Improvements in Ejector-condensers for Steam Engines and for Exhausting and Forcing Gases and Liquids.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ejector-condensers for Steam Engines and for
Exhausting and Forcing Gases and Liquids.
I, ALEXANDRE CHARLES BOURDON, of 20, Boulevard Magenta, Paris, France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an exhauster termed an ejector-condenser it being prin-
cipally designed to replace the condenser and air pump of a steam engine.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings forming part of this Specification
in which Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views shewing in detail the construction of
the ejector-condenser. The apparatus consists essentially of a converging and
diverging conical ejector A and a centrifugal pump B driven either by a belt or
motor at a speed suited to the vacuum to be obtained. The delivery of the pump
is connected to the inlet of the converging cone of the ejector whilst the mouth of
the diverging cone is directly connected to the suction pipe of the pump.
The double conical ejector A may be placed either vertically or horizontally but
preferably in the former position. From each of the suction chambers of the
pump lead the two branches 661 of a discharge pipe. When a centrifugal pump
is employed to maintain the continuous circulation of the liquid column in a closed
circuit, two pipes such as 661 may advantageously serve for discharging the excess
of water introduced into the circulation and air or other gases which may have been
drawn in, the latter always accumulating at the centre of the pump whence they
are drawn by the pipes 66. The centrifugal action thus effects in the pump itself
the separation of the water and of the gases carried along therewith. This is a very
important feature as by it the action of the apparatus is much improved while the
apparatus itself is considerably simplified.
Between the converging cone a and the inlet to the diverging cone of the
ejector A there is a series of conical rings a projecting the one into the other but
with intervening annular spaces at which the steam which condenses in the water
and the air to be carried along by the water are drawn in.
The water is delivered by the pump into the chamber C from the bottom of which
leads the converging cone at of the ejector A. Cold water is supplied to the
apparatus by a tube 1) and may enter into circulation in two ways, either by a
second doubly coned ejector E or by an injection tube H from which the cold water
is rained down on the chamber of the ejector A, the simultaneous supply in both
ways being favourable to the condensation of the steam. The ejector E, like A,
is a doubly coned ejector having between the converging and diverging cones a
number of conical rings projecting into each other and separated by spaces pro-
ducing successive aspirations. The supply of water thereto may be intercepted or
regulated by means of a valve e operated by a hand wheel the valve being provided
with a regulating needle. The diverging cone of this ejector opens at the centre
of the smaller end of the converging cone a', that is to say at the point where the
suction produced by this ejector is greatest. The cold water thus enters E at a

page_text: high velocity due in part to the vacuum produced by the condensation of the stean
and in part to the suction produced in the ejector by the passage into A of the
water delivered by the centrifugal pump. By means of this arrangement ar
increased exhausting power is obtained.
Thus constructed the ejector-condenser may be considered as being formed
two ejectors whereof A absorbs the air which enters the condenser and all the steam
permitted by the temperature T of the water passing through the suction rings of
the ejector whilst E completes the condensation of the steam to a temperature 1
which is determined by the greater or less quantity of cold water supplied to this
second ejector and the temperature of this water. Thus the vacuum which may be
obtained by this method is that which corresponds to the tension of the steam at
the temperature T. By this arrangement of apparatus I effect what may be termed
compound condensation, that is to say the exhaust of the steam in two distinct
periods by means of valves which would be open during the initial period of the
exhaust or preferably by means of a slide valve on the exhaust pipe from the engine,
provided with two ports corresponding the one to the ejector A and the
other to the ejector E the one port being open to the initial period of the exhaust
and the other during the exhaust proper, the valve being operated by an eccentric
or cam. The steam is thus brought in contact with the comparatively hot water
which circulates in A during, the initial period of the exhaust for which it is not
necessary to have a high vacuum while during the exhaust proper there remains
but little steam to be absorbed by ejector E which is supplied with cold water in
order to obtain a normal vacuum.
The second arrangement described for introducing cold water into the ejector-
condenser consists in projecting the water in the form of rain in the suction
chamber of the ejector A. For this purpose a tube such as H may be used and
the water so injected condenses the steam and the whole is drawn through the
ejector A which at same time draws in the air contained in the condenser.
In this case the cold water surrounds, so to speak, the hot water put in circulation
by the pump whilst in the previous case the cold water after having passed
through E entered the centre of the jet of hot water circulating in A and was not
as directly in contact with the steam to be condensed. This last condition is
favourable to condensation but has the objection of introducing the injection
water, as in an ordinary condenser, into the midst of a vacuum so that the
air held in solution becomes disengaged and disseminated in the condenser from
which it must be extracted by the ejector A. As this has a low output it is of
advantage to give it as little work as possible. With the first described arrange-
ment this disengagement of air from the injection water does not take place in the
ejector E. It will be seen that it is easy to utilize simultaneously the two modes
described so as to profit by the advantages of both.
When the apparatus is employed as a condenser for steam engines, in order to
prevent the return of water to the cylinder when the engine is stopped it is only
necessary to provide on the exhaust pipe an air inlet cock which is opened at same
time that the steam is shut off from the engine and as the momentum of the fly
wheel causes the engine to make a few revolutions after the steam valve is shut,
the continued exhaustion of the condenser prevents the water entering the cylinder.
The action of the condenser commences at the same time as the engine is set in
motion.
I will now describe the application of the ejector-condenser-exhauster to surface
condensation.
My apparatus permits of a new combination possessing the advantages of surface
condensation namely avoiding contact of the condensed steam with the cold water
by which the heat of condensation is absorbed. This apparatus which I will now
describe is not, properly speaking, a surface condenser but a mere refrigerating
apparatus. Figures 345 of the drawings shew different views of the arrangements
which may be adopted in the construction of a surface condenser according to the
principle above set forth.

page_text: The principal element of this installation is the ejector-condenser as above
described, comprising the ejector A and the centrifugal pump B, M being the
cooling tank in which are immersed a number of chambers N of galvanized
sheet iron or corrugated copper presenting a very extended surface sufficient in
area for producing the cooling required. A vigorous and continuous current of the
water available for cooling may be maintained through the tank M by a centrifugal
pump P which may be mounted on the same shaft as that of the ejector-condenser
and driven by the same pulley. This mode of condensation being especially applied
to marine engines it may be supposed that a certain quantity of sea-water pro-
portional to the number of heat units to be absorbed is kept circulating through
the tank.
It is evident that the area of the cooling surface and the quantity of water in
circulation are two factors which may be varied inversely within wide limits to
obtain the same result; thus the cooling surface may be small in area and the water
in circulation large in quantity or the area of surface may be large and the quantity
of water in circulation small, practice alone shewing which are the best proportions
to adopt.
In order to ensure a good distribution of the cooling water through tank M the
delivery pipe R from the pump enters the tank and is provided at its upper side
with a number of slits through which the water is projected into the spaces inter-
vening between the chambers N. In order to produce a methodical cooling the
water discharged from the ejector-condenser enters the chambers N by, branch
connections at their upper ends and passes out by similar connections at their lower
ends.
The inlets and outlets are connected to receiving and distributing pipes SS¹.
On the pipe S is mounted a tank T which receives the water discharged by the
ejector-condenser and allows the contained air drawn in by the ejector to become
disengaged, whilst the pipe S¹ is connected to the fresh water injection apparatus
within the condenser.
The construction of the cooling apparatus may be varied indefinitely, that
described being inexpensive and illustrating well the advantage to be gained by
this mode of working which does not necessitate the use of a nest of tubes present-
ing a multitude of joints.
The ejector-condenser-exhauster constructed and operating as described in the
first part of this Specification may be used not only for condensing steam and
extracting air from a condenser but also for merely exhausting air or a gas or for
the propulsion of a liquid.
One of the numerous possible applications is the use for producing a more or less
high vacuum in a receiver. In this case it is necessary that the circuit in which the
liquid circulates should always be completely full and it will therefore be necessary
to make a small addition of water through, a pipe such as H or by means of an
ejector such as E in order to replace that carried off along with the air or gas in
escaping at the discharge pipes 661 of the centrifugal pump. If only a small
volume of gas is required to be carried off under a very diminished pressure I may
profit by the increased suction produced by the ejector E which would in this case
alone be utilized for producing the vacuum, whilst the ejector A would only serve
This
to increase the velocity of the water which passes through the other.
would enable the velocity of circulation of the closed circuit to be reduced but it
would be necessary to supply at E a considerable quantity of water which would be
lost.
The apparatus may be used as an exhauster in gas works, with the advantage
that it would also wash and cool the gas which would pass out at the discharge
pipes bb of the centrifugal pump. If the exhaustion is performed in a space in
which it is not required to maintain a high vacuum, the forcing power of the
apparatus may be utilized to force the gas through the discharge pipes of the centri-
fugal pump under a pressure corresponding to the speed of rotation of the pump.
The setting in motion of gaseous masses may also be effected by this apparatus,

page_text: but less effectually, by causing a constant portion of the gas itself to circulate in
the closed circuit by means of a fan.
For the forcing of liquids the construction of the apparatus would be unaltered
and the liquid forced would be that arriving by the tube H or by the ejector E
and the forcing would be produced by a constant mass of this same liquid which
would be put in motion by the centrifugal pump and would circulate continuously
in the closed circuit, the discharge or forcing taking place through the tubes 6 b¹ of
the centrifugal pump.
When using the apparatus as an ejector-condenser it is utilized for forcing air
and water simultaneously.
I will now describe the arrangement of the apparatus as used for marine engines
and which is illustrated in part sectional elevation in Figure 6. Figures 7 and 8
shew details.
I have before stated that the introduction of cold water into the circulation may
be effected in two ways viz:--either with the aid of an auxiliary ejector E or by
means of an injection pipe H which rains cold water into the suction chamber of
ejector A. In this case the ejector A is retained in the form previously described,
while the cold water is introduced through stop-cock R and pipe I connected to the
suction pipe H of a centrifugal pump B. Moreover instead of discharging the
water in excess and air drawn in by the ejector A by means of pipes mounted on
the gills of the pump, I interpose between the divergent cone of the ejector A
and the pump suction pipe a tank F having an overflow T. The liquid jet issuing
from the divergent cone does not enter the tank directly as its energy due to velocity
acquired in the ejector A. would be entirely lost and produce an objectionable coni-
motion. In order to utilize as much as possible this energy and diminish the work
of the pump the jet passes through a pipe D traversing the tank and perforated on
upper side or all around for the escape of water in excess and of the air and gases
carried along by the water. The pipe D is extended, by a prolongation G of the
same diameter, into the suction pipe H to a point beyond the cold water inlet thus
increasing the suction by which cold water is brought into circulation. If the cold
water has to be raised from a certain depth it may be necessary to regulate the
quantity of hot water drawn by the pump from the tank, and for this purpose a
valve would be placed between the tank and the suction pipe of the pump. If on
the contrary the injection water is at a certain pressure it may enter into circulation
in any suitable manner and at any point either of the suction or delivery pipe of the
pump. An injection of cold water may also be made in chamber X.
its
The apparatus is characterized by its general arrangement whereby the same
mass of water is made to pass continuously through a bi-conical ejector nozzle so
that (1) the water shall absorb all the steam which it can take up, by so regulating
the admission of cold water that the discharge is at as high a temperature as is
compatible with the vacuum to be obtained; (2) provide sufficient energy to carry
off through the ejector the gases to be exhausted; (3) restore by the pump the
energy of the water issuing from the bi-conical ejector so that the only expenditure
is that necessary to compensate for loss of pressure due to the circulation of the
liquid in the apparatus.
I will now describe the application of the ejector-condenser to surface condensa-
tion. Owing to the diminution of the volume of water expended and the high
temperature of the water as it leaves the discharge pipe surface condensation may
be performed under entirely novel conditions by cooling the outflowing water and
injecting it over again.
For marine engines a condenser may be used of which the cooling surfaces may
be formed by the side of the vessel itself. Supposing the plates to be clinker-built
and that f g h (Figures 7 and 8) are three successive plates below the water-line,
then if on the exterior of the hull parallel to g a thin plate i be rivetted a longi-
tudinally extending narrow chamber is formed which may if necessary extend the
entire length of the hull and which being in direct contact with the sea-water acts

page_text: as a cooler, which is the more effective the greater the speed of the vessel and
through which is passed the excess of water expelled by the gills of the pump of
the ejector-condenser. In order to reduce the piping to what is strictly necessary
the chamber is divided at r into two parts communicating at the extremities only
by passages ss. The hot water entering by pipe traverses to right and left the
whole length of the chamber and returns by pipen to the ejector-condenser. mm are
air-vent pipes one at each end of the chamber and extending up above the water-
line. By this arrangement the circulation pump may be dispensed with in the
case of marine engines, thus greatly simplifying the condenser.
Datad this 9fth day of Anvil 1807
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
Improvements in Ejector-condensers for Steam Engines and for
Exhausting and Forcing Gases and Liquids.
I, ALEXANDRE CHARLES BOURDON, of 26, Boulevard Magenta, Paris, France,
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:
My invention relates to an exhauster termed an ejector-condenser it being prin-
cipally designed to replace the condenser and air pump of a steam engine.
Referring now to the drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification,
Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views shewing in detail the construction of one form
of the ejector-condenser. The apparatus consists essentially. of converging and
diverging cones A. and a centrifugal pump B driven either by a belt. or motor at a
speed suited to the-vacuum to be obtained. The delivery of the pump is connected
to the inlet of the converging cone of the ejector whilst the mouth of the diverging
cone is directly connected to the suction pipe of the pump.
The double conical ejector A may be placed either vertically or horizontally but
preferably in the former position. From each of the suction chambers of the
pump 1 lead the two branches bb of a discharge pipe. When a centrifugal pump
is employed to maintain the continuous circulation of the liquid column in a closed
circuit, two pipes such as bb', may advantageously serve for discharging the excess
of water introduced into the circulation and the air or other gases which may have
been drawn in, the latter by their difference of density always accumulating at the
centre of the pump whence they are drawn by the pipes b b¹. The centrifugal
action thus effects in the pump itself the separation of the water and of the gases
carried along therewith. This is a very important feature as by it the action of
the apparatus is much improved while the apparatus itself is considerably simplified.
Between the converging cone a¹ and the inlet to the diverging cone of the
ejector A there is a series of conical rings a projecting the one into the other but
with intervening annular spaces at which the steam which condenses in the water
and the air to be carried along by the water are drawn in.
The water is delivered by the pump into the chamber C from the bottom of which
leads the converging cone a. of, the ejector A. Cold water is supplied to the
apparatus by a tube D and may enter into circulation in two ways, either by a
second doubly.coned ejector E or by an injection tube H from which the cold water
is rained down in the chamber of the ejector A, the simultaneous supply in both

page_text: ways being favourable to the condensation of the steam. The ejector E, like A,
is a doubly coned ejector having between the converging and diverging cones a
number of conical rings projecting into each other and separated by spaces pro-
ducing successive aspirations. The supply of water thereto may be intercepted or
regulated by means of a valve e operated by a hand wheel, the valve being provided
with a regulating needle. The diverging cone of this ejector opens at the centre
of the smaller end of the converging cone a³, that is to say at the point where the
suction produced by this ejector is greatest. The cold water thus enters E at a
high velocity due in part to the vacuum produced by the condensation of the steam
and in part to the suction produced in the ejector E by the passage into A of the
water delivered by the centrifugal pump. By means of this arrangement an
increased exhausting power is obtained.
Thus constructed the ejector-condenser may be considered as being formed of
two ejectors whereof A absorbs the air which enters the condenser and all the steam
permitted to condense by the temperature of the water passing through the suction
rings of the ejector whilst E completes the condensation of the steam to a lower
temperature which is determined by the greater or less quantity of cold water
supplied to this second ejector and the temperature of this water. Thus the vacuum
which may be obtained by this method is that which corresponds to the tension of
the steam at the given temperature.
By a suitable combination of the two ejectors I effect what may be termed
compound condensation, that is to say the exhaust of the steam in two distinct
periods by means of valves which would be open during the initial period of the
exhaust or preferably by means of a slide valve on the exhaust pipe from the engine,
provided with two ports corresponding the one to the ejector A and the
other to the ejector E, the one port being open during the initial period of the
exhaust and the other during the exhaust proper, the valve being operated by an
eccentric or cam. The steam is thus brought in contact with the comparatively
hot water which circulates in A during the initial period of the exhaust for which
it is not necessary to have a high vacuum while during the exhaust proper there
remains but little steam to be absorbed by ejector E which is supplied with cold
water in order to obtain a normal vacuum.
The second arrangement described for introducing cold water into the ejector-
condenser consists in projecting the water in the form of rain in the suction
chamber of the ejector A. For this purpose a tube such as H may be used and
the water so injected condenses the steam and the whole is drawn through the
ejector A which at same time carries along the air contained in the condenser.
In this case the cold water surrounds, so to speak, the hot water put in circulation
by the pump whilst in the previous case the cold water after having passed
through E entered the centre of the jet of hot water circulating in A and was not
as directly in contact with the steam to be condensed. The injection of the water
by the pipe H is favourable to condensation but has the objection of introducing
the injection water, as in an ordinary condenser, into the midst of a vacuum so that
the air held in solution becomes disengaged and disseminated in the condenser from
which it must be extracted by the ejector A. As this has a low output it is of
advantage to give it as little work as possible. With the first described arrange-
ment this disengagement of air from the injection water does not take place in the
ejector E. It will be seen that it is easy to utilize simultaneously the two modes
described so as to profit by the advantages of both.
When the apparatus is employed as a condenser for steam engines, in order to
prevent the return of water to the cylinder when the engine is stopped it is only
necessary to provide on the exhaust pipe an air inlet cock which is opened at same
time that the steam is shut off from the engine and as the momentum of the fly
wheel causes the engine to make a few revolutions after the steam valve is shut,
the continued exhaustion of the condenser prevents the water entering the cylinder.
The action of the condenser commences at the same time as the engine is set in
motion.

page_text: I will now describe the application of the ejector-condenser as a substitute for
surface condensation.
My apparatus permits of a new combination possessing the advantages of surface
condensation namely avoiding contact of the condensed steam with the cold water
by which the heat of condensation is absorbed. This apparatus which I will now
describe is not, properly speaking, a surface condenser but a mere refrigerating
apparatus. Figures 345 of the drawings shew different views of the arrangements
which may be adopted in the construction of an ejector-condenser and cooler accord-
ing to the principle above set forth.
The principal element of this installation is the ejector-condenser as above
described, comprising the ejector A and the centrifugal pump B, M being the
cooling tank in which are immersed a number of chambers N of corrugated
galvanized iron or copper presenting a very extended surface sufficient in
area for producing the cooling required. A vigorous and continuous current of the
water available for cooling may be maintained through the tank M by a centrifugal
pump P which may be mounted on the same shaft as that of the ejector-condenser
and driven by the same pulley. This mode of condensation being especially applied
to marine engines it may be supposed that a certain quantity of sea-water pro-
portional to the number of heat units to be absorbed, is kept circulating through
the tank.
It is evident that the area of the cooling surface and the quantity of water in
circulation are two factors which may be varied inversely within wide limits to
obtain the same results; thus the cooling surface may be small in area and the water
in circulation large in quantity or the area of surface may be large and the quantity
of water in circulation small, practice alone shewing which are the best proportions
to adopt.
To ensure a good distribution of the cooling water through tank M the
delivery pipe R from the pump enters the tank and is provided at its upper side
with a number of slits through which the water is projected into the spaces inter-
vening between the chambers N. In order to produce a methodical cooling the
water discharged from the ejector-condenser enters the chambers N by branch
connections at their upper ends and passes out by similar connections at their lower
ends.
The inlets and outlets are connected to receiving and distributing pipes SS'.
On the pipe S is mounted a tank T which receives the water discharged by the
ejector-condenser and allows the contained air drawn in by the ejector to become
disengaged, whilst the pipe S¹ is connected to the fresh water injection apparatus
of the condenser.
The construction of the cooling apparatus may be varied indefinitely, that
described being inexpensive and illustrating well the advantage to be gained by
this mode of working which does not necessitate the use of a nest of tubes present-
ing a multitude of joints.
The ejector-condenser constructed and operating as described in the first part of
this Specification may be used not only for condensing steam and extracting air
from a condenser but also for merely exhausting gases and liquids from capacities
in which they are contained and expelling them into the atmosphere or into other
receivers.
One of the numerous applications which may be made of this apparatus
is its use as a pneumatic engine for producing a more or less high vacuum
in a receiver. In this case it is necessary that the circuit in which the
liquid circulates should always be completely full and it will therefore be necessary
to make a small addition of water through a pipe such as H or by means of an
ejector such as E in order to replace that carried off along with the air or gas in
escaping at the discharge pipes 661 of the centrifugal pump. If only a small
volume of gas is required to be carried off under a very diminished pressure I may
profit by the increased suction produced by the ejector E which would in this case
alone be utilized for producing the vacuum, whilst the ejector A would only serve

page_text: to increase the velocity of the water which passes through the other ejector. This
would enable the velocity of circulation of the closed circuit to be reduced but it
would be necessary to supply at E a considerable quantity of water which would be
lost.
A particular instance of the application of this apparatus is as an exhauster in
gas works with the advantage that it would also wash and cool the gas which would
pass out at the discharge pipes 661 of the centrifugal pump.
If the exhaustion is performed in a space in which it is not required to maintain
a high vacuum, the forcing power of the apparatus may be utilized to force the
gas through the discharge pipes of the centrifugal pump under a pressure corres-
ponding to the speed of rotation of the pump.
The setting in motion of gaseous masses may also be effected by this apparatus,
but less effectually, by causing a constant portion of the gas itself to circulate in
the closed circuit by means of a fan.
For the forcing of liquids the construction of the apparatus would be unaltered
and the liquid forced would be that arriving by the tube H or by the ejector E
and the forcing would be produced by a constant mass of this same liquid which
would be put in motion by the centrifugal pump and would circulate continuously
in the closed circuit, the discharge or forcing taking place through the tubes bb¹ of
the centrifugal pump.
When using the apparatus as an ejector-condenser it is utilized for forcing air
and water simultaneously.
I will now describe the arrangement of the apparatus as used for marine engines
and which is illustrated in part sectional elevation in Figure 6. Figures 7 and 8
shew details.
I have before stated that the introduction of cold water into the circulation may
be effected in two ways, viz.:-either with the aid of an auxiliary ejector 1
(Figures 1 and 2) or by means of an injection pipe H which rains cold water into
the suction chamber of ejector A. In the present arrangement the ejector A is
retained in the form previously described, while the cold water is introduced
through stop-cock R and pipe I connected to the suction pipe H of a centrifugal
pump B (Figure 6). Moreover instead of discharging the water in excess intro-
duced into the circulation and the air drawn in by the ejector A by two pipes
mounted on the gills of the pump, I interpose between the divergent cone of the
ejector A and the pump suction pipe a tank F having an overflow T. The liquid
jet issuing from the divergent cone does not enter the tank directly as its energy
due to velocity acquired in the ejector A would be entirely lost and produce only
an objectionable commotion. In order to utilize as much as possible this energy
and diminish the work absorbed by the pump the jet passes through a pipe 1)
traversing the tank and perforated on its upper side or all around for the escape of
water in excess and of the air and gases carried along by the water. The pipe D
is extended by a prolongation G of the same diameter, into the suction pipe H of
the centrifugal pump to a point beyond the cold water inlet, thus increasing the
suction by which cold water is brought into circulation. If the cold water has to
be raised from a certain depth it may be necessary to regulate the quantity of hot
water drawn by the pump from the tank, and for this purpose a valve would be
placed between the tank and the suction pipe of the pump. If on the contrary
the injection water is at a certain pressure it may enter into circulation in any
suitable manner and at any point either of the suction or delivery pipe of the pump.
An injection of cold water may also be made in chamber X.
From the foregoing description of the action of the ejector-condenser it will be
seen that the injection of the cold water may be effected in different ways but what-
ever may be the method employed the apparatus is characterized by its general
arrangement whereby the same mass of water is made to pass continuously through
a bi-conical ejector nozzle so that:-
(1) the water shall absorb all the steam which it can take up, by so regulating

page_text: •
the admission of cold water that the discharge is at as high a temperature as
is compatible with the vacuum to be obtained;
(2) provide sufficient energy to carry off through the ejector the gases to be
exhausted;
(3) restore by the pump the energy of the water issuing from the bi-conical
ejector so that the only expenditure is that necessary to compensate for loss of
pressure due to the circulation of the liquid in the apparatus.
In the application of the ejector-condenser as a substitute for surface condensa-
tion I have before shewn that owing to the diminution of the volume of water
expended and the high temperature of the water as it leaves the discharge pipe
condensation may be performed under entirely novel conditions by cooling the
outflowing water and injecting it over again.
In marine engines the same result may be obtained in a more simple way by
means of a condenser of which the cooling surfaces are cooled by the external water
and may be formed by the skin of the vessel itself. Supposing the plates to be
clinker-built and that f g h (Figures 7 and 8) are three successive plates below the
water-line, then if on the exterior of the hull parallel to g a thin plate i be rivetted
a longitudinally extending narrow chamber is formed which inay if necessary
extend the entire length of the hull and which being in direct contact with the
sea-water acts as a cooler which is the more effective the greater the speed of the
vessel and through which is passed the excess of water expelled by the gills of
the pump of the ejector-condenser. In order to reduce the piping to what is strictly
necessary, the chamber is divided at r into two parts communicating at the extremi-
ties only by passages ss¹. The hot water entering by pipe p traverses to right and
left the whole length of the chamber and returns by pipe n to the ejector-condenser.
mm are air-vent pipes one at each end of the chamber and extending up above the
water line. By this arrangement the circulation pump may be dispensed with
in the case of marine engines, thus greatly simplifying the condenser.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is-
1. The herein described ejector-condenser for condensing steam or for exhausting
gases and liquids, consisting of a bi-conical nozzle enclosed within a chamber in
communication with the exhaust pipe in combination with a liquid column
mechanically maintained in continuous circulation through said nozzle and in a
closed circuit so as to utilize the aspirating power of the column passing through
the cones of the nozzle the circuit being provided with a discharge outlet, all
substantially as specified.
2. The combination, with the herein described ejector-condenser consisting of a
bi-conical nozzle enclosed in a chamber in communication with the exhaust pipe
and of a liquid column maintained by a centrifugal pump in continuous circulation
therethrough in a closed circuit, of a cold water inlet pipe connected to the suction
pipe of a cooler constructed in the skin of a ship connected to the discharge tank
and to the pump suction pipe for maintaining a supply of cold water to the liquid
column as described.
1000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.