Boilers and similar Purposes.
Year: 1885

page_text: Boilers and similar Purposes.
I, JAMES ATKINSON, Engineer, of N° 3 Nassington Road, Hampstead, London, N.W,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
HEATING AND PURIFYING WATER FOR STEAM BOILERS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES to
be as follows:-
The improved apparatus is for heating the water used in steam boilers to a high
temperature with a view to rendering lime-salts and other impurities insoluable, so
that they may be deposited by gravity, or filterred out, and thus purify the water
supplied to the boiler. It is well known that water at a temperature of 250° F.
will hold scarcely any sulphate of lime in solution, and as this forms the chief
binding ingredient in scale in boilers, my object is to impart at least this
temperature to the water, and at the same time get rid of the carbonate of lime,
and other impurities. The water to be purified may be passed into the improved
apparatus under pressure from one of my Feed Water Heaters, as described and
illustrated in Letters Patent N° 2458 1877 in which it has been heated to a
temperature of about 210° F. which is sufficient to render a considerable amount of
the impurities insoluble, in passing through the apparatus its temperature is
further raised till it is nearly as hot as the steam temperature in the boiler; from
the apparatus it may be returned to the Feed Water Heater at a higher level, so
that the impurities may be deposited in the Heater, and the purified water pass on
to the boiler, otherwise a separate depositing vessel may be employed, or it may be
filterred. Also in some instances the water may be drawn through the apparatus
from the lower part of the boiler and returned in its purified condition, thus
improving the circulation in the boiler by removing any cooler water that might
otherwise lie at the bottom (especially when stean is being first raised) and
preventing any concentration of impurities in the boiler.
The improved apparatus consists of a small chamber provided with suitable
passages and connections for the inlet and outlet of the water and also for steam
taken direct from the boiler, it must be fixed at a higher level than the water level
in the boiler, and the steam pipe to it from the boiler should have a constant fall
to the boiler, there is a check valve in the apparatus that prevents any water
passing to the boiler through the steam pipe. It will be understood that the water

page_text: connections being in communication with the water in the boiler, (the check valve
in the apparatus being closed and disregarding the pressure required to force the
water from the apparatus into the boiler) there will be a less pressure on the steam
side of the check valve than on the water side, due to the difference in head of the
water in the apparatus and in the boiler; the apparatus must be fixed at such a
height that this difference in pressure is sufficient to overcome the slight increase of
pressure required to force the water into the boiler; if the check valve is allowed
to open, steam will pass from the boiler and mix with the water passing through
the apparatus, thus raising its temperature till it closely approximates that
corresponding to the steam pressure in the boiler. The steam passes through a
nozzle in the apparatus which leads into a combining nozzle where it mixes with
the water, somewhat similar to an injector, and thus its force is utilized in assisting
to drive the water into the boiler, the rush of water through the combining nozzle
also causes a suction in the steam nozzle thus assisting in starting and maintaining
the flow of steam. The top of the Heater, when it is used as the depositing vessel,.
or of the separate depositing vessel, (when one is used), is preferably made with a
vertical flat or spiral dividing plate which prevents the water passing through until
it has had time to deposit its impurities; the dividing plate or plates being cast on
or otherwise fixed to the cover; if a seperate depositing chamber is used the bottom
is coned downwards to an outlet to which is attached a blow out cock or valve
which should be opened occasionally to blow out the deposited impurities.
If the water to be purified is not taken from one of my Feed Water Heaters, it
may be taken from any other kind of Heaters or direct from the feed pump, or any
other source.
In some instances the apparatus may have a small separate branch for steam
supply from another boiler also a cock to let out any air that might otherwise
accumulate.

page_text: пир
Boilers and similar Purposes.
I, JAMES ATKINSON, Engineer, of N° 3, Nassington Road, Hampstead, London, N.W.
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
HEATING AND PURIFYING WATER FOR STEAM BOILERS AND SIMILAR PURPOSES and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The improved apparatus is for heating the water used in steam boilers to a high
temperature with a view to rendering the lime salts and other impurities insoluable,
so they may be deposited by gravity or filterred out, and thus purify the water
supplied to the boiler; also for circulating the water in the boiler.
It is well known that water at a temperature of 250° F. will hold scarcely any
sulphate of lime in solution, and as this often forms the chief binding ingredient
in scale in boilers, my object is to impart at least this temperature to the water
and at the same time get rid of the carbonate of lime and other impurities.
The water to be purified may be passed into the improved apparatus under
pressure from one of my feed water heaters in which it has been previously heated
to say 210° F. which is sufficient to render a considerable amount of the impurities
insoluable, in passing through the circulating apparatus, as illustrated in Fig. 1.
Sheet 1 of the accompanying drawings, its temperature is further raised till it is
nearly as hot as the steam temperature in the boiler; from the circulating apparatus
shown in Fig. 1. Sheet 1. the water may be returned to the Feed Water Heater at
a higher level, so that its impurities may be deposited in the Heater, and the
purified water pass on to the Boiler; otherwise a separate depositing vessel as
shown in Figs. 2. & 3. Sheet 1. may be used, or it may be filtered in any suitablo
construction of filter. Also in some instances the water may be forced through
the apparatus from the lower or any part of the boiler, and returned in its heated
and purified condition, thus improving the circulation in the boiler by removing
any cooler water that might otherwise lie at the bottom of the boiler (especially
when steam is being first raised) and preventing any concentration of impurities
in the water in the boiler. In some instances the circulating apparatus only may
be used and will be of special application to marine or other types of internally
fired boilers having no external flues.
The circulating apparatus is shown in section in Fig. 1. Sheet 1. and applications
of it in Figs. 4. 6. and 6. Sheet 2. It consists of a small chamber having an
inlet 1 for water either from the Heater, Boiler, pump, the depositing chamber, or
any other source; an inlet 2. for steam from the boiler having a non-return valve 3.
which would prevent the return of any water or steam outwards through the
steam inlet 2; the steam passes through the passage 4. to a steam cone 5. through
which its quantity is regulated by the spindle 6. The rush of steam through the
steam nozzle or cone 5. draws the water through the passage 1. into the combining
nozzle or cone 7. and delivers it through the passage 8 into the Heater, Boiler or
depositing chamber, shown in Figs. 2, and 3. A small connection may be mado

page_text: at 9 to another boiler so that its steam may be used in the circulating apparatus
so long as the pressure is above that in the boiler to which the circulating apparatus
is connected.
It will be observed that the water inlet 1. and the water outlet 8. are usually
connected directly or indirectly to the Heater or boiler, and that supposing the
water was at rest in the apparatus, there would be an equilibrium of pressure in
the inlet and outlet. The circulating apparatus must always be fixed above the
level of the water in the boiler, so that the pressure at the water level of the
boiler is higher than the pressure in the inlet 1. and outlet 8. due to the different
levels; this difference of pressure will also exist (more or less) between the pressure
in the combining nozzle or cone 7. and steam space 4., so that if the non-return
valve 3. is allowed to lift, steam will be drawn from the boiler and discharged
through the steam nozzle or cone 5. this steam combines and is condensed by the
water in the combining nozzle or cone 7. and passage 8; thus the current or flow
of water through the circulating apparatus is started and maintained. The steam
passing through the circulating apparatus in being condensed imparts additional
heat to the water and when properly adjusted will start and maintain a steady,
constant flow through the apparatus, and heat the water to a temperature closely
approaching if not equalling that due to the pressure of steam in the boiler.
When a separate depositing chamber is used, I construct it as shown in Figs. 2.
and 3. Sheet 1. It consists of a cylindrical vessel having the bottom formed of an
inverted cone; the water inlet and outlet are on opposite sides near the top.
The cover has a vertical rib, or a series of ribs, as shown in the drawing (or this
rib may be formed spirally) cast on its under-side, this rib, (or ribs), cause the
water to have a devious course between the inlet and outlet; during its passage the
impurities drawn from the boiler, are rendered insoluable owing to the increased
temperature caused in the circulating apparatus, settle by gravity into the inverted-
cone bottom from which they should be regularly blown out through the blow out
passage 10. to which a suitable cock or valve is attached.
Figs. 4 and 5, Sheet 2, show an application of the circulating apparatus 11. and
depositing chamber 12. to an ordinary Lancashire Boiler.
chamber 12. is placed beside the boiler above the water line, having the circulating
The depositing
apparatus 11. bolted directly to its outlet. The steam pipe 13. supplies it with
steam; the return water pipe 14 is connected to its outlet passage 8. (see Fig. 1.
Sheet 1) and returns the purified water to the boiler; the pipe 15. forms a
connection between the water of the boiler, and the inlet to the depositing
chamber 12. suitable cocks or valves being placed on these pipes. Its action is
as follows:-
The steam pressure in the boiler forces water up into and fills the depositing
chamber 12., and connecting pipes 14. and 15.; the cock on the steam pipe 13.
being opened, allows steam to flow through the steam nozzle 5. and causes a steady
flow of water from the boiler through the pipe 15, the depositing chamber 12.,
the circulating apparatus 11., and returning to the boiler by the pipe 14. The
impure water from the boiler leaves more or less of its impurities in the depositing
chamber 12. from which they should be regularly blown out through the blow-out 4
cock and pipe 16. It will be seen that in this application the circulating apparatus
is placed on the outlet side of the depositing chamber 12, the reason for this being
that the water in passing through the chamber is cooled a little, and is thus
enabled to condensed the steam passing through the circulating apparatus 11,
otherwise it might be too hot to do so.
Fig. 6. Sheet 2. shows an application of the circulating apparatus without the
depositing chamber 12. to a marine boiler. The cooler water that would otherwise
lie in the bottom of the boiler is drawn up the pipe 16., through the circulating
apparatus 18., and is returned to the boiler through the pipe 17. at a higher level,
steam being supplied to the apparatus through the pipe 19.
I wish it to be understood that boilers are worked of such variety of con-
structions and such different conditions, that to obtain the best results froin this
5
5

page_text: nvention the arrangement of the circulator and depositor must be such as to suit
the special conditions. Broadly speaking, with condensing engines a feed water
heater that heats the water by means of the exhaust steam is not of so much
advantage as with non-condensing engines, consequently the feed water heater
may not be desirable, and the feed pumped directly through the circulator
and depositor into the boiler; otherwise the arrangements shown in Figs. 4 and 5
Sheet 2 may be used.
In other instances the water may pass from the feed water heater through the
circulator and depositor into the boiler.
When the chief object desired is to be prevent leakage of boiler shells caused
by cold or cooler water in the lower parts; the expense of providing the depositor
is not desired, the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. Sheet 2. may be used.
The combination of the feed water heater, the circulating apparatus, and the
depositing chamber may be made in any convenient or suitable manner, and the
feed water heater or the depositing chamber may be dispensed with if too costly
or otherwise not desirable.
If the water is passed into the feed water heater from the circulating apparatus,
the top of the feed water heater will form the depositor, and it may be fitted with
a cover and rib, or ribs, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Sheet 1.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. The use of a heating and circulating apparatus placed above the water
line of a steam boiler, so as to obtain a superior steam pressure, which enables it
to act upon the water passing through it, in such a manner as to heat the water to
a higher temperature, and to circulate it or to assist in circulating it as illustrated
and described herein.
Second. The special arrangement and construction of a depositing chamber as
illustrated and described herein.
Third. The combination of a heating and circulating apparatus placed above
the water line of a steam boiler, so as to obtain a superior steam pressure, which
enables it to act upon the water passing through it in, such a manner as to heat
the water to a higher temperature, and to circulate it or to assist in circulating it
with any description of depositing chamber, or with any description of feed water
heater, or with both.
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