Improvements in Feed-water Heaters, Purifiers, and Scale Arresters, and in the Application of the same to Steam Boilers.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Feed-water Heaters, Purifiers, and Scale Arresters,
and in the Application of the same to Steam Boilers.
I, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FIELD, of 2236 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, United
States of America, gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED-WATER HEATERS PURIFIERS AND SOALE ARRESTERS, AND
IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAME TO LOCOMOTIVE BOILERS, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
My present invention relates, primarily, to the construction of a novel form of feed
water heater wherein the water is purified during its passage, and before delivery into
the boiler, and, secondarily, to improvements in the manner of supporting, arranging
and connecting feed-water heaters within locomotive boilers,-all as hereinafter more
fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing the interior construction
and arrangement of the improved heater and purifier.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through one of the heater-sections with sediment
retarder in position.
Figure 3 is an end view of the section figure 2.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through a locomotive boiler of the
"American type" showing the manner of applying a heater thereto.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the boiler.
Figure 6 is a detail view illustrating the supports at the front end of the boiler.
Figure 7 is a similar view showing the manner of supporting the rear end of the
heater.
Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse vertical section through front of boiler showing
supports and connections.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of feed water connections detached.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the front end of boiler with blow off attachment.
Figure 11 is a detail showing connection between rear end of heaters and crown
bars.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate in longitudinal and transverse section, respectively,
certain modified forms of the heater and purifier sections.
Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.
My improved feed water heater, purifier and scale arrester, comprises a tube or
conduit 1, preferably constructed in sections a, detachably secured together and united
by suitable couplings or connections 4. The conduit 1 is horizontally disposed and so
located that it will stand partly above the normal water line within the boiler, while
the discharge pipe a² projects vertically into the steam space.
Within some or all of the sections a are arranged a series of thin metal plates,
preferably in the form of tubes 6 of different diameters and located one within another
as represented in figures 1, 2 and 3, said tubes being properly supported and held
apart as by a transverse bolt or bolts 6' and collars or washers 63 or equivalent con-
nections for maintaining the several tubes in their proper relative positions, and prevent
longitudinal displacement.
In order to secure increased surface area some, or all of the tubes b are corrugated,
preferably longitudinally as shown; thus, in the example given, alternate tubes b of
the series are corrugated.
To permit and facilitate an equal circulation of water within the conduit 1 during its
passage therethrough, and to equalize the flow, the several tubes b, (which serve to
divide the interior of the conduit into a series of passages) are perforated or provided
with openings ³, care being taken to form clean cut openings in the walls of the

page_text: tubes, so as to prevent interference with the free circulation of the water or afford
corners for the lodgment of sediment.
It is not always desirable or necessary to provide the conduit 1 with internal
longitudinal partitions or pipes 6 throughout its entire length; thus, when feeding
cold water, the tubes 6 may be omitted from the front or induction end, or up to a
point where the scale-producing material begins to be deposited, which point is not
reached until the water has attained a certain degree of temperature, depending some-
what upon the character or quality of the water used. Nor is it necessary the feed
water should be retained within the conduit beyond the point at which it has been
deprived of its scale-producing materials, hence one or more additional or supplemental
discharge pipes may be located at suitable points in the length of the conduit, to be
closed or opened as desired.
Having described the essential features and preferred form of embodiment of this
portion of my invention I will now proceed to explain its purposes, functions and
capacities.
The internal diameter of the conduit 1 is much greater than that of the feed pipe,
hence the stream of water passing through it moves with much less velocity and in a
larger volume, thereby permitting the heavier particles or sediment to settle within
the conduit. As the stream of water flows through the conduit its temperature
gradually increases until, when it reaches the discharge orifice or pipe, it has attained
very nearly the temperature of the water within the boiler.
As the temperature is thus raised, the scale-producing materials contained in the
water are liberated or rendered active. Ordinarily the water is discharged into the
boiler in this condition or before arriving at this stage, and, as a result, the active
scale-producing materials at once attack the exposed surfaces of the interior of the
boiler.
It is with a view to protecting the interior of the boiler, by localizing the action of
the scale-producing materials and confining them within the conduit 1, that I
introduce the tubes within the latter, thereby presenting a large surface area of
metal to the direct action of these active materials, so that the latter will be withdrawn
from the water before it is discharged into the boiler.
The stream of water flowing through the conduit is subdivided by the tubes and
distributed over the surfaces of the latter in a manner to facilitate the formation of
scale thereon, or effect the separation of the scale-producing substances, so that when
the water finally emerges from the conduit or is discharged into the boiler it will have
been deprived of these active elements and be rendered practically inert so far as the
formation of scale is concerned.
By perforating the tubes not only is the flow and circulation of the water
equalized, but the surface area exposed to the direct action of the water is increased.
When it is desired to clear the conduit of sediment, a valve in the feed pipe is
opened and the steam permitted to blow through the conduit, and as there is a clear
passage provided throughout its length and the tubes are held apart, as described,
there are no corners or depositories formed wherein sediment can find lodgment and
protection from the blast or current of steam.
In the course of time the scale which attaches to or is formed upon the surfaces of
the tubes and the inner wall of the conduit, unless removed by the blowing off
process or otherwise, may interfere with the proper action of the purifier, and it will
then become necessary to clean the surfaces by other means or renew the pipes. This
can readily be accomplished by removing the sections of the conduit, one or more at
a time, and cleaning the pipes 6 or introducing new ones, and the latter can be effected
at slight expense and with the expenditure of but little time and labor, as said pipes
are usually constructed of thin sheet or plate iron, and are readily detached and
inserted by the withdrawal and reinsertion of the bolt or bolts.
With a view to protecting and preserving the outer tube or wall of the conduit, I
make the sections of galvanized iron, the zinc or lead, or both of these metals
combined contained in such a coating, acting as a preventive, or, at least, retarding
the formation of scale on the surface of the tube.

page_text: If the water employed contains a large amount of sediment, and in order that the
deposit formed within the conduit may not be carried or forced through into the
boiler, I propose, in special cases, to provide some or all of the sections with tubes b
shorter than the external tubes or conduit sections, leaving a clear space or chamber 2
at each end or at the contiguous ends of connected sections, and in the induction end
of each section so formed, I locate a wall or abutment 3, with its upper face tapered
as shown, in the direction in which the water flows in feeding.
The front end or face of this abutment 3 operates to check or retard the movement
of sedimentary deposits along the lower portion of the interior of the conduit, and to
retain much matter at different points in the length of the conduit, and in the clear
spaces formed beyond or between the tubes b of contiguous sections, thereby serving
not only to definitely locate the deposits and preventing them from being carried into
the boiler, but, also, to aid in keeping the passages clear between the internal tubes.
By providing the abutments with inclined surfaces, the flow and circulation of the
water, in feeding, is rendered more uniform and its distribution through the various
passages facilitated, and, at the same time, but little obstruction is offered to the
passage of the steam in blowing off, and the removal of sediment by this means is
rendered more certain and expeditious.
The next part of my invention, relating to the means and manner of supporting,
arranging and connecting feed-water heaters within locomotive boilers, although
especially designed for use in connection with feed-water heaters of the character
herein before described, is, by no means, limited thereto, but may be used to advantage
in connection with heaters of other kinds and with or without means for purifying the
water during its passage and before delivery into the general circulation of the
boiler.
Particular description of the boiler proper is deemed to be unnecessary, further
than to state that the one shown is typical of the general construction of locomotive
boilers in common use in the United States, A designating the shell; B the flues;
C the fire box; D the crown bars; E the stay rods for the flue sheet; F the steam
dome; G the dry pipe; and H H' the check valves, connected to the feed-water supply.
The conduit 1 is arranged with its induction end at the front of the boiler, and
extends longitudinally of the latter, substantially as in figure 5, where it is shown as
comprising six lengths, each composed of several sections a and united by suitable
connections 4 at the ends of the boiler, thus forming a long conduit through which
the water is conducted before being delivered within the boiler in the form of steam,
or steam and highly heated water.
In order to provide supports for the conduit 1, independent of the flues, and, at the
same time, obviate the necessity for making special attachments to, or otherwise
interfering with the integrity of the shell, I have devised the following novel mode of
supporting and sustaining the conduit within the boiler and of adjusting or determining
its height so as to receive the most effective action. To the front stay rods E, on each
side of the dry pipe G, is attached a clamp or bracket 5, as, for example, by applying
two plates 6 to the stays and clamping them securely, but removably and adjustably,
thereto by a bolt or bolts 7. To the clamp bracket 5 is attached a vertical adjusting
rod 8 upon which is suspended a clamp 9 engaging the conduit 1. The clanıp 9 may
consist of a bar or plate 10 extending across the front of the boiler and beneath the
conduit and suspended upon the two rods 8, one on each side of the center of the
plate, and adjustment may be provided for by threading the rods 8 into the clamp or
brackets 5 above, and swivelling them in or upon the clamps 9 or the bar 10, as
shown, so that, when said rods are rotated, as by application of a wrench to an
angular portion 11, or by other means, the clamp 9, carrying the forward end of the
conduit, will be raised or lowered. The conduit may he retained securely in position
upon the bar 10 by means of a superposed bar 12 and bolts 13, these elements, in
conjunction with the bar 10, forming what is herein referred to as the clamps 9.
As it is sometimes necessary to elevate the front end of the conduit to such a
degree that the inuer lengths will stand with their upper surfaces somewhat above the

page_text: lower face of the dry pipe G, the upper member of the clamp 9 may be formed in
separate sections as shown, to admit the dry pipe between them."
The rear end of the conduit is, in like manner, provided with, or received in an
adjustable and removable clamp, represented in the drawings as comprising two
members 15, 16, with bolts 17 for clamping them upon the conduit. The rear clamp
is also suspended upon vertically adjustable rods 18, depending from brackets 19
secured to the hanger or yoke 20, in which the dry pipe is supported or to the stay
bolts, such as are found in the rear portion of English boilers.
Provision is made for the vertical adjustment of the clamp or support for the rear
end of the conduit by providing the rods 18 with swivel connections at one end, and
threaded connections at the other, so that, as said rods are rotated, the clamp, together
with the purifier, will be raised or lowered, as in the case of the front clamps and
opposite end of purifier.
As is obvious, other well known equivalent forms of clamps for holding the conduit,
and adjustable connections for raising and lowering them, may be substituted for
those shown, the essential feature of this part of the invention residing, primarily, in
the provision for suspending the feed-water conduit 1 within the boiler and above, and
independent of the flues, upon the stay rods at one end of the dry pipe support or
other internal supports usually present at the other, whereby these parts, common to
most boilers, as heretofore constructed, are utilized for this purpose without involving
any other or further attachments or mutilation of the boiler. If deemed preferable,
however, the brackets, to which the adjustable hangers are connected, may be attached
directly to the shell of the boiler at slight expense.
To assist the suspending rods in retaining the conduit in place and to prevent the
twisting or bending of said rods by the longitudinal motion of the conduit, I attach to
the rear end, and, preferably, to each of the outside connections 4, a yoke or clamp
21, extending over the crown bars 1 and connected thereto, to prevent longitudinal
motion, as by providing the rear extensions of said yoke with a stud or projection
22 fitting between and engaging the opposite surfaces of contiguous crown bars D
(see figure 11).
As the present invention is mainly designed for application to boilers that have
been in use, although equally well adapted for new boilers, special provision is made
for facilitating the insertion of the feed-water heater and purifier, which operation is
usually performed when the locomotive is laid up for cleaning and repair. At such
times it is customary to withdraw the dry pipe and remove the flues through the
opening made in the front flue sheet by the removal of the dry pipe. The removal
of the flues is necessary in order to clean them of scale and perimit the workmen
to enter within the boiler for the durpose of removing the crown bars or to make
repairs.
It is while the flues are out that I introduce, secure and adjust the conduit 1 within
the boiler, and in order to provide an exit for the operator through the steam dome
where he must enter, as well as to afford a space for him to stand while removing or
repairing the crown bars D, I make the central portion of the rear end of the conduit
1 shorter than the flues, thereby providing an opening 25 below the rear flue sheet
and conduit through which the workman can pass to the space above the fire box
or in which he can stand while removing the crown bars or making repairs at this
end of the boiler.
In order, however, that the aggregate length of the conduit shall not be materially
diminished in consequence of this shortening of the central section, the outer lengths
are carried close to the boiler, and their rear ends curved or bent on diverging lines
following the enlargement of the boiler at this point, so that a wider space is left
between the rear ends of these outside lengths of the conduit, which is utilized by the
workman in making repairs at this end of the boiler, such as could not otherwise he
made without removing the purifier or some portion of it.
The eduction end 26 of
the conduit 1, preferably formed or provided with two or more discharge pipes or
openings 27, is adjustably attached to the forward stay rod E as by an adjustable

page_text: hanger 28, whereby this end of the conduit can be raised or lowered relatively to the
water line or plane of the rest of the conduit, as it is of the utmost importance that
the eduction or discharge end should stand well above the water line and project
into the steam space, thereby preventing the escape of the water in the boiler through
the purifier when blowing out the sedimentary deposits and also aids in effecting the
conversion of the water into steam before being discharged into the general circu-
lation of the boiler.
Ordinarily the feed water appliances, connected to the check valve casings HH'
on each side of the boiler, deliver water, through openings in the shell, directly into
the interior of the boiler.
In applying my improved feed-water heater and purifier, I connect both check valve
casings with the induction end of the conduit 1 by pipes located wholly within the
boiler and attached directly to the eduction passages leading from the check valves to
the interior of the shell.
One mode of accomplishing this is by providing the induction end of the conduit
with a pipe 31 connected by an elbow with a transverse pipe 32, which is in turn
connected to the eduction pipe or orifice of check valve H. The other check valve H¹
is connected by a pipe 33 with the pipe 31, so that the feed-water appliances on
opposite sides of the boiler are placed in direct communication with the conduit 1
without the addition of other external fittings, and by locating the connections wholly
within the boiler, not only can the attachment be made at comparatively slight expense,
but, in case any of the joints should leak, no great damage or inconvenience would
result therefrom.
The sediment etc., which was deposited within the conduit is removed, in the usual
manner, by "blowing off," that is to say, by opening an escape pipe connected with
the induction end of the conduit so that the steam will force its way back through
the conduit.
The "blow off" pipe is usually carried beneath the engine, the steam, water and
sediment being discharged upon the track.
When longitudinal partitions or pipes are employed in the purifier sections,
instead of supporting them upon bolts and providing them with perforations to equalize
the circulation as hereinbefore described, said internal partitions or pipes may be
constructed and applied in other equivalent ways, as illustrated, for example in figures
12 and 13 wherein the internal longitudinal plates or tubes 6 are shown as formed or
provided with slots or openings 60 along the whole length of their bottom or lower
side, through which sediment is permitted to escape and the water to circulate.
Located within the section a and at opposite ends thereof is a spider provided
with arms extending across the interior of the section and furnished with grooves or
projections to receive the several tubes or plates b and hold the latter in position.
The two spiders or supports 1 are clamped in position upon the tubes or plates 6 by
suitable retaining devices such as a rod 612 detachably secured to said spiders in a
manner to draw them together and thus clamp the tubes in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination with a steam boiler, of a conduit B located within the boiler,
connected to the feed water pipe and having a discharge pipe or orifice within the
boiler, said conduit being provided with a series of tubes arranged within and extend-
ing longitudinally thereof, substantially as described.
2. In combination with a steam boiler and a conduit B horizontally disposed within
the boiler and connected to the feed pipe at one end, and provided with a discharge
pipe at the opposite end above the water line, of a series of corrugated tubes, open
at both ends and contained-one within another, said tubes being longitudinally disposed
within the conduit B; substantially as described.
3. In combination with a steam boiler and the feed pipe thereof, a conduit B con-
nected to the feed pipe and provided with a discharge above the water line, said conduit

page_text: being composed of a series of separate pipes or sections detachably secured together,
and one or more of said sections provided with a series of open ended corrugated tubes
held in position within, and longitudinally of the section by a transverse bolt, with
spacing devices for holding the several tubes separated, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4. The combination, substantially as described, with the boiler and feed pipe, of the
sectional conduit B composed of a series of outer pipes or sections provided with non-
scaling surfaces and a series of removable internal tubes or plates, composed of
materials such as iron or steel, for which the scale-forming materials contained in the
water manifest an affinity, as and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination with a steam boiler and with the feed water pipe, of a conduit B
provided with a discharge pipe opening within the boiler, said conduit being composed
of an outer tube, and a series of inner tubes arranged one within another and disposed
longitudinally of the outer tube, said inner tubes being open at both ends and perforated,
as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a conduit for conveying and heating the water and delivering the latter into
a boiler, an outer tube and a series of inner tubes arranged one within another, said
inner tubes being composed of corrugated and perforated plates, open at both ends
and held in place within the outer tube, a transverse bolt passing through all of the
tubes, with devices interposed between the inner tubes to hold them apart, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination in a feed water purifier such as described, of a conduit through
which the water is conducted to the boiler, located within the latter, and provided
with plates or abutments, as at 3, located at intervals in the length of the conduit and
in the lower section of the opening therein, substantially as described.
8. The combination to form a feed water heater and purifier, such as described, of a
conduit located within the boiler and provided with internal tubes arranged at intervals
in the length of the conduit, with retarding plates occupying the lower portion of the
conduit and arranged in the spaces between contiguous groups of internal tubes,
substantially as described.
9. A feed water heater and purifier, such as described, consisting, essentially, of a
series of tubular sections united together and provided with shorter internal tubes
and an inclined face abutment 3 located in the induction end of the section, substan-
tially as described.
10. The combination, to form a feed-water heater and purifier for application within
the boiler, of a series of sections united together to form a continuous conduit, the
sections forming said conduit, being provided with a series of shorter perforated tubes
held separated and removed from the ends of the section to form chambers therein,
with an inclined faced plate or abutment 3 located in the induction end of the section,
substantially as described.
11. The combination with a locomotive boiler, of a feed water purifier located
within the boiler above the flues and supported upon the shell of the boiler,
substantially as described.
12. In combination with a locomotive boiler, a feed water purifier and heater
suspended above the flues upon the stay rods and dry pipe yoke, substantially as
described.
13. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
and purifier suspended by adjustable supports at opposite ends upon the stay rods and
dry pipe yoke, substantially as described.
14. In combination with a locomotive boiler, a feed water heater and purifier
suspended above the flues upon adjustable and removable supports indirectly connected
to the shell of the boiler above the flues, substantially as described.
15. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
located within the boiler above the flues, clamps removably applied to the heater at or
near the ends thereof, and adjustable hangers or supports interposed between the stay
rods and clamp, at one end, and the dry pipe yoke and clamp at the opposite end,
substantially as described.

page_text: 16. In a locomotive boiler, such as described, and in combination with the flue
sheet, stay rods and the dry pipe yoke, brackets provided with adjusting rods and
connected to clamps, the latter detachably applied to the feed water heater to
support and adjust the position of the heater above the flues, substantially as
described.
17. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a conduit extending
longitudinally of the boiler above the flues and supported at each end within the
boiler, and an independent adjustable support for the discharge end of the conduit,
substantially as described.
18. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
composed of a number of connected lengths of pipe horizontally disposed and extend-
ing longitudinally within the boiler above the flues, and between the latter and the
dry pipe, said heater being suspended from, and supported by the stay rods at one
end, and the dry pipe yoke at the opposite end, substantially as described.
19. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water conduit
horizontally disposed and suspended above and independently of the flues, the central
section of said conduit terminating at a point sufficiently in advance of the rear
flue sheet, to form a passage for the workman, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
20. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water conduit
suspended within the boiler above and independently of the flues, said conduit com-
prising a number of lengths of pipe connected together at opposite ends, alternately,
the outer lengths being bent or curved on diverging lines and the intermediate length
terminating at some distance in advance of the rear flue sheet, to form a space or
passage for the entrance and exit of the workman from within the boiler while the
feed water heater is in position, substantially as described.
21. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
suspended on hangers above the flues and provided at its rear end with a brace or braces
engaging the crown bars substantially as described.
22. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
suspended above the flues and provided with a removable clamp or clamps applied to
its rear end and extending above the crown bars, said extensions being provided with
a lug engaging the sides of the crown bars, to prevent longitudinal movement of the
heater, substantially as described.
23. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
located within the boiler and connected to the check valve casings on opposite sides
of the boiler; substantially as described.
24. In combination with a locomotive boiler, such as described, a feed water heater
located within the boiler with its induction passage connected to the check valve
casings on opposite sides of the boiler by pipes and connections located wholly within
the boiler; substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of Santamber 1889
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.