Improvements in Apparatus for Making Fresh Water from Salt Water, partly applicable also to Condensing and to Heating Feed Water.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 189+
Complete Specification Left, 11th Jan., 1:95-Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Making Fresh Water from Salt
Water, partly applicable also to Condensing and to Heating
Feed Water.
I, HENRY HOCKING, of 7 York Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus for making fresh water from salt
water by the distillation of the salt water by steam, the vapour given off from the
salt water. being carried away and condensed by any suitable condensing apparatus.
It also, however, has reference to apparatus used for heating water for feeding
steam generators, or other purposes, by steam, and to apparatus for condensing
steam.
According to this invention, I employ within a suitable vessel, a number of tubes
into and through which the steam used as the heating fluid, in the case of a
distilling apparatus, or feed heating apparatus and in the case of a condenser, the
steam to be condensed, is passed to and fro. The tubes are arranged in nests or
batches and connected or coupled at their ends by hollow socket pieces connecting
two of said pipes together, these socket connections being arranged and disposed at
the opposite ends of the pipes, so that steam is passed continuously from one pipe
to the other backwards and forwards, passing in say at the top tube, and leaving at
the lower tube, as water or steam and water; thus causing a fall for the liquid
condensed between each successive pipe, the liquid and steam passing in the same
direction. The connecting sockets of a nest of tubes are at each end connected
together, as by casting them together, and are connected up with the steam supply
conduit by a suitable nipple or like arrangement, a similar arrangement being
provided at the bottom pipe for carrying off the condensed water. The tubes are
fastened to the sockets by brazing or equivalent means. One, two, or more nests
or batches of these interconnected tubes may be employed in an apparatus, and each
nest or hatch may have any suitable number of tubes in it.
The nipples or connecting up devices are, according to one arrangement, where
more than one nest or batch of tubes are used, connected and mounted in a cover
plate or door vertically disposed, and adapted to be conveniently fastened by a
flange or equivalent joint to the vessel, and having a chamber through or into
which the induction and eduction devices pass or lead; and from which the said
devices can be withdrawn or removed and connected up, by a nut from the outside.
In another case the nipples or devices pass into or through separate caps connected
together by tubes into which the steam is introduced, and water withdrawn,
respectively. In some cases this induction and eduction into the cover chambers
or passages is effected from or through a suitable port in the face of the flange
or surface to which the cover is connected, in lieu of a direct connection by
pipe.
Further, according to this invention, in distilling apparatus I use at the upper
part of the vessel in which the operation is carried on, and in the steam space, a

page_text: steam and water separating device, and connect same by a tube with the water
space by which any water carried up with the steam is deposited in said separator
and carried down by said tube into the salt water out of contact with the steam.
In one arrangement, I employ as a steam and water separator, a device with one
or more diaphragms or plates against which the steam or steam and water comes
in entering, and causing such steam to pass downwards, or as required, and then
out, the water being separated by coming into contact with said surfaces, and
falling or flowing down same, and passing away by said pipe. This separating
device is, in one arrangement, let into the upper part of the containing vessel,
the pipe therefrom passing through the salt water, leading the return water to
the bottom of same. Or, these parts may be outside and connected to the
vessel.
The invention as applied as a condenser will be of a type more particularly
suited for condensing steam of low pressure, as the exhaust steam from engines,
where relatively free and unrestricted area or passage is provided to obtain or
allow of the free flow of steam, and other desiderata.
1
As regards the form of the containing vessel, this, in some cases, consists of a
vertical cylinder, with the cover or a door, carrying or having connected with it,
the heating surface, fitted at the side, and at the lower part of said cylinder, when
used as an evaporator or distilling apparatus. In another case, the containing
vessel is horizontally disposed and consists of a cylinder, door or cover carrying
the heating surface being fitted to a suitable seat or flange at one end; and in the
case of its application as a distilling apparatus, the steam and water separator
may be arranged along the upper part of same with a tube or tubes carried down
to the lower part of the vessel, for conveying the condensed water to the bottom, as
above described.
As a modification of construction of the tubular portion of the apparatus, I use
upper and lower tubes forming distributing conduits secured in the cover or door
into which steam is introduced, and condensed water carried out; and between
these, and connected to them, I employ tubes of any suitable construction, either
straight or helical, or other form. These tubes may have connecting devices, as
nipples and nuts, by which they may be relatively connected to and disconnected
from the distributing pipes.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION, -
Improvements in Apparatus for Making Fresh Water from Salt
Water, partly applicable also to Condensing and to Heating
Feed Water.
1, HENRY HOCKING, of 7 York Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster,
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 apparatus for making fresh water from salt
water by the distillation of the salt water by steam, the vapour given off from
the salt water being carried away and condensed by any suitable condensing
apparatus. It also, however, has reference to apparatus used for heating water
for feeding steam generators, or other purposes, by steam, and to apparatus for
condensing steam.

page_text: According to this invention, I employ within a suitable vessel, a number of tubes
into and through which the steam used as the heating fluid, in the case of a
distilling apparatus, or feed heating apparatus and in the case of a condenser, the
steam to be condensed, is passed to and fro. The tubes are arranged in nests or
batches and connected or coupled at their ends by hollow socket pieces connecting
two of said pipes together, these socket connections being arranged and disposed
at the opposite ends of the pipes, so that steam is passed continuously from one
pipe to the other backwards and forwards, passing in say at the top tube, and
leaving at the lower tube, as water or steam and water; thus causing a fall for the
liquid condensed between each successive pipe, the liquid and steam passing in the
same direction. The connecting sockets of a nest of tubes are at each end
connected together, as by casting them together, and are connected up with the
steam supply conduit by a suitable nipple or like arrangement, a similar arrange-
ment being provided at the bottom pipe for carrying off the condensed water.
The tubes are fastened to the sockets by brazing or equivalent means.
One,
two, or more nests or batches of these interconnected tubes may be employed
in an apparatus, and each nest or batch may have any suitable number of
tubes in it.
The nipples or connecting up devices are, according to one arrangement, where
more than one nest or batch of tubes are used, connected and mounted in a cover
plate or door vertically disposed, and adapted to be conveniently fastened by a
flange or equivalent joint to the vessel, and having a chamber through or into
which the induction and eduction devices pass or lead; and from which the said
devices can be withdrawn or removed and connected up, by a nut from the outside.
In another case,
the nipples or devices pass into or through separate caps connected
together by tubes into which the steam is introduced, and water withdrawn,
respectively. In some cases this induction and eduction into the cover chambers
or passages is effected from or through a suitable port in the face of the flange
or surface to which the cover is connected, in lieu of a direct connection by
a pipe.
Further, according to this invention, in distilling apparatus I use at the upper
part of the vessel in which the operation is carried on, and in the steam space, a
steam and water separating device, and connect same by a tube with the water
space; by which
any water carried up with the steam is deposited in said separator
and carried down by said tube into the salt water out of contact with the steam.
In one arrangement, I employ as a steam and water separator, a device with one
or more diaphragms or plates against which the steam or steam and water comes in
entering, and causing such steam to pass downwards, or as required, and then out,
the water being separated by coming into contact with said surfaces, and. falling or
flowing down same, and passing away by said pipe. This separating device is, in
one arrangement, let into the upper part of the containing vessel, the pipe there-
from passing through the salt water, leading the return water to the bottom of
Or, these parts may be outside and connected to the vessel.
same.
As regards the form of the containing vessel, this, in some cases, consists of a
vertical cylinder, with the cover or a door, carrying or having connected with it,
the beating surface, fitted at the side, and at the lower part of said cylinder, when
used as an evaporator or distilling apparatus. In another case, the containing
vessel is horizontally disposed and consists of a cylinder, door or cover carrying
the heating surface being fitted to a suitable seat or flange at one end; and in
the case of its application as a distilling apparatus, the steam and water separator
may be arranged along the upper part of same with a tube or tubes carried down
to the lower part of the vessel, for conveying the condensed water to the bottom
as above described.
As a modification of construction of the tubular portion of the apparatus,
I use upper and lower tubes forming distributing conduits secured in the cover or
door into which steam is introduced, and condensed water carried out; and
between these, and connected to them, I employ tubes of any suitable construction,

page_text: either straight or helical, or other form. These tubes may have connecting
devices, as nipples and nuts, by which they may be relatively connected to and
disconnected from the distributing pipes.
In the drawings illustrating this invention, Figures 1 and 2 are outside elevations,
and Figure 3 a plan of an evaporating apparatus according to this invention; and
Figures 4 and 5 are two sectional elevations, and Figure 6 a plan in cross section;
of the apparatus.
Figures 7 and 8 shew in sectional elevation and plan respectively a modification
according to this invention.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal elevation and Figure 10 an end view shewing a feed
water heater or fresh water condenser according to this invention.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1 to 6, a is the casing of the apparatus,
b are the heating tubes, and c the door in the casing a to which the tubes are
connected, and by which they are carried. d are the hollow socket pieces into
which the ends of the tubes & fit, and whereby the pipes are connected and
coupled together, the socket pieces being connected together themselves by
connecting pieces d'. Figure 64 shews one of these socket pieces, and the
connection of the tube ends in them, in detail, the fastening of the tube .ends in
the sockets being made by soldering or brazing them in.
The tubes 6 are arranged in nests as shewn, two nests being arranged together
in the apparatus given in the drawings. The nests are secured to the doors c by
hollow nipples e, one of which is provided on the end of the uppermost and
lowermost tubes; and such nipples pass through the door cand through chambers.f
on the door, and are fastened on the outside by cap nuts e'.
The tube nests consist, in the apparatus shewn in the drawings (Figures 1-6).
of two rows of tubes b, and the socket pieces d connect the ends of the uppermost
pair of tubes, and all the pairs below it, in the nest at one end, while at the
opposite end, each socket connects one tube of one of such pairs with one tube of
another of such pairs. In this manner, or by this arrangement, the steam passes
through all the tubes of a nest seriatim, first backwards and then forwards.
In the case of an apparatus having more than one nest of tubes, the chambers f
are preferably common to the upper and lower nipples, respectively, of these nests,
and steam is supplied to the upper chamber. The hollow nipples being provided
with an aperture at eat the part lying within said chambers, the steam from
outside enters all the nipples; and similarly, the condensed water or water and
steam passing from the lower nipples e passes away from the apparatus by the
lower nipple chamber.
The nests of tubes comprising the tubes, socket pieces, and nipples, constitute
practically one structure or part, and is simply applied by passing the nipples e
through the door c and chambers f, and screwing on the cap nuts e'; and vice versa,
to remove these, it is merely necessary to remove the cap nuts e' when the whole
nest can be drawn out.
The door c is fastened by studs held in the flauge h, and nuts, in the ordinary
way, and steam is introduced into the upper chamber f by a port in the casing
of the vessel a, and water, or steam and water, drawn, off from the lower
chamber through a similar port in the casing a. On each of these ports a valve
or cock j is provided to regulate the supply of steam and outlet of water, or water
and steam.
On the upper part of the door c there is provided a bracket consisting of an
upper part k and an outward extending arm k', each of which has a roller in it.
And mounted on the casing a a bar is provided, in connection with which the
parts k and k¹ work; that is, the roller in the part k rests and runs on the upper
side of the bar, and the roller in the ram k¹ bears upon the underside of the bars
and the two so acting in connection with it, a means is afforded for supporting, the
door e when it is removed from the flange h, and also for holding it under such
circumstances in the vertical position, or parallel with its joint face and the
flange h, affording thereby considerable facilities in putting the door on and making

page_text: the joint with the flange h, and also in taking it off and guiding the tubes ↳ out
and in through the doorway.
The steam made in the apparatus passes from the steam space thereof to the
outlet m by way of a separating device, consisting of a vessel n in the top of the
vessel a, having steam inlet holes n' in its upper part, and a curtain or ring
diaphragm o, the vessel n having a pipe connecting its lower part with the
water space of the vessel a.. In action, the steam entering by the apertures n¹ is
directed downwards by the curtain o, and having its direction turned at the
bottom of the vessel n, any water carried by the steam is thrown down into the
bottom of this vessel, and is carried down away from it to the water in the vessel a
by the pipe p. By this means steam only is carried off from the apparatus to-
usually the condenser.
In the modification shewn in Figures 7 and 8, the mosts of tubes are made up
by having horizontal upper and lower tubes 6' connected with the nipples e, and
vertically arranged tubes running between and connected at their upper and
lower ends to these horizontal tubes by nipples e, and puts e¹, in the same manner
as the fastening of the tubes in the chambers set forth with reference to
Figures 1-6. The upper tubes 6', therefore, serve to distribute the steam to the
heating vertically disposed tubes b, and the lower ones to carry off the condensed
steam water, or this steamn and any steam uncondensed.
The tubes in this arrangement may be of different kinds, four well known
different kinds or forms being shewn in the drawing. And it may be here stated
that as regards the form of the tubes & shewn in Figures 1-6, these may be plain
as shewn, or corrugated.
The application of this invention as a feed-water heater or fresh water
condenser is shewn in Figures 9 and 10, in which the same letters and figures of
reference are used to denote the same or equivalent parts which occur in
Figures 1-6. In this case the vessel a is horizontally disposed and through it
the water to be heated, or the cooling or condensing water, according to whether
the apparatus is used as a feed-water heater, or condenser, is passed. The water
fills the vessel a and is passed through it in the manner usual in these kinds of
apparatus or machines.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for making fresh water from salt water, or for heating feed water
or condensing, comprising an outer containing vessel, tubes arranged in nesta
substantially as described, and a door on said vessel to which said tubes are
connected in the manner described, having fluid inlet and outlet chambers.
thereon all arranged, constructed, and adapted to operate substantially as herein
set forth.
:
2. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to, tubes b arranged together, and
fastened together at their ends by hollow socket pieces: substantially as herein
set forth.
3. The arrangement and construction of tubes (6), hollow socket pieces, and
nipples, e, arranged and combined as set forth with reference to and shewn in
Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings.
4. The apparatus for making fresh water from salt water as set forth with
reference to and shewn in Figures 1-6 of the drawings.
5. The employment in connection with apparatus for making fresh water from
salt water, of means for separating water from the steam made therein, constructed
and arranged in connection with the casing thereof and connected with the water
therein, as herein set forth and as shewn in Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings.
6. The arrangement and construction of parts of apparatus of the kind herein
referred to, set forth with reference to and shewn in Figures 7 and 8 of the
drawings.

page_text: 7. The feed water heater or condenser particularly as set forth with reference-
to and shewn in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.
Dated this 18th day of January 1895.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.