Improvements in and Apparatus for Obtaining Fresh Water from Salt Water.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1889
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Obtaining Fresh Water from
Salt Water.
We JAMES SHANNAN STEVENSON of Westoe South Shields in the County of Durham,
Chemical Manufacturer and HEW STEVENSON of Westoe South Shields in the County
of Durham Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be
as follows:
Our Invention has more especially for its object to provide means whereby fresh
water can be obtained from salt water with fuel which together with the apparatus
occupies but a small amount of space and is of small weight as compared to the
amount of fresh water produced.
According to our Invention we provide a boiler for evaporating the salt water and
in combination therewith means for heating the water by the combination of liquid
fuel such for instance as ordinary petroleum. The steam is conducted into a condenser
by which it is condensed and the water of condensation is led to any suitable place
for storage or use.. The liquid fuel is stored in a tank or receptacle and is kept under
a moderate pressure sufficient to maintain a continuous feed against the pressure of
the vaporised oil (either in that tank or receptacle or in a small auxiliary tank or
receptacle) by means of an air pump which pumps air into the said tank or receptacle
above the level of the liquid therein. The liquid under the pressure is conveyed to the
burner or burners which is or are preferably on the Bunsen principle so as to draw
in air to support the combustion of the liquid which liquid is led by pipes to the
burner in such close proximity or through the flame as to be vaporized before it issues
from the burner or burners. The vaporisation may be effected in an enlargement of
the pipe, forming a small boiler for the oil. The pipe from this to the burner issuing
from the upper portion of this small boiler. The condenser is cooled by cold water
which as our Invention is more especially intended for marine purposes can conveniently
be sea water admitted from below to a jacket or tank surrounding the condenser and
passing off by an overflow pipe. The boiler is fed with a portion of this overflow
water which will be very hot on its escape.
The boiler is preferably made with an internal flue and return flues and has a
relatively large handhole with a packing of India rubber asbestos or the like at the
joint so that cleaning can be readily done.
The steam pipe has slots or holes in it on the anti-priming principle to prevent the
splashing over of salt water into the condenser.
The condenser way be provided with a high cover or dome and a steam pipe
leading from it to condense any steam produced in the jacket or tank of the condenser
this steam pipe being cooled by passing through a subsidiary condenser.
The boiler can be provided with a grate for burning any other fuel if necessity
should arise.
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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Obtaining Fresh Water from
Salt Water.
We JAMES SHANNAN STEVENSON of Westoe South Shields in the County of Durham
Chemical Manufacturer and HEW STEVENSON of Westoe South Shields in the County
of Durham Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in
Price 8d.1

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained,
in and by the following statement
:-
Our Invention has more especially for its object to provide means whereby fresh
water can be obtained from salt water with fuel which together with the apparatus
occupies but a small amount of space and is of small weight as compared to the
amount of fresh water produced. The Invention is especially suitable for use with
ship's life boats but is not limited to that use.
According to our Invention (which we will describe with reference to Figure 1 of
the accompanying drawing although we do not limit ourselves to the precise arrange-
ment shewn) we provide a boiler A for evaporating the salt water and in combination
therewith, means for heating the water by the combustion of liquid fuel such for
instance as ordinary petroleum. The steam is conducted into a condenser B by which
it is condensed and the water of condensation is led from the outlet pipe and valve b
to any suitable place for storage or use. The liquid fuel is stored in a tank or
receptacle and is kept under a moderate pressure sufficient to maintain a continuous
feed against the pressure of the vaporized oil (either in that tank or receptacle or in a
small auxiliary tank or receptacle) by means of an air pump which pumps air into the
said tank or receptacle above the level of the liquid therein. The pump may be
employed as shown at C, to fill the auxiliary receptacle D by suction through the
pipe d leading from a store tank (not shewn). When this receptacle D is sufficiently
full of oil, by closing the cock on the pipe d and opening that on the suction
pipe d² to the atmosphere and working the pump Can air pressure is put on to the
oil in the receptacle D. The liquid under this pressure is conveyed to the burner or
burners which may be on the Bunsen principle so as to draw in air to support the
combustion of the liquid which liquid is led by the pipe da to the vessel E and thence
by the pipe to the burner F. the chamber E being in such close proximity to the
flame or the pipe f passing through the flame that the oil is vaporized before it issues
from the burner or burners. The vaporization in the example shewn (illustrated
separately in Figure 2) is effected in the chamber E forming a small boiler for the oil;
the pipe from this to the burner issuing from the upper portion of this small
boiler. This small oil boiler consists of an annular vessel (one cylinder within another
the annular spaces at the ends being closed) and the said oil boiler is placed within
what may be called the firebox K, of the water boiler, the flame froin the burner
passing through the centre of the vessel E. The bottom plate g of the firebox is
pierced with holes through which the pipes d³ and pass and are rigidly connected
with it. An iron grate is supported on the top of this oil burner on which may be
placed lumps of hard asbestos which help to keep a body of heat within the boiler and
rekindle the flame in the event of its being extinguished. If the bottom plate g be
withdrawn with the oil burning apparatus the grate rests on the bottom flange of the
firebox leaving this available for burning ordinary fuel, fed in by the firebox door i.
A short pipe projecting from the bottom plate already mentioned forms a nozzle for
the jet. The jet is below the plate and is easily examined while working. The
vaporized oil issuing from the jet draws sufficient air with itself into the firebox to
produce a hot smokeless flame. The firebox is lined with nonconducting material k
such as fireclay. The apparatus may be started by introducing any readily inflammable
material by the fire door to heat the oil boiler.
The condenser B is cooled by cold water which (as our Invention is more especially
intended for marine purposes) can conveniently be sea water admitted by the inlet /
to the jacket or tank B' surrounding the condenser and passing off by an overflow
pipe. The condenser may be on the principle of Liebeg's condenser, and consists
merely of an inner pipe with thin walls in an outer vessel supplied with sea water
as described. The boiler is fed with a portion of this overflow water which will be
very hot on its escape. It passes from the condenser to the boiler by the
pipe m.
The boiler is preferably made with an internal flue and return flues and has a
relatively large hand hole with a packing of India rubber asbestos or the like at the
joints at p so that cleaning can be readily done.

page_text: In the arrangement shown the boiler is vertical with a central flue. To facilitate
cleaning it is made as follows:-The inner shell y is in one piece with the flue and
chimney flanged at its lower surface q³. The flue pipe has a broad flange qʻ
near its upper end fitted with studs. The outer shell passes over the inner shell q
and is flanged below at to make a joint with the bottom flange of the inner shell.
At the top it fits on to the flange q* of the flue pipe and is secured by the studs and
thumb screws s.
The bottom flanges are secured by bolts three of which are
prolonged to form legs for the boiler. The fire box K is fitted to the flange of the
inner shell by a flange pierced to receive the bottom set of bolts t. Washers n
and of suitable material (such as India rubber or asbestos) form the joints top and
bottom between the two shells of the boiler. The oil burner is fitted with plugs to
allow of cleaning the pipes and jet.
The steam pipe has slots or holes in it on the anti-priming principle to prevent the
splashing over of salt water into the condenser.
The condenser may be provided with a high cover or dome and a steam pipe leading
from it to condense any steam produced in the jacket or tank of the condenser this
steam pipe being cooled by passing through a subsidiary condenser.
The boiler can be provided with a special grate for burning any other fuel if
necessity should arise instead of depending upon the grate on the top of the oil
burner.
Regulating valves can be placed on the oil pipe issuing from the receptacle, on
the feed pipe for the boiler and on the overflow pipe from the condenser.
The boiler is preferably lagged with non-conducting material and provided with a
water gauge, a sludge cock, and a pipe u passing through the top to within a short
distance of the bottom, projecting some height above the top. This acts as a safety
valve (the working pressure of the boiler being easily balanced by a few inches of
water) in case the feed or steam pipe should become choked.
We do not limit ourselves to the precise details of construction, for instance to save
space we can arrange the condenser annularly around the boiler.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The application of liquid fuel to the condensation of fresh water from salt
water substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the apparatus substantially
as hereinbefore described and shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 4th day of October 1889.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.