Improvements in the Application and Utilization of Steam and in Apparatus therefor and for Generating Steam.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1886.
Complete Left, 12th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 27th Sept., 1887.
Improvements in the Application and Utilization of Steam and
in Apparatus therefor and for Generating Steam.
1, LUIS ROUVIERE, of Mallorca 309-Cto-Bajo, Barcelona, Spain, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The object of my invention is to utilize to better advantage the heat to be derived
from the combustion of fuel. For this purpose I provide means whereby radiant
heat from a steam generator, and which is usually dissipated and lost, is utilized to
raise the temperature of air on its way to the furnace of the generator to support
combustion; also means whereby the hot gases and products of combustion from the
furnace are retained a longer time than has heretofore been usual in contact with the
heating surface of the generator, whether the generator be arranged to be fired
internally or externally; and having so kept the hot gases and products of combustion
in contact with the heating surface, I utilize the remaining heat to raise the temperature
of water for feeding the generator (as has been done before) to which, however,
separately considered, no claim is made. Also my invention relates to the application
and utilization of steam (whether it be live steam direct from a generator, or exhaust
steam from an engine,) to raise or force a suitable liquid, such as water or mercury,
by means of an injector, and which is utilized to actuate any suitable motor.
According to my invention, to prevent loss of heat by radiation from a steam
generator, I enclose the generator in a chamber with double walls so arranged that
heat radiating from the generator may be prevented from escaping into the external
atmosphere, and that air to support combustion may be caused to flow through
passages between the walls of the double chamber, and afterwards between the inner
When the
wall and the generator on its way to the furnace to support combustion.
generator is constructed with an internal flue through which the hot gases and
products of combustion have to flow whilst heat therefrom is transmitted through
the wall of the flue to the surrounding water in the generator, I provide a screw

page_text: within the flue, the arrangement being such that the flow of the hot gases and products
of combustion will take place from the furnace end towards the opposite end of the
flue in a spiral course, whereby I am enabled to communicate to the liquid contents
of the generator a larger per centage of heat than with arrangements heretofore
usually employed. According to a modification a number of discs or partial divisions
are employed, alternately inclined in opposite directions or not, and with spaces for
passage of hot gases and products of combustion in a kind of zigzag course.
The
From the flue just referred to, the hot gases and products of combustion enter a
compartment or chamber or chambers built in the brickwork or refractory material
surrounding the generator, and in which is arranged a feed-water heater of any
suitable construction, to the water circulating within which the heat remaining in the
hot gases and products of combustion, that have already done duty in the generator,
is transmitted. To promote circulation of the hot gases and products of combustion,
(the flow of which is naturally retarded by the screw above referred to,) I provido
apparatus such as a fan or blower to assist the draught. In the case of an externally
fired generator enclosed within a chamber with air spaces between its walls such as
above referred to, I provide, according to one arrangement, a central supporting
partition or wall upon which a part of the bottom of the generator rests.
generator, as I prefer to arrange it, is lower at the furnace end than at the back, and
its lower portion throughout its length is situated within a flue or chamber in which
are arranged transverse inclined divisions of refractory material with openings
alternately at opposite sides of the generator, the arrangement being such that a
zigzag course is imparted to the hot gases and products of combustion travelling
from the divided furnace. By inclining the generator as described the circulation
is improved, and a greater depth of water will be situated over the furnace where the
heat is the most intense. In connection with this arrangement a feed-water heater is or
may be applied for raising the temperature of the feed-water by heat from the escaping
hot gases and products of combustion that have previously done duty in generating
steam.
Provision is made by suitable air holes for the admission of air from below into
the compartments between the transverse divisions in the chamber containing the
generator before referred to, thus aiding perfect combustion and preventing formation
of smoke. The air so introduced is air, the temperature of which has been raised by
travelling through passages or chambers within the outer walls of the structure
surrounding the generator as above described.
The generator, whether internally or externally fired, has above it a steam reservoir
or chamber with which it communicates by a conical passage or passages having the
larger diameter lowermost. From the said steam reservoir or chamber, steam is
conducted by a pipe of gradually diminishing diameter to an injector for raising or
forcing liquid to be used for actuating a motor of any suitable description-it may be
one of the turbine type. The injector employed may be of any suitable description.
According to one arrangement the steam enters by a central tapering nozzle,
surrounded by an annular chamber of approximately conical form, with two or other
convenient number of inlets for liquid, which inlets are of gradually diminishing
diameter. The mixing chamber is of conical form, slightly reduced in diameter,
however, immediately around the steam nozzle. According to another arrangement,
the injector is constructed with an adjustable nozzle composed of spring blades over-
lapping and fitting one another accurately, and tending to assume relative positions
in which the largest orifice obtains. This nozzle projects through a second or outer
nozzle which controls the area of the passage between the spring blades according as
the adjustable nozzle is caused to project more or less through the second or outer
nozzle. By this arrangement the quantity of steam passing through the injector, and
the quantity of liquid raised or projected thereby, can be readily adjusted to the work
to be done.
When utilizing the exhaust steam from an engine to raise or force liquid by means
of an injector for the purpose of actuating a motor, it is advantageous to re-heat such
exhaust steam, (using by preference heat remaining in the hot gases and products

page_text: of combustion that have already done duty in generating steam,) for which purpose
I provide heating apparatus of any suitable construction, and in connection therewith
I apply apparatus comprising a conical or tapered pipe into which projects a nozzle
through which steam from the exhaust pipe of the engine flows into the re-heating
apparatus controlled by a non-return valve, the arrangement being such as to prevent
back-pressure within the engine of the re-heated exhaust steam.
As will be evident, apparatus to operate on the principle of my invention as set
forth above may be constructed under various modifications.
Dated this 12th day of November 1886.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Application and Utilization of Steam and in
Apparatus therefor and for Generating Steam.
I, LUIS ROUVIERE, of Mallorca 309-Cto-Bajo Barcelona, Spain, 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 :-
The object of my invention is to utilize to better advantage the beat to be derived
from the combustion of fuel. For this purpose I provide means whereby radiant heat
from a steam generator and which is usually dissipated and lost is utilized to raise the
temperature of air on its way to the furnace of the generator to support combustion :
also means whereby the hot gases and products of combustion from the furnace are
retained a longer time than has heretofore been usual in contact with the heating
surface of the generator whether the generator be arranged to be fired internally, or
externally and having so kept the hot gases and products of combustion in contact
with the heating surface, I utilize the remaining heat to raise the temperature of water
for feeding the generator (as has been done before) to which, however, separately
considered, no claim is made.
Also my invention relates to the application and utilization of steam (whether it be
live steam direct from a generator, or oxhaust steam from an engine) to raise or force
a suitable liquid, such as water or mercury, by means of an injector, and which is
utilized to actuate any suitable motor.
According to my invention to prevent loss of heat by radiation from a steam

page_text: generator I enclose the generator in a chamber with double walls so arranged that
beat radiating from the generator may be prevented from escaping into the external
atmosphere, and that air to support combustion may be caused to flow through passages
between the walls of the double chamber, and afterwards between the inner wall and
the generator on its way to the furnace to support combustion. When the generator
is constructed with an internal flue through which the hot gases and products of
combustion have to flow whilst heat therefrom is transmitted through the wall of the
flue to the surrounding water in the generator I provide a screw within the flue the
arrangement being such that the flow of the hot gases and products of combustion
will take place from the furnace end towards the opposite end of the flue in a spiral
course whereby 1 am enabled to communicate to the liquid contents of the generator
a larger per centage of heat than with arrangements heretofore usually employed.
According to a modification a number of discs or partial divisions are employed
alternately inclined in opposite directions or not, and with spaces for passage of hot
gases and products of combustion in a kind of zig-zag course.
From the flue just referred to the hot gases and products of combustion enter a
compartment or chamber or chambers built in the brick-work or refractory material
surrounding the generator and in which is arranged a feed-water heater of any suitable
construction to the water circulating within which the heat remaining in the hot
gases and products of combustion that have already done duty in the generator, is
transmitted.
To promote circulation of the hot gases and products of combustion, (the flow of
which is naturally retarded by the screw above referred to), I provide apparatus such
as a fan or blower to assist the draught. In the case of an externally fired generator
enclosed within a chamber with air spaces between its walls such as above referred to,
I provide, according to one arrangement, a central supporting partition or wall upon
which a part of the bottom of the generator rests. The generator, as I prefer to
arrange it is lower at the furnace end than at the back and its lower portion throughout
its length is situated within a fluo or chamber in which are arranged transverse
inclined divisions of refractory material with openings alternately at opposite sides of
the generator, the arrangement being such that a zig zag course is imparted to the
hot gases and products of combustion travelling from the divided furnace. By
inclining the generator as described the circulation is improved, and a greater depth
of water will be situated over the furnace where the heat is the most intense. In
connection with this arrangement a feed-water heater is or may be applied for raising
the temperature of the feed-water by heat from the escaping hot gases and products
of combustion that have previously done duty in generating steam.
Provision is made by suitable air holes for the admission of air from below into the
compartments between the transverse divisions in the chamber containing the generator.
before referred to, thus aiding perfect combustion and preventing formation of smoke.
The air so introduced is air, the temperature of which has been raised by travelling
through passages or chambers within the outer walls of the structure surrounding the
generator as above described.
The generator, whether internally or externally fired, has above it a steam reservoir
or chamber with which it communicates by a conical passage or passages having the
larger diameter lowermost. From the said steam reservoir or chamber steam is
conducted by a pipe of gradually diminishing diameter to an injector for raising or
forcing liquid to be used for actuating a motor of any suitable description; it may be
one of the turbine type. The injector employed may be of any suitable description.
According to one arrangement the steam enters by a central tapering nozzle,
surrounded by an annular chamber of approximately conical form, with two or other
convenient number of inlets for liquid, which inlets are of gradually diminishing
diameter. The mixing chamber is of conical form slightly reduced in diameter howover
immediately around the steam nozzle.
According to another arrangement the injector is constructed with an adjustable
nozzle composed of spring blades over-lapping and fitting one another accurately, and
tending to assume relative positions in which the largest orifice obtains. This nozzle

page_text: projects through a second or outer nozzle which controls the area of the passage
between the spring blades according as the adjustable nozzle is caused to project more
or less through the second or outer nozzle. By this arrangement the quantity of
steam passing through the injector, and the quantity of liquid raised or projected
thereby can be readily adjusted to the work to be done.
When utilizing the exhaust steam from an engine to raise or force liquid by means
of an injector for the purpose of actuating a motor, it is advantageous to reheat such
exhaust steam, (using by preference heat remaining in the hot gases and products of
combustion that have already done duty in generating steam,) for which purpose I
provide heating apparatus of any suitable construction and in connection therewith
I apply apparatus comprising a conical or tapered pipe into which projects a nozzle
through which steam from the exhaust pipe of the engine flows into the reheating
apparatus controlled by a non return valve, the arrangement being such as to prevent
back pressure within the engine of the reheated exhaust steam.
As will be evident apparatus to operate on the principle of my invention as set
forth may be constructed under various modifications.
The manner in which I carry out my invention will be clearly understood by
reference to the annexed drawings, in which like letters refer to similar parts
throughout the several views.
Fig. 1 represents an arrangement according to my invention comprising a boiler
or generator C with internal flue N, double external walls A, A', air passages or
chambers S, S¹, feed water heaters V, X, U, Y. Fig. 2 shows the same arrangement
in longitudinal elevation; Fig. 3 the same in transverse section.
Fig. 2 also illustrates the sloping or inclined position of the boiler or generator C
whereby greater depth of water is attained at the furnace end of the boiler; the steam
reservoir I communicating with the boiler or generater C by means of the conical
pipes or passagos g, Y.
In Fig. is further seen the gradually diminishing steam pipe B and the injector
apparatus D which is shewn in connection with a motor machine y¹ y".
The tank R¹ (Fig. 1) and pipes Q¹y" (Fig. 1) are for the supply and return of the
liquid to the injector D.
The air is admitted by openings O O, into the outermost passages or chambers S
where it becomes slightly warmed by radiant heat passing from wall A to wall A'and
thence through chambers T T¹ to the inner chambers S S¹ where it becomes more
strongly heated by contact with the steain reservoir I, generator and conical
passages 9,9
and whence it passes through openings P to the furnace. The smoke and products of
combustion pass through the internal flue N in a zig-zag direction which is determined
by the partitions N N arranged alternately on each side of the flue as shewn, from
thence the air passes to the chamber R in which are situated tubes or towers V, X, U, Y,
containing feed water to be heated, and from thence to the fan or other suitable suction
apparatus sbewn at G.
According to a modification which I sometimes adopt, the partitions or discs in the
flue for producing the zig-zag movement of the smoke and products of combustion,
and thereby retaining them longer in contact with the walls of the flue, may be made
of oblique form as shewn in Figs. 6 and 7.
These discs or partial discs whether arranged parallel as in Fig. 1 or obliquely as at
the right hand side in Figs. 6 and 7 are formed preferably of cast metal or other
refractory substance, and are provided with a central hole of square or rectangular
form as shown in Fig. 8. When in use the discs are supported by the central bar J¹
which is supported in any suitable and convenient manner which allows for its removal
and for the removal of the discs for cleaning out the flue.
According to another modification of my invention, I may construct the external
walls in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and this plan I preferably employ when
several boilers are to be erected side by side, in which ease the upper spaces D over all
the boilers in use may be made with advantage to communicate one with another.
According to this arrangement the air enters the lower part of the front of the
structure and passes first along the passagus A, B; at. B C it rises and passes into the

page_text: .
upper chamber or vaulted passage D, from whence it passes through the openings m,m,
into the chamber E. At the front end of chamber E the air descends by passages F F
to the under side of the fire bars.
Fig. 9-illustrates a boiler or generator arranged for exterual firing; it is seen in
longitudinal sectional elevation.
Fig. 10 shews the same in sectional plan and figs. 11 and 12 shew the sanic in
transverse section.
The air enters by the openings o.
In this arrangement the boiler or generator C is mounted on the transverse walls F
and on the transverse partitions m m³, n n², p p², y q², rr³, and t t¹, forming chambers
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 through which the smoke and products of combustion circulate, as
indicated by the arrows in Fig. 10. Openings are provided into Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of
these chambers marked d in Fig. 9, through which a part of the heated air from
chamber S¹ can be drawn. This heated air mixing with the products of combustion
assists the consumption of the smoke.
The products of combustion after leaving the boiler pass into the chamber R and
circulate vround the tubes or towers V, X, U, containing the feed water, and pass
thence through the fan or other suitable suction apparatus G to the chimney H H
In the arrangement shewn in the drawings, Fig. 9, the boiler or generator is
represented as slightly inclined towards the furnace end, so as to give a greater depth
of water where the heat is greatest. The steam reservoir I is shewn in Figs. 9, 11,
and 12. The conical passages 9, 9, connecting the reservoir with the generator arc
shewn in Figs. 9, 11, and 12 and the gradually diminishing steam pipe B is shewn in
Fig. 11.
Another modification of my invention is shewn in Fig. 13 in longitudinal section
and in Fig. 14 in plan. According to this arrangement I divide the exterior chamber S,
referred to above, longitudinally into two parts by an additional wall shewn at A, and
the air is by means of suitable openings made to traverse first the outermost of these,
next the inner one and is then delivered into the inner chamber containing the steam
reservoir, conical passages and upper part of boiler. I also sometimes in this arrange-
ment introduce by the tubes tt air which is heated by the tubes passing directly
alongside of the furnace to the chamber S¹, as is shewn in Figs. 13, 14, and 15. Or
only one or more than two such tubes t, t, may be used.
I also sometimes according to this modification use a conical shaped vessel a for the
feed water and surround it by partitions P, P1, P2, so arranged that the air passage or
flue takes a zig zag form around it so that smoke and hot gases from the furnace may
be for as long a time as possible in contact with the walls of the feed water heater.
I also sometimes according to this modification employ a blast pipe V in place of
the fan referred to above to regulate the draught of the furnace. The blast pipe V
supplies in some cases, hot air drawn from the inner chamber S¹ or as in another
modification shown in Fig. 16 from the underside of the fire bars and in some cases
cold air. The blast is maintained by any suitable fan or blower.
Fig. 17 illustrates the application of the outer and inner air passages or chambers
and the application of the discs for forming a zig-zag passage in the flues of an
internally fired boiler, in a case where the flue of the said boiler is made to return in
such a manner as to deliver the smoke and products of combustion at the furnace end
of the boiler.
This construction is specially suited to marine boilers.
Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation Fig. 19 an elevation and Fig. 20 a plan of the
injector which I prefer to employ for converting the energy of the steam into
mechanical power by driving water or mercury into a suitable motor such for example
as a turbine. This injector comprises a diminishing cone m connected with the end
of the steam pipe B and leading to the chamber n, from which the steam is delivered
through the conical nozzle i and the passages O and P into the turbine.
The water or other liquid to be mixed with the steam and to be forced by it into
the motor or turbine, enters through the pipe and branch pipes Q' Q Q Q and through
openings F. nto the mixing chamber S S which surrounds the nozzle i.

page_text: This chamber has a conical or approximately conical form and the lower part c c
forms an annular opening around the nozzle.
Figs. 21, 22 and 23 shew in detail the construction of the nozzle. Il are spring
blades suitably mounted on the tube L' and so constructed that when drawn together
they present a circular orifice i. RR is a graduated ring or flange formed on the
tube L'.
When the nozzle is in position for use, as shewn in Fig. 18 the spring blades rest
upon a circular orifice in the upper part of the mixing chamber as shewn at S S.
By means of the screwed part d formed on the inner surface of the tube L' and a
corresponding screwed part formed on the outer surface of the tube N, the nozzle can
be raised or lowered in such a manner as to force the parti a greater or less distance
through the opening SS and thus by opening or closing the spring blades / to present
a larger or a smaller orifice for the escape of steam. It will be seen by this arrange-
ment that when the nozzle is pressed forward to its extreme limit (and thereby the
delivery of steam is reduced to a minimum) the annular opening cc of the mixing
vessel is obstructed by the front part of the nozzle, so that the quantity of water or
other liquid to be mixed with the steam is also reduced.
When, however, the nozzle is drawn back towards the opening S S the nozzle itself
expands so as to increase the amount of steam delivered, and at the same time the
annular opening CC in the mixing chamber is rendered more free by the withdrawal
of the nozzle so that a larger amount of liquid can pass.
There is thus in this arrangement of the apparatus a relation directly established
between the amount of steam and the amount of liquid which passes with any given
adjustment of the nozzle.
Figs. 24 and 25 illustrate a modification of the arrangement of the nozzle in the
mixing chamber. A fixed tapering needle N is held directly in front of the steam
delivery pipe in such a manner that when the pipe or nozzle A is withdrawn the
annular opening between its exterior and the interior of the mixing chamber through
which the water or other liquid passes, will he increased in area and at the same
time the nozzle being withdrawn towards the point of the needle the effective steam
area of the opening will be increased, thus maintaining the necessary relation between
the amount of steam and liquid. To enable the pipe or nozzle A to be set at the
required point a part of its exterior is screwed as shown at E. This screwed part
screws into a sleeve () which is formed above the stuffing box D of the mixing
chamber F.
A suitable handle G is fixed on the outside of the pipe A so that it can be rotated
inside the sleeve C and can thereby be screwed inwards or outwards.
a a are pins to prevent the rotation of the stuffing box when the tube A is turned.
Figs. 26-27 and 28 illustrate my apparatus for reheating the exhaust steam from
an engine when the same is used to raise or force liquid by means of an injector for
the purpose of actuating a motor.
The arrangement comprises a conical tube B which is surrounded by the
chambers D B D". The exhaust steam from the engine is caused to pass through
the conical tube B whilst the spent gases and the products of combustion from the
furnace which still retain a large amount of heat circulate in the chambers D, D¹ D".
A valve E is situate as shewn at the larger end of the conical tube or chamber B and
prevents the return or back pressure upon the engine.
It is evident that in constructing apparatus of the kind described above, and
especially as relates to the walls and coverings of the various chambers or air
passages, any suitable material may be employed, and the said walls and their
coverings may be provided with suitable arrangements such as man holes or the
like (though not shown in the drawings) for the purpose of inspection-cleaning, or
repairs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. Causing the air which supports combustion in the furnace of a steam generator,

page_text: or a part of said air, to flow first through a double walled chamber built around the
generator, and then in contact with the generator itself, in order that it may collect
and utilise the radiant heat, substantially as described.
2. The use in combination with air passages formed in a double walled chamber
built around a steam generator, of baffle or guide plates to direct the hot gases
against the plates of the generator and break up these currents substantially as
described.
3. In a steam generator surrounded with a double walled chamber containing air
passages in which air becomes heated admitting heated air to mix with and consume
the furnace gases after they have passed the bridge substantially as described.
4. The combination with a steam generator of a double walled chamber having
passages between the walls to heat the incoming air on its way to the furnace, baffle
or guide plates to direct the hot gases against the plates of the generator, and a
feed water heater to utilise the heat left in the gases on their way to the uptake
substantially as described.
5. The combination with a steam generator of an injector for forcing liquid, and of
a motor, such as a turbine, for utilising the energy in the liquid, substantially as
described.
6. An injector having a movable nozzle of elastic blades so arranged that they vary
the areas of the steam and water passages concurrently substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
7. An injector having a movable nozzle and a fixed tapering needle so arranged
that they vary the areas of the steam and water passages concurrently substantially
as described and for the purposes specified.
8. The combination with an exhaust steam injector of reheating apparatus for
heating the steam before it enters the injector substantially as described.
9. Apparatus for generating steam constructed arranged and operating substantially
as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 and to Figs. 9 to 12, to Figs. 13 to 15.
10. The improved injector constructed arranged and operating substantially as
described with reference to Figs. 18 to 23, and to Figs. 24 and 25 of the drawings.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.