IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for an
invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS-A communication from
abroad by William H. Harris, of Brooklyn, Kings County, and George Farr,
of New York, both in the United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th March 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex,
IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM BOILERS, a communication from abroad by William H. Harris, of Brooklyn,
Kings County, and George Farr, of New York, both in the United States of
America,
The invention is applicable to a variety of boilers, and its objects are, first, to
prevent incrustation on the boiler-shell of the boiler by furnishing it with pure
water; second, the nearly perfect combustion of fuel by means of a proper supply
of heated air and feed water at the proper place or places; third, disposing of the
fuel in such manner that all the combustible gases will be consumed, and thereby
the avoidance of smoke and economy of fuel.
The invention consists of a furnace divided by an independent water-partition
into front and rear combustion chambers, said combustion chambers being surrounded
by air-heating flues arranged to twice encircle said furnace, said flues terminating
in side apertures in the front chamber and in a series of perforations in the bridge-
wall in an upper forward projection, whereby the gases are made to mix with the
heated air and become ignited and thereby consumed.
Also of the combination, in a beating furnace consisting in a divided furnace
chamber, of a hollow arched pendent partition, a hollow bridge wall having &
forward-projecting hood or cap forming a hooded chamber beneath it, and a series
D

page_text: of air-heating flues encircling the furnace and within the walls, adapted to supply
heated air to the side apertures in the front combustion chambers and to the
perforations in the hood or projection in the bridge wall
Also of a hollow independent water-partition, arched at its bottom, and perforated
air-heating and supply apparatus located at and against the rear water-leg, by
means of which a narrow throat is formed, whereby the combustible gases and air
are forced to mingle and unite for their more complete combustion.
Also of the combination of feed-pipes with the circulating-pipe which connects
the partition with the water leg of the boiler, and the sediment blow-off pipe, the
whole combined and arranged to feed, heat, circulate, and purify the water before
its introduction into the boiler.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th September 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM
BOILERS, a communication from abroad by William H. Harris, of Brooklyn,
Kings County, and George Farr, of New York, both in the United States of
America.
This invention is applicable to a variety of boilers, and its objects are, to prevent
incrustation on the boiler shell of the boiler by furnishing it with pure water, the
nearly perfect combustion and economic consumption of fuel, the avoidance of
smoke, a more rapid generation of steam, the prevention of foaming or priming, the
heating of the feed-water preparatory to its introduction into the boiler, and the
rapid and constant circulation thereof.
In the drawings hereto annexed, Fig 1 illustrates a vertical longitudinal section
through the centre of a stationary boiler; Fig 2 a vertical transverse section of
the same; Fig 3 a horizontal section, and Fig 4 a face view of the bridge-wall.
A is the boiler, B the grate-bars, and C the ash-pit; D E front and rear com-
bustion chambers; F, throat formed between the pendent partition and the forward
projection G of the top of the bridge-wall. H is the rear flue, and I the rear
connection. J are fire-tubes.
When it is intended to carry the outgoing products of combustion over the
boiler for the purpose of superheating the steam or for heating air, the chimney
is placed at the rear end of the boiler. Then they pass through return smoke-
connection K and over the boiler to the uptake; but in ordinary cases the smoke-
stack may be placed just over the smoke box or connection K in the usual way.
The location of the smoke-box however is immaterial to this invention.
I will now describe the functions and operation of that portion of the invention
just above pointed out.
Fuel being fed to the furnace in the usual way, and the fire being started some
time, the air in the air-flues becomes heated.
As soon as the fire becomes incan-
descent and steam is raised the blast is put on, either by means of a fan-blower or
a steam-injection pipe. The air flues extend twice around the furnace, so that it
becomes thoroughly heated, and in this condition it is forced out through the
apertures a in the side of the front combustion-chamber, and also through the
air-outlets in the projection of the bridge wall. The fire now being in good con-
dition the gases evolved from the fuel in the front chamber are forced beneath the
pendent water-partition and come in contact with the gases and intense flame in
the rear combustion-chamber, and evolving from this the combustible gases are
again met with another blast of heated air at the throat of the bridge-wall, with
which they are intimately mixed, and in this condition they form a complete
chemical union, become ignited and entirely consumed, so that no smoke or com-
bustible gases escape. This pure flame and intense heat is made to impinge on the
heating-surface of the boiler. Said surface being free from soot and oxidation, the
heat is rapidly taken up and transmitted to the water in the boiler. Thus economy
of fuel is the result, and a clear avoidance of the smoke nuisance.
The second feature of this invention is locating across the combustion-chamber
a hollow pendent water-partition L dividing the furnace chamber into two-viz
front and rear-as before described. The top of this partition is flat and slightly
arched on the bottom, and extends well down toward the grate-bars. Into this

page_text: partition I introduce the feed-water, and from its location the water is soon heated,
when it is transmitted to the boiler through the central perforated pipe, or through
the outside circulating-pipe M which also terminates in a perforated pipe arranged
at right angles therewith.
On the arched bottom of the water heater, generator, and purifier I locate a
perforated blow-off pipe N curved to conform to the curve of the heater. I curve
the heater in this way, for the reason that any sediment or mud precipitated and
deposited on the bottom of the heater naturally seeks the lowest level. The lowest
part of the heater is in the coolest part of the furnace, so, should any accumulation
of sediment remain, the heater will not be injured. In this way the water is
entirely cleansed of any foreign substances that may enter with the feed-water
before its introduction into the boiler, and hence no incrustation is formed on the
boiler-plate and tubes, and as before stated the heat is more rapidly transmitted
through it than when it is in a dirty or muddy condition. The boiler and tubes
also last longer, for the reason they will not burn or blister while plenty of water
is in immediate contact with boiler-plate and tubes. The introduction of the water
to the boiler is gradual, and well distributed through all parts of the boiler by
means of the perforated pipes. By the purity of the water in the boiler, foaming
and priming is almost entirely avoided. But should it happen from agitation or
other causes, water should rise and saturate the steam too much, the separators in
the dome will liberate all the steam from the water, and thus dry steam is carried
to the engine.
The feed-pipes and blow-off pipes may be located as may be required by the
boiler-setting.
The various steam-boiler appliances are not shown, as they will suggest them-
selves. The location and arrangement of air heating and distributing flues will
be readily seen at Fig 3.
Referring again to the rear combustion-chamber E it will be seen it extends
under the bridge-wall projection, forming a hooded chamber.
This hooded chamber plays a very important part in the perfect combustion that
takes place there, and in this way, that a large mass of incandescent feed is placed
just at the point where it meets the gases from the front combustion chamber, and
if the layer were thin they would readily rush through it without being consumed;
but by the mass of incandescent coals there the gases are retarded until they have
time to unite with the air and become thoroughly mixed, when the mixture
readily ignites and is instantly consumed, and thus the formation of smoke is
avoided.
I am fully aware that pendent partitions are old, being both solid and hollow;
and I am also aware that it is not new to introduce heated air, either at the side
or at the bridge wall, for many attempts have been made in this direction; but I
am not aware that pendent independent hollow water-partitions arched, con-
nected, and adapted to be cleaned like the present one have ever before been
used. Neither am I aware that any such an arrangement of heating-flues with
their capped projecting perforated bridge-walls and apertures leading into the fire
on the other side of the pendent partition have been used.
Referring to the accompanying drawings Fig 5 illustrates a vertical longitudinal
section of a locomotive boiler with a portion of the steam dome broken away;
Fig 6 a vertical transverse section on the line x x of Fig 5. Fig 7 is a detached
view of the improved steam-dome with its steam-separators.
It is obvious that this part of the invention is applicable to a variety of boilers;
but in this case I have shown it as applied to a locomotive-boiler of the ordinary
construction; and it consists, first in the means by which blistering or burning of
the boiler is avoided by preventing the lodgment of sediment where it usually
accumulates, and thus the formation of scale is prevented. I may here remark
that the effect of this deposit or incrustation on the heating-surfaces is that in
proportion to the amount of solid matter accumulated, combined with its non-
conducting property, so will the evaporation of water be retarded and the relative

page_text: plates exposed to the action of the flame be burned, so that two evils come from
the same cause-viz the burning of the boiler plate and the poor evaporation
of steam. Therefore, to remedy this defect, is one of the objects of this
invention.
It further consists in the combination and arrangement of means for introducing
the proper supply of heated air in such points as will cause complete commingling
and admixture of the gases evolved from the fuel in the combustion-chamber, by
which means the heat and flame are retarded in their passages, and by such
mingling and retardation the said gases are entirely consumed, forming a clear,
pure, and fierce heat, thereby avoiding smoke, and producing an economy in fuel.
The heat thus produced is made to impinge on the generating-surface of the boiler,
which surface, being freed from soot and oxidation, takes up the heat and rapidly
transmits it to the water.
The invention further consists in means for producing a rapid circulation of
water and heating it before its introduction into the boiler, and also in means for
precipitating the sediment and other foreign matter usually carried along with the
feed-waber into the boiler, and also in means for blowing off said sedimentary
deposits before they have time to fasten in the form of incrustation on the sides of
the heating-surface.
It further consists in separating devices located within the boiler and the steam-
dome, whereby the water, when foaming, is prevented from entering the steam-
supply pipe, and thus dry clean steam is furnished to the engine, all of which will
be further hereinafter described.
A is the boiler, and B the fire-box thereof. C is a pendent partition, straight on
top and slightly arched at the bottom. As is not usual, this partition is entirely
independent of the boiler crown-sheet and may be made to be adapted to any form
of boiler. I prefer to make it independent of the boiler-plates for the reason it can
adjust itself to any irregularity of the expansion or contraction of the boiler and
the boiler from it. It will be observed that a portion of the partition is fire-brick
or some such substance, as seen at a; but it may be made to conform to the shape
of the crown-sheet. Should a small quantity of gases pass between the crown-
sheet and the top of the partition, when so constructed as last mentioned, it will do
no harm. The bottom of the water partition C, as shown, is slightly arching from
side to side, the purpose being that any sediment or deposit which takes place will.
naturally find its way to the lowest corners, which are the coolest in the furnace,
and by this means where the fire is the hottest the bottom of the partition is the
cleanest, and thus less liable to burn.
On the bottom of the water-partition as described, will be seen a perforated
pipe G (see Fig 2) with the perforations facing downwards and curved in conformity
with the curve of the partition, so that when it is required any sediment or mud
which may have accumulated can be efficiently and readily blown off through the
mud-pipe K.
On one side of the boiler, and through the water-leg in this instance, is shown a
feed-water pipe J, which may be attached to an injector or pump in the usual way.
This pipe Jis passed through a thimble and communicates with and feeds the
water to the partition, and on the other side of the boiler is shown another pipe F,
also connected to the partition near the bottom, and extending up outside entering
the water-leg above the line of the furnace-door so that it will be seen that the
water is fed to the partition, heated in it, and then conducted to the boiler in a
pure hot state, parting with all its impurities and leaving them on the bottom of
the partition, from whence they are readily blown off.
Should it happen that the outside pipe F, should be in the way, a pipe, as shown
in dotted lines on the inside of the partition, may be provided with good results.
This pipe F can be readily inserted through a hand-hole, which could be made
opposite to where the pipe would enter, and in this way I incur only one boring in
the side of the water-leg.
The perforated blow-off pipe is passed through the feed-water pipe, as shown,

page_text: and in this way only one hole will have to be made through the water-leg of the
boiler.
Centrally is seen through the water-partition a pipe c, through which, in
addition to pipe F, any steam generated in said partition is conveyed to the boiler-
space proper. Thus it will be observed that in addition to heating and purifying
the feed-water I produce a large and rapid steam-generating surface and a
thorough circulation of the water. The boiler will last much longer on account
of its being free from sediment, and foaming will be partially stopped by the
purity of the water in the boiler. The bearing-surface of the engine will also
last much longer, as no sand or grinding-surface is carried over with the steam.
Just over the partition and pipe c I locate an inverted dish or vessel dish-shaped
(marked L) the object being to prevent the shooting up into the steam-dome of
any water that might, by agitation or otherwise, arise from the water-partition,
and above this dish-plate I locate a series of steam-separators or baffle plates for
the still further prevention of water getting into the steam-supply pipe.
The arrows made in dotted lines denote dry steam, and the arrows in full lines
show the particles of water dropping off the surface of the separating plates.
On the tube-sheet ends of the grates I locate the air-supply apparatus E, and I
arrange it at this point for two reasons, first, for the protection of the tube-sheets,
for it is well known that the wear and tear at this point is greater than at any
other; and second, because it forms a throat N between it and the lower or bottom
end of the partition, through which the gas must pass. The heat at this point is
very intense and fully charged with combustible gases, which in the ordinary way
could not be supplied with the proper supply of atmospheric air; but with this
device I produce a sufficient and constant supply at the very place where it is
most needed, and the air being heated, readily unites with the said gases, when
the whole is ignited and burns fiercely, producing an intense heat, entirely
consuming the smoke.
It will be observed that the air is broken up into fine streams or jets, causing it
to take up and unite more freely with the gaseous products of combustion
coming in contact with it. Therefore it must be obvious that I produce perfect
combustion.
The dotted lines showing a grate-bar indicate that the grate can be raised or
lowered as may be required, according to the kind of fuel used.
It is evident the air apparatus can be adjusted with the grate.
Plugs or thimbles may be inserted in the ends of the tubes to protect them, and
to also control the flow of heat through the tubes as occasion may require.
The dish-shaped vessel may be suspended by any well known means, one of
which is shown by the angle-irons d. Safety-valves and other well known
contrivances of steam-boilers are not shown.
1. A furnace divided by an independent water-partition into front and rear
combustion-chambers, said combustion-chambers being surrounded by air-heating
flues arranged to twice encircle said furnace, said flues terminating in side apertures
in the front chamber and in a series of perforations in the bridge-wall in an upper
forward projection, whereby the gases are made to mix with the heated air and
become ignited and thereby consumed in the manner described.
2. The combination in a heating-furnace consisting in a divided furnace-chamber,
of a hollow arched pendent partition, a hollow bridge-wall having a forward-
projecting hood or cap forming a hooded chamber beneath it as described, and a
series of air-heating flues encircling the furnace and within the walls, adapted
to supply heated air to the side apertures in the front combustion-chambers and to
the perforations in the hood or projection in the bridge-wall in the manner set forth
and described.

page_text: 3. The combination in a steam-boiler furnace, of the arched pendent partition
arranged and located as described, the feed-water pipe, the central perforated pipe,
the outside circulating-pipe terininating in a perforated pipe at right angles thereto,
and the blow-off pipe, all arranged for joint operation in the manner set forth and
shown.
4. The combination in a steam boiler furnace, of a hollow independent water-
partition, arched at its bottom, as described, and perforated air heating and
supply apparatus located at and against the rear water-leg, by means of which a
narrow throat is formed, whereby the combustible gases and air are forced to mingle
and unite for their more complete combustion, as described.
5. In a steam-boiler furnace, the independent hollow water-partition, arched at
its bottom, as described, the feed-pipes, the circulating-pipe which connects the
partition with the water-leg of the boiler, and the sediment blow-off pipe, the whole
combined and arranged to feed, heat, circulate, and purify the water before its
introduction into the boiler, in the manner shown and set forth.
6. The combination, in a steam-boiler consisting of the pendent independent
partition having an arched bottom, as described, the feed-water and circulating pipes,
the blow-off pipe, and the central communicating pipe, with the steam and water
separating devices, all arranged to operate in the manner shown.
7. The combination, in a steam-boiler furnace, of the pendent partition, having a
flat top for the reception of brick lining and arched bottom for the collection of
sediment, and its blow-off, with an air heating and supplying device, the said
partition dividing the furnace chamber into a front and rear combustion-chamber,
whereby smoke and gases are consumed in the manner set forth.
8. The combination, in a boiler, of the bollow pendent partition, connecting-pipe c,
inverted-dish-shaped vessel L, separating-plates in steam-dome M, and dry-steam
pipe O, all arranged as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
hand and seal this thirteenth day of September A.D. 1882.