IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM AND OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, WHICH APPARATUS MAY BE APPLIED TO THE HEATING OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Robert Skene at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 21st February 1880.
ROBERT SKENE, 28, Bessborough Street, Pimlico, London, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM AND
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER, WHICH APPARATUS MAY BE APPLIED TO THE HEATING
OF WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
The leading features of this Invention are,-
1st. That the water in the boiler will be of different temperatures, and heating
it gradually from the hottest to the coldest part, so that the heated gases from the
furnace may enter the chimney at nearly the same temperature as the feed; this is
effected by placing the furnace near to the steam space where the water is hotest,
and making the flue gradually traverse through or around the generator until it
arrives at the coldest part. This arrangement is for a nonregenerative boiler and
heating water.
2ndly. Making the steam generator of two, three, or more parts or divisions,
each having steam and water space with all the necessary fittings of a single boiler
and different pressures in each.
3rdly. That each division shall feed itself (the coldest one may be excepted) from
the next highest in temperature by means of a steam nozzle on the principle of the
injector, or by opening communication between their steam and water spaces,
equalizing their pressure and feeding by gravity, alternately taking the feed near
the surface where the water is hotest.
4thly. Using the water as the motor and the steam to inject it back to the
boiler or generator after it has done duty; not more than two divisions are
necessary in this case.
In
5thly. Exhausting the steam from the engine into a vessel similar to a
surface condensor, through which vessel an air blast is forced by a blower partly to
condense the steam and partly to heat air to supply the furnace and cause a
draught, cold air boing excluded; by this means the air will be supplied to the
furnace at nearly the same temperature as the gases leave the generator.
ordinary steam boilers where draught is caused by heated gases from the
furnace twenty four pounds of atmospheric air is carried up the chimney at a
temperature of nearly 600° Fheit. for every pound of carbon consumed, carrying
away nearly one half the heat of combustion.

page_text: 6thly. Returning the whole of the exhaust steam into the generator from the
condensor by a steam nozzle, the steam may be taken from a division in which the
pressure is greater than the one into which the feed enters, which will draw in the
uncondensed steam as well as the water. I do not confine myself to this arrange-
ment as in some casos it may be desirable to forse the steam direct from the
engine into the generator; also to dispense with the air condensor, and use water
for condensation and the force pump to return it to the generator.
As the generators are made in different parts they will be comparatively of small
diameter and will safely resist a very high, pressure, and as high pressure is the
most economical, and for which this generator is specially adapted, I would
reccommend that there be at least 150 lbs. per square inch in the first, 50 lbs. in
the second, and 15 lbs. in the third. The pressure in cach can be varyed to any
extent by the heating surfaces exposed.
For a vertical generator the lowest part to consist of an innor and an outer shell,
the inner shell to be so much shorter than the outer as to leave steam and water
space. At the bottom of the inside shell and within it is the furnace; on the inside
of the roof of the inner shell are placed tubes (Field's). The flue enters at back
side and comes out diagonally at the front on top. On the top of this division is
placed the eduction pipe, and carried out from it horizontally, of large diameter for
a short distance, as on it is placed the safety valve. The second. division has ono
shell only with Field's tubes on bottom, the flue the same as the first, the hoated
gases going from the front to back amongst the tubes and over the eduction pipe.
A half circle the diameter of the eduction pipe is cut out of the top of the outer
shell of the first division, and out of the bottom of the outer shell of the second
division, so that the second division may rest on top of the first. The third division
requires no tubes, but the flue to go in the same direction as the others from back
at bottom to front at top, the bottom of this division resting on the top of second;
the bottom of this division to be on an incline plane with a blow off cock at the
lowest side to blow off any mineral matter that may be precipitated, none will
enter the other divisions, so that there can be no incrustation, nor can there be any
priming, the intense heat between the two first divisions will superheat the steam
and effectually prevent it.
I have only given one modification for vertical generator to show how the
Invention can be carried out, but it can be so modified to suit all circumstances
where steam is used, the engineer selecting that form which best answers his
purpose.
The steam should be used expansively to the fullest extent, the induction valve
regulated by the governor and no throttle valve; the eduction valves on the
bottom of cylinder if horizontal and open port during nearly all the stroke of
piston, this will prevent water lying in the cylinder and the cooling of the induction
port.