Improvements in Water Return Systems for Steam Generators.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th July, 1897--Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Return Systems for Steam Generators.
I, WILLIAM WHITELEY, of William Whiteley and Sons, Limited, of Prospect Iron
Works, Lockwood, Huddersfield, in the County of York, Machine Makers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (which invention has been communicated
to me by Edgar P. Holly, of 28 High Street, Hartford, in the County of Hartford,
and State of Connecticut, U.S.A., Steam Engineer) and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
The invention relates to those systems which are applied to steam heating and
power plants for returning the water of entrainment and condensation from the
different parts of the plant to the steam generator.
The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive system which
will return the water of entrainment and condensation from any steam pipe or from
any single steam using device, or series or combination of steam using devices,
whether engines, pumps, water heaters or heating radiators, from below or above the
water level in the generator back into the generator against the pressure therein
without the employment of a pump or similar device and at the same time to
improve the circulation through the plant.
Of the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1. is an elevation shewing the invention
applied for use in connection with a steam engine. Fig. 2. is a similar view showing
the invention applied for use in connection with a heating radiator. Fig. 3. shews
the invention applied for returning the water of entrainment and condensation from
a series of heating radiators, and Fig. 4. is an end view of the discharging head of a
receiver that may be utilized with the system.
The steam generator G, which is represented in the views, may be of any form
and size, and may furnish steam under high or low pressure. Leading from the
generator is a steam pipe 1 that is provided with a throttle valve 2, and leading to
the generator is a water return pipe 3 that is provided with a stop valve 4 for
controlling the flow of water and a check valve 5 that opens toward the generator
so as to permit the passage of water into but prevent the escape of water out of the
generator. A pipe 6 may be led from the return pipe 3. and this pipe may be
provided with a valve 7 for permitting the escape of water when starting the
system.
When the system is employed with but a single engine, as shown in Fig. 1.
the steam supply pipe 1 may be connected directly to a separator 8 that com-
municates with an engine E. When the system is used with but a single heating
radiator, as shown in Fig. 2. the steam supply pipe 1 may pass directly to the
heating radiator R, which is provided with the usual inlet and outlet valves 9
and 10. When the system is applied to a plant having a series of steam using
devices, for instance, a number of heating radiators as shewn in Fig. 3, branches 11
may pass from the steam supply pipe 1 to the various heating radiators R, which
may be provided with the usual inlet and outlet valves 9 and 10.
A drip
A drip pipe 12 leads from the separator 8 to a collector pipe 13.
pipe 12 leads from the single radiator R to a collector pipe 13 and from each of the

page_text: series of radiators R to a drip pipe 12 leads to a collector pipe 13. The collector
pipe of the system communicates with a riser pipe 14, either directly, as shewn in
Figs. 1 and 2 or through a receiver C as shewn in Fig. 3. The receiver is not
necessary when the collector pipe leads from the drip of a single steam using device,
but it is desirable when the collector pipe leads from the drips of a series of steam
using devices.
The receiver C is somewhat larger in diameter than the collector and riser pipes,
and it may be of any suitable shape, but it is preferably formed of a cylinder with
detachable heads. The collector pipe enters the receiver at one end, preferably near
the top. The head 15 at the other end of the receiver is provided with a series of
discharge orifices 16 arranged vertically and forming in fact, an elongated vertical
opening. Instead of separate orifices a single narrow slot may be employed in the
same position in the head. To the outside of the head is secured a neck 17 the
mouth of which is arranged to cover the discharge orifices so that steam and water
discharged through the orifices will be delivered into the neck. The riser 14 is
connected with the upper end of this neck.
As shewn in Fig. 2, there may be a pipe 18 extending from the steam supply pipe 1
to the collector pipe 13 and this pipe may be provided with a valve 19. As shown
in Fig. 3. there may be one or more pipes 20 provided with valves 21 extending
from different steam supply branch pipes 11 to the collector pipe 13, and
there may be a pipe 22 extending from the steam supply pipe 1 directly to the
receiver C.
.
The riser 14, which may be provided with a valve 23, extends upwardly a
considerable distance above the level of the water line 24 in the generator and
terminates at its upper end, preferably in an open T, in a stand pipe 25 that
surrounds the riser and extends some distance above its open upper end. This stand
pipe 25 is considerably larger in diameter than the riser and is closed at top and
bottom. At the top the stand pipe is provided with a small automatic air vent 26, and.
connected with the lower end of the stand pipe is the water return pipe 3. This
return pipe is shewn as entering the generator below the water level, a preferred
arrangement but such is not necessary to the operation and it may enter the generator
above the water line, if desired..
Connected with the stand pipe may be a coil 27 with controlling valves 28 and 29.
This coil may be a heating radiator and may be located near to or at a distance from
the stand pipe and it is used, when desirable, to increase the capacity of the
condensing chamber 30 in the upper end of the stand pipe. One of the
connections of the coil communicates with the stand pipe above and the other of
the connections communicates with the stand pipe below the upper open end of the
riser 14.
In operation steam from the generator passes through the steam supply pipes to
the steam using devices, either the engine or the radiator, or collection of engines or
radiators or other steam using devices, such as pumps or feed water heaters. When
the system is arranged as in Fig. 1. the separator 8 delivers dry steam to the single
engine E and passes the water of entrainment and condensation through the drip
pipe 12 and collector pipe 13 up the riser 14 into the stand pipe 25. When
arranged as in Fig. 2. steam is sent directly to the single radiator and the drip
is collected and passed through the collector pipe 13 up the riser 14 into the stand
pipe 25. If the valve 19 in the equalising pipe 18 is opened the flow of water of
entrainment and condensation through the collector pipe and up the riser is
facilitated for all of the steam is not required to pass through the radiator and
therefore in the stand pipe the pressure is more nearly that in the generator.
When there are a series of steam radiators, as in Fig. 3, the steam passes through
the steam supply pipe 1 and supply branches 11 to the various radiators, and the
water of entrainment and condensation is collected from the drips. 12 by the
collector pipe 13. and passed into the receiver C, from which it is carried with
the steam in detached particles up the riser 14 into the stand pipe 25. By the
employment of the equalising pipes 20 and 22 the steam pressure in the receiver

page_text: and stand pipe more nearly equal that in the generator, therefore there is a better
flow for carrying the water up the riser and a better circulation through the
radiators and drips of the system.
As the mingled steam and water issue from the upper end of the riser the water
particles fall and accumulate in the stand pipe while the steam rises into the
upper end of the stand pipe where it will become condensed, this extension of the
stand pipe which is of comparatively large diameter, constituting an efficient
condensing chamber. If the coils 27 of a radiator are used in connection with the stand
pipe a supplementary condensing chamber is provided. The condensation which takes
place in the chamber in the upper end of the stand pipe, or in the supplementary
chamber if used, serves the purpose of inducing and maintaining the necessary
circulation of intermingled steam and water through the riser and also of adding to
the column of water in the lower part of the stand pipe.
When the column of water which accumulates in the stand pipe reaches such a
level that its weight, together with the pressure of the steam in the upper part of
the stand pipe or condensing chamber, exceeds the pressure in the generator the
weight of the water will open the check valve 5 and cause a flow of water into the
generator against the pressure therein. This action will keep on indefinitely when
the system is in operation, for whenever the column of water in the stand pipe is of
sufficient height to produce the necessary head, the water of entrainment and
condensation accumulated in the stand pipe will be forced into the generator.
If there was no loss of pressure in the system due to friction, radiation, and
condensation, the water column in the stand pipe would be but little above the
level 2 of the water in the generator in order to overbalance the pressure and open
the check valve, but as there is loss of pressure due to these factors between the
generator and the condensing chamber, the column of water rises somewhat higher
as to the level 31 in the stand pipe, before the head is sufficient to cause a flow into
the generator against the pressure therein. With equalising pipes 19, 20, and 22
employed as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 which provide short cuts for the passage of
stean, a more effective steam pressure is secured for raising the water in detached
particles from the collector pipe and receiver, if the latter is used, up the riser,
and, as a result of this, a better and more rapid circulation of both steam and
water through the radiators, and the water of entrainment and condensation, is
secured. By the employment of the equalizing pipes, and the more effective pressure
thereby obtained, the water of entrainment and condensation from the steam
using devices will be taken up in the form of detached particles intermingled with
steain and the water will be prevented from accumulating in a column in the riser.
With a greater pressure of steam upon the top of the column of water in the stand
pipe, due to the increase of pressure therein resulting from the use of equalizing
pipes, the stand pipe is not required to extend as high, a matter of great advantage
and convenience, for the water column does not have to be so high in order to
overbalance the generator pressure and open the check valve for starting the return
flow. With better pressure and a shorter steam pipe the column of water in :
the stand pipe will be raised to an effective feeding head more quickly than would
otherwise be the case.
The condensing chamber does not form a part of the return pipe or passage through
which the water of entrainment and condensation flows on its way to the generator,
but is separated from such return passage. This makes the condensing chamber
particularly a surface condenser, because the only water with which the steam in
the chamber is in contact is the small part which constitutes the top of the water
chamber, and this does not flow through the condensing chamber. If the condensing
chamber constituted a part of the return passage, the amount of surface condensation
would be greatly reduced, as the water, which is somewhat heated, would be
constantly flowing through the chamber and filling the same to a greater or less
extent.
By arranging the condensing chamber outside of the return pipe for the water a
more rapid circulation is obtained. If the condensing chamber formed part of the

page_text: passage, all of the water of condensation would have to be lifted with the steam into
the condensing chamber, and, consequently, to a greater height than is necessary with
the present arrangement. Moreover, as all the water to be returned would have to
flow through the condensing chamber, there would always be more or less liability
of the flow being choked or retarded if not completely arrested. With the condensing
chamber above and outside of the return passage this cannot be and the operation
and efficient circulation is always maintained.
The water which issues from the upper end of the riser precipitates directly into
the lower part of the stand pipe with the water formed by the condensation in the
condensing chamber with a velocity due to the extent of fall, and this facilitates
the circulation. With the condensing chamber shewn there is always a direct
and efficient steam pressure on the upper end of the water column in the stand
pipe.
The arrangement of this system enables the column of water to be accumulated
and maintained at a distance from the generator so that the head of water accu-
mulated may be availed of to force to the generator the water of entrainment and
condensation from the most removed steam using devices in the plant. As a result
of this water may be taken from radiators at a very considerable distance from the
generator and an efficient circulation maintained. This arrangement enables the
return pipe to be located in a low inexposed position instead of an elevated and
exposed position, which permits the return pipe to be located below the generator,
which is often a matter of considerable importance where it is desired to lead the
return pipe nnderground from one building to another.
It is not necessary that the condensing chamber be formed in the upper end of or
as a part of the stand pipe, but instead it may be entirely outside of and even at
a distance from the stand pipe. As illustrated in Fig. 2. a coil or radiator may be
connected with the upper end of the stand pipe to serve as a condensing chamber for
the system. By the use of this form of condensing chamber the stand pipe may be
shortened, for the condensing chamber therein may be dispensed with. In some
cases the radiator or coil may be employed as an auxiliary condensing chamber to
increase the circulation. In ordinary weather the valves of such an auxiliary
condensing chamber, if used, may be closed and then in cold weather, when the loss
from radiation is greatest, and it becomes desirable to increase the circulation in
order to carry up the greater amount of water, the valves to this auxiliary chamber
may be opened and thus the capacity of the condensing chamber enlarged and
the circulation through the system increased. Such a coil will also afford an
additional heating surface, if desired, and may be located in any portion of the
plant.
.
In systems having a large number of radiators there is liable to be considerable
variation in the position of the water line in the receiver, and in such a system the
employment of the discharge orifices such as described is of great advantage to guard
against the danger of sealing up the discharge opening by the accumulation of water
and the resulting interference with the proper action of the apparatus and the
maintenance of the proper circulation. By the employment of a series of discharge
orifices or of a vertical slot, variations in the position of the water line in the
receiver will have no prejudicial effect, as there will always be an opening above the
water line through which the steam can escape and operate to take up the water
issuing through the lower orifices and carry it in detached particles intermingled
with steam, through the riser.
It is not necessary that the exhaust in the radiators of the system, which are
located a sufficient distance above the generator, should be taken to a receiver
located below the generator and then raised to be returned to the generator, for
from such the water may be returned by gravity, but it is advantageous to connect
all the radiators in the system, even including those which are thus elevated,
for thereby the circulation through the radiators is facilitated and rendered
uniform.
. With this system the generator may be located in one building and the steam

page_text: using devices in another building and the water returned from a point below the
generator back into the generator against the pressure without using any
pump or other mechanical device for forcing the water from one building to the
other.
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 :-
1. The combination with a steam generator and a steam pipe leading therefrom
of a riser communicating with said steam pipe, a stand pipe communicating with
said riser, a condensing chainber communicating with said stand pipe, an auxiliary
condensing chamber communicating with said former condensing chamber, means
for controlling the communications between said chambers and a return pipe
leading from said stand pipe to said generator substantially as described.
2. The combination with a steam generator and a steam pipe leading therefrom
of a riser communicating with said pipe, a stand pipe communicating with said
riser and extending above said riser to form a condensing chamber in the upper.
end of the stand pipe, an auxiliary condensing chamber communicating with the
upper part of said stand pipe, means for controlling the communication between
said stand pipe and condensing chamber, and a return pipe leading from said
stand pipe to said generator, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a steam generator and a steam pipe leading therefrom,
of a riser communicating with said steam pipe, a stand pipe communicating with said
riser, a condensing chamber communicating with said stand pipe, and a steam using.
device cominunicating with the condensing chamber, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a steam generator, of a steam using device, a steam pipe
for conveying steam from said generator to said steam using device, an exhaust pipe
leading from said steam using device, an equalizing pipe connecting said steam. and
exhaust pipes, a riser communicating with said exhaust pipe, a stand pipe
communicating with said riser, and a condensing chamber communicating with said
stand pipe, substantially as described.
5. The combination, of a steam generator a radiator or other steam using device, a
steam pipe for conveying steam from said generator to said steam using device, an
exhaust pipe leading from said steam using device, an equalizing pipe connecting
said steam and exhaust pipes, a riser cominunicating with said exhaust pipe, and
terminating in an open end, a stand pipe communicating with said riser, a condensing
chamber communicating with the upper end of said stand pipe, and return pipe
leading from said stand pipe to said generator and provided with a check valve
substantially as described.
6. The combination, with a steam generator and a series of radiators or other steam
using devices, of a steam pipe leading from said generator to supply steam to said
steam using devices, an exhaust pipe to receive the exhaust from said steam using
devices, a receiver in communication with said exhaust pipe, a riser communicating
with said receiver and terminating in an open end, a stand pipe communicating with
said riser, a condensing chamber communicating with said stand pipe and a return
pipe leading from said stand pipe to said generator and provided with a check valve
substantially as described.
7. The combination, with a steam generator and a series of steam using devices,
of a steam pipe leading from said generator to supply steam to said steam using
devices, an exhaust pipe to receive the exhaust from said steam using devices, an
equalizing pipe connecting said steam and exhaust pipes, a receiver in communication
with said exhaust pipe, a riser communicating with said receiver and terminating
in an open end, a stand pipe communicating with said riser, a condensing chamber
communicating with the upper end of said stand pipe, and a return pipe leading from
said stand pipe to said generator and provided with a check-valve substantially as
described.

page_text: 8. The combination, with a steam generator and a series of steam using devices,
of a steam pipe leading from said generator to supply steam to said steam using
devices, an exhaust pipe to receive the exhaust from said steam using devices, a
receiver in communication with said exhaust pipe and adapted to receive the water
of condensation from all of said steam using devices, an equalizing pipe connec'ing
said steam pipe with said receiver, a riser communicating with said receiver and
terminating in an open end, a stand pipe communicating with said riser, a condensing
chamber communicating with the upper end of said stand pipe, and a return pipe
leading from said stand-pipe to said generator and provided with a check-valve,
substantially as described."
9. A steam and water receiver adapted to be connected to a steam distributing
system and provided at one end with an elongated vertically arranged discharge
outlet whereby the water accumulating in the bottom of said receiver may be
discharged through the lower end of said discharge outlet, while the steam may be
discharged through the upper end of said outlet and whereby the water line
in said receiver may be varied without entirely closing or sealing said out let.
10. The combination, with a generator and a series of steam using devices, of a
steam pipe leading from said generator to supply steam to all of said steam using
devices, a receiver located below and adapted to receive the water of condensation
from all of said steam using devices, a return passage leading from said receiver to
said generator and embodying a riser and a condensing chamber located above the
water line of the generator and in communication with said return riser substantially
as described.
11. The combination, with a generator and a series of steam using devices, of a
steam pipe leading from said generator to supply steam to all of said steam using
devices, a receiver located below and adapted to receive the water of condensation
from all of said steam using devices, a return passage leading from said receiver to
said generator and embodying a riser and means for inducing a flow of steam through
the riser, substantially as described.
12. The combination of a receiver, means for supplying steam to said receiver, a
riser leading from said receiver and communicating therewith through an elongated
vertically arranged opening, a condensing chamber communicating with said riser,
whereby steam is caused to flow through the riser and carry the water therewith,
substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of July 1807