IMPROVED APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THE HEATING AND EVAPORATING OF FLUIDS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman;
for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THE HEATING AND
EVAPORATING OF FLUIDS." -A communication from abroad by Leopold
Wiart, of Cambrai, in the Empire of France.
Sealed the 30th August 1864, and dated the 9th May 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton;
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th May 1864!!
I, Alfred Vincent NewTON, of the Office for Patents, 66,Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for IMPROVED APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THE
HEATING AND EVAPORATING OF FLUIDS," to be as follows:-
t
"This 'Invention relates to a novel arrangement of steam-generating
apparatus which will ensure an efficient circulation of the water, prevent the
incrustation of the heating surfaces, and allow of the superheating of the
steam before leaving the apparatus. The heating surfaces are rows of tubes
contained within furnace walls and pendent from horizontal metal channels or
chambers which are supported by the walls. The apparatus is divided into
three compartments bytransverse walls. In the first compartment, which is the
steam-generating compartment, a furnacegrate is fitted immediately below the
Price &1

page_text: pendent pipes to receive the fire for heating the fluid to be evaporated. At
the upper part of the division wall is an opening to allow of the flame and
gases of combustion entering the second compartment in which the feed water
is heated, and at the lower part of the second divisional wall is an opening
through which the gases of combustion pass to the third compartment where
the superheating of the steam is effected. Around the pendent tubes of the three
sets, the flame and heated gases are free to circulate, and they thus present
a large surface to the fire heat. In order to ensure an efficient circulation
within the tubes, they are each fitted with a concentric tube pendent from the
steam-tight cover of the chambers or channels before mentioned, or rather
from the central horizontal partition of such chambers or channels, they being
divided into two parts for the purpose to be presently explained. The upper
division of the chambers or horizontal channels of the second compartment
connect with a water supply pipe,and the water flowing from this pipe descends
through small pendent pipes and passes out at their lower open ends into the
outer tubes up which it rises, and in rising becomes heated. The heated water
passes upwards to the lower division of the channels, and escapes, by a pipe
which leads to a horizontal cylindrical vessel mounted outside the furnace.
This vessel connects by a pendent pipe with the upper division of the
channels of the first compartment, and the mouth of this pipe is governed by
a float valve within the cylinder. From the upper division of the channels
the water descends into the inner pipes of the first or steam-generating series,
and finds its exit into the heated pipes above the furnace fire. Here the
water is rapidly converted into steam, and the steam rising up the pendent
tubes discharges into the lower division of the channels. From these the
steam is led off by a pipe to the third compartment or superheater where it
enters the lower division of the channels, passes down the outer tubes, and up
through the inner tubes to the upper division of the channels which com-
municate with a steam supply pipe. By this means a constant supply of
superheated steam may be readily obtained and kept up with great economy
of fuel. The use of the cylindrical vessel is to allow the water to deposit any
earthy or extraneous matters which it may contain, and thus to prevent the
heating surfaces becoming furred. The deposit in the cylinder may be
readily removed as the cylinder is set in an accessible position outside the
furnace. This apparatus is also applicable for heating air, the float in the
cylinder being in that case removed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 9th November 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by, Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her. special license that I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said'Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use; exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVED APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO THE HEATING AND EVAPORATING OF FLUIDS,"
being a communication from Leopold Wiart, of Cambrai, in the Empire of
France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Alfred Vincent
Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of.the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal: Patent Office; within six calendar. months next and
immediately after the date of the 'said Letters Patent.:
par-
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said. Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of: the said Invention, and in what. manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked.thereon. (that is to say)...
This Invention relates to a novel arrangement. of apparatus which when
applied to the generating of steam ensures. an efficient, circulation of the
water, prevents the incrustation of the heating surfaces, and allows of the
superheating of the steam before leaving the apparatus. The heating sur-
faces employed are rows of tubes contained within furnace walls, the pendent
from horizontal metal channels or chambers, which are supported by the walls.
The apparatus is divided into three compartments by transverse walls. In the
first compartment, which is the .steam-generating compartment, a furnace

page_text: grate is fitted immediately below the pendent pipes to receive the fire for
heating the fluid to be evaporated. At the upper part of the division wall is
an opening to allow of the flame and gases of combustion entering the second
compartment in which the feed water is heated, and at the lower part of the
second divisional wall is an opening through which the gases s of combustion
pass to the third compartment where the superheating of the steam is effected.
Around the pendent tubes of the three sets the flame and heated gases are
free to circulate, and they thus present a large surface to the fire heat. In
order to ensure an efficient circulation within the tubes they are each fitted
with a concentric tube pendent from the steam-tight cover of the chambers
or channels before mentioned, or rather from the central horizontal partition of
such chambers or channels, they being divided into two parts for the purpose
to be presently explained. The upper division of the chambers or horizontal
channels of the second compartment connect with a water supply pipe, and the
water flowing from this pipe descends through small pendent: pipes, and
passes out at their lower open ends into the outer tubes; up which it rises,
and in rising becomes heated. The heated water passes upwards to the
lower division of the channels and escapes by a pipe which leads to a hori-
zontal cylindrical vessel mounted outside the furnace; this vessel connects
by pendent pipes with the upper division of the channels of the first com-
partment, and the mouths of these pipes are governed by float valves within
the cylinder. From the upper division of the channels the water descends
into the inner pipes of the first or steam-generating series, and finds its
exit into the heated tubes or pipes above the furnace fire; here the water is
rapidly converted into steam, and the steam rising up the pendent tubes
discharges into the lower division of the channels. From these the steam
is led off by a pipe to the third compartment or superheater, where it enters
the lower division of the channels, passes down the outer tubes, and up
through the inner tubes to the upper division of the channels which com-
municate with a steam supply pipe. By this means a constant supply of super-
heated steam may be readily obtained and kept up with great economy of fuel.
I will now describe the Invention as applied to the generation of steam for
general industrial purposes, whichisoneofthemostimportantofitsapplications,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawing in which Fig. 1 represents
in longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 in plan view, a steam boiler or generator
intended to be applied to a stationary engine, the section being taken in the
line 1, 2. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same taken in the line 3, 4,
of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a detached view, on an enlarged scale, shewing the
method of attachment of the tubes to the sheets which form the chambers a

page_text: and b. The boiler proper is shewn at A as consisting of seven rows of pipes,
connected with their respective chambers which are set side by side. The
upper and lower chambers a and b are formed of corrugated sheets of irons
the corrugations may be of any size and may have any number of tubes;
attached to them. The space between the corrugated sheets is divided into
the upper and lower chambers a and b by a metal diaphragm c, consisting of
a single sheet of iron, and the three plates or sheets are fastened together by
bolts or rivets both at the edges of the plates and at the parts of the corruga-
tions which come in contact, so that the boiler A is divided into (say) seven
distinct compartments. The tubes may be screwed or otherwise fastened to
their respective sheets, but it will be found preferable to fasten the tubest by
screwing, as they may then be more readily removed and replaced when required
without disturbing the other parts of the apparatus. In front of the boiler is
a transverse cylindrical vessel d (Fig. 1) of large diameter which is made to
communicate with each of the lower compartments b, by openings of large
sectional area. Through these openings project short tubes t", which are
fixed to the diaphragm c, and by this means each of the upper compartments
is brought into communication with the vessel d, the tubes t", dipping into the
cylindrical vessel d as far as its centre. The feed water is supplied to the vessel d
through the feed pipe K,and it flows thence up the tubes into the chambers
a, and thence down the tubes t¹ contained within the tubes t, which tubes t'are
secured as shewn at Fig. 4 to the diaphragm c. As the water escaping at the
bottom of the tubes t' into the tube t ascends these pipes it will be converted
into steam,and the steam thus produced is conducted a way to the superheater C
by the D shape pipe i, i, bolted to the diaphragm c and the lower compart-
ments b. Upon this pipe the safety valves are to be placed. The height of
the water in the tube d, in front of the boiler, may be ascertained by inspecting
a glass tube u,Fig.2, the supply being regulated by the float valve apparatush.
Let us now suppose the apparatus to be full of water, the fuel in the fire-
place p is to be lighted, and the products of combustion ascending in the
furnace, will impinge upon the numerous pipes pendent therein, and thence
escape at the flue g. The water.contained in the spaces between the tubes
will be quickly heated and ascend, causing a suction in the tubes t¹, t¹, t¹, and
in the upper compartments, whilst, on the contrary, it produces compression in
the lower compartments and in the pipe d. Under the influence of these two
actions the water from the tube d ascends the tubes into the upper com-
partments, from whence it again descends in the tubes t, t, t¹. There is
therefore an effective circulation established, which is continued when the
boiler is under pressure. The steam which is disengaged enters the tube i¹

page_text: whilst the water, which it carries up with it runs off into the pipe d, whence it
again rises into tlie upper compartments, which are therefore constantly full of
water. The water while undergoing evaporation or ebullition being more or
less charged with calcareous salts, becomes cloudy on these being deposited,
and here begins an important function of the vessel d. The cloudy water
which passes through the boiler tubes being constantly agitated by the ebul-
lition cannot deposit the calcareous salts which it holds in suspension, but on
passing through the vessel d it undergoes a relative degree of rest, and the
greater part of the salts are deposited; as the layer which they form at the
bottom of the pipe is not exposed to the action of external heat it preserves
its pulverulent state. In order to discharge these deposits it is therefore only
necessary to open from time to time the cock g, with which a pipe f, leading
from the cylindrical vessel d, is fitted. By opening this cock the deposits will'
be expelled throughout the whole length of the vessel d, which is besides fur-
nished with a man-hole to allow of its bottom being cleaned from time to time.
The furnace is fitted in the ordinary manner, and may be ma de tó consume
any kind of fuel. The tubes may be of any desired length, but the longer
they are the more completely will the heat generated be utilized. A good
average utilisation will result from having a surface of tubes equal to twenty-
five times that of the fire-bars. In order to utilize as far as possible the heat
from the fuel a heating apparatus constructed upon the same principle is
placed at the end of the steam boiler proper; the feed water instead of passing
direct from the pump to the vessel d is injected first into the heater B, where
it absorbs much of the heat of the products of combustion admitted thereto by
the flue q. The steam which makes its exit from the boiler through the pipes
¹, and i; from its rapid formation may carry off a large quantity of 'water. In
order to remedy this, a superheater C is interposed' between the boiler and
the engine, the surface of which may be calculated in such manner as to
obtain at pleasure either simply dried steam or superheated steam; this
heater serves also as a steam reservoir, it derives its heat from the gases of
combustion that leave the water heater B at the fluer. This multiple
utilisation of the heat contained in the products of combustion might cause it to
feared that the draught:would be considerably diminished in these apparatus.
It should, however, be observed that according to the arrangement adopted
the draught is produced almost exclusively in the space containing the furnace.
This space, the height of which is only limited by the length of the tubes,
forms a veritable chimney having a large sectional area, in 'which the draught
is very great, so that the gases consumed are not 'drawn in by the chimney,
but are, so to speak, injected into it. It follows from this that the gases

page_text: consumed might theoretically be cooled down to the ordinary temperature
without any inconvenience, and that consequently the two heaters above
described might be followed by other heaters, which should produce hot water.
Owing to the powerful draught produced by the large sectional area of the
furnace flue, and to the high temperature of the gases which pass through it,
the quantity of fuel consumed for every square foot of fire-bars may be made
nearly to equal that of locomotives, thereby greatly increasing the vaporizing
power of the boiler. This result is especially valuable for steam boats, where
it is important to economise space as much as possible. If instead of water
air be injected into the above described apparatus, a generator for a hot air
engine will be obtained. In this case the floats, the cylinder d, and the supply
regulating pipe will be done away with, the apparatus simply consisting of the
pendent heating pipes, and the compartiments above them, or entrance and
exit pipes. The air supplied to this apparatus will very speedily acquire the
same temperature as the products of combustion in the furnace, which is a
very important condition for causing those kinds of engines to work at abigh
speed, aud consequently to diminish their weight.
The tubular boilers adopted for steam navigation are very heavy and
cumbersome in consequence of the enormous quantity of water which they
contain. They may be advantageously replaced by boilers constructed accord-
ing to this Invention. The furnace is provided in front with the vessel d, as
abovedescribed, and is closed by a wall or partition of light masonrysupported
outside by a thin sheet iron casing. There is also another partition of light
brickwork behind the-fire-bars, and a third partition of iron separates the
water heater from the steam heater. With regard to the sides of the boiler
they may be composed of two sheets of iron suitably supported, between which
the water circulates as in the boiler tubes. Long pipes serve to conduct the
water from the upper compartments to the bottom of the sides of the boiler,
which therefore perform the same office as the boiler tubes, and like them
communicate with the tube d. The two heaters are constructed in the same
manner, and are simply placed in juxtaposition. These boilers might be fed
with sea water, if necessary. It appears preferable to supply them with pure
water, which is effected by employing the same apparatus as a refrigerator of
the water of condensation. In fact,suppose that the water which comes from
the air pump is collected in a special reservoir where it is drawn in by the
vacuum in the condenser, in its passage from the reservoir to the condenser
it passes through a refrigerating apparatus constructed on the principle of this
Invention, the pendent pipes of which dip into a vessel to which sea water is
constantly supplied. The water of condensation is cooled to very nearly the

page_text: temperature of the sea water, and may serve again for condensation. The feed
pumps will supply the excess of water to the reservoir,so that the same water
will serve over again. But there is an important observation to make. The
boilers according to this Invention are.absolutely free from the danger of
explosion, and are therefore adapted for supplying steam at a high pressure,
and the engine may perhaps work easily at ten atmospheres, expanding to
the atmospherical pressure.
In this case the condensation would not presentisuch great economical
advantages. It may be done away with, and the steam condensed 'by
injecting into the escape pipe water which shall be always the same. The
mixture, the temperature of which will be from eighty-five degress to ninety-
five centigrade, will flow into a reservoir, from which the feed pumps and also
the pump which furnishes the condensing water take their supply; but before
arriving at the escape pipe this water passes through a refrigerator, the
surface of which is calculated in such manner as to cool it properly. The
size and weight of this refrigerator will be much less than in the preceding
case, for the difference of temperature between the water to be cooled and
the cooling water will be much greater, and the volume of water of con-
densation much less. The water heater may be also done away with; and the
space which it occupied gained; the same apparatus may be employed as a
surface condenser.
This improved vaporizing apparatus may also be employed to locomotives.
Owing to the small space which it occupies, the length which the boiler tubes
may be made, and consequently the height of the furnace, the use of the
steam jet may perhaps be wholly or partially done away with. Perhaps the
tender may also be done away with, and the engine made to carry the water
and fuel; the sides will be closed as in marine boilers. Engines for common
roads, the construction of which approaches so nearly to that of locomotives,
may also have this improved apparatus adapted to them.
1
In general this apparatus, simplified by doing away with the vessel d,may
be advantageously applied where it is required to heat one fluid by means of
another. Its great power of resistance and large heating surface contained
in a small space render it peculiarly applicable to the following purposes:-
First, heating, by means of hot air, steam, and hot water for private houses,
large establishments, drying places, &c., all danger of explosion is done away
with, and there are large passages for the circulation of the fluids without
their losing any of their resisting force.
Second, heating gases or vapors to a very high temperature; as it is the
pipes only which dip into the heated space the joints are mot subjected to

page_text: the action of a high temperature, and the apparatus is thereby rendered very
durable.
Third, distillation and condensation of liquids and crystallisation of salts.
Fourth, rapid.cooling of hot liquids, such as beer, hot and dirty water, the
heat of which is desired to be transferred to clean water.
It remains to be stated, that the nature of the metal employed in the
manufacture of this apparatus is regulated by that of the liquids or gases
which are to be used therein, the employment of iron, wherever possible,
being preferred.
In the Drawing the feed pipe is shewn at 1, and it is brought into com-
munication with each of the upper compartments of the water heater by the
transverse pipe m; n is the steam valve which communicates by the transverse
pipe o with the upper compartments in the steam heater.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of improved apparatus
applicable to the heating and evaporating of fluids, as communicated to me
from abroad, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I
wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent
I claim, the construction of apparatus above described, and the application
of the same to the heating of air, vaporization of water, and kindred uses.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFatt,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.B.)