Improvements in or Appertaining to Feed Heating and Water Circulating Apparatus for Steam Boiler Furnaces.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 188?
Complete Left, 2nd Jan., 1888
Complete -Accepted, 3rd Feb., 1888
Improvements in or Appertaining to Feed Heating and Water
Circulating Apparatus for Steam Boiler Furnaces.
I, ROBERT FRASER of K 21 Exchange Buildings, Liverpool in the County ot
Lancaster, Steam Ship Owner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention is designed for the purpose of inducing circulation of water in
boilers, and for heating the feed water and maintaining a more uniform temperature
throughout the boiler, and thus obviating the severe and dangerous strains wear and
tear and furrowing caused by unequal expansion and contraction.
The invention consists essentially in bringing a circulation pipe or pipes from near
the bottom of the boiler through the furnace on one side or both, returning to the
boiler at a point higher than that from which it was taken, preferably to some point
above the furnace and below low water line; a heating chamber in the furnace or the
jacketing of an air injecting pipe or chamber form a portion of the aforesaid ciren-
lation pipes.
The pipe or chamber where it passes through the furnace, lies preferably at the side
of furnace, parallel with the bars, so as to be as much out of the way of the stoking as
practicable. It can either go right through the furnace combustion chamber and
back of boiler, and be connected, one end with the lower part in front, and the other
end with the upper part of the back of the boiler, either through the outside shell or
through the shell of the combustion chamber, or the pipes can go up one side of the
boiler furnace and down the other or up or down the centre or any other portion of
the furnace or ash pit or up one furnace and down the next, or go to a small chamber
and pass from that chamber back again, the entire course of the circulation being
preferably slightly upward. The feed water is preferably passed into the lower part of
the aforesaid circulating pipe, the entrance being preferably at a bend in the pipe, just
where it is about to enter the furnace, so that the force of the feed shall be exerted in
the line of circulation upward, and thus tend to increase the circulation instead of
D..

page_text: to impede it. Valves are preferably placed on the feed pipe and circulating pipes near
the entrance to the boiler, so that either can be shut off as desired, or each be partially
closed. If desired, a series of pipes can be used instead of one in passing through the
furnace, each, if need be, opening into a common tube plate and chamber at each end,
or a common tube plate and chamber at the back end, and if need be, two separate tube
plates and chambers at the front end. One front chamber in such case is connected
with the lower part of the boiler and the other with the upper part.
Dated this First day of March 1887
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Circulating Apparatus for Steam Boiler Furnaces.
I, ROBERT FRASER of K 21 Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Steam-ship Owner do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
The invention is designed for the purpose of inducing circulation of water in
boilers, and for heating the feed water, and maintaining a more uniform temperature
throughout the boiler, and thus obviating the severe and dangerous strains, wear and
tear, and furrowing, caused by unequal expansion and contraction.
Since filing my provisional Specification I have considerably improved upon and
elaborated the invention, and taken out two further provisional Specifications
No. 1171987 Aug. 29, and No. 1211387 Sept. 7. embodying the further improvements.
I therefore propose to describe the invention in its most improved form, claiming
only those parts in this Specification the nature of which is set forth in the provisional
Specification, reserving the remainder to claim them under my succeeding two
applications already filed.
The invention may be best described by reference to the accompanying drawings,
which are furnished as illustrations of a few modes of carrying my invention into
effect. In these,
Figures 1 and 1ª (being longitudinal section and end elevation respectively)
show a mode of applying the invention to the furnaces of a three furnace marine
boiler.
Figures 2 and 2 (being end elevation and longitudinal section respectively)
show a mode of applying the invention to the furnaces of a two furnace marine
boiler.
Figures 3 and 3ª (being end elevation and longitudinal section respectively) show
another mode of applying the invention to the furnaces and combustion chamber of a
two furnace marine boiler.
Figures 4 and 4" (being end elevation and longitudinal section respectively) show a
mode of applying the invention to the furnaces and combustion chambers of a pair of
two furnace marine boilers.
Figure 5 is an end elevation of a three furnace boiler with the invention attached
thereto and working in conjunction with a separate heating surface.
Figures 6 and 6 (being longitudinal section and back end elevation respectively)
show a mode of applying the invention to the tubes and combustion chamber of a two
furnace marine boiler.

page_text: Figures and
(Deng end elevation and longitudinal section respectively) show
another mode of accomplishing the same object.
Figure 8 is an end elevation showing the invention as it may be applied to the
combustion chamber of a marine boiler.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal section showing a mode of applying the invention to
the furnace and combustion chamber of a marine boiler.
Figure 10 is a similar view showing the invention as it may be applied to the furnace,
combustion chamber, and tubes of a marine boiler.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section showing the invention as it may be applied to
the ash pit, furnace and combustion chamber of a marine boiler.
Figures 12 and 12" (being longitudinal section and end elevation respectively)
show a mode of applying the invention to the furnace of an ordinary
boiler.
Lancashire
"
Figure 13 is a longitudinal section showing the invention as it may be applied to
the furnaces of a boiler which is fired from both ends.
Figure 14 is an end elevation showing a mode of applying the invention to the
furnaces of a two furnace boiler.
Figure 15 is a longitudinal section showing the invention as it may be applied to
the combustion chamber and tubes of a marine boiler.
Figures 16 and 16" (being end elevation and longitudinal section respectively) show
a mode of applying the invention to the furnace of a marine boiler, and of working
it in conjunction with a circulating pump.
Figures 17 and 17" (being elevation and plan respectively) show the invention as it
may be applied to the furnace of a vertical boiler.
Figures 18 and 18" are similar views to the foregoing showing a modification of the
same.
Figures 19 and 19" (being back end elevation and longitudinal section respectively)
show the invention as it may be applied to the furnace and combustion chamber
of a marine boiler, and as it may be worked in conjunction with a circulating pump.
Figures 20 and 20" (being a side and end elevation respectively) show a node of
applying the invention to the fire box of a locomotive boiler.
Figures 21 and 21" are similar views to the foregoing showing how the apparatus
may be worked in conjunction with a circulating pump,
Figures 22 and 22" (being two vertical sections on planes at right angles toeach
other show an automatic valve, which is used in conjunction with the apparatus.
Figure 23 is a vertical section (on an enlarged scale) through a boiler furnace,
showing the invention as applied thereto, in its simplest form.
Figure 24 is a detailed view (vertical section) of the feed pipe and circulating pipe
valve or valves, which are of an automatic nature, being so designed that when the
bottom valve lifts to admit the feed water, the valve admitting the circulating water is
closed, and the flow of circulating water is arrested, or on the other hand, the feed
water being withdrawn, the feed valve closes, and the valve admitting the circulating
water opens, and the circulating water flows through the pipes. As a safe-guard in
event of anything going wrong with the aforesaid automatic valve or valves, 1 place,
on the feed and circulating pipes, valves, which can be closed by hand.
Figure 25 shows an arrangement where a series of pipes are used for a furnace pipe,
instead of one pipe, each opening into a common tube plate or chamber 1, J, at each
end, having a central void into which the forced draught of draught chamber Whas
free access. The chamber J at the front end is divided by a horizontal diaphragm K,
so as to oblige all the water to traverse the furnace iubes.
Figure 26 is a modification of Figure 25, in which a pair of concentric tubes A, L,
with side openings 1, for the forced draught, takes the place of the ring of tubes with
spaces between some or any two of them (facing the fire) for forced draught escapes.
The forced draught enters the central tube at W.
A, Furnace pipe. B entrance to circulating pipe. B' stop valve at entrance to
circulating pipe. B2 Internal pipe (suction). C delivery or exit pipe. internal
pipe (delivery). D feed pipe. Dfeed check valve may be used separately or in

page_text: conjunction with cock E. E three-way cock, Figure 21, (may be used separately or in
conjunction with valve D¹). E' automatic circulating water and feed water supply
valve combined, an example of which is set forth in Figure 24. F. stop cock, and
safety valve on the delivery pipe, preferably capable of automatic action on the plan
shown in the detail view, Figures 22 and 22". F stop valve on suction pipe when
pump F is used to circulate water. Gautomatic valve. G¹ escape or safety valve in
connection with automatic valve G. H, independent circulating pump.
a furnace.
a fire-box. a² independent furnace for heating circulating tube. b combustion
chamber. d smoke tubes. e ash-pit. e' fire-bars.
According to this invention 1 place a pipe, vessel, or series of pipes or vessels,
hereafter called generically the "furnace pipe" in a fire. hot chamber or other heated
position, preferably the furnace of a boiler, and while this furnace pipe is subjected to
intense heat, I'cause either the feed water for the boiler supply, or a portion of the
water already in the boiler, or a mixture of both to be passed, drawn or forced, or
caused to circulate through it.
A pipe or connection, preferably with automatic closing valve communicating with
the automatically worked feed and circulating valve, set forth in Figure 24 is fitted to
some portion of the boiler preferably in front and below the level of the furnace bars.
This is connected to the "furnace pipe." One duty of this connecting pipe is to
supply circulating water to the "Furnace pipe" at such time as the feed pump is not
working, or is pumping into a different part of the boiler or other place, or to make
up such portion of water over and above the feed water as is required for perfect
circulation. Another suitable connecting pipe, preferably with automatic closing valve,
connects the end of the furnace pipe with the boiler, preferably below the water line.
Connected with the "furnace pipe" or its connections, preferably attached to the
automatic self-acting valve as shown. I place a safety valve or its equivalent. This is
a necessary part of my invention, as without a safety valve or appliance for relieving
undue pressure the "furnace pipe would be useless, as it would be liable to explode.
The "furnace pipe" may be of a variety of forms, and may pass only once through
the furnace or other portion of the boiler, or may be carried backwards and forwards
several times through the furnace or furnaces, combustion chamber or other parts of
the boiler where exposed to heat, may pass from one furnace into the other, or from
the furnace of one boiler or combustion chamber into the furnace or combustion
chamber of another boiler : or may be separately heated in an independent
furnace or combustion chamber other than those forming parts of the main boilers.
It may otherwise he made to pass through one or more of the smoke tubes
or tubes constructed for the purpose into the combustion chamber, and return
through other tubes, and thence into the water space, or in some cases the
steam space of the boiler, or may pass through one or more of the tubes,
and be connected direct to the boiler in the combustion chamber at a higher level, or
at the same level, or the pipe may pass through the furnace or ash pit and return
through one of the smoke tubes or tubes provided for the purpose, or enter through
the sides, back or bottom of the combustion chamber, and pass through the furnace or
ash pit, and either return to a higher level in the combustion chamber, or deliver to
some higher level at the front end, or side or any other part of the boiler..
In vertical and locomotive boilers, the furnace pipe or vessel subjected to beat may
be in the form of a coil either round, or square, or may be placed diagonally, or may
be inclined or vertical, and fitted in any portion or position in the fire box as may be
most convenient, and in all cases it is possible by means of power to reverse the
currents, and circulate downwards. If desired, it can be fitted with an internal pipe
projecting to a different level in the boiler. The delivery pipes are preferably provided
in all cases with suitably constructed valves. The furnace pipes beyond the valves
may pass through the bottom, sides, or end of the combustion chamber, and inclining
upwards, deliver the water at a higher level into the boiler, or they may pass through
the furnace, and deliver the water at some higher level at the combustion chamber.
The feed water, properly so termed, can also be delivered into the boiler without
passing through the furnace pipes at all, but by my invention I preferably introduce it

page_text: into the circulating pipe by means of an automatically working circulating and feed
water supply valve on the circulating pipe before it enters the furnace, so arranged
(preferably as set forth in Figure 24) that it shall cut off the circulating water
automatically, while the feed is in action, and admit the circulating water when the
feed is shut off. This feed and circulating valve combined is designed with the object
of retarding the speed of, and shutting off the circulating water, when the pump is
working, so as to allow the entire heat absorbed by the pipes to be expended on the
feed water alone, but at the same time allow the circulating water to resume its duties
instantly the pump ceases working. Water may also be abstracted from one portion
of the boiler, and be forced through the furnace pipe by an independent pump or
motor, or the feed water can be delivered direct into the boiler, and the circulating
pipes use without the feed water being made to pass through them other than that
which is drawn in by the circulator. The apparatus I prefer for marine boilers is
illustrated by figures 1. 1", 11 and 12 and consists of a single pipe passing either
immediately under the fire bars of the centre furnace or two centre furnaces of the
hoiler, or immediately above the fire-bars at the side of the furnace in such position
that it will not impede the working of the furnace. This pipe inclines upwards at its
inner end, curves round and returns through the mouth of the furnace somewhat in
the form of a nearly horizontal elongated ✓ or U. At the lower extremity of the
pipe before it enters the furnace, the connection with the circulating pipe is made,
which circulating pipe is connected to the end of the boiler preferably, or to the
bottom or some point on the shell below the level of the furnace bars, but it may be
connected to a separate and independent vessel in connection with the main boiler. The
connection is preferably made by an automatically closing valve, a cock or flange may,
however, be used. I prefer to take the water from the lower part of the boiler by an
internal pipe to any convenient point, and bring the connection through the boiler
shell at that point.
The feed is preferably connected to the circulating pipe by means of a connection
having a feed check valve, so that circulation will continue through the circulating pipe
when the feed is shut off. This is best done by the automatic valve set forth in
Figure 24. At the exit end, connection to the boiler is preferably made by means of
another automatically closing valve, Figures 22 and 22", or other valve or cock fixed
to the boiler at a higher level than that of the circulating connection, and in some
cases an internal pipe can be carried from the exit to a point near the working water
level of the boiler or a dispersing plate can be fitted in the boiler for the water to
discharge against. A suitable escape valve is fittel to some point on the exit pipe
through which water or steam may escape on the valves or pipes becoming closed;
a convenient position for this escape valve is on the side or top of the automatic check
valve, or other valve or cock casing.
Preferably the valve I call the automatic closing valve is formed in such a manner
that should there be sudden release of the contents of the furnace pipe, the valve
which is kept in suspension supporting its weight, will be automatically closed by a
sudden rush of water, as set forth in Figure 22.
A separate apparatus, as described above, may be fitted to both sides of the furnace
or furnaces, but the pipe or pipes may be made to pass along one side of the furnace,
and across the furnace, and back along the other side, preferably, however, each
appartus will be independent and self contained.
In some cases, especially where grease, lime, or other impurities may be precipitated
in a loose form, I pass both the feed water and the circulating water, or either of them,
through a filter or filters by means of a force pump or injector, or equivalent
mechanism. When the filters are clogged they may be shut off from the boiler,
reversed, and the water passing through, run to waste, or steam blown through them
till the dirt is removed. Then the waste cock is shut off, the check valve opened, and
the water circulates as before. Almost any of the well known reversible filters can be
adapted to this case, arrangements being made so that when the filter is reversed, it
shall deliver water, steam or both, to the waste pipe, till the dirt is removed, when, by
reversing the cock or cocks, it again delivers into the boiler.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe that I
make no claim to the separate parts, nor do I claim a furnace pipe having ordinary
hand check valves, controlling entrance and exit, but I claim :-
1st. The combination of a furnace pipe with a delivery pipe, an entrance pipe from
boiler, and a junction for the feed water, arranged in combination with safety appli-
ances, and check valves so that either feed, circulating water, or both can be passed,
and accidental excesses of pressure in the furnace pipe prevented, substantially as
described and shown in Figures 1 to 21 and Figure 25.
2nd. A circulating apparatus formed of a pipe or its equivalent, connected at two
points with the boiler at different levels one preferably below the level of the bars, and
the other at a higher point, said circulating pipe passing through the furnace or other
heating chamber, and provided both before and after passing through the furnace with
stop cocks or valves, and with a safety valve either separate or in combination with
one of said cocks or valves, substantially as described.
3rd. In combination with the feed heating and water circulating apparatus, such as
herein described, the combined feed and circulating valve so arranged that when the
feed is full on, the circulating water is automatically cut off, and when the feed is off,
the circulating water is full on, substantially as described, and illustrated in
Figure 24.
4th. The arrangement of the annular furnace pipe or cluster or clusters of pipes in
an annular form, opening into common chambers at each end, or their equivalent, and
enclosing in their centre a space capable of being used convenient for forced.or other
draught to the furnace, substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 25 and 26.
Dated this 31st day of December 1887.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.