Improvements in Apparatus for Drying, Purifying, and Condensing Steam, and for Heating and Purifying Water for Boiler-feed and other Purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Mar., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 16th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 14th Mar., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying, Purifying, and Condensing
Steam, and for Heating and Purifying Water for Boiler-feed and
other Purposes.
I, WILLIAM JAMES BAKER, of Peasholme House, Scarborough, in the County
of York, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for separating water from steam, for purifying
exhaust steam from lubricating oils or grease, and for utilizing the purified steam
for heating and removing lime from water for boiler-feed and other purposes..
Part of the apparatus may be employed as a jet condenser for steam engines.
The apparatus employed in carrying out this invention consists of a vertical
cylindrical shell of boiler-plate or cast iron divided by means of a horizontal
partition or diaphragm into upper and lower chambers, the upper chamber being
the oil separator, for purifying steam from lubricating grease, and the lower
chamber being the condenser and water heater, wherein the water to be heated
and purified is brought into intimate contact with the cleansed steam.
In the centre of both chambers, and forming the vertical axis thereof is fixed a
hollow column around which winds a helical web, resembling the thread of a screw,
fitting between the central column and the outer shell, and extending from the top
to the bottom of both chambers, thereby forming helical steam-conduits.
Steam enters at the top of the upper chamber in which are placed at intervals
wings or baffle-plates projecting laterally from the central column and from the
casing alternately, which wings divert the course of the passing steam and arrest
the passage of grease, which mixed with a small portion of water, collects on the
wings, from whence it drains away to the bottom of the chamber, down specially
provided channels, and passes out through a waste pipe.
On leaving the upper chamber, from whence the cleansed steam passes through
à pipe, raised a few inches from the bottom or diaphragm, into the lower chamber,
in which it is also caused to follow a helical direction.
Near the top of this upper chamber a perforated pipe or flat jet, which is fixed
radially spreads the feed or other water to be heated and purified in a thin,
vertically falling stream, which extends from the central column to the outer shell,
completely across the path of the steam, in order that the steam may be compelled
Narrow radial slits
to pass through or be condensed by the thin wall of water.
in the helical web allow the water, which flows down the conduit, to fall through
into the space below each slit, in several thin streams, through which the steam
also passes, whereby several contacts between steam and water are effected, and
before the steam has reached the bottom of the lower chamber, it has become
condensed, and has parted with most of its heat to the water which has fallen
upon it. The water thus heated flows out at the bottom of the chamber, and upon
being allowed to settle in a suitable tank, deposits the main portion of the contained
lime, and other impurities.
A slightly modified form of the lower chamber herein described may be
advantageously employed as a "jet condenser" for condensing steam engines.
Instead of the helical grease separator described above, the steam to be cleansed

page_text: from grease may enter at one side of a chamber of similar outward form and be
caused to impinge against two or more rows of vertically fixed short lengths of
angle-iron, the inner or hollow surfaces of which face the in-coming steam in order
to catch the greasy spray and volatilized or suspended lubricating grease, which
are deposited therein and pass down the channels formed by the angle-irons, into a
well at the bottom of the chamber, out of reach of the current of steam, and
from which well a syphon or waste pipe conducts the grease away.
Spaces are left between the angle-irons through which the steam passes to the
outlet.
The angle-irons are not arranged in straight lines from the steam inlet to the
outlet, but the centres of the second row of angle irons are in line with the centres
of the spaces in the first row, in order to catch the steam which passes through the
spaces, and so on for as many rows as may be required.
Baffle-plates projecting from the sides of the chamber direct the flow of steam
upon the angle-irons and prevent steam from escaping unpurified between the outer
edge of the group of angle irons and the walls of the chamber.
In grease separating chambers interposed between the cylinders and the surface
condensers of marine engines the angle-irons and baffle-plates are arranged in the
same relative positions to one another, but are fixed horizontally instead of
vertically, the hollow or inner surfaces of the angle-irons facing upwards, and
forming channels in which grease and greasy water collect and pass away at both
ends, ultimately draining through a perforated false bottom, and to waste pipes
provided for that purpose.
It is obvious that this last described grease-separator will act equally well as
what is known as a "steam-drier," for separating water from live steam.
Dated the 15th day of March 1895.
Improvements in Apparatus for Drying, Purifying, and Condensing
Steam, and for Heating and Purifying Water for Boller-feed and
other Purposes.
I, WILLIAM JAMES BAKER, of Peasholme House, Scarborough, in the County
of York, Mechanical 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 :-
This invention relates to apparatus for separating water from steam, or for
separating oil or lubricating grease from exhaust steam, and for utilizing the
purified steam for heating and removing lime from water to be employed for
boiler-feed, and for other purposes. Part of this apparatus may be employed as a
jet condenser for steam engines.
In order to enable this invention to be fully understood I will proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation, of an apparatus for purifying steam
from lubricating grease, and for utilizing the cleansed steam for heating feed
water. Figure 2 represents a sectional plan of the upper part of the grease
separator Figure 1 and Figure 3 a sectional plan of the upper portion of the feed-
water heater, also shown on Figure 1.
Figure 4 represents a sectional elevation and Figure 5 a sectional plan of a
modified form of grease separator, also applicable as a steam drier, in which
steam enters and leaves the apparatus in a horizontal direction.

page_text: Figures 6 and 7 represent a sectional elevation and plan respectively of a
modification of the steam-purifier, in which the steam enters horizontally and
passes out vertically downward.
Figure 8 represents a sectional end elevation, and Figure 9 a sectional side
elevation of another form of my improved grease separator, as applied to a
vertical marine engine.
Figure 10 represents a sectional elevation and Figure 11 a plan of a modifiel
form of grease separator or steam drier, in which steam passes downward into the
apparatus and out at the bottom thereof.
Figures 12 and 13 represent longitudinal and transverse sectional elevations
respectively of a modified form of grease separator or steam drier adapted to be
applied to a horizontal steam pipe.
Figures 14 and 15 represent a plan and transverse sectional elevation respectively,
of an improved construction of circular or ring-jet, to be employed in a feed-
water heater, and Figure 16 is a plan of the inner section of such jet.
In Figures 1 and 2 the steam which contains grease enters the chamber AA
at the inlet C and passes down a helical conduit, formed by the web D which
winds round the central column M and the walls of the chamber. At intervals
upon the web, and projecting alternately from the centre column and from the
outer walls of the chamber are fixed curved baffle-plates or wings, shewn at N N
in Figure 2, which break up and partially divert the passing current of steam,
which steam deposits a film of grease mixed with water upon the baffle-plates
from which it trickles down through the holes OO and to the bottom of the
chamber, whence the drain pipe F. carries away the greasy fluid.
After parting with the contained grease in the manner described, the steam
thus purified passes through the passage E. into the water heating chamber B B
Figs. 1 and 3 and here also is conducted down a helical passage formed by the
screw-like web H. and the sides of the chamber. Immediately upon entering the
chamber BB the steam comes in contact with a fall or spray of water from
the perforated pipe G. which completely crosses the path of the steam thereby
condensing the greater portion thereof, and this water subsequently running down
the inclined web, falls in flat streams through the slits J J, through which streams
the remainder of the steam also has to pass, thereby absorbing all heat from the
steam during these repeated contacts, and condensing it completely. The vertical
baffle-plates K K direct the steam to the centre of the passage provided for it to
travel in. The heated water passes out of the chamber at the outlet L. either to
a settling tank for the deposit of lime or other earthy impurities, or direct to the
boiler-feed-pump.
The chamber B B with the helical web H H and the perforated pipe or jet G,
may be employed as an ordinary jet condenser, for a condensing steam engine.
Another form of grease separator, which may also be employed for separating
water from live steam, is represented at Figures 4 and 5. The steam entering
at C. comes in contact with transverse rows of vertically fixed angle irons D D
whereby the current of steam is broken up and received in the hollows of the
angle irons where are deposited the grease and water, which pass down these
channels and through holes L L in the perforated plate F. into the lower part of
the chamber A A where the grease or water collects and whence it is drawn off
through the pipe G.
The rows of angle irons are so arranged that the centres of the second row are
in line with the centres of the spaces between the first row of angle irons. The
ends of the angle irons fit into angular recesses made to receive them in the top
and bottom plates, which plates are held at the required distances by the stays J J,
and the bolted side plates KK. A glass water gauge H may be added if
required.
In the modified form of grease separator represented at Figures 6 and 7 the
steam enters at the side as in Fig. 4. and comes into contact with a similar
arrangement of angle iron bafflers but passes by the conduit P. in the direction

page_text: of the arrows to the outlet E. whence it is conducted into a condenser or feed-
water heater such as that described and represented in the Specification of my
former Letters Patent dated January 1st 1895 and numbered 91.
This form of separator may also be employed with good results in combination
with the soda tank and the depositing cistern as well as with the water heater all
of which are fully described in the Specification above referred to. (In the
modified form of grease separator designed to be applied to a marine engine.
and represented at Figures 8 and 9 the exhaust steam containing grease passes
from the low-pressure cylinder M. by the inlet C. into the separator which consists
of a cast-iron chamber A. A containing the angle iron bafflers D D arranged in
rows in the manner before described but horizontally. The ends of the angle
irons pass through suitable apertures in the two vertical end plates H H which
are held together by the stays J J and by the perforated false bottom F F.
The steam passes between the angle irons which intercept the grease and water
projected against them, and the grease runs out at either end of the channels
formed by the hollows of the angle irons through the holes L L in the end plates,
and falling to the bottom of the chamber is drained away by the pipes G G to a
steam tight cistern so arranged that the vacuum may not be interfered with. The
steam thus deprived of the lubricating grease it contained is taken through the
pipe E. to the condenser R.
Although the outline of a surface condenser is shewn, the form of separator
described will act equally well in conjunction with an ordinary jet condenser.
In the modified form of grease and water separator represented at Figures 10
and 11. the steam to be purified enters at the top of the chamber at C. and is'
deflected to the sides of the chamber by the cone H, afterwards striking the
concentric circles of angle irons DD arranged vertically as before described, the
grease or water gravitating to the bottom through the perforated plate F, and
the purified steam leaving the chamber by the pipe E.
In Figures 12 and 13 the separating chamber consists of a horizontal pipe,
the steam entering at C. and leaving at E. the baffle-plates being in the form of
cones D and F, which are fixed upon a shaft M to facilitate withdrawal for
cleaning. The grease and water collect in the angles formed by the outside of
the cones F meeting the inner surface of the pipe A A. and passing to the
bottom into the groove B. are drawn off through the union connections G G. into
the waste pipe.
Where arrows are shown in the accompanying drawings they indicate the
direction of the current of steam.
Where a ring-jet is employed in one of the forms of feed-water heaters herein
referred to, some difficulty is found in drilling sufficiently small holes in the inside
of a ring of metal formed in one piece. To obviate this difficulty I employ the
jet represented at Figures 14, 15 and 16, which consists of an outer ring A. made
with a flange which is truly turned inside. The inner ring B. is turned also to
fit tightly within, and being pressed into its place is secured by screws or small
bolts passed through the flanges.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The apparatus for separating grease or water from steam consisting of the
cylindrical casing with helical web, and baffle-plates or wings, as described and
represented in the upper part of Figure 1 and at Figure 2 of the accompanying
drawings.
2. The apparatus for heating water, consisting of the cylindrical casing, the
perforated pipe or spraying jet, the helical web containing slits for water to pass
through and the side bafflers, as described and represented in the lower part of
Figure 1 and at Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination and arrangement of the various parts forming the grease

page_text: separator and water heater, herein before described and represented at Figures 1, 2,
and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The construction of the various apparatuses for separating grease or water
from live or exhaust steam, illustrated respectively in Figures 4 and 5, Figures 6
and 7, Figures 8 and 9, and Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings,
which apparatuses consist of an outer casing containing rows of angle-irons
arranged in the manner described and shewn, perforated plates, stays, top and end
plates, inlets and outlets substantially as set forth.
°
5. The combination of any of the apparatuses for separating grease from steam
claimed in Claims 1 and 4 with a feed-water heater such as is herein described or
referred to.
6. The combination and arrangement of the various parts forming the horizontal
apparatus, with removable bafflers fixed upon a central shaft, for separating grease
or water from steam, hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 12 and 13
of the accompanying drawings.
7. The improved circular or ring-jet constructed as described and illustrated
in Figures 14 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.
8. The construction of grease separating apparatus, adapted to be applied to a
marine engine, and consisting of the chamber containing the special arrangement
of baffle plates or angle irons, combined with the end plates for carrying the
same, and the perforated bottom, with drainage pipes, substantially as hereinbefore
described and represented at Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination of any of the grease separators herein described, with the
surface or jet condenser of a marine or stationary engine.
10. The combination with an oil separating and water heating apparatus,
arranged and operating in the manner set forth, of a lime-separating and depositing
tank, such as is described and represented in the Specification of my former
Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to.
11. The combination with a lime-separating and depositing tank, such as is
hereinbefore referred to, of apparatus partly operated by means of steam-heat
for separating lime and other earthy matters from feed-water, in which apparatus
caustic soda or other precipitating re-agents are employed for the purpose of
hastening such separation, the various parts being arranged and operating in the
manner described, with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 12th day of December 1895.
WILLIAM J. BAKER,
Peasholme House, Scarborough.