Improvements in Surface Condensers.
Year: 1890

page_text: CODI LETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Surface Condensers.
I, GUSTAV HÖRNER, Manufacturer, of Lüben, in Silesia, in the Kingdom of Prussia,
and German Empire, 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 :-
This invention relates to surface condensers which differ from similar apparatus
hitherto known by being constructed of several parts which allow of easy construction,
and enlargement or reduction of the size of the apparatus.
This apparatus has the further advantage that by means of a pump the water
resulting from the condensed steam is again introduced as feed-water through the
surface condenser and there heated, while at the same time it serves for cooling.
This apparatus may be made rectangular, or cylindrical both modifications being
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I now proceed to
describe the same in relation to the accompanying drawings, reference being had to
the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figures 1 to 3 show the rectangular shape of my apparatus; figure 1 being a
longitudinal section, and figures 2, 2 & 2º plans of the three parts forming one set
for the construction of the condenser.
Figure 3 is a vertical section in the direction of the line Y. Y. (Fig. 1.).
Figures & show the cylindrical shape of my apparatus.
Figure 4 shows the same partly in elevation and partly in vertical section; figure 5
is partly a plan and partly a horizontal section.
The apparatus (Figure 1 to 3.) consists of separate parts a', a², a³, which are put
together in a certain consecutive order so as to form three zig-zag channels.
One of these channels serves for the passage and cooling of the steam to be
condensed, the second channel leads the water resulting from the condensation
of the steam through the apparatus as feed-water for the purpose of reheating, and
the third channel serves for the passage of the cooling means.
The parts a, a, a³ are exactly alike as regards their exterior, and differ only with
respect to their interior channel arrangements.
The parts shown in figures 1, 2, 3 are rectangular boxes, and have on their top a
groove c to receive a joint-ring 6 of lead, or other suitable material.
In the four corners of these boxes are four orifices D E F G which form
corresponding vertical channels when the various boxes are placed together.
These channels D E F G are separated wholly, or partially, from the other parts of
the box by means of channels c¹ and joints b.
In the longitudinal axis of these boxes are orifices situated vertically A A'
The interior space of the parts a¹ a² a³ contains vertical ribs a limited by the
perforated transverse walls d d so that the interior of the boxes consists of a number
of small divisions f.
For the better distribution of the steam or liquid circulating through the condenser,
the various parts are supplied, in the direction of the longitudinal axis and on the
inner walls with wedge shaped pieces g g which suitably direct the current entering,
or leaving the divisions f.
In the box a¹, Figure 2, the channel A is closed below by the bottom of
the section above and open on the top, the channel A' is open at top and
bottom. The channels D E F G reach vertically through these boxes a'.
The part a helow it forms a box, the vertical channels D & E of which commu-
nicate with the interior divisions f, while the channels A' and A are separated
from the interior divisions f, and therefore form only passages.
D

page_text: In the box a³ the channels F and G communicate with the interior division f
while the channels A & A¹ are separated from and open at bottom and top. (See
Figure 2b).
:
These boxes a', a², a³ have a flat bottom studded all round with ribs which
fit into the groove c in which they make a tight joint between the different
boxes.
The boxes are put together in such a succession that on the box a¹ is placed the
box a³, on which is again placed the box p', on which follows the box a², which
succession can be repeated as often as desired.
The lowest box a¹ is supplied with supports by means of which it is screwed to
the flooring.
The uppermost box a' completing the whole apparatus carries a cover m which is
supplied in the direction of the channel A with a feed pipe 9 for the steam to be
condensed, and in the direction d f with two exit pipes for the exit of the heated
feed water, and also for the exit of the cooling means circulating through the
apparatus.
The lower box a¹ is supplied with three exit pipes p p p², the middle one of
which, p, is situated below the channel A and serves for the exit of the condensed
steam, while the pipe p¹ communicates with the channel D for the introduction of
the feed water, and the pipe p² communicates with the vertical channel F for the
introduction of the cooling means.
On the pipe p is further situated an overflow pipe
of glass, or other material
which ends in a water vessels; this overflow pipe by its water lever indicates the
proper working of the pump, and controls the operation of the condenser.
The apparatus shown in Figrs. 1 to 3 acts as follows:-
The steam to be condensed enters by the pipe q on the cover m into the top box a¹
through the channel A, circulates then through the orifices in the transverse walls d d
into the divisions, then downwards through the channel A in the following
lower box a', and so on in the direction of the arrow 1 through the whole
condenser.
From the lower box a' the condensed steam is led by the centre pipe p to the feed
pump, and is raised as feed-water through the pipe p' in the channel D.
The latter channel leads the feed-water in the direction of the arrow II into the
lowest of the boxes a², from there through the vertical channel E in the same direc-
tion, then into the following higher box a² from there through the vertical channel D
into the following box a² etc., from where the feed water is led as heated fluid through
the pipe t again into the boiler.
In order to dispose of the heat of the condenser not taken up by the feed-water, a
cooling means (water, air etc.) enters through the pipe p² and the vertical channels F. G.
into the box a³, and escapes through the pipe t' on the cover m of the apparatus in
a state of high temperature.
The boiler feed pump works continuously, and when there are sufficient condensing
surfaces a vacuum is produced, by means of which the water in the water vessel S is
sucked in.
2"
At the accidental stoppage of the feed, or cooling water pump the water sucked
up in the over-flow pipe will immediately run back into the vessel S and allow the
uncondensed steam to escape which will immediately induce the attendant to re-start
the pump.
Figures 4 and 5 show an apparatus with cylindrical boxes in which the zig-zag
channels shown in Figures 1 to 3 are dispensed with, and circular channels are used.
for the passage of the steam, the feed-water, and cooling means.
These circular channels are formed by the walls of the various boxes which are
concentric.
A screw w reaching through all the various parts, and a screw w arranged on the
circumference of the apparatus and reaching through lugs on the lowest box and the
cover m connects the various parts securely.
The various parts at in this modification are alike.

page_text: The steam to be condensed enters from the pipe in the cover m², passes down-
wards in the vertical channel A2 where it is condensed, and then reaches through the
pipe
to the feeding pump.
From there this water is led as feed-water from the pipe p' into the interior
space B and heated by the surrounding steam chamber formed by the channel A.
The feed-water leaves the apparatus through the pipe, and is led to the boiler.
The entrance of the cooling water, or air is effected through p³, and passes
upwards through the outer circular channel C leaving at a high temperature through
the pipe t.
For the better distribution of the fluid circulating through the apparatos, the several
channels A, B C are supplied with radial ribs which effect such better distribution,
and enlarge the cooling surfaces.
The lower of the circular plates at is closed in the channel B, C by a sieve
which secures perfect distribution of the fluids circulating through this division.
The operation of the modified apparatus shown in Figures 4 and 5 is the same as of
that shown at Figures 1 to 3.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
1st. A surface condenser in which the steam to be condensed is cooled by cooling
means, such as air, water, etc. circulating in opposite directions, and in separate
divisions and further gives off its heat to the feed-water resulting from the steam
already condensed and circulating also in the opposite direction and in separate
divisions.
2nd. The construction of the surface condenser claimed under claim 1 as shown in
Figures 1 to 5 consisting of separate rectangular boxes a¹ a² a³ containing vertical
channels A A, D E F G, and supplied in the interior with ribs e through which
circulates the steam, the feed water resulting from the condensed steam, and the
cooling means respectively.
3rd. The modified construction of the surface condenser claimed in claim 2 in
which are used instead of the rectangular boxes cylindrical boxes forming soparate
circular channels A², B C.
4th. In an apparatus as claimed under claims 1 to 3 the application of an over-flow
pipe for the control of the operation of the surface condenser.
Dated this 16th day of June 1890.
FELL & WILDING,
Agents for the Applicant.