Improvements relating to the Heating and Purifying of Water and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES E. FERREIRA, of Morgan Park, County
of Cook, State of Illinois, United States of America.]
Improvements relating to the Heating and Purifying of Water and
to Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide for heating and purifying water,
particularly water intended for use in steam boilers; and it consists in subjecting the
water to the action of both exhaust steam and live steam in the same vessel,
introducing steam into the outflowing water to superheat it, and drawing the water
off from a point between its surface and bottom so as to avoid carrying out floating
and heavy impurities.
According to another part of my invention I provide apparatus for the heating
and purifying of water, which apparatus is adapted for use, either as an open or as
a pressure heater, and is also calculated to take the place of the receiving tanks used
in connection with the present system of heating buildings.
The invention consists in the features and details of construction hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown apparatus by means of which my.
invention may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical central sections of two forms of feed-water
heaters.
Figure 3 is vertical central section of another form of heater.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 which are in all substantial respects the same, the
said heaters are provided with water chambers, steam chambers and settling chambers
inclosed in a shell or case. In one the steam is allowed to pass from the steam chamber
upwards through the water chamber through chambers shaped like a segment of a
circle, and in the other the steam passes up through pipes bent in the form of the
letter S. The former style of heater is provided with two perforated diaphragms
as shown above the water level. In the first form the water passes from the water
chamber into the settling chamber by means of a horizontal pipe. In the other it is
drawn off through a vertical pipe. These are, however, mere changes in the mode
of constructing the apparatus, the process being the same in either case.
A is the shell or sides of the heater; B a water chamber & indicating the highest
water level therein; a steam chamber and can inlet for introducing exhaust
steam; Da settling chamber, d a vertical partition in the settling chamber, perforated
at or near its bottom and d¹ space separated by such partition and d² a relief chamber
for vapour at the upper end thereof and D' a settling chamber placed at the side to
be sometimes used instead of chamber D, d³ a vertical partition in said side chamber
perforated at or near its bottom, d' space separated by such partition and do a pipe
connecting the side settling chamber with the pump, E an outlet pipe for introducing
water into the haater, and e the inner perforated end thereof; F the cover of the
steam chamber, separating it from the water chamber, f hollow chambers or tubes
extending upwardly therefrom, and communicating at their lower ends with the
steam chamber, and f¹ nozzles therein; G pipe for conducting the heated water to
the settling chamber, and g valves therein; H a diaphragm above the water chamber
open at its centre, as shown in Fig. 1 perforated around its centre, and solid in its
outer circle; I a diaphragm still higher up, solid in its central part and perforated

page_text: around its centre; K a relief pipe for the escape of surplus steam and vapour;
Lan overflow pipe; M suction pipes of the feed pump, and m caps or aprons in front
thereof; N drain valves; O manholes for cleaning out the chambers, o float in side
chamber for closing or opening valve P' and P an inlet pipe for introducing condensed
steam from a trap or traps when desired, and S an inlet pipe for introducing live steam
into the steam chamber when exhaust steam is not to be used.
As now generally heated for feed purposes, water cannot be economically brought
to the high temperature necessary to precipitate the impurities or scale-forming
matter to the extent necessary to fully purify it. My process is intended to overcome
this objection, to a greater or less extent, and to secure other advantages not obtained
by present methods of heating water for feed purposes.
In constructing the apparatus shown for carrying out my process, I make a metallic
shell of any size desired, according to the capacity of the boiler or boilers with which
it is to be used. Inside this shell I form chambers for water and steam, by means
of suitable partitions, these chambers of course being sufficiently tight to hold the
water and steam, respectively, and to prevent their mingling together except as
desired.
I introduce the water into the water chamber by pumping, or in any other
convenient way, through a pipe entering the shell preferably from the side and as
near the top as possible. This pipe terminates in a sprinkler inside, preferably
enlarged so as to distribute the water in a spray or shower. The inflow of water
may be regulated by suitable valves, or in any other convenient way; but I prefer
to use an ordinary float and butterfly valve for this purpose.
The water in the chamber may be heated in any convenient way, but I prefer to
heat it by hollow chambers or pipes extending upwardly from the steam chamber, as
shown in the drawings.
In the first way, the heating surface is obtained by casting the cover of the steam
chamber in such a way that it will have upwardly projecting chambers, each com-
municating with the main steam chamber, so that steam will at once pass into and fill
the same, and thus heat the body of water into which they extend. There may be
as many of these hollow chambers as desired, and they may be of any size or shape,
and made to extend upwardly to any extent desired; but I prefer to make them
somewhat V-shaped and to have a sufficient number to give a large amount of heating
surface inside the water. I also prefer to have them extend up slightly above the
water level, and their upper ends provided with two nozzles, one at a point near the
inner edge of the hollow casting and another at a point near its outer edge. In
the second way, the heating surface is obtained by having a pipe communicating with
the steam chamber pass up into the water chamber and boly of water to be heated.
This pipe (shown in Fig. 2) may pass up and down, or make turns, and the steam
passing through it, will of course heat the body of water surrounding or in contact
with it. There may be only one of these pipes, or as many as desired. I prefer to
use several as many as possible-so to have numerous inlets for the steam, and to
secure the greatest amount of heating surface in the water. I also prefer to have the
upper end of each of these pipes provided with a horizontal nozzle.
A diaphragm open in its central part, perforated around its centre and solid in its
outer circle, may be placed a short distance above the highest water level. The solid
part of this diaphragm causes the escaping steam to be deflected towards the centre,
80
as to pass up through the perforations, and particularly through the central
opening. Another diaphragm, solid in its central part and perforated in its outer
circle, may be placed a convenient distance above the first one." The solid part of this
diaphragm, being in the centre, is directly under the water sprinkler and over the
open central part of the lower diaphragm. The water, coming down from the
sprinkler, falls on to the solid part of the upper diaphragm, which is of course heated
by the steam coming up from below, and thus begins to be heated as soon as it is
introduced in the water chamber. Indeed, the steam, coming up through the outer
perforations of the upper diaphragm, fills the entire upper chamber and heats the
water inlet pipe, sprinkler etc., so that the water is brought into action with heating

page_text: influences even before it strikes the upper diaphragm. From the centre of this
diaphragm the water spreads to its side and passes down through its outer perforations,
falling on to the outer or solid portions of the lower diaphragm. It then passes
through the perforations and open centre of the lower diaphragm down into the water
chamber proper, where it is brought into contact with the hollow chambers or pipes
above described.
After the water is heated in the water chamber, it is drawn off into a settling
chamber, preferably from a point substantially in the centre of the body of the water.
It may be so drawn by a vertical pipe extending directly through the steam chamber,
or by a pipe extending into the water chamber horizontally, and passing down and
around the steam chamber to the point of its connection with the settling chamber.
A pipe for the introduction of live steam may enter or be connected with this water
outlet pipe at any convenient point. I prefer to have the end of this steam pipe run
into the water pipe a short distance and to have its end closed, by plugging or other-
wise, and its sides within the water pipe perforated to distribute the steam laterally.
By means of this pipe, live steam may be introduced into a comparatively small
quantity of outflowing water, so as to commingle therewith, and thus superheat it or
greatly increase its temperature. In this way, the water can be heated to any
temperature required before or as it enters the settling chamber; and, the temperature
being sufficiently high, of course the impurities or scale-forming matter are immediatly
precipitated in the settling chamber. I prefer, and consider it important to have the
live steam thus introduced at a temperature sufficiently high to cause the impurities or
scale-forming matter to be rapidly and fully precipitated. As already stated, I also
prefer to have the end of the pipe for the outflow of water at a point about half way
1.etween the surface and bottom of the water, or at least at a point substantially below
the surface so as to draw off the water without scam, oil or other floating matter and
with as little as possible of the heavier impurities.
As will be seen, the impurities which can be precipitated at about 214° F. are thus
caused to remain in the water chamber, and other impurities, requiring a higher
temperature to precipitate them, are precipitated by the live steam in the water outlet
and arrested in the settling chamber.
The sediment or impurities in the water and settling chambers may be removed or
washed out from time to time, as necessary, by opening the drain valves, from the
chambers, through the manhole in each of said chambers.
Some of the advantages of my invention are that it provides for heating and
purifying water by the use of both live steam and exhaust steam in the same vessel;
that it also provides for drawing off the heated water without taking any of the
floating impurities or many of the precipitated impurities; and that it also provides
for introducing live steam directly into the outflowing water, so as to superheat it, or
greatly increase its temperature and thus cause the remaining impurities, which
require a higher degree of heat, to be precipitated in the settling chamber.
But it will of course be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the
accomplishing of all these results together, my process covering any or all as
circumstances seem to require. Nor do I intend to limit myself to other special
steps or features described as incidental to the carrying out of my process.
I do not herein claim the means above described for carrying out my process the
same being the subject of United States Applications, Nos. 296,446 and 300,909.
I am moreover aware of the Doyle Patent of March 24 1885, but its process differs
from mine in that it does not introduce live steam and exhaust steam into the same
vessel so that they come in contact and mingle with the same body of water, the
live steam entering the inner chamber and the exhaust steam the outer one; and in
that the exhaust steam, not coming into the water, it is in no way condensed by it,
and hence has no effect, beyond that due to its simple heat, in softening hard water
introduced into the heater. In the Doyle Patent referred to, the live steam is also
introduced at the top of the water, not into the outlet pipe to superheat it as it
flows out.
In the apparatus shown in Figure 3 A is the shell or sides of the heater; Ba

page_text: water chamber; b a line indicating the highest water level; and the working
water level; C the steam chamber; c an inlet for exhaust steam; c¹ pipes extending
from the steam chamber to a point above the highest water level; D a filter.ng
chamber; E the suction feed pipe; e a pipe for the escape of vapour from the water
in the feed pipe; F a pipe passing through the steam chamber and connecting the
chambers B and D; H a ball float, and a valve to regulate the working water level;
I a ball float, and i a valve to prevent the water from rising above the upper ends of
the pipes ; K the receiving vessel for the feed water; kan inlet pipe for ti
introduction of water; a perforated plate of nearly equal diameter with the inter or
of the shell and forming the bottom of the vessel K; are holes perforated in the
sides of such vessel: La drain or overflow for the scum and floating impurities and
also to carry off the water when it rises above the level indicated by the line b; Mare
outlets for heavier impurities collecting in the water and filtering chambers;
holes for access to the water, steam and filtering chambers; O an outlet for non-
condensed steam, and S a pipe entering the water chamber B, through which the
condensation may be returned from any heating system.
N man-
In constructing my improved feed-water heater, I make a shell, preferably of metal
of any size desired, such size varying with the boiler with which it is to be used.
I divide this shell into chambers as shown in the drawings, where the upper chambr
is intended to receive the water to be heated, the chamber C immediately beneath it
receives the steam, and the bottom chamber receives the heated and purified water.
These chambers are of course to be separated from each other by water and steam-tight
partitions properly secured in place.
Connected with and opening into the steam chamber are a series of vertical
pipes c. There may be as many of these pipes as desired; but in the preferred
construction, which is that shown in the drawings, the pipes are placed in two
concentric circles. These pipes extend upwards nearly to the top of the chamber,
and the steam passing through them, of course heats the body of water in contact
with them.
To introduce water into the heater, I provide the pipe k, furnished with a valve h
and a float for opening same in the manner heretofore described.
This pipe
enters preferably at the top of the heater and discharges the water into the
receiving vessel K. To form this vessel I provide a diaphragm k¹ at a point near
the upper end of the heater. This diaphragm is of somewhat less diameter than the
shell of the heater, thus leaving an annular space between it and such shell as shown
in the drawing.
To this plate I attach a thimble or collar. This thimble forms the sides of the
receiving vessel and the plate k¹ forms the bottom thereof. In the side of the vessel K,
1 provide a series of perforations 2 for the escape of the water. The pipe k passes
into this vessel and discharges the water at a point close to the plate k¹. This latter
plate is furthermore provided with perforations Q, preferably arranged in two
concentric circles in the relative positions shown in the drawing, wherein the
circles formed by the perforations are of somewhat greater diameter than those
1ormed by the pipes c, whereby the steam issuing from these pipes shall strike
against the solid portion of the plate A, and being deflected sideways, will
up to the perforations O and through the annular space between the diaphragm and
the heater.
pass
From this construction, it results that as the water is fed into the vessel K, it comes
immediately in contact with the hottest part of the diaphragm and being heated rises
in the vessel and passes through the perforations in the sides thereof, and thence
through the perforations O, into the water chamber.
Owing to the relative positions of the perforations Q and pipes c¹ as above set forth,
the water entering the water chamber will not be allowed to enter the pipes, but will
pass between them thus preventing any back pressure.
Passing up from the filtering chamber through the steam chamber, and to any
height desired in the water chamber, I provide the pipe F intended to conduct the
heated water to the filtering chamber. I prefer to have this pipe for the overflow of

page_text: water at the centre and its upper end at a point about half way between the bottom
of the water chamber and the working water level, and I also prefer to place a strainer
(see Fig. 3) over the opening at the lower end of this pipe. This enables the water
formed by condensation of the steam used for heating purposes to be brought directly
back into the body of the water which body acts as a check, and prevents the steain
itself from escaping from the heating system.
I next provide the suction pipe E. This pipe preferably passes in a horizontal
direction across the bottom of the filtering chamber, where it is provided with suitable
perforations. It then passes vertically upward through the steain chamber to a point
near the working water level whence it passes horizontally out of the heater. This
pipe is preferably provided with the pipe e for the escape of any vapour that may be
in the water.
The exhaust steam after passing out through the opening O at the top of the heater
and being conducted through the heating system or to any other place in which it
may be used, returns in a more or less condensed form and is introduced into the water
chamber at a point preferably below the working water level by means of any suitable
pipe not shown.
As the amount of condensed water thus fed into the heater varies from time to time
it becomes necessary to provide means to prevent the water rising above the upper
ends of the pipes c¹ and then entering the same. To accomplish this, I provide the
drain pipe Land the float connected with the valve i. When the water is below the
level indicated by the line b, the valve i will remain closed, but when the water rises
to this level it will carry the float up with it and open the valve i, thus allowing the
water to be carried off.
The amount of water fed into this heater through the pipe k is regulated by the
float H and the valve with which it is connected. If the water falls below the working
level indicated by line b¹ the float will fall and open the valve until sufficient water has
been fed into the heater to restore the proper level, when the rising of the float will
close the valve.
The sediment or impurities in the water and filtering chamber may be removed or
washed out from time to time as necessary, by opening the drain valves from the
chambers and also through the manholes therein.
The construction and operation of the various other parts will be readily understood
from the drawings.
The special advantages of my present form of heater are its adaptability to be used
either as an open or pressure heater, in its providing an improved method of feeding
the water into the heater, and in its adaptability to supplant the receiving tanks
heretofore in use. It will be understood that my present invention is adapted and
intended to be used as a pressure or an open heater, or as both a pressure and open
heater combined, as may be desired. I therefore have intended to describe particularly
the parts which I consider to be an improvement on my former construction. It will
he understood that changes may be made in various parts, or equivalents substituted
therefor, without departing from the spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The process of heating and purifying water which consists in subjecting it
to the direct action of both exhaust steam and live steam in the same vessel, whereby
the water is heated and its impurities precipitated in such vessel, substantially as
described.
Second. The process of heating and purifying water which consists in subjecting it
to the direct action of exhaust steam to heat it in a body, and then to the action of
live steam introduced into the outlet pipe to superheat it as it flows out, substantially
as described.
Third. The process of heating and purifying water which consists in subjecting it

page_text: to the direct action of exhaust steam to heat it in a body, drawing the water off from
a point between its surface and bottom to avoid carrying out floating and heavy
impurities and subjecting the outflowing water to the action of live steam introduced
into the same to superheat it, substantially as described.
Fourth. The process of heating and purifying water, which consists in heating it
upon its introduction into the heater, and afterwards subjecting it to the indirect
action of exhaust steam to heat it in a body, and then to the direct action of live
steam introduced into the outlet pipe to superheat it as it flows out, substantially as
described.
Fifth. The process of heating and purifying water, which consists in heating it by
direct exhaust steam upon its introduction into the heater, and afterwards subjecting
it to the indirect action of exhaust steam to heat it in a body, drawing the water off
from a point between its surface and the bottom to avoid carrying out floating and
heavy impurities, and finally subjecting the outflowing water to the action of live
steam introduced into the same to superheat it, substantially as described.
Sixth. In a feed-water heater and purifier, a receiving vessel comprising a collar
or thimble K attached to a perforated diaphragm k¹ substantially as described.
Seventh. In a feed-water heater, the combination of a water chamber provided with
a water inlet a steam chamber separated from such water chamber, provided with
steam inlet pipes for conducting steam through the water chamber and discharging
it above the water level and a receiving vessel placed above such pipes into which the
water to be heated is fed, substantially as described.
Eighth. In a feed-water heater, the combination of a water chamber provided with
a water inlet, a steam chamber provided with steam inlet pipes for conducting steam
through the water chamber and discharging it above the water level a perforated
diaphragm above the pipes, part of such diaphragm forming the bottom of a receiving
vessel into which the water to be heated is fed, substantially as described.
Ninth. In a feed-water heater, the combination of a water chamber provided with
a water inlet, a steam chamber separated from such water chamber, provided with a
steam inlet pipes for conducting steam through the water chamber and discharging
it above the water level, an automatic overflow for removing floating impurities,
whereby the water is prevented from rising above the top of such pipes substantially
as described.
Tenth. In a feed-water heater, the combination of a water chamber provided with a
water inlet; a steam chamber provided with a steam inlet, pipes for conducting
steam through the water chamber; and discharging it above the water level means
for preventing the water from rising above the tops of such pipes, and a receiving
vessel, having perforated sides above such pipes, at a point near the bottom of which
the water to be heated is introduced, substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a feed-water heater, the combination of a water chamber provided
with a water inlet, a steam chamber provided with a steam inlet; pipes for conveying
steam through the water chamber and discharging it above the water level; a
horizontal perforated diaphragm placed above such pipes, and a perforated thimble
secured to such diaphragm forming a vessel into which the water to be heated
introduced a filtering chamber and a horizontal suction pipe passing along the bottom
of such chamber, through the steam chamber and out of the heater for drawing off
the water substantially as described.
Twelfth. In combination with the feed-water heater, a pipe connected with the
heating system of a building and entering the heater at a point below the working
water level in the water chamber, whereby water formed by condensation of the steam
used for heating purposes may be conducted directly into the water chamber,
substantially as described.
Thirteenth. In a feed-water heater and purifier, a perforated diaphragm situated
above the steam pipes and forming the bottom of a vessel into which the water is
received and purified, substantially as described.
Fourteenth. In a feed-water heater and purifier, a perforated diaphragm situated

page_text: above the steam pipes and a collar or thimble secured thereto forming a vessel into
the hottest part whereof the water is first received, and wherein such water is purified,
substantially as described.
Dated thin 10th day of Au 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.