IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR, OR OTHER FLUIDS, AND FOR SURFACELY CONDENSING
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Atkinson, of 74, Springdale Road, Stoke Newing
ton, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR, OR OTHER FLUIDS, AND FOR SURFACELY
CONDENSING."
Sealed the 8th September 1877, and dated the 26th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Atkinson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th June 1877.
JAMES ATKINSON, of 74, Springdale Road, Stoke Newington, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR, OR OTHER
FLUIDS, AND FOR SURFACELY CONDENSING,"
My Invention relates to tubular apparatus for heating water, air, or other fluids
by means of steam, either exhaust steam from an engine, any other source, or fresh
steam, or any other condensable vapour, by transferring a portion of the heat con-
tained in it to the fluid to be heated.
Similar apparatus may be used for surface condensers.
One of its most important applications is for heating the feed water previously to
its entering the boiler by means of available heat contained in the exhaust steam
from non-condensing engines, thus conducing to economy. For this purpose the
apparatus is arranged as follows:-
The water to be heated is contained in a suitable vessel, by preference of a cylin
drical form, and having its axis placed vertically, constructed of cast iron, wrought
iron, or other suitable material, provided with inlet for cold water towards the
bottom, outlet. for heated water towards the top, suitable provision for cleaning out,
and such other attachments as may be required. Into this vessel project a number.
of tubes, hereafter called heating tubes (in the case of a very small heater a single.
tube may be sufficient); these tubes are closed at the upper ends, and are attached
at the opposite ends by screw threads or otherwise to a tube plate, which forms the
bottom of the water vessel, in such a manner that their external surface is in con-.
tact with the water to be beated, and their internal surface in communication with
Price 21

page_text: an enclosed space on the other side of or below the tube plate. The exhaust steam
from the engine has a free passage through this space and across the open mouths
of the heating tubes, suitable inlet and outlet openings being provided for it.
All of the heating tubes are provided with a circulating tube; they are of con-
siderably smaller diameter than the heating tubes, and in which they are inserted.
These circulating tubes form a communication between the upper or closed ends of
the heating tubes and the exhaust steain space, into which they project, and where
their mouths or openings are so arranged that they shall be in the best position for
the current or blast of the exhaust steam to cause an induced current flowing either
into or out of the circulating tubes, and thus into or out of the upper or closed ends
of the heating tubes. The object of these circulating tubes is to draw out or
expel any air or other gas which the heating tubes may contain when the engine
first commences to work, or which may be carried into them with the exhaust
stearn. When the air is thus removed steam takes its place, this being continually
renewed as it is condensed by being in contact with the inner surfaces of the heating
tubes, which transmit the heat thus abstracted to the water surrounding their outer
surfaces.
To assist the induced current through the circulating tubes a portion of the
heating tubes may project a short distance through the tube plate into the exhaust
steam space, and be shaped or bent into a suitable form for assisting the induced
current; thus, if the mouths of the circulating tubes are turned away from the
direction in which the exhaust steam is coming, then the projecting portions of the
heating tubes will tend to scoop up or direct the current of steam into the heating
tubes, thus assisting each other in causing an induced cuttent into the heating tubes
up to their top or closed ends, down the circulating tubes, and out at their mouths;
or if the mouths of the circulating tubes face the direction in which the current of
steam is coming, then the projecting portions of the heating tubes will divert the
current of steam, causing a diminution of pressure at the mouths of the heating
tubes, which, assisted by the current of steam blowing into the facing mouths of
the circulating tubes, will cause an induced current through the tubes in a reverse
direction, and in either case removing the air or other gases which would otherwise
interfere with the free contact of the exhaust steam with the interior of the heating
tubes.
The circulating tubes of any heating tubes, whose mouths are not in the direct
course of the exhaust steam, may have their lower ends carried into a better posi-
tion; in other cases these lower ends may be bent for facility of fixing in their
proper position; or to turn the mouth into a proper position straight tubes may be
used, having the mouth cut on a slant, or openings cut in the side with the bottom
closed.
The lower portion of the water cylinder may be divided by a vertical or inclined
partition. The cold water inlet delivery into one division keeps the water in it dis-
turbed, and so prevents it from depositing any of its impurities here; but the
water being undisturbed in the other division allows any impurities to settle there,
and from which they may be blown out through a suitable cock or valve as often as
may be desired.
The heater may be arranged in an inclined or horizontal position if required, but
in no case must the closed ends of the heating tubes be below their mouths.
The arrangement when used as a surface condenser is similar, the outlet from the
steam space being attached to the air pump.
Air or other fluids may be heated in place of water by the same arrangement, and
by any suitable condensable vapour.
When used for heating liquids in open tanks, vats, &c., heating air or gases
in
stoves, rooms, green-houses, &c., and in similar instances, the apparatus is arranged
as follows:-
A pipe conveying the heating vapour is carried into the lower part of the tank,
room, or other place containing the fluid to be heated, and continued for such a
length and in such a direction as may be desired to suit the requirements of the

page_text: :
case; this pipe is hereafter called the main heating pipe; branching out from it are
the heating tubes, which are arranged as regards their respective circulating tubes
and mouths or openings in a manner similar to that described for the feed water
heater.
The steam or other heating vapour passes through the main heating pipe, causing
an induced current in each of the heating tubes, as previously described.
The main heating pipe may be of any suitable section, and has by preference a
continuous fall, so as to drain all water, &c., which may condense in it or in the
heating tubes to its outlet end, where a suitable valve or opening may be provided
for its escape, together with any air, &c., which may require removing either on
starting or continuously. An outlet may also be here provided; through which the
steam or other heating vapour may be allowed to pass on to another system of
heating tubes to be used for any other purpose, or to escape into the air.
To suit special cases modifications of the above-described apparatus may be
required, but in all an induced.current is caused in the heating tubes; as described.
The chief advantages. derived by these improvements are,-
Freedom from straining and leaky joints due to the heating tubes being-fixed by
one end only.
Cheapness of manufacture.
The slight pressure required to drive the exhaust steam or other heating vapour
through the apparatus.
Accessibility and durability.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Atkinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th December
1877.
JAMES ATKINSON, of 74, Springdale Road, Stoke Newington, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AIR, OR OTHER
FLUIDS, AND FOR SURFACELY CONDENSING."
My Invention relates to tubular apparatus for heating water, air, or other fluids
by means of steam, either exhaust steam from an engine, any other source, or fresh
steam, or any other condensable vapour, by transferring a portion of the heat con-
tained in it to the fluid to be heated.
Similar apparatus may be used for surface condensers.
One of its most important applications is for heating the feed water previously to
its entering the boiler by means of the available heat contained in the exhaust
steam, thus conducing to economy. For this purpose the apparatus is arranged as
herein-after described, and as shewn in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a vertical section; Figure 2, a sectional plan; Figure. 3, part sectional
elevation; Figure 4, enlarged sectional elevation of one of the tubes; and Figure 4ª,
part sectional elevation shewing a different arrangement of the mouth.
Similar letters in all the Figures represent similar parts.
The water to be heated is contained in a suitable vessel A, by preference of a
cylindrical form, and having its axis placed vertically, constructed of cast iron,
wrought iron, or other suitable material, provided with inlet B for cold water
towards the botton, outlet C for heated water towards the top, suitable provision

page_text: for cleaning out, viz., man-hole D and mud-holes D¹, and such other attachments as
may be required. Into this vessel A project a number of tubes E, hereafter called
heating tubes (in the case of a very small heater a single tube may be sufficient);
these tubes E are closed at the upper ends, and are attached at the opposite ends by
screw threads or otherwise to a tube plate F, which forms the bottom of the water
vessel A, in such a manner that their external surface is in contact with the water
to be heated, and their internal surface in communication with an enclosed space G
on the other side of or below the tube plate F. The exhaust steam from the engine
has a free passage through the space G and across the open mouths of the heating
tubes E, a suitable inlet opening H and outlet opening I being provided for it, and
by preference restrained principally in passing through this space G to a passage or
channel K, which is direct in its course, and of about the same sectional area as the
exhaust pipe from the engine.
Each of the heating tubes E is provided with a circulating tube L, such circu-
lating tubes being of considerably smaller diameter than the heating tubes E, in
which they are inserted. These cirulating tubes L form a communication between
the upper or closed end of the heating tubes E and exhaust steam space G, into
which they project, and where their mouths or openings M are so arranged that
they shall be in the best position for the current or blast of the exhaust steam to
cause an induced current flowing either out of or into them, and thus out of or into
the upper or closed ends of the heating tubes E. The object of these circulating
tubes L is to draw out of or expel any air or other gas which the heating tubes E
may contain when the engine first commences to work, or which may be carried
into them with the exhaust steam, so that the air being thus removed steam will
take its place, this being continually renewed as it is condensed by being in contact
with the inner surface of the heating tubes E, which transmit the heat thus
abstracted to the water surrounding their outer surface.
To assist the induced current through the circulating tubes L a portion N of the
heating tubes E may project a short distance into the steam space G, and be shaped
or bent into a suitable form for assisting the induced current; thus, if the mouths M
of the circulating tubes L are turned away from the direction in which the exhaust
steam is coming, then the projecting portions N of the heating tubes E will tend to
scoop up or direct the current of steam into the heating tubes E, thus assisting each
other in causing an induced current into the heating tubes E up to their top or
closed ends, down the circulating tubes L, and out at their mouths M, as shewn by
the arrows; or if the mouths M of the circulating tubes L face the direction in
which the current of steam is coming, then the projecting portions N of the heating
tubes E will divert the current of steam, causing a diminution of pressure at the
mouths of the heating tubes E, which, assisted by the current of steam blowing into
the facing mouths M of the circulating tubes L, will cause an induced current
through the tubes in a reverse direction, and in either case removing the air or other
gas which would otherwise interfere with the free contact of the exhaust steam
with the interior of the heating tubes E.
In place of allowing a portion of the heating tube to project, as explained, a pro-
jection may be cast on the lower surface of the tube plate to answer the same
purpose, and as shewn in Figure 4a..
The circulating tubes L of any heating tubes E, whose mouths are not in the
direct course of the exhaust steam, may have their lower ends carried into a better
position, as shewn in Figure 2; in other cases these lower ends may be bent for
facility of fixing in their proper position; or to turn their mouths into a proper
position straight tubes may be used, having the mouth cut on a slant, or the mouths
may consist of openings cut in the side with the bottom closed.
It is obvious that any two or more of the circulating tubes may be connected
together so as to discharge through one mouth.
The lower portion of the water cylinder A may be divided by a vertical parti-
tion O (or this partition may be inclined). The cold water inlet B, delivering into
one division P; keeps the water in that division disturbed, and so prevents it from

page_text: depositing any of its impurities there; but the water being undisturbed in the other
division Q, allows any impurities to settle there, and from which they may be blown
out through a suitable cock or valve, or cocks or valves, fitted to a blow-out outlet
or outlets, as shewn at R.
The heater may be arranged in an inclined or horizontal position if required, but
in no case must the closed ends of the heating tubes be below their mouths.
The arrangement of the apparatus when used as a surface condenser is similar to
that herein-before described, but its general form may require to be altered to suit
the position in which it may be necessary to place it, either as regards its external
shape or the passage for the steam. The outlet I from the steam space G will be
attached to the suction side of the air pump, and sufficient water passed through the
water cylinder A to condense the steam. Also, when used either as a surface con-
denser or as an interheater to heat the steam in passing from the high-pressure
cylinder to the low-pressure cylinder with fresh steam from the boiler, the external
casing may form a portion of the engine itself.
Air or other fluids may be heated by the same arrangement, and by means of any
suitable condensable vapour.
Figures 5 to 8 shew the construction of the apparatus when used for heating
liquids in tanks, vats, coppers, or for heating air or gases in stoves, rooms, green-
houses, and in similar instances. Figure 5 is a sectional elevation; Figure 6, an
enlarged detail of the same; Figure 7, a part plan; and Figure 8, an enlarged detail
of the same.
A pipe S conveying the heating vapour is carried into the lower part of the room,
tank, or other place containing the fluid to be heated, and continued for such a
length and in such a direction as may be desired to suit the requirements of the
case; this pipe is hereafter called the main heating pipe; branching out from it are
the heating pipes E, which are arranged as regards their respective circulating
tubes L and their mouths or openings N and M in a manner similar to that
described for the feed water heater.
In these Figures the circulating tubes L are shewn straight at their lower ends,
which are screwed into or otherwise fixed to the main heating pipe S, with the
months M cut in the side of the tube, but it will be seen that the mouths M may be
arranged as shewn for the feed water heater; also, that the heating tubes E may
branch out on both sides of or be vertical or inclined to the main heating pipe S, as
may be required to suit the case in which it is to be used.
The steain or other heating vapour passes through or along the main heating.
pipe S, causing an induced current, which draws out of or expels the air from the
heating tubes E, as previously described, and comes in direct contact with the inner
surface of the heating tubes E, and thus heats the water, air, or other fluid which is.
in contact with their outer surface.
The main heating pipe S may be of any suitable section, and has by preference a
continuous fall, so as to drain all water or other fluid which may condense in it or
in the heating tubes to its outlet end, where suitable valves or openings may be pro-
vided for its escape, together with any air or other uncondensable gas which may
require removing either on starting or continuously. An outlet may also be here
provided, through which the remaining steam or other heating vapour may be
allowed to pass on to another system of heating pipes to be used for any other
purpose, or to escape into the air.
The chief advantages derived from my improvements are,-
Freedom from straining and leaky joints due to the heating tubes E, being fixed
at one end only.
Cheapness of manufacture.
The slight pressure required to drive the exhaust steam or other heating vapour
through the apparatus.
Accessibility and durability.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and

page_text: the manner of performing the same, I claim the following as being novel and
original :-
Firstly. Constructing feed water and other heaters with heating tubes fixed at
one end and closed at the other, such tubes containing circulating tubes of relatively
very much smaller sectional area, and having their mouths constructed substantially
in the manner herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the
acconipanying Drawing.
Secondly. The construction and employment in combination with the heating
tubes of circulating tubes having their mouths formed by cutting the end of the
tube in an inclined direction, substantially as herein-before described.
Thirdly. The construction and employment in combination with the heating tubes
of circulating tubes having their mouths formed substantially as herein-before
described, and shewn in Figures 6 and 8 of the accompanying Drawing.
Fourthly. Constructing surface condensers substantially as described.
Fifthly. Constructing heating pipes substantially as described, and illustrated by
Figures 5, 6; 7, and 8 of the accompanying Drawing.
Sixthly. The employment in water heaters of a vertical or inclined partition, as
and for the purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Atkinson, have hereto set my hand and
seal, this Nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES ATKINSON. (L.S.)