IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND HEATING WATER AND PREVENTING SOLID ACCUMULATIONS IN STEAM BOILERS "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Lishman, of West Hartlepool, in the county of
Durham, Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF
AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND HEATING WATER AND PREVENTING
SOLID ACCUMULATIONS IN STEAM BOILERS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Lishman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th March 1883.
THOMAS LISHMAN of West Hartlepool in the county of Durham, Engineer
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND
HEATING WATER AND PREVENTING SOLID ACCUMULATIONS IN STEAM BOILERS
"
This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for automatically
purifying water used in steam boilers, also for superheating and extracting the solid
matters of the waters prior, when possible or convenient, to the same being
supplied to the boiler.
The apparatus may be constructed of wrought or cast iron but I prefer to employ
copper, sheet iron or tin and of a form suitable to meet the requirements of
differently constructed boilers.
The apparatus is especially applicable for the purposes of preventing the pitting
of marine boiler tub or fire chamber plates, and of keeping boilers clean com-
paratively from the effects of accumulations of the solid matters.
The said improvements consist principally in the construction of a chamber or
receiver which may be of cylindrical or other form in the body and may be
telescoped having one or a number of inlet pipes on the one side or part and outlets
on the other; the inlet pipes open into the chamber near the top thereof and the
outlet pipes lower down; both the inlet and outlet pipes extend nearly to the
bottom of the chamber, the inlet pipes are of larger diameter than the outlet pipes
and are conically shaped by preference. The cover or covers of the chamber may
be adapted to work on a hinge on the outside with a catch on the other to secure
it; at the upper part of the apparatus is placed a diaphragm or division plate
extending fully across and to a depth a little below where the outlet pipes open

page_text: into the chamber. The diaphragm may be composed of a composite metal and
serves to break the communication between the two sides of the apparatus and to
convey all solids to the well below.
The apparatus may also be arranged with an external shell similar to a vertical
boiler and answer the purposes of a filter and water heater, suitable inlet and
outlet openings being provided into the shell.
The operation of the apparatus first herein before described is as follows:-
A number of the apparatuses are suspended inside a boiler, if in a cylinder
boiler, a certain distance from the bottom and at intervals from end to end. The
result is that the water being in a state of excessive agitation is taken by the
herein before described larger sized or inlet pipes into the chamber or receiver
carrying with it the impurities it contains, which are principally solids, and these
are separated by the diaphragm or division plate in the centre of the chamber and
fall down to the bottom of the receiver, the water passing on and out at the
opposite or outlet pipes. The action is constant and rapid, so much so that the
whole of the water a boiler may contain passes and repasses many times through
the vessels and each time leaves a portion of solid matter in the receiver.
The action of the apparatus arranged as a heater is similar to that hereinbefore
described except that it is placed say inside of a donkey boiler, the water is pumped
in the usual way and heated by the exhaust steam or otherwise from the engine,
the water circulates through the pipes arranged on each side of the receiver all the
heavy matters dropping into the receiver which is provided with a mud door at the
bottom and can be taken off at any time and the contents will drop out. By this
method the water will be purified before it enters the boiler the apparatus forming
in addition a superheater.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Lishman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th September 1883.
"1
THOMAS LISHMAN of West Hartlepool in the County of Durham Engineer
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AND
HEATING WATER AND PREVENTING SOLID ACCUMULATIONS IN STEAM BOILERS
"
This invention relates to an improved method of and apparatus for automatically
purifying water used in steam boilers, also for superheating and extracting the
solid matters of the water prior, when possible or convenient, to the same being
supplied to the boiler
The apparatus may be constructed of wrought or cast iron but I prefer to employ
copper, sheet iron or tin and of a form suitable, to meet the requirements of
differently constructed boilers
:
The apparatus is especially applicable for the purposes of preventing the pitting
of marine boiler tub or fire chamber plates, and of keeping boilers clean com-
paratively from the effects of accumulations of the solid matters
The said improvements consist principally in the construction' of a chamber or
receiver which may be of cylindrical or other form in the body and may be
telescoped having one or a number of inlet pipes on the one side or part and
outlets on the other, the inlet pipes open into the chamber near the top thereof
and the outlet pipes lower down; both the inlet and outlet pipes extend downwards
for some distance towards the bottom of the chamber, the inlet pipes are of larger
diameter than the outlet pipes and are conically shaped by preference-The cover
or covers of the chamber may be adapted to work on a hinge on the outside with
a catch on the other to secure it; at the upper part of the apparatus is placed
a diaphragm or division plate extending fully across and to a depth a little below
where the outlet pipes open into the chamber. The diaphragm may be composed
of a composite metal and serves to break the communication between the two sides
of the apparatus and to convey all solids to the well below
The apparatus may also be arranged with an external shell similar to a vertical
boiler and answer the purposes of a filter and water heater, suitable inlet and
outlet openings being provided into the shell
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure 1, is a-vertical
section of an apparatus for purifying and heating the feed water of and preventing
solid accumulations in steam boilers and constructed according to my invention;
figure 2, is a horizontal section on line A. B of figure 1; figures 3, 4 and 5 views of
parts of the apparatus shewn in figure 1, drawn to an enlarged scale; figure 6, is a
vertical section of a similar apparatus to that shewn in figure 3, but provided with
an open instead of a closed top: figure 7, is a vertical transverse section shewing
my improved apparatus as arranged on the top of a boiler; figure 8, is a vertical
section shewing my improved method of and apparatus for extracting heavy and
injurious matters from Steam boilers and for supplying the same with purified
water; figure 9 is a section shewing my improvements applied to an ordinary
cylinder boiler; figure 10, is a transverse section of a boiler provided with an
arrangement for effecting a continuous circulation of the water for the purpose of
purifying the same; figures 11 and 12, are a longitudinal and transverse section
respectively of a Lancashire boiler provided with my improvements modified so as
to suit the same. Similar letters in all the figures represent similar or corresponding
parts.
11 C

page_text: a is the cylindrical chamber or receiver; b, are the inlet pipes arranged around
the outside of part of its circumference and c, are the outlet pipes arranged around
the remaining part of its circumference the inlet pipes b, opening into the chamber a,
near the top thereof and the outlet pipes c, lower down the inlet pipes b, at their
lower part are of larger diameter than the outlet pipes c, and are preferably
conically shaped as shewn; d, is the cover of the chamber a, bolted to the top
flange of the chamber as shewn (or the cover may be adapted to work on a hinge
and be secured by a catch); e, is the diaphragm or division plate extending as
shewn to a depth a little below where the outlet pipes c, open into the chamber;
el, is a trap consisting of an inverted truncated cone and serving to separate the
impurities from the water as it enters through the inlet tube b,
In figure 1 the apparatus is shewn constructed of two of the chambers a, bolted
together; each chamber or section is provided with a set of inlet tubes b, and
outlet tubes c; and the lower chamber is bolted to the bottom of a feed water
heater f; g, is a steam pipe connected to a boiler and conveying steam therefrom
to the branch pipes h, h, within the feed water heater f,; i, is a stop valve,; j, a
steam pipe leading to an injector k,; l, is a water inlet pipe; m, small blow off
cock; n, regulating feed valve; o, sediment receiver; p, blow off valve; q, is the
feed water valve communicating with the boilers
The operation of the apparatus is as follows.-
The vessel f. is filled with the required quantity of water and the feed is then
shut off, steam is then admitted by opening the valve i,. The water then becomes
heated up to the same temperature and pressure as that in the boiler or boilers.
The result is that the water being in a state of excessive agitation is taken by the
inlet pipes b, into the chamber or receiver a, carrying with it the impurities it
contains, which are principally solids, and these are separated by the diaphragm or
division plate e, and cone shaped trap e¹, and fall down to the bottom o, of the
receiver a, the water passing on and out at the opposite or outlet pipes c.. The
direction of the passage of the water through the vessel a, is indicated by the arrows,
The action is constant and rapid, so much so that the whole of the water the feed
water heater f, may contain will pass and repass many times through the vessels a,
and each time leave a portion of solid matter in the receiver o, from which it is
occasionally blown off through the valve p,; the purified water being forced by
gravitation or by pressure to the boilers through the valve q,. The water in the
vessel f, may be heated in any other suitable way such as by means of fire or gas,
but I prefer to heat it in the manner hereinbefore described and shewn
The apparatus shewn in figure 6, is similar in construction to that shewn in
figures 1 to 5 except that it is open at the top, is provided with a handle r, and
the trap e¹, is of a double conical form and the dimensions of the apparatus are
such as to admit of them being placed inside the boiler or heater through a man-
hole;
the apparatuses may be placed on the bottom of the boiler or heater as well
as near the water line in such numbers as may be required. The direction of the
flow of water is indicated by the arrows, the water circulating upwards through
the larger pipe b, and out through the other pipe c, whilst the downward current
of the water is produced by the open top and the mud is collected inside as herein-
before described when referring to figures 1 to 5
In figure 7, which shews my improved apparatus arranged to meet the require-
ments of one or more boilers and for purifying the water before it enters the boiler
or boilers, the purifying vessel is placed on the top of the boiler A (in the case of
being applied to one boiler) as represented, or it may be fixed on the seating or
otherwise in any suitable position: f, is a cylindrical water vessel provided with
the purifying chamber or receiver a, similar to that hereinbefore described and
shewn in figures 1 to 5; the vessel f is so arranged as to intercept the steam pipe j
A steam pipe (not shewn in the drawings) is connected to the boiler and conveyed
to the top or through the side of the vessel f,. The heavy matters are arrested
and collected in the accumulator o, and blown off from the bottom at P, as
hereinafter described.

page_text: In figure 8 which shows my improvements applied to a vertical steam boiler for
extracting the heavy and injurious matters therefrom and supplying it with
rectified water; f, represents the boiler; a, is the purifying chamber or receiver
constructed of a cast or wrought iron cylinder with a double coned trap or cover el
one of the cones of which is formed so as to nearly cover the internal diameter of
the top of the vessel leaving only a small hole f¹, at the apex of the cone the base
of the other cone extending almost to the sides of the vessel a, the whole is secured
in position by the cover d, to which is secured a pipe 8, provided with a valve t,
the pipe 8, leading to internal pipes u, attached to the boiler shell; one of the
pipes u extends nearly to the bottom of the boiler f, the other pipe only extends
below the level of the water line of the boiler as shewn communication between
the two pipes being intercepted as shewn at v; I have only shewn and described
one internal pipe but I sometimes employ a number of these pipes; w, is a valve
connecting the vessel a, with the boiler f, and to which is attached a feed pipe a,.
n, is the valve for regulating the supply of feed water. When the boiler is at work
the valves t, and w, are opened. When communication between the boiler f, and
the vessel a, is formed by opening the valves t, and w, a rapid and incessant
circulation of great force takes place. The sludge or mud is collected and trapped
in the vessel a, and is blown off at p, from time to time; the water feed n, may be
in communication with the ordinary feed or with a cold water tank. This method
is equally applicable for purifying the water of two or more boilers and is also
applicable to horizontal or other kinds of steam boilers. By the use of this
apparatus boiler explosions are practically impossible.
In figure 9 which shows my improvements applied to an ordinary cylinder boiler
for collecting mud and keeping the boiler clean; a, a, are the purifying vessels or
receivers connected as shown by pipes y and resting on the bottom of the boiler f
to each of these vessels a, a conical pipe z, is attached extending from the top of
the vessel a, to within a short distance of the water line. The pipes y are in.
connection with a double way blow off valve p, which may be placed at the bottom:
as, shewn or in any other suitable position for the purpose. When the blow off
valve is operated the mud accumulated in the vessels a is thereby carried off whilst
by the same operation the water is scummed and the heavy matters held there in
suspension as well as the accumulations on the boiler bottom are removed.
In figure 10 which shews an arrangement for effecting an increased circulation
in steam boilers in order that the water in the same may be puritied by means of
my improved apparatus; h, h, is an arrangement of ordinary gas or steam piping
so placed as to effect direct communication between the top and bottom of a boiler
of the type shewn or of Cornish or Lancashire boilers. The centre pipe z, is of
conical shape as hereinbefore described and extends into the steam chamber the
arms h, h connected there with extending round the tubes of the boiler as shewn by
which means steam is injected into the bottom part of the boiler and a circulation
of the water is thereby produced A number of the purifying vessels a shewn in
figure 6 are placed inside the boiler f, for collecting the accumulations of mud
which vessels a, would be removed occasionally and emptied of their contents and
replaced.
Figures 11 and 12 show my improvements modified so as to be applicable to
purifying the water in a Lancashire boiler. The lower part of the boiler f, is
provided with a sheet iron vessel or receiver a, made in sections and extending
nearly the length of the boiler f,; one end of the box b¹, is connected to the blow
off pipe p. The vessel or receiver a, is provided on one side with a series of inlet
pipes b, figure 12 and on the other side with a series of outlet pipes c, similar to
those shewn in figures 1 to 6 arranged at intervals along the top of the vessel a,
a number of scum pipes z, are also provided by which means the vessel a, is caused
to receive the accumulations which may form both at the top and bottom of the
water and which are carried away by the blow off pipe p, and the boilers are thus
kept free from impurities and clean.
Having thus described my Invention and the best means I am acquainted

page_text: with for carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that what
I claim is:
Firstly The method of and general arrangement and construction of apparatus
for purifying and heating the feed water of and preventing solid accumulations in
steam boilers substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in figures 1
to 5 of the accompanying drawing.
Secondly The method of and general arrangement and construction of apparatus
for purifying the feed water of and preventing solid accumulations in steam boilers
substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in figure 7 of the accom-
panying drawing
s
Thirdly The modified arrangement of apparatus shewn in figure 8 operating
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described.
Fourthly The method of and general arrangement and construction of apparatus
for purifying the water in and keeping clean steam boilers operating substantially
as hereinbefore described and represented in figure 9 of the accompanying
drawing,
Fifthly The general arrangement and construction of apparatus for effecting a
circulation in steam boilers and purifying the water in the same operating substan-
tially as herein before described and represented in figure 10 of the accompanying
drawing.
Sixthly The modified construction of apparatus arranged and operating substan-
tially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described and represented
in figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawing.
Seventhly In an apparatus for purifying the water of and preventing solid
accumulations in steam boilers the purifying vessel or receiver a, provided with
inlet pipes or openings b, and outlet pipes or openings c, diaphragm or division
plate e, conical trap or cover e¹, and blow off pipe or valve p, the whole arranged
and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and
represented in the various figures of the accompanying drawing.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Lishman have hereto set my hand
and seal this fifth day of September in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.