Improvements in Condensing Dream vy
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1899
Complete Specification Left. 12th Apr.. 1900-Accepted, 12th May, 1900
I, ANDREW BETTS BROWN, of Rosebank Iron Works, Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid Lothian, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows, that is to say:-
:--
My said invention has for its object to obtain increased efficiency, a diminished
less of water, and other advantages in connection with apparatus for condensing
steam by means of air.
In carrying out my invention the steam to be condensed is led into tubes, pipes,
cylinders, or other vessels, which may be exposed to atmospheric air as in some
existing condensers, but into which by my invention cold air is passed so as to
be in contact and intimately mixed with the steam. A fan or blower may be
used to inject air into or draw it through the apparatus; or the draught of a lofty
chimney may be employed; or again when the steam is exhausted from an engine
or is otherwise suitable it may be made by means of an injector to induce the
inflow into the apparatus of the necessary quantity of air. Or the requisite
quantity of air may be passed through the apparatus by means of any combination
of the means indicated. The air becomes heated in condensing the steam and
may be led to a steam-boiler or other furnace so as to have its heat utilised therein.
11.11 111 th of Tuly 1800
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
Improvements in Condensing Dream vy
1, ANDREW BETTS BROWN, of Rosebank Iron Works, Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid Lothian, North Britain, 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, that is to say:—
My said invention has for its object to obtain increased efficiency, a diminished
loss of water, and other advantages, in connection with apparatus for condensing
steam by means of air.
In carrying out the invention the steam to be condensed is led into tubes, pipes,
cylinders or other suitable vessels, which are exposed to atmospheric air as in some
existing condensers, but into which by my invention cold air is passed so as to
be in contact and intimately mixed with the steam. The steam entering at one

page_text: end of the apparatus is made by means of an injector to induce the inflow of the
necessary quantity of cold air, and a fan or blower is employed at the other end
of the apparatus to assist in drawing the air and steam through the tubes, or
instead of the fan the draught of a lofty chimney may be employed for exhausting
purposes. Or the steam air injector may be dispensed with and instead of
employing the fan as an exhauster it may be employed to inject the cold air into
the apparatus. Water of condensation collects in a tank to which the tubes are
connected, and can be drawn off by a pump. The air in passing through the
condensing tubes becomes heated, and as the heated air issues from the last
condensing tube it, is discharged by the fan and may be led to a steam boiler or
other furnace to have its heat utilised therein.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood 1 hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings
to be hereinafter referred to in describing the improvements.
The figure shown in the drawings is a front elevation partly in section of the
improved apparatus.
According to the invention the improved condensing apparatus consists of a
receiving tank or chamber, A, to the top of which are jointed a series of vertical
tubes C, of suitable length connected in pairs at their upper ends by a curved
pipe, B, and exposed to atmospheric air as in some existing condensers. The
steam to be condensed, the steam from an engine or a set of engines for example,
enters the apparatus through a nozzle pipe, D, the cone shaped nozzle end, E, of
the pipe fitting into a cone shaped piece or vena contracta, G, fixed to the end of
the tank, so as to leave an annular opening, F, for the admission of air, the venu
contracta, G, being formed with an upwardly projecting internal end connec-
tion, H, for directing the steam into the first condensing tube. By means of this
injector arrangement, the steam as it discharges into the apparatus through the
nozzle, E, draws in through the annular opening, F, encircling the nozzle, the
necessary quantity of cold air, which is thereby brought into direct contact with
the steam and intimately mixes with it as it passes through the condensing
tubes C. The nozzle pipe, D, is adjustably connected to the end of the main
exhaust pipe, J, by a stuffing box connection, K, so as to enable the nozzle end, E,
to be moved into or out of the cone piece, G, for the purpose of changing the
size of the annular opening F, and thereby altering the amount of air entering
along with the steam. For conveniently altering the position of the nozzle, E,
the nozzle pipe, D, is formed with a toothed rack, L, gearing with a pinion, M,
fitted in brackets, N, so that by turning the pinion the pipe may be moved either
backwards or forwards so as thereby to alter the position of the nozzle as required.
A fan or blower, P, preferably driven by a separate motor, Q, is fitted to the
discharge end of the apparatus, being provided for the purpose of assisting in
drawing the air and steam through the condensing tubes, C, and thereby prevent-
ing back pressure. The air in passing through the tubes, C, becomes heated, and
the heated air as it issues from the last condensing tube is discharged by the fan,
and may be led by a pipe, R, to a steam boiler or other furnace to have its heat
utilised therein. The water formed by the condensation of the steam falls into
the receiving tank or hot weli, A, from which it may be drawn off by a pump
through a discharge connection, S. Vertical dividing partitions, T, are arranged
within the tank, A, between the inlets and outlets to the tubes, C, and by means
of the partitions, which are not made the full depth of the tank, a water seal, U,
is formed, so as to prevent the air and steam from passing through the apparatus
without going through the condensing tubes, C.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
In apparatus for condensing steam by means of air, the method of condensing the
steam by passing cold air along with the steam into the condensing tubes, pines.

page_text: or similar condensing apparatus, the steam entering the apparatus being made by
means of an injector to induce the inflow of the cold air into the tubes or similar
vessels, a fan or a chimney draught being employed for drawing or impelling the
air and steam through the apparatus, the parts being combined, arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purposes herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Eleventh day of Anil 1900
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.