Improvements in Apparatus suitable for Heating Water or other Liquid, and as a Condenser.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 6th Sept., 1900-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Apparatus suitable for Heating Water or other
Liquid, and as a Condenser.
We, HARRY HOLDEN, of The Cottage, Thelwall, near Warrington, in the
ounty of Lancaster, and ROBERT GRUNDY BROOKE, of Upton Grange, Maccles-
eld, in the County of Chester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
nvention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to apparatus of the kind suitable for heating liquids
nd for condensing steam and it consists in improved constructions of such
apparatus designed to provide a large and efficient heating or cooling surface
in a small space; to allow of ready inspection, cleaning and renewal of the
heating surfaces; and to allow of free expansion and contraction of the various
parts without causing injury thereof.
In apparatus for this purpose according to this invention, the heating or
cooling surface, as the case may be, is formed by a number of pairs of concen-
trically arranged tubes that are connected at each end to separate tube plates
between which chambers or passages are formed, and the tubes and the pair of
tube plates connecting them at one end are suspended by the other pair of tube
plates within a casing provided with an inlet for steam and with an outlet
for water of condensation, the arrangement being such that the space within
each inner tube of a pair of tubes is in direct communication with the space
external to the outer tube of the pair of tubes so that steam admitted to the
apparatus will come successively into contact with the inner surface of the
inner tubes and the outer surface of the outer tubes, or vice versa, and water
or other liquid to be heated, or to act as a condensing medium, will flow
between the tubes of each pair and by means of one or more diaphragms or
divisions in or between one or each pair of tube plates, will be caused to circu-
5 late to the desired extent through two or more groups of pairs of tubes in suc-
cession so as to facilitate the desired exchange of heat between the steam and
water or other liquid.
In one construction of apparatus according to this invention the upper tube
plate carrying the outer tubes of the several pairs of tubes is arranged between
30 the top of a cylindrical or other shaped casing and an annular or other shaped
distance piece that is formed with inlet and outlet branches for water or other
liquid (hereinafter referred to as water) and with a recess in which the top tube
plate carrying the inner tubes of the several pairs of tubes is fixed by a dished
cover plate, one of the two tube plates being formed on its upper side with one
35 or more ribs or divisions that serves or serve to divide the space between the
two plates into two or more chambers or compartments one of which is in com
munication with the water inlet and the other of which, or the last of whic
if there be more than two, is in communication with the water outlet. Th
lower tube plate to which the lower ends of the outer tubes of each pair
40 tubes are connected is connected to and carries the lower tube plate to whic
onds of the inner tubes are secured,, one or more chambers or con

page_text: partments being formed between the lower tube plates according as two or more
chambers or compartments are formed between the upper pair of tube plates.
The upper ends of the inner tubes are in communication at their upper ends
with a chamber formed by and between the upper tube plate of the upper pairs
of tube plates and the dished cover above it, and the lower ends of the inner
tubes are in direct communication with the space below the lower of the bottom
pair of tube plates and which space is in free communication with the space
within the casing traversed by the outer tubes.
In one arrangement the space between the upper pair of tube plates is divided
by two vertical ribs or divisions into three chambers or compartments one of
which communicates with the water inlet and with the upper ends of the outer
tubes of a group of concentric tubes; another of which communicates with
and connects the upper ends of the outer tubes of second and third groups of
concentric tubes; and the last of which communicates with the upper ends of
the outer tubes of a fourth group of concentric tubes and with the water outlet.
The space between the two lower pairs of tube plates is divided by a single
rib or division into two chambers or compartments. one of which connects the
lower ends of the outer tubes in the first and second groups of tubes, and the
other of which connects the lower ends of the outer tubes in the third and fourth
groups of tubes. The upper dished cover is provided with a steam inlet and
the bottom of the casing with an outlet for water of condensation. The annular
space between each pair of concentric tubes is made of comparatively small
cross sectional area so that the hollow stream of water flowing therethrough
will be of correspondingly small cross sectional area and can therefore be
efficiently heated on both sides.
The arrangement of the apparatus described is such that steam entering by
the steam inlet at the top will flow down through all the inner tubes simul-
taneously and escape therefrom into the casing where it will surround and
come in contact with the outer tubes, water resulting from the condensation of
the steam, escaping from the bottom of the casing which is or may be con-
nected to a steam trap. Water to be heated, entering by the water inlet, flows
through the first chamber between the upper pair of tube plates, through the
outer tubes of the first group of tubes to one of the chambers between the lower
pair of tube plates, up the outer tubes of the second group of tubes, through the
central chamber between the upper pair of tube plates and down the outer
tubes of the third group of tubes to the second chamber between the lower pair
of tube plates whence it flows upward through the outer tubes of the fourth
group of tubes to the third upper chamber and thence to the water outlet, such
water becoming effectively heated in its passage between the several pairs of
tubes.
The numbers of chambers between each pair of tube plates and the number
of groups into which the pairs of concentric tubes may be divided can of course
be varied. There may be only two groups of tubes, or more than four, the
number of chambers formed by and between the pairs of tube plates being varied
to suit requirement.
The steam may be admitted through a suitable inlet to the interior of the
casing so as to first come in contact with the exterior of the outer tubes and
then pass to the interiors of the inner tubes, a suitable passage being provided
for draining away water of condensation from the chamber formed by and
between the upper tube plate and the dished cover above such plate, if such
a chamber be in this case used.
The outer tubes may be connected at their lower ends by separate passages
if desired instead of by a chamber common to a number of- them.
The operation of the apparatus might be reversed, that is to say water might
be passed through the inner and round the outer tubes and steam be passed
between the pairs of tubes. In this case the water may be forced through the
inlet in the dished cover plate and out of the chamber or casing in which the

page_text: mp
Also suitable passages would
ubes are suspended, or vice versa.
or draining away water of condensation from the chambers formed by and
between the pairs of tube plates.
The tubes may be connected in various ways to the tube plates. In one
arrangement the outer tubes are expanded into their tube plates. The upper
end of each inner tube is made steam tight in its tube plate by a plug of soft
metal, such as white metal that is screwed taper on the outside so as to close
At the other or lower end, each
tightly against the tube when screwed down.
inner tube is provided with a taper ferrule which is screwed or forced into a
corresponding hole in the bottom tube plate and is formed with a square or
other shaped hole therethrough to permit of a rod being passed down through
the tube for screwing it in or out without bringing torsional strain on the tube
itself, the rod being of suitable shape at its lower end to fit the hole in the
ferrule.
By suspending the tubes as described from one end only they can freely
expand and contract, whilst by fixing the upper ends of the inner tubes to the
upper tube plate in the manner explained, provision is made for
the expansion or contraction of the inner and outer tubes by reason of their
any difference
Improvements in Apparatus suitable for Heating Water or
Liquid, and as a Condenser.
We, HARRY HOLDEN, of The Cottage, Thelwall, near Warrington, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, and ROBERT GRUNDY BROOKE, of Upton Grange,
facclesfield, in the County of Chester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
f this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
arly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:——
This invention relates to apparatus of the kind suitable for heating liquids
and for condensing steam, and it consists in improved constructions of such
apparatus designed to provide a large and efficient heating or cooling surface
in a small space; to allow of ready inspection, cleaning and renewal of the
heating surfaces, and to allow of free expansion and contraction of the various
parts without causing injury thereof.
In apparatus for this purpose according to this invention, the heating or
cooling surface, as the case may be, is formed by a number of pairs of concen-
trically arranged tubes that are connected at each end to separate tube plates
between which chambers or passages are formed, and the tubes and the pair of
tube plates connecting them at one end are suspended by the other pair of tube
plates within a casing provided with an inlet for steam and with an outlet
for water of condensation, the arrangement being such that the space within
cach inner tube of a pair of tubes is in direct communication with the space
external to the outer tube of the pair of tubes so that steam admitted to the
apparatus will come successively into contact with the inner surface of the
inner tubes and the outer surface of the outer tubes, or vice versa, and water
or other liquid to be heated, or to act as a condensing medium, will flow
0 between the tubes of each pair and by means of one or more diaphragms or

page_text: divisions in or between one or each pair of tube plates, will be caused to circu-
late to the desired extent through two or more groups of pairs of tubes in suc-
cession so as to facilitate the desired exchange of heat between the steam and
the water or other liquid.
In the accompanying illustrative drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical section on the
line AA of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line B B of Fig. 1,
and Fig. 3 is an inverted section on the line 13 B¹ of Fig. 1, showing one con-
struction of apparatus according to this invention.
In this construction, the upper tube plate 1 carrying the outer tubes 2 of the
several pairs of tubes 2 and 3, is arranged between the top of a casing 4 and a
distance piece 5 that is formed with inlet and outlet branches 6 and 7 respec-
tively for water or other liquid (hereinafter referred to as water) to be heated,
and with a recess 5ª in which the top tube plate 8 carrying the inner tubes 3
of the several pairs of tubes is fixed by a dished cover plate 9, the tube plate 1,
being formed on its upper side with one or more ribs or divisions 10, that serves
or serve to divide the space between the two plates into two or more chambers
or compartments 11 one of which is in communication with the water inlet
branch 6 and the other of which, or the last of which, if there be more than
two, is in communication with the water outlet 7. The casing 4 and distance
piece 5 are shown of circular section, but they may be of other shape. Also
the tube plate 1 and distance piece 5 are shown as made in one piece. The lower
tube plate 12 to which the lower ends of the outer tubes 2 of each pair of tubes
are connected, is secured, as by set screws 13, to the lower tube plate 14 to which
the lower ends of the inner tubes 3, are secured, one or more chambers or com-
partments 15 being formed between the lower tube plates 12 and 14 according
as two or more chambers or compartments 11 are formed between the upper
pair of tube plates 1 and 8. The upper ends of the inner tubes 3 are in com-
munication with a chamber 16 formed by and between the upper tube plate
and the dished cover plate 9 above it, and the lower ends of the said inner tubes
are in direct communication with the space 17 located below the lower plate 14
and which space is in free communication with the space 17ª within the casing 4
traversed by the outer tubes 2.
In the arrangement shown, the space between the upper pair of tube plates 1
and 8 is divided by two vertical ribs or divisions 10 into three chambers or
compartments 11, one of which communicates with the water inlet 6 and with
the upper ends of the outer tubes 2 of a group of concentric tubes; the central
one of which communicates with and connects the upper ends of the outer
tubes 2 of the second and third groups of concentric tubes; and the last of
which communicates with the upper ends of the outer tubes 2 of a fourth group
of concentric tubes and with the water outlet 7. The space between the lower
pair of tube plates 12 and 14 is divided by a single rib or division 18 into two
chambers or compartments 15, one of which connects the lower ends of the
outer tubes 2 in the first and second groups of tubes, and the other of which
connects the lower ends of the outer tubes in the third and fourth groups of
tubes. The upper dished cover 9 is provided with a steam inlet 19, and the
bottom cover plate 9 of the casing 4 is provided with an outlet 20 for water of
condensation. The annular space 2* between each pair of concentric tubes 2
and 3 is made of comparatively small cross sectional area so that the hollow
stream of water flowing therethrough will be of correspondingly small cross
sectional area and can therefore be efficiently heated on both sides.
The arrangement of the apparatus described is such that steam entering by
the steam inlet 19 at the top will flow down through all the inner tubes 3
simultaneously and escape therefrom into the casing 4 where it will surround
and come in contact with the outer tubes 2, water resulting from the .con-
densation of the steam, escaping from the bottom of the casing through the
outlet 20 which is or may be connected to a steam trap. Water to be heated
entering by the water inlet 6, flows through the first chamber 11 between the

page_text: pper pair of tube plates 1 and 8, through the outer tubes of the first group
ubes 2 and 3 to one of the lower chambers 15 between the lower pair of tube
lates 12 and 14, up the outer tubes of the second group of tubes, through the
central chamber 11 between the upper pair of tube plates and down the outer
ubes of the third group of tubes to the second lower chamber 15 between the
ower pair of tube plates whence it flows upward through the outer tubes 2 of
the fourth group of tubes to the third upper chamber 11 and thence to the
water outlet 7, such water becoming effectively heated in its passage between
the several pairs of tubes.
The number of chambers 11, or 15 between each pair of tube plates, and the
number of groups into which the pairs of concentric tubes may be divided, can
of course be varied. There may be only two groups of tubes, as in the modified
arrangement hereinafter described, or more than four, the number of chambers
formed by and between the said pairs of tube plates being varied to suit require-
ments.
The steam may, if desired, be admitted through a suitable inlet to the interior
of the casing 4, as indicated in dotted lines at 19ª, in Fig. 1, so as to first come
in contact with the exterior of the outer tubes 2 and then pass to the interiors
of the inner tubes 3, a suitable passage or pipe, such as indicated in dotted
lines at 20, (Fig. 1), being provided for draining away water of condensation
from the chamber 16 formed by and between the upper tube plate 8 and the
dished-cover plate 9 above such plate.
The outer tubes 2 may be connected at their lower ends by separate passages
if desired instead of by a chamber common to a number of them.
The operation of the apparatus might be reversed, that is to say, water might
be passed through the inner tubes 3 and round the outer tubes 2, and steam be
passed through the annular spaces 2* between the pairs of tubes. In this case
the water may be forced through the inlet opening 19 in the dished-cover
plate 9 and out of the chamber or casing 4, as for example through the opening
Also suitable passages would be pro-
indicated at 19ª in Fig. 1, or vice versa.
vided for draining away water of condensation from the chambers 11 and 15
formed by and between the pairs of tube plates.
The tubes may be connected in various ways to the tube plates. In the
arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the outer tubes 2 are expanded into their tube
plates 1 and 12. The upper end of each inner tube 3 is made steam tight in
its tube plate by a plug 21 of soft metal, such as white metal, that is screwed
taper on the outside so as to close tightly against the said inner tube when
screwed down. At the other or lower end, each inner tube 3 has fixed to it a
taper ferrule 22 which is screwed or forced into a corresponding hole in the
bottom tube plate 14 and is formed with a square or other shaped hole 22
therethrough to permit of a rod, to serve as a key, being passed down through
the tube for screwing the ferrule in or out without bringing torsional strain on
the tube itself, the rod being of suitable shape at its lower end to fit the hole in
the ferrule.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line C, C, of Fig. 5, and Fig. 5 is a hori-
zontal section, partly on the line D D and partly on the line E E of Fig. 4,
showing an arrangement like that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, but inverted so
that the tubes 2 and 3 with tube plates 12 and 14 are supported by the tube
plates 1 and 8 from below instead of from above, and there is a single rib or
0 division 10 between the tube plates 1 and 8 and none between the tube plates 12
and 14 so that there are only two groups of tubes 2 connected by two chambers 11
and one chamber 15. Water enters as before, through the inlet 6 and one of
the chambers 11 and after flowing through the two groups of tubes 2, and
connecting chamber 15, escapes through the other chamber 11 and outlet 7,
55 steam entering the casing 4 by the inlet 19ª, so as to first surround the tubes 2,
and then passing to the interior of the tubes 3, water of condensation escaping
by the drain outlet 20. 21 is a pipe by which water of condensation can escape

page_text: from the space around the tubes 2 to the drain outlet 20. 22 is a pipe which
is connected to the tube plate 14, extends through a stuffing box 23 in the
cover plate 9ª, and terminates below a normally closed outlet 9b, and through
which scum accumulating in the chamber 15 can be blown off at intervals.
25 is a hand hole in the casing 4 normally closed by a cover 26. In this
example, the upper ends of the inner tubes are shewn secured in the tube
plate 14 by packing 21ª compressed around them by screw glands 21b, the lower
ends of the said tubes being secured in the tube plate 8 by ferrules 22 having
cylindrical screw threaded ends. This arrangement is shown more clearly in
Fig. 6, which also shows a rod or key 27 the lower end 27ª of which is adapted
to enter the square hole 22ª in the ferrule for screwing the said ferrule into
the plate 8 or unscrewing it therefrom.
By supporting the tubes 2 and 3 as described from one end only, they can
freely expand and contract, whilst by fixing the upper ends of the inner tubes 3
to the upper tube plate 8 or 14 (Figs. 1 or 4) in the manner explained, provision
is made for any difference in the expansion or contraction of the inner and
outer tubes by reason of their difference in length.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. Apparatus suitable for heating water or other liquid, or for use as a con-
denser, wherein a number of pairs of concentrically arranged tubes are con-
nected at each end to separate pairs of tube plates between which chambers or
passages are formed that connect the annular spaces between the tubes with
each other and with passages for the entrance and exit of the liquid to be heated
or to act as a cooling medium, or for the entrance and exit of steam and water
of condensation respectively, and the tubes and pair of tube plates connecting
them at one end are supported by the other pair of tube plates within a casing
provided with passages for entrance and exit of steam and water of condensation
respectively, or for the inlet and outlet of liquid to be heated or to act as a
cooling medium, the interior of each inner tube being in communication with
the space external to each outer tube, substantially as herein described.
2. Apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim wherein the inner
tube of each pair of concentric tubes is fixed at one end to a tube plate by a
packing device that will admit of its moving therethrough by expansion or
contraction and is fixed at its other end to a second tube plate by a ferrule
that is formed with a square or other, shaped hole therethrough adapted to
receive the correspondingly shaped end of a rod inserted within the tube, so
that the ferrule with tube can be secured to or detached from the said second
tube plate without bringing torsional strain on the tube itself, substantially
as described.
3. Apparatus suitable for heating water or other liquid, or for use as a con-
denser, constructed, arranged and operating substantially as herein before
described with reference to Figs. 12 and 3, or modified according to Figs. 4
and 5 of the drawings annexed.
Dated this fith day of September 1900
Dated this lith day of September 1900
For the Applicants,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.