Improvements connected with the Heating of the Feed Water supplied to Steam Generators.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 22nd June, 1898-Accepted, 17th Sept.,
1898
**
Improvements connected with the Heating of the Feed Water
supplied to Steam Generators.
I, JOHN THOM, of 194, St. Vincent-Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:―
This invention has reference to the heating of the feed water supplied to steam
generators used in connection with and for driving steam engines, and wherein
the exhaust steam from the engine is employed in the heating of this feed
water.
According to this invention, the feed water is heated by discharging it, say
in suitable spray form, in amongst the steam in the exhaust steam pipe (or
chamber) of the engine, within which is provided a means or device so arranged
that the water so discharged into the pipe, is collected at a lower point, from
which point it is drawn off by the feed pump and delivered to the steam gene-
rator; whilst the uncondensed steam passes away through a pipe past the point
at which the water is collected; in some cases, to a condenser for condensing it.
The water resulting from this condensation of steam in the condenser is forced
up from the hot well of the condenser, to the point in the exhaust steam pipe at
which the water is discharged into it. Thus in this case, the feed water at the
temperature at which it is withdrawn from the main condenser, hot well, or air
pump discharge, is further heated by being introduced into the steam exhaust
pipe at a point above the condenser where it is hotter, and consequently receives
additional heat. The supply of water from the hot well or air pump discharge
is regulated, say by a regulating valve, or the like, controlled by a floater; and
is forced up to the heating part as described.
In some cases the heating part or device is provided with a floater and valve,
or the like, and the water is drawn off from it, directly by the feed pump, to
which the supply would be regulated by the floater and valve; otherwise the
water could be drawn off by a small air pump.
Further, in some cases, as on board ship, the heating is augmented by the
exhaust steam from auxiliary engines, donkey engines, and the like, by exhaust-
ing such steam into the exhaust pipe of the engine near where the, water spray is
arranged; or, in a separate pipe, vessel, or device.Or, it may receive the
additional heat by passing the exhaust steam from these engines through a pipe
in the engine near where the water spray is arranged; or, in a separate pipe,
vessel, or device. Or, it may receive the additional heat; by passing the exhaust
steam from these engines through a pipe in the part or vessel where the feed
water is collected.
•
.
In one form of apparatus, suitable for use in cases, as in marine engines,
where the exhaust of the steam takes place from cylinders above, and flows to
the condenser at a lower level, the feed water, taken from the hot well, is
delivered in a
spray at a point near the low pressure cylinder valve

page_text: Below
casing, and sprayed into the steam as it comes out of such casing.
this point in the pipe there are spiral vanes, which catch the water and lead it
to the side of the pipe, whilst the steam is free to pass on through the space
between these vanes. Thus the water is separated from the steam and flows
down the sides of the pipe. The water so separated is collected, say in an annular
extension or part of the steam pipe, or a bend; whilst the steam passes on
through a pipe which stands above the level of the collected. water, and by this
pipe it passes on to the condenser.
The separated and collected water in this heated condition is drawn off from
the collector, is dealt with as described, and pumped into the boiler in a heated
condition.
The invention is not necessarily restricted to the particular forms or parts or
constructions more particularly specified above.
Dated this 21st day of September 1897.
Improvements connected with the Heating of the Feed Water
supplied to Steam Generators.
I, JOHN THOM, of 194, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention has reference to the heating of the feed water supplied to steam
generators used in connection with and for driving steam engines, and wherein
the exhaust steam from the engine is employed in the heating of this feed
water:
it.
According to this invention, the feed water is heated by discharging it, say
in suitable spray form, in amongst the steam in the exhaust steam pipe (or
chamber) of the engine, within which is provided a means or device so arranged
that the water, so discharged into the pipe, is collected at a lower point, from
which point it is drawn off by the feed pump and delivered to the steam gene-
rator; whilst the uncondensed steam passes away through a pipe past the point
at which the water is collected, to a condenser for condensing
The water resulting from this condensation of steam in the condenser is forced
up from the hot well of the condenser, to the point in the exhaust steam pipe at
which the water is discharged into it. Thus, in this case, the feed water, at the
temperature at which it is withdrawn from the condenser hot well, or air
pump discharge, is further heated by being introduced into the steam exhaust
pipe at a point above the condenser, where it is hotter, and consequently receives
additional heat. The supply of water from the hot well or air pump discharge
is regulated, say, by a regulating valve; or the like, controlled by a floater; and
is forced up to the heating part, as described.
In some cases, the heating part or device is provided with a floater and valve,
or the like, and the water is drawn off from it, directly by the feed pump, to
which the supply would be regulated by the floater and valve; or, in another
case, the water would be drawn off by a small air pump.
Further, in some cases, as on board ship, the heating is augmented by the
exhaust steam from auxiliary engines, donkey engines, and the like, by exhaust-
ing such steam into the exhaust pipe of the engine near where the water spray is

page_text: arranged; or, in to a separate pipe, vessel, or device. Or, it may receive the
additional heat by passing the exhaust steam from these engines through a pipe
in the engine, near where the water spray is arranged; or, in a separate pipe,
vessel, or device. Or, it may receive the additional heat by passing the exhaust
steam from these engines through a pipe in the part or vessel where the feed
water is collected.
In one form of apparatus, suitable for use in cases, as in marine engines,
where the exhaust of the steam takes place from cylinders above, and flows to
the condenser at a lower level, the feed water, taken from the. hot well, is
delivered in a spray at a point near the low pressure cylinder valve
casing and sprayed into the steam as it comes out of such casing. Below
this point in the pipe there are spiral vanes, which catch the water and lead it
to the side of the pipe, whilst the steam is free to pass on through the space
between these vanes. Thus the water is separated from the steam and flows
down the sides of the pipe. The water so separated is collected, say in an annular
extension or part of the steam pipe, or a bend; whilst the steam passes on
through a pipe which stands above the level of the collected water, and by this
pipe it passes on to the condenser.
The separated and collected water in this heated condition is drawn off from
the collector, is dealt with as described, and pumped into the boiler in a heated
condition.
The invention is not necessarily restricted to the particular forms or parts or
constructions more particularly specified above.
The drawings hereto annexed illustrate the invention, Figure 1 being a front
sectional clevation, shewing the various parts used in connection with a condens-
ing steam engine, and Figure 2 a sectional plan of same at A. A Figure 1.
Figure 3 shews a modification of the apparatus.
Referring to the drawings, a represents the pipe or conduit, by which the
exhaust steam is conducted from the engine to the main condenser for creating
and maintaining vacuum in the low pressure cylinder or cylinders; and ba
a is an extension
chamber thereon, having within a spiral diaphragm or web c.
of the pipe a which stands above the level of the bottom of the chamber b, and
the annular space b1, around which constitutes a receiving vessel for water which
falls from the spiral diaphragm c. d is a pipe by which the water from the main
condenser, and which is to be heated, and fed to the steam generator supplying
the engines with steam, is conducted from the hot well of the condenser air-
pump to the exhaust pipe a above the diaphragm c; d¹ being a distributing rose
on the end of d, by which the water is sprayed into the exhaust steam in the
e is the main air pump for withdrawing
cylinder coming from the engine.
air and condensed water from the condenser and admitting it to the chamber b;
f being the hot well of this pump, to which the water supply pipe d is con-
nected; and is a valve on the pipe d for regulating the supply of water from
the hot well to the chamber b, gl being a floater carrying the valve g, and con-
tained within the casing, by which the valve g is operated, said floater and
valve being adapted to be raised by water in the case g³, when there is a certain
quantity of water in it, and the valve g opened, and to fall, and the valve g
closed when the water in g³ falls below a certain point. By this means, the
action of the air pump e is not interfered with, and the float prevents air being
drawn into the condenser from the hot well.
his a pipe connected with the bottom of the chamber b¹ for drawing off the
water from this chamber; and i is a second air pump, to the inlet of which the
pipe his connected, and by which the water and air from the chamber b¹ is
drawn off. is a tank into which the water from the pump is discharged,
m is a donkey
7 being the discharge pipe connecting the pump i with the tank.
pump for drawing off the hot water from the tank k, and for feeding the steam
generator with the hot water.
In action, the condensed water from the main engine condenser is pumped by

page_text: the air-pump e, into the hot well, and drawn through the pipe d, and. into the
heater 6 above the spiral diaphragm c, it being sprayed into the steam coming
from the engine by the pipe a, by the perforated spraying rose d'. The effect
is, that the fine jet or spray of water is heated by the exhaust steam (some of
which is also condensed by the water-which is of a lower.temperature), and.the
steam and water pass down through the spiral space between the spiral diaphragm c
and the water separates from the steam, and is delivered into the annular receiv-
ing part 6 in the bottom b, from the lower edge of the diaphragm; which is so
arranged that no water falls into the pipe a below it; while the steam passes
on freely into the upwardly projecting part a¹ of the pipe a, and away to the
main condenser.
From the bottom chamber b¹ of the vessel b, the heated water is drawn off by
the secondary air pump i, and is forced by it into the hot water tank k; from
which it is drawn off by the pump m, and delivered in its heated state to the
steam generator of the main engine.
ار
Thus by this means, the hot water from the engine condenser and hot well f,
has its temperature raised very considerably by the exhaust steam from the
engine on its way to the condenser; and further, the degree of vacuum in the
condenser is enhanced; thus attaining a two fold advantage, and augmentation
of efficiency of the engines and boilers.
As regards the construction of the chamber b, and parts connected with it, in
Figure 1 the steam is led in at the side by the pipe a, and the diaphragm device c
is a separate part, i.e. is not an integral part of the chamber 61; while the top
of the chamber is closed at the top by a detachable cover b². Thus, by removing
this cover, the diaphragm device c can be removed if and when desired. In the
modification in Figure 3, the chamber b and diaphragm device c are in one, and the
supply steam pipe a is arranged directly above the device c.
In some cases, the exhaust steam from the auxiliary engines used in con-
nection with the main engines, and as exist in the case of ships' propelling
engines, may be introduced into the chamber b, and the heat of such steam em-
ployed to assist the raising of the temperature of the water to be heated, and
delivered by the pipe d. Or, it may receive the additional heat by passing the
exhaust steam from these engines through a pipe on the engine near where the
water spray is arranged; or, in a separate pipe, vessel, or device. Or, it may
receive the additional heat by passing the exhaust steam from these engines
through a pipe to the part or vessel where the feed water is collected at the main
feed pump.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is:-
1. In the heating of the feed water supplied to steam generators, in connection
with which condensing steam engines are employed, a chamber on a pipe con-
veying the steam from the engine to the condenser, having connected with it a
water supply pipe connected with a pump, by which condensed water condensed
from the steam discharged from the engine or engines is delivered to said
chamber, said water so supplied, together with that condensed by it, being
adapted to be separated from the steam, and to be separately withdrawn, sub-
stantially as in the manner set forth.
2. In the heating of the feed water supplied to steam generators in connection
with which condensing steam engines are employed, a chamber on the pipe con-
veying the steam from the engine to the condenser, having within it an inclined
surface above which the water from the main condenser (or other water) is dis-
charged, and by which it is led away and separated from the portion of the
chamber by which the uncondensed steam passes away; substantially as set
forth.
} 1:
3. In a feed water heating apparatus, in which the condensed water from the

page_text: main condenser of the engine is supplied or discharged into the pipe leading from
the engine to the condenser, a chamber on said pipe adapted to separate the feed
water to be heated, and that condensed by it from the uncondensed steam; an
auxiliary air pump connected with the water collecting parts of this chamber,
for drawing off said water; and a float feed regulator between the main air pump
hot well, and the heating chamber; for the purposes set forth.
4. In apparatus of the type herein referred to, the spiral c, and chamber b, on
the exhaust pipes of the engine, arranged and adapted to discharge the water
passing down it centrifugally, and to allow of the flow of steam from said chamber
centrally, below said spiral device; as set forth with reference to and shewn in
the drawings.
5. In apparatus of the type herein referred to, the. combination of a chamber
on the main exhaust pipe, and water discharge jet therein, a separating device,
auxiliary air pump, and main air pump connected with said jet, and a feed
regulator floater device thereon, all as shewn in and set forth with reference to
the drawings.
Dated this 21st love of 1900
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicant's Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.