Improvement in Method and Means for Preventing Incrustations in Steam Boilers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 21st Feb., 1900-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Method and Means for Preventing Incrustations
in Steam Boilers.
I, JOSEPH LEÓN MARIE ALPHONSE REIS, of 30, Boulevard Leopold, Antwerp,
in the Kingdom of Belgium, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
-
The methods now employed for preventing the formation of deposits and
incrustations in steam boilers can only prevent salts of lime, magnesia or iron
from adhering to the walls of the boiler but are not capable of avoiding deposits
of such matters in the boiler in the condition of mud; and to remove such
muddy sediments wholly it is always necessary to draw off all the water contained
in the boiler and to open the boiler itself.
Now this invention is intended to obviate these inconveniences, and consists
in keeping the salts, which the water in the boiler contains, in a state of solution,
until a very high degree of concentration is reached, so that complete saturation
does not set in until after the boiler has been in operation for a comparatively
protracted space of time.
When a sufficient saturation of the water in the boiler has been obtained,-
which may be ascertained by drawing off a little of the water from the boiler into
a test-tube or gauge, and determining the specific gravity of the water (after it
has cooled down) by means of Baume's salinometer-all that is required is to
discharge the water from the boiler, without any fear of the boiler retaining
any muddy sediments, and consequently without the necessity of opening and
inspecting the boiler.
In practice it may be laid down as a rule, that the water is sufficiently
saturated, when it attains 15° Baume, though saturation may be carried much
further and allowed to rise to at least 25° Baume, or a density of 1200 and a
composition showing about 30 per cent. of sedimentary salts.
The time during which operation may be thus conducted, without discharging
the contents of the boiler. may vary, according to the nature of the water
employed and the capacity of the boiler, between a fortnight and three months.
This process, therefore, enables the boiler to be maintained in operation for
an unlimited period, without any waste of time and without the expense for
labour which the disconnection and refitting of the joints and the cleansing
of the interior of the boiler would otherwise involve. Besides, as the boiler at
all times remains clean. any loss of fuel is obviated and any danger of explosion
averted.
In carrying out my invention in practice. in order to maintain the salts
contained in the boiler-water in a state of solution, I make use of a special
preparation consisting of:
(1) Sugar, no matter what its origin, or any saccharine substance, such as
molasses from sugar factories: 58 parts.
(2) Extract of tannin: 20 parts.

page_text: (3) Silicate of soda or of potash; 20 parts.
(4) Boric acid, 2 parts.
(5) Mixed with a quantity of water necessary for binding these ingredients
together, and which may vary with the nature of the water used in the boiler.
The proportions of the ingredients may vary according to circumstances.
After admitting the compound thus formed in the boiler, the water contained
therein, whatever its percentage of salts of lime, should remain limpid, though
slightly colored; and no precipitate can form even in the presence of a large
quantity of sea-salt.
By the adoption of my novel process, and, secondarily, the employment of the
novel preparation hereinabove described, the formation of adhesive incrustations
and, indeed the collection of heavy, solidifying muddy deposits-which cannot
be got rid of by simply emptying the boiler, but invariably require the boiler
to be opened will in all cases be avoided, whatever the nature of the water used.
21: 1-1 If YL... 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvement in Method and Means for Freventing Incrustations
in Steam Boilers.
I, JOSEPH LEON MARIE ALPHONSE REIS, of 30, Boulevard Leopold, Antwerp,
in the Kingdom of Belgium, 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 methods hitherto employed for preventing the formation of deposits
and incrustations in steam boilers, only prevent salts of lime, magnesia or iron
from adhering to the walls of the boiler, and are not capable of avoiding the
deposition of such matters in the boiler in the form of heavy solidifying muddy
deposits. To remove such muddy sediments wholly, it is always necessary to
draw off all the water contained in the boiler, and to open the boiler itself."
Now this invention is intended to obviate these inconveniences, and consists
in keeping the salts, which the water in the boiler contains, in a state of solution,
until a very high degree of concentration is reached, so that complete saturation
does not set in until after the boiler has been in operation for a comparatively
protracted space of time.
When a sufficient saturation of the water in the boiler has been obtained,
which may be ascertained by drawing off a little of the water from the boiler into
a test-tube, or gauge, and determining the specific gravity of the water (after it
has cooled down) by means of Baume's salinometer-all that is required is to
discharge the water from the boiler, without any fear of the boiler retaining
any muddy sediments, and consequently without the necessity of opening and
inspecting the boiler.
In practice it may be laid down as a rule, that the water is sufficiently
saturated, when it attains 15° Baume, though saturation may be carried much
further and allowed to rise to at least 25° Baume, or a density of 1200 and a
composition showing about 30 per cent. of sedimentary salts.
The time during which the boiler may be kept in use without discharging
the contents varies between a fortnight and three months according to the nature
of the water employed, and the capacity of the boiler.

page_text: This process, therefore, enables the boiler to be maintained in operation for
n unlimited period, without any waste of time and without the expense and
abour which the disconnection and refitting of the joints, and the cleansing
f the interior of the boiler would otherwise involve. Moreover, as the boiler at
1 times remains clean, any loss of fuel is obviated and danger of explosion
verted.
In carrying my invention into practice in order to maintain the salts contained
n the boiler-water in a state of solution, I make use of a special preparation
onsisting of:
Mixed with a sufficient quantity of water for binding these ingredients together,
and which may vary with the nature of the water used in the boiler.
I do not limit myself to the exact proportions specified above, as such propor-
tions may vary according to circumstances.
After admitting the compound thus formed into the boiler, the water contained
therein whatever its percentage of salts of lime, should remain limpid, though
slightly colored; and no precipitate can form even in the presence of a large
quantity of sea salt.
By the adoption of my improved process, and the employment of the novel
preparation described, the formation of adhesive incrustations and, indeed, the
collection of heavy, solidifying muddy deposits-which cannot be got rid of by
simply emptying the boiler, but invariably require the boiler to be opened,―
will in all cases be avoided, whatever the nature of the water used.
In addition to the products herein before mentioned, which form the basis of
my invention I may find it desirable in some cases to add thereto an alkaline
sulphate, and a certain quantity of glycerine. The alkaline sulphate increases
the solubility of the carbonates of lime, of magnesia and aluminia, by trans-
forming them into sulphates, which in the presence of sugar are more readily
dissolved than the carbonates. The glycerine prevents the freezing of the
preparation in winter, and also generally prevents the congelation thereof when
the quantity of silicate of soda or of potash exceeds certain proportions while
at the same time greatly increasing the dissolving power of the composition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A process for preventing incrustations in steam boilers, which consists in
maintaining the salts contained in the boiler water in a state of solution until
the water is completely saturated, at which time, but not before, the water is
discharged from the boiler.
2. The addition to the water in a steam boiler, of a preparation consisting of
molasses from sugar-refineries or, preferably sugar, with extract of tannin,
silicate of soda or of potash, and boric acid, in varying proportions, substantially
as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.