strain upon the heater pump valve and feed
pipes. The chamber E is divided by a partition O into two compartments M, N,
which, however, are in communication with each other by the bent heating tubes L.
The water of condensation falls from the tube L into the chamber E, and is con-
ducted therefrom by means of syphon drip pipes P, P, fitted to or formed on the
bottom plate Q. These pipes may consist either of a single pipe divided, as shewn
in Figures 1 and 2, or of two separate pipes, as shewn in Figure 5. The plate Q
is made separate from the other part of the chamber for the purpose of facilitating
access to the interior, to expand the ends of the tubes L into the tube plate D.
The cylindrical portion of the chamber E is by preferenco cast in one with the tube
plate D, and is formed with flanges R, S, to which the exhaust pipe from the
engine and a pipe for conducting away the uncondensed steam are respectively
connected.
The heater operates in the following manner:-The engine exhaust pipe is
attached to one of the flanges on the chainber E, say the flange R for example,
and the steam entering the compartment M is caused to flow up through the
interior of the whole number of the inlet ends of the tubes L at once and down
again through the outlet ends into the outlet chamber N. If large quantities of
water are required for other purposes than feeding boilers, the steam can be all con-
densed by forcing a proportionate quantity of water through the water cylinder A.
The syphon drip pipes P, herein-before described, are provided for the purpose of
maintaining the compartments M and N clear from the water of condensation
constantly passing therein when water is being drawn from the heater A. By this
arrangement of drip pipes no steam is allowed to pass out of the chamber E, and
tho pipe P is made sufficiently large to discharge the whole of the water of
condensation.
It is important that the diameter of the tubes L should vary with the horse-
power of the various sized heaters, as a greater amount of heating surface can
be

page_text: obtained in proportion from tubes of, say, one and a half inches diameter than
from two inch tubes. I am thus enabled to obtain more heating surface in a
reduced diameter of water cylinder at a less cost than if tubes of the same diameter
were used in all the various sized heaters. In some cases it is desirable to use two
or more sizes of tubes in the same cylinder, in order to utilize the circular space
to the best advantage.
The flanges C of the cylinder A and the tube plate are so constructed as to leavo
an annular recess d, of a wedge section, between their opposite surfaces for the
reception of an interposing washer of india-rubber or other suitable material.
When I apply the apparatus herein-before described to the heating of air the
cold air may be passed through the tubes L, and the exhaust steam conducted
through the cylinder over the exterior of the tubes in lieu of the exhaust steam
circulating in the interior, as directed in reference to the feed water heater.
Figure 6 represents a vertical section of a slightly modified construction of feel
water heater, in which the heating tubes in lieu of being bent, as in the arrange-
ment herein-before described, are straight and arranged in two sets or series L, L',
connected at their upper ends to a tube plato D', forming the bottom of a
chamber E', which is supported upon the upper end of the tubes. This chamber
forms a communication between the two sets of tubes and the compartments M
and N of the steam box or chamber E, and is free to rise and fall by the expansion
and contraction of the tubes.
The steam for heating the water contained in the chamber A is admitted through
the pipe R, for example, into the compartment M, and passes up through the set of
tubes L into the chamber E', and then down through the interior of the set of
tubes L' into the compartment N of the chamber E, thence through the pipe S into
the atmosphere or into a condenser, as required.
The water of condensation is conducted away by a drip pipe P similar to that
employed in the arrangement illustrated by Figures 1 to 4, and which is so con-
structed that the weight of water in the pipe balances the pressure of the exhaust
steam, and that an increased quantity of water cannot accumulate in the chamber.
A further advantage of the drip pipe consists in the fact that no increase of back
pressure can be put upon the engine, as a portion of the steain admitted to the
compartment M of the chamber E would pass down the drip pipe P out to the
atmosphere without passing through the tubes L.
Figure 7 is a vertical section of my improved surface condenser; and Figure 8 is
a horizontal section of the same.
The construction of this apparatus is similar to that illustrated by Figure 6, with
the exception that a division plate or diaphragm O' is employed for separating the
two sets of condensing tubes L, L', such diaphragin being loosely fitted in the
chamber so as to admit of the necessary expansion and contraction. The exhaust
steam to be condensed enters the compartment M of the box or chamber E, and
passes up the interior of the set of tubes L into the chamber E¹, then down through
the interior of the set of tubes L' into the compartment N. The tubes L, L', aro
maintained cool by causing cold water to circulate along and around their external
surface in a reverse direction to that of the steam passing through their interior.
The cooling water enters at F cn that side of the chamber A containing the tubes L',
and is caused by the division plate O¹ to pass over the chamber E¹ in its passage
to the opposite side of the chamber A containing the tubes L, and thenco passes out
through G, whereby the whole of the surface of the tubes and chambers through
which the steam is caused to travel will be subjected to the action of the circulating
cold water, and the condensation of the steam will be more rapidly effected. The
water of condensation from the tubes, as also that which enters the chamber E with
the steam, is carried away by the air pump, which is connected at S to the compart-
ment N, a space being left between the bottom Qof the chamber E and the division
plate O to admit of the water of condensation passing from the compartment M into
the compartment N.

page_text: The chamber A is represented as made of cast iron, and of a circular form, in
Figures 7 and 8, but it will be evident that it may be made of wrought iron and
square or of any other form which circumstances may require.
The apparatus will work as a fresh water condenser on board ship, or it may be
placed between the cylinders of compound ongines, and used to interheat the steam
on its passage from the high to the low pressure cylinder. This may be effected by
allowing the exhaust steam to pass through the interior of the tubes L, L', while
the steam from the boiler which is attached to the chamber A remains on the
exterior of the tubes which conduct its heat to the exhaust steam in the interior of
the tubes. The apparatus in this case should be placed at such a height that the
water of condensation from the direct steam can flow back to the boilers by its own
gravity by attaching a pipe from the casing of the interheater below the water
line of the boiler.
The apparatus may also be used on condensing engines by placing it between the
cylinder and the condenser. The steam being caused to pass through the tubes,
and the water being heated on their exterior, it is obvious that although I have
shewn in my Drawings the condenser as arranged vertically, yet it may bo placed
horizontally or at an angle if desired, in which caso rollers may be employed as
guides for the loose or moveable tube plate in its compensating movements.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to bo novel and original and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. Providing an air space or chamber in the upper part of the hecater, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Second. Forming the lower tube plate conical or inclined in such a manner that
its opposite sides are arranged at or about right angles to each other, substantially
as and for the purposes herein-before described.
Thirdly. Constructing heaters with tubes fitted at their lower ends into a.
stationary tube plate, and at their upper ends into a loose or moveable tubo plato
for the purpose of admitting of the expansion and contraction of the tubes, sub-Ⓡ
stantially as herein-before described and illustrated by Figure 6 of my Drawings.
Fourthly. Constructing condensers or heaters with tubes fitted at one extremity
into a stationary tube plate, and at the opposite extremity into a loose or movenblo
tube plate for the purpose of admitting of the expansion and contraction of the
tubes, substantially as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 7 and 8 of
my Drawings
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Berryman, bave to this my Specification
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of June One thousand eight