IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING BY HOT WATER AND STEAM
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest de Pass, of the Office for British and Foreign
Patents, 68, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
HEATING BY HOT WATER AND STEAM." A communication from abroad by
Ernst Körting of Hanover in the German Empire Engineer
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest de Pass at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th January 1881.
ERNEST DE PASS, of the Office for British and Foreign Patents, 68, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR HEATING BY HOT WATER AND STEAM." A communication from
abroad by Ernst Körting, of Hanover, in the German Empire, Engineer.
This Invention relates to a new or improved combined method of heating by
steam and water, and to improvements in apparatus for the purpose.
According to the Invention the steam is raised in a boiler of any shape and
construction, generally situated at a lower level than that of the space to be heated,
and is conveyed through pipes to the different spaces or rooms. Here the steam is
taken to a surface heater (of any construction) filled with water which is being
heated by partial condensation of the steam. The condensed water flows back
to the boiler through a special system of pipes, and the whole of the system of
steam pipes and condensed water pipes being exposed to the boiler pressure the
condensed water re-enters the boiler at its rate of evaporation. The surface
heater communicates at the top and bottom of the water space with the top and
bottom of the water space of the hot water stove by which the space is heated.
In the surface heater the heat of the steam is imparted to the water, which again
imparts it in the waterstove to the air of the space by way of the circulation of
the water from the heater to the stove. This circulation is a rapid one if there be
free communication between the two apparatus, because the water has a tendency
to rise in the heater through the heating effect of the hot steam, and in the stove
it has a tendency to sink down from the cooling effect of the surrounding air. The
more freely the water circulates the more heat it can absorb in the heater and
the more it can give out in the stove. Therefore a very convenient means to

page_text: control the temperature in the space is to throttle the area of the water passages at
any place either in the heater or in the stove, or in the upper or lower connection
of both, thus regulating the velocity of circulation and the heating capacity. This
throttling may be done by any known mechanism, as, for instance, by a throttle
valve, a cock, or a valve, or slide of any kind. The water system, as I use it
generally, is entirely closed, and an air vessel is placed on its top to compensate
the expansion of the water when heated. My steam system is also perfectly closed,
and, consequently, loss of water is impossible and no refilling is required.
The boiler may be of any construction if the pressure is low, however I use a
boiler of particular construction, as hereinafter described, which may also be
employed with advantage as a boiler for heating water.
This boiler consists entirely of castiron. It has an upright cylindrical outside shell
and a cylindrical inside flue, leaving an annular hollow space between the two for
the water. To increase the heating surface the cylindrical flue is divided into several
longitudinal compartments by hollow partitions, the interior of which communicates
with the annular water space. The heating surface may be further increased by
iron fire-tubes running the whole length of the hollow partitions and jointed to
the closed top and bottom ends of the partitions. The fire is placed outside the
boiler and is protected by fire-bricks. The grate is very much inclined and a
hopper is arranged over it to replace the burnt fuel immediately by a continuous
fresh supply from above, keeping the fire-grate always well covered. The heat is
regulated by throttling the air-supply under the grate or the chimney draft.
As a heating apparatus for apartinents, heating columns built up of a number of
equal heating elements are preferably used, the inlet and outlet flanges of which
are bolted together. These heating elements are constructed mainly in two forms.
One of these forms is that of a pipe (generally horizontal) closed at both ends, but
provided at or about its middle with a flanged inlet and outlet opening situated
opposite to each other and vertical to the axis of the pipe. This pipe is divided by
a longitudinal partition into two compartments to prevent the hot liquid or fluid
circulating through the heating apparatus or stove from flowing directly from the
inlet to the outlet without coming into contact with the entire inside surface of
the pipe. The partition however leaves a passage open at each end of the pipe,
and the liquid entering the pipe at the middle of its length is bound to flow into
the upper compartment in two separate streams to the two ends, from where it
returns to the outlet in the lower compartment.
The outside surface of the pipe may be provided with feathers to increase the
heating surface.
The other form of heating element is that of a hollow ring provided with one or
more inlets and the same number of outlets, all of which have a direction vertical
to the plane of the ring, the inlets upwards and the outlets downwards, or vice
versa. The inlets and outlets are further so arranged that each inlet is situated in
the middle between two inlets, and vice versa, so that the liquid entering through
one of the inlets will divide into two streams, each of them flowing to another
outlet, thereby coming into contact with the entire interior surface of the ring.
The outside surface may be provided with feathers to increase the heating effect.
The elements are so combined that the flanges of the outlets of one are bolted
together with those of the inlets of the following one, thus. forming piles or
columns of any height and heating capacity..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ernest de Pass in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th July
1881.
ERNEST DE PASS, of the Office for British and Foreign Patents, 68, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND
APPARATUS FOR HEATING BY HOT WATER AND STEAM." A communication from
abroad by Ernst Körting, of Hanover, in the German Empire, Engineer.
My Invention relates to a new or improved combined method of heating by
steam and water, and to improvements in apparatus for the purpose, and it consists
mainly in a novel combination of both in such a manner that the steam, as a carrier
of heat, is conducted to the space, room, place, or part to be heated, and there
transmits its heat to water contained in a closed vessel, which water gives off heat
to the surrounding air by circulating through the heating machine proper.
According to this Invention the steam is raised in a boiler of any shape and
construction, generally situated at a lower level than that of the space to be heated,
Here the steam
and is conveyed through pipes to the different spaces or rooms.
is taken to a surface heater (of any construction) filled with water, which is being
heated by partial condensation of the steam. The condensed water flows back to
the boiler through a special system of pipes, and the whole of the system of steam-
pipes and condensed water pipes being exposed to the boiler pressure, the condensed
water re-enters the boiler at its rate of evaporation. The surface heater com-
municates at the top and bottom of the water space with the top and bottom of the
water space of the hot water stove by which the space is heated. In the surface
heater the heat of the steam is imparted to the water, which again imparts it in the
water stove to the air of the space by way of the circulation of the water from the
heater to the stove. This circulation is a rapid one if there be free communication
between the two apparatus, because the water has a tendency to rise in the heater
through the heating effect of the hot steam, and in the stove it has a tendency to
sink down from the cooling effect of the surrounding air. The more freely the
water circulates the more heat it can absorb in the heater, and the more it can
give out in the stove. Therefore a very convenient means to control the tem-
perature in the space is to throttle the area of the water passages at any place,
either in the heater or in the stove, or in the upper or lower connection of both,
thus regulating the velocity of circulation and the heating capacity.
throttling may be done by any known mechanism, as, for instance, by a throttle
valve, a cock, or a valve or slide of any kind. The water system as I use it
generally is entirely closed, and an air vessel is placed on its top to compensate the
expansion of the water when heated; my steam system is also perfectly closed,
and consequently loss of water is impossible, and no refilling is required.
This
The boiler may be of any construction. If the pressure is low, however, I use
a boiler of particular construction, as hereinafter described, which may also be
employed with advantage as a boiler for heating water.
This boiler consists entirely of cast iron. It has an upright cylindrical outside
shell and a cylindrical inside flue, leaving an annular hollow space between the two
for the water. To increase the heating surface, the cylindrical flue is divided into
several longitudinal compartments by hollow partitions, the interior of which
communicates with the annular water space. The heating surface may be further
increased by iron fire tubes running the whole length of the hollow partitions, and
jointed to the closed top and bottom ends of the partitions. The fire is placed
outside the boiler and is protected by fire bricks. The grate is very much inclined,
and a hopper is arranged over it to replace the burnt fuel immediately by a

page_text: continuous fresh supply from above, keeping the firegrate always well covered.
The heat is, regulated by throttling the air supply under the grate or the chimney
draft.
As a heating apparatus for apartments heating columns built up of a number of
equal heating elements are preferably used, the inlet and outlet flanges of which
are bolted together. These heating elements are constructed mainly in two
forms.
One of these forms is that of a pipe (generally horizontal) closed at both ends,
but provided at or about its middle with a flanged inlet and outlet opening, situated
opposite to each other and vertical to the axis of the pipe. This pipe is divided
by a longitudinal partition into two compartments to prevent the hot liquid or
fluid circulating through the heating apparatus or stove from flowing directly from
the inlet to the outlet without coming into contact with the entire inside surface
of the pipe. The partition however leaves a passage open at each end of the pipe,
and the liquid entering the pipe at the middle of its length is bound to flow in the
upper compartment in two separate streams to the two ends, from where it returns
to the outlet in the lower compartment.
The outside surface of the pipe may be provided with feathers to increase the
heating surface.
versa.
The other form of heating element is that of a hollow ring provided with one
or more inlets and the same number of outlets, all of which have a direction vertical
to the plane of the ring, the inlets upwards and the outlets downwards, or vice
The inlets and outlets are further so arranged that each inlet is situated in
the middle between two outlets, and vice versa, so that the liquid entering through
one of the inlets will divide into two streams, each of them flowing to another
outlet, thereby coming into contact with the entire interior surface of the ring.
The outside surface may be provided with feathers to increase the heating
effect.
The elements are so combined that the flanges of the outlets of one are bolted
together with those of the inlets of the following one, thus forming piles or
columns of any height and heating capacity.
Although I have described the method of heating by the use of steam, yet I
wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself solely to the employment of
same, as I can use hot water for the purpose.
In order to more fully explain the Invention I proceed to describe same with
reference to the annexed Sheet of Drawings, which shows in Fig. 1 the method or
system applied, by way of example, to an apartment to be heated. A is the boiler,
which may be of any construction; B, the steam pipe; C, the surface heater or
primary heating machine, in which the water surrounding the steam conductor C
gets heated by the steam passing through the conductor; F, the hot water stove
or secondary heater, in which the water thus heated acts upon the surrounding
air; E, the return pipe for the condensed water to the water space in the boiler;
G, an expansion vessel for the heated water; and H, a contrivance for regulating
the flow of the water from C to F.
In this boiler A the water gets converted into steam and passes through steam-
pipe B into the surface heater or primary heating machine C, thereby heating the
water in C by radiation through the surface of the steam conductor D, but
becoming partly condensed. The condensed water returns to the boiler through
the pipe E, and the same action, as above described, recommences. This steam
system A, B, D, E, is completely closed, the same pressure exists at all its parts,
for there is nowhere a check or regulating contrivance. The circulation is entirely
unrestrained, and it is quite unnecessary to watch the boiler with regard to its
water level because all the water which is evaporated gets condensed and returns
to the boiler. No loss of water or steam is possible in this completely closed
system, the boiler requires therefore no exterior feeding, and no incrustation or
choking of any sort can possibly occur. The heated water in the surface heater
or primary heating machine C has a tendency to rise, whereas, in the hot water

page_text: stove or secondary heating machine F, in which the water gets cooled from giving
off its heat to the surrounding air, it has a tendency to fall. The surface heater
or primary heating machine C, being connected at its upper and lower end with
the hot water stove or secondary heating machine F, this local water system C, F,
will also soon acquire a regular circulation of the water in the direction of the
arrows.
The expansion vessel G is partly filled with air, and acts as an air vessel; it
takes up the excess of water caused by expansion while compressing the air. The
water system is thus also completely closed, no evaporation can possibly occur, and
no feeding is required.
This combination admits of a most convenient regulation of the heat to be
transmitted to the apartment to be heated. All that is required is to throttle or
close any part of the water system C, F, by the insertion of a slide, cock, butterfly,
or other valve in the connecting pipe of the two systems. By this simple means
the circulation may be readily checked, arrested, or entirely opened; if it gets
checked the temperature rises in C, while that in F falls. The water in C might
even rise to the temperature of steam, thus causing a corresponding pressure in the
whole water system, while in consequence of the stopped circulation the water in
the heating machine F remains perfectly cold. This is considered one of the main
advantages of this new arrangement, because it does away with all regulation in
the steam system, which constantly remains exposed to an equal pressure through-
out, even while the transmission of heat varies to a great extent. No expansion
and contraction can therefore occur in the steam pipes, and leakage is thus entirely
prevented.
The surface heater or primary heat machine C may also be of any construction,
and the waterspace may surround the steam space, or vice-versa, if only the main
feature of this improved construction be left intact, that is to say, the transmission
of heat from steam to water must be effected by surface-contact, and C and F must
be in communication at both their upper and lower ends. The hot water stove or
secondary heating machine F may also be constructed according to any known
system.
This arrangement of surface heater or primary heating machine may also be
applied with great advantage where the original carrier of the heat is not steam,
but hot water, that is to say, where the water in the hotwater stove or secondary
heating machine F becomes heated by other water circulating through the primary
heating machine C.
Care must be taken to guard against overheating the central system, as this
might cause annoyance, and even danger, to the building provided therewith.
While keeping these requirements in view some of the principal details have been
constructed in an entirely novel manner, first, the boiler, which may be used for
low pressure steam or water.
Figs. 2 & 3 represent such a boiler, Fig. 2 being a sectional elevation and
Fig. 3 a horizontal section thereof. It is made of cast iron, and is cast in a single
piece, consisting of an interior cylindrical vessel A with an exterior cylindrical
shell or casing. The gases of combustion rise in the interior cylindrical part,
whereas the water is contained in the annular space between the two cylinders.
To increase the heating surface the inner cylinder is intersected with a convenient
number of double plates cast on and forming the several chambers H in such a
manner that the spaces K between these double plates communicate with the
annular space between the two cylinders. The gases of combustion rise in the
chambers H. To still further increase the heating surface wrought iron tubes I
may run through the space K, and be fixed to the base and crown of the boiler;
through these tubes the gases of combustion will also pass.
The fire space C is arranged outside the boiler to enable a hopper B to be
placed over same, and from this hopper the fuel slides down regularly in the same
ratio as it is consumed on the slanting grate G. This causes a continuous feed
without the necessity of watching the fire. The ashes and clinkers collect in the

page_text: ashpit F, from where they are removed when necessary. D is the smoke-box, and
E the flue leading to the chimney. The firespace proper is lined with firebrick to
prevent loss of heat by radiation, and the boiler derives its heat only from the
gases of combustion passing through it; it will consequently be heated in direct
proportion to their quantity and temperature. Thus the regulation of heat supply
is effected completely and also instantaneously by regulating the air admission to
the fire-grate or the chimney draft, and even with a minimum of air admission the
fire will continue to burn, whereas if the fire grate were placed inside the boiler
the fuel would require a rather strong current of air to make up for the loss of
heat by radiation through the cold boiler shell or casing. The combustion is not
only very regular, but also smokeless. The regulation of the air admission to the
fire-grate or the regulation of the chimney draught is effected in any of the usual
ways by means of a butterfly valve or by a damper.
A cast iron boiler so constructed with the firing arrangement above explained
is very cheap, it takes up but little space, and is of great heating power, owing to
cast iron being a better conductor of heat than wrought iron. It further has the
great advantage that it is sufficient to fill the hopper B with fuel only once a day,
and at the same time clearing out the ashpit. The attendance required for this
work is thus reduced to a minimum, resulting in a very important advantage to all
heating arrangements for private houses.
Another improvement consists in the novel construction of heating machines F
whether used for water or steam. These machines are made of single congruent
elements which are bolted together. This enables as many of them to be used as
are required for an apartment of any size in exactly the correct proportion. At
the same time they are simple castings, easy to make, and consequently low in
price. They are constructed straight, and also of annular shape.
Figs. 4 and 4x represent two such straight heating elements bolted together,
Fig. 4 being a section and side elevation, and Figs. 4* a cross section and end
elevation. Each single element consists of a tubular casting A, A, closed at its
ends, and provided with two openings, the one opposite the other, for the inlet and
outlet of the circulating liquid.
To ensure the passing liquid coming into contact with the whole surface of the
heating element, a partition D divides it in such a manner as to leave at both ends
sufficient space for the liquid to pass. The heating liquid takes its course, as
indicated by the arrows, thus touching each and every part of the heating element.
To increase the transmission of heat to the surrounding air, the casting may be
provided on its outside with feathers. The openings B and C are provided with
flanges, by means of which the single elements are united to form heating
machines, columns, or stoves of any required size. These flanges are easily faced,
and no difficulty will be experienced in making sound joints. The joints are sure
to remain perfectly tight while the apparatus is in use, because the expansion and
contraction, owing to the relative position of the connecting flanges, can produce
no detrimental effect. The single elements being perfectly free at either end
longitudinally, no injurious strains can possibly affect them.
Fig. 5 shews in elevation and in section two anuular heating elements combined,
and Fig. 5* is a plan of same. The single element is a hollow annular casting A
of any section, but generally circular, 'with two inlets B directed upwards, and two
outlets C directed downwards. These inlets and outlets are removed from each
other generally so as to have the outlets half way between the inlets, and vice versa,
to cause an equal flow to both sides of the liquid entering the inlets. The inlets
and outlets are provided with faced flanges, and, by bolting these together any
number of rings can be connected, thus forming large heating machines or
columns. Instead of using two inlets and outlets any greater number may be
applied, or, if preferred, a single one of each. If so they are best placed opposite
each other. To increase the transmission of heat to the surrounding air, these
annular heating elements will as a rule be also provided with feathers, as indicated
in the plan.

page_text: Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same may be performed, I declare that I claim,―
1. The improved method of heating by either steam or hot water, so that the
heat is transmitted from the steam or hot water to water contained in a separate
vessel connected by circulating pipes to the heating apparatus proper, which is
placed within the space to be heated, substantially as herein described and shewn
in the Drawings.
2. The arrangement of a suitable throttling contrivance between the two water
vessels, whereby the circulation of the water between the said vessels can be
reduced at pleasure, and thereby the amount of heat given off by the water
regulated, as described and shewn.
3. The construction of cylindrical boilers with a cylindrical shell or casing, and
with hollow partitions cast in one piece, said partitions separating the interior
cylinder into several chambers to increase the heating surface, and the space
between these hollow partitions communicating with the annular space between
the two cylinders, substantially as described and as shewn in Figures 2 and 3 of
the Drawings.
4. The construction and arrangement of the exterior fire place C (Fig. 2) with
slanting fire grate G and hopper B arranged above the saine, as described and shewn
for the purposes set forth.
5. The construction of straight tubular heating elements with inlet and outlet
arranged opposite each other, and with a partition D for ensuring circulation
through all parts of said elements, substantially as described and as shewn in
Fig. 4.
6. The building up of heating apparatus or heating columns, by combining any
suitable number of the elements shewn in Figs. 4 and 4*, and by bolting together
their inlet and outlet flanges, as set forth.
7. The construction of hollow annular heating elements, with one or more inlets
and an equal number of outlets, both opening vertically to the annular plane but
in opposite directions to each other, substantially as described and as shewn in
Fig. 5 of the Drawings.
.
8. The building up of heating apparatus by the combination of any suitable
number of annular heating elements, as shewn in Figs. 5 and 5* of the Drawings,
and by bolting together their inlet and outlet flanges, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest de Pass, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of July, in the year 1881..