Improved Apparatus to Prevent Deposit or Incrustation in Boilers.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Oct, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 10th Apr., 1889-Accepted, 15th June. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus to Prevent Deposit or Incrustation in Boilers.
I SAMUEL BINKS of No. 108, Burley Road Leeds in the County of York Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, the same being a
communication to me from abroad by Joseph Binks of Chicago United States of
America Engineer
The object of my Invention is to prevent the fouling of Boilers by solids from the
water being deposited on the inside surface of such Boilers and which solids become
deposited in the form of a hard scale or incrustation which from time to time requires
to be removed whereby during such removal the Boiler cannot be used, and while
such scale or incrustation is being deposited or formed the usefulness of the Boiler is
interfered with, a greater amount of time being required to get up steam and a
consequent waste of fuel.
According to my Invention I insert an iron pipe into the upper side of the Boiler
allowing the same to pass through a sufficient distance to come in contact with the
surface of the water in the Boiler. The other end of this pipe I insert into the top of
an iron cylinder or chest of suitable size and shape. I then take another iron pipe of
smaller dimension than the first named pipe one end whereof I insert in the top of the
said iron cylinder or chest opposite to the first mentioned pipe leading from the Boiler.
The other end of such pipe I also insert in the upper side of the Boiler at a suitable
distance from the first mentioned pipe, and the pipe last inserted I pass through so as
to be within a short distance only from the bottom of the Boiler forming a syphon to
and from the Boiler, the cylinder or chest being located in any convenient position
between the two ends of the aforesaid pipes. The joints in the above connections
must be made both steam and water-tight. When the water in the Boiler is heated
the higher stratum of water above the tubes begins to ascend through the first
mentioned or outlet pipe by reason of its less specific gravity and passes through.
the first mentioned pipe and so into the cylinder or chest before mentioned which
then becomes filled with water. The water again passes out of such cylinder or
chest and returns to the lower surface of the Boiler by reason of the syphoning action
above described where it displaces the colder water forcing it up to the higher water
levels whereby the colder layer of water is in its turn heated. By the above means a
continuous circulation of water between the higher and lower levels is obtained
through the said arrangement of pipes or syphon. The heating of the water in the
Boiler causes the impurities in the water to rise in the form of a scum to the surface
of the water and this scum eventually forms the scale or incrustation before
mentioned.
By my Invention the scum on the surface of the water is collected by a perforated
pipe or pipes placed preferably at the back of the Boiler, the perforated pipe or pipes
being so arranged as to skim the surface of the water and at right angles to the main
current of heated water flowing from the front or furnace end of the Boiler. Other
pipes may be placed to intercept any local currents according to the construction of
the Boiler. The before mentioned pipes collect the aforesaid scum and being con-
nected to the outflow pipe the same is conveyed to the said cylinder or chest before
mentioned. The inlet branch to the said cylinder or chest is made with a downward
curve whereby the solid matter or scum is deflected to the lower part of the said
cylinder or chest and remains there owing to its greater specific gravity and to the
comparative quiescent and solid state of the water in the cylinder or chest care being
taken in the form and construction of this cylinder or chest to avoid all corners or
recesses likely to form air or steam traps. To remove such solid matter I insert in
the top of the cylinder or chest and between the two first mentioned pipes an iron

page_text: pipe of smaller dimension than the other two and one end of this pipe I carry down to
à short distance from the bottom of the said cylinder or chest. At the other end I
attach a steam tap and to clean out the cylinder or chest I merely turn this tap when
any solid matter deposited in the cylinder is immediately driven out. I also provide
a hole in the lower part of the cylinder sufficiently large to admit the hand of a man
so as to further allow if necessary of such solid matter, being removed. This hole is
protected by an iron plate or nut. In the pipe leading from the Boiler to the cylinder
and also in the pipe from the cylinder to the Boiler I insert a valve or tap so that the
cylinder and Boiler can at any time be disconnected should occasion require.
Dated this 9th day of October 1888
SAMUEL BINKS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus to Prevent Deposit or Incrustation in Boilers.
I, SAMUEL BINKS of Leeds in the County of York 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 said
Invention being a communication to me from abroad by Joseph Binks of Chicago,
United States of America, Engineer:—
The object of my Invention is to prevent the deposit or incrustation in Boilers, by
solids from the water being deposited on the inside surface of such Boilers, and which
solids become deposited in the form of a hard scale or incrustation, which from time
to time requires to be removed, whereby during such removal the Boiler cannot be
used, and while such scale or incrustation is being deposited or formed the usefulness
of the Boiler is interfered with, a greater amount of time being required to get up
steam and a consequent waste of fuel.
According to my invention I insert an Iron pipe into the upper side of the Boiler
allowing the same to pass through a sufficient distance to come in contact with the
surface of the water in the Boiler. The other end of this pipe I insert into the top of
an Iron Cylinder (which is hereafter referred to as "a precipitator") of suitable size
and shape. I then take another Iron pipe one end whereof I insert in the top of the
precipitator opposite to the first mentioned pipe leading from the Boiler. The other
end of such pipe I also insert in the Boiler (though not necessarily through the upper
side of the Boiler) at a suitable distance from the first mentioned pipe, and the pipe
last inserted, I insert so as to be within a short distance only from the bottom of the
Boiler thus forming a syphon to and from the Boiler to the precipitator which is
located in any convenient position between the two ends of the aforesaid pipes. The
joints in the above connections must be made steam and water tight. When the
water in the Boiler is heated the higher stratum of water above the flue-tubes begins
to ascend through the first mentioned or outlet pipe by reason of its less specific
gravity and passes through the first mentioned pipe and so into the precipitator before
mentioned which then becomes filled with water.
The water again passes out of the precipitator and returns to the lower surface of
the Boiler by reason of the syphoning action above described where it displaces
the water of a lower temperature, forcing it up to the higher water levels
whereby it is raised in turn to a higher temperature. By the above means a con-
tinuous circulation of the water in the Boiler between the higher and lower levels.is
obtained through the said arrangement of pipes or syphons. The heating of the water
in the Boiler causes the impurity in the water to rise in the form of a scum to the
surface and this scum eventually forms the scale or incrustation before mentioned..
By my invention the scum on the surface of the water is collected by a perforated
pipe or pipes placed preferably towards the back end of the Boiler, the perforated
pipe or pipes being so arranged as to skim the surface of the water and at right angles
to the main current of the heated, water flowing from the front or-furnace end of the
Boiler,

page_text: Other pipes may be placed to intercept any local current according to the con-
struction of Boiler. The before mentioned pipes collect the aforesaid scum and being
connected to the outflow pipe the same is conveyed to the precipitator before
mentioned. The inlet branch to the said precipitator is made with a downward curve
by which the solid matter or scum is deflected to the lower part of the said precipitator
and remains there owing to its greater specific gravity and to the comparative
quiescent and solid state of the water in the precipitator care being taken in the con-
struction of the precipitator to avoid all caverns or recesses likely to form air or steam
traps. To remove the solid matter deposited in the precipitator, I insert in the top
thereof and between the two first mentioned pipes an Iron stand pipe. One end of
this pipe I carry down to within a short distance from the bottom of the precipitator.
To the other end I attach a steam tap. To clean out the precipitator I merely turn
this tap whereupon any solid matter deposited in the precipitator is immediately blown
out. I provide a hand hole in the lower part of the precipitator so as to further allow
of such solid matter being removed thereby if necessary. In the pipes leading to and
from the Boiler to the precipitator I insert valves or taps so that the precipitator and
Boiler can at any time be disconnected should occasion require.
Such being the nature and object of this my Invention, in order that the same may
be fully understood I will proceed to describe the Sheets of drawings annexed hereto
which form part of this Specification reference being made to the figures and letters
marked thereon. In the accompanying drawings I have shewn my invention applied
to an ordinary Lancashire Boiler, though 1 would have it understood that my
apparatus is applicable to any class of boiler and also that I do not limit myself to
the exact application of the apparatus as here shown but that I may modify the same
to suit the position or conditions under which it is applied.
Figure 1. is a sectional elevation of the Iron cylinder or precipitator showing the
different connections. Figure 2 shows the perforated iron pipes or scum collector with
baffle plates M attached thereto and Figures 3 and 4. are respectively the front elevation
and sectional plan of a Boiler shewing the application of my apparatus thereto.
Referring to Figure 1. the Cylindrical vessel or precipitator A is provided at its
upper end with two curved pipes or branches B and B₁, the branch B serving as the
inlet for the water from the boiler and this water charged with suspended matter
or sediment is deflected towards the bottom of the chamber A as shewn by the arrows,
the clear water escaping from the vessel through the branch B' having in the meantime
deposited the suspended matter from the Boiler at the bottom of the chamber A. The
inlet and outlet valves and are not necessarily located or fixed to the curved
branches B and B as shewn on the drawings, but may be fixed anywhere most con-
venient to the engine attendant. The central stand pipe D extending to within a
short distance from the bottom of the precipitator A is perforated with holes for about
ore third its length and provided at the upper end with a valve E. To remove the
collected sediment from the precipitator A, the attendant opens the valve E and the
mud or other foreign matter is forced through the perforated stand pipe D. The
precipitator A is also provided with a hand hole F for the purpose of removing any
solids which cannot be forced by pressure through the stand pipe D.
The scum collector Figure 2. 1 preferably make with five perforated arms or pipes
as shewn, but the length and number of arms or pipes may vary according to the class
and size of boiler. I put a flange or baffle plate M´on the back side of each perforated
arın or pipe to arrest the surface scum. These arins or pipes are screwed into a
central boss or spider this boss being suspended from the crown of the boiler by a
vertical pipe G see Figure 3. The length of the pipe G, is so regulated that the
horizontal plane of the star or scum collecting pipes is in contact with the ordinary
working level of the water in the boiler. Referring to Figure 4. I place the scum
collector at the back end of the boiler with the two armis H. and H' placed at right
angles to the path of the main current of heated water flowing from the fire box end
of the boiler, and by this means the current carrying the surface scum is effectually
intercepted by the front arms and baffle plates and the impurities collected, and any
impurities escaping the arms H and H₁ are again intercepted and collected by the

page_text: three remaining radial arms and plates H2 H3 and H at the back. Such surface
scum is carried by. the pipe 1 to the iron cylinder or precipitator A where the water
gets rid of its foreign matter as before described and returns to the boiler by the
pipe J. The water from the precipitator I always discharge into the boiler at the lowest
possible level for example at the point marked K in Figures 3 and 4. By this means
I make a syphon of the pipes leading to and from the precipitator A and the boiler,
and so promote a better circulation of water in the boiler besides ridding the water of
any impurities in the meantime.
I am aware that it is not new to carry off the accumulation of foreign matter by
appliances in some respects similar to mine and I therefore do not broadly claim every
device that may be used for collecting the scum or matter at or near the water surface
in the boiler nor do I broadly claim a deposit chamber interposed between pipes
leading from and returning to the boiler.
Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to protect by Letters
Patent is
1. In a steam boiler the combination, with perforated scun-collecting arms or pipes
located within the boiler at the water line, a precipitator exterior to the boiler, a pipe
communicating from the scum collecting pipe in the boiler to the upper end of the
precipitator, a return pipe leading from the upper end of the precipitator into the
interior of the boiler below the water line, a blow off pipe extending longitudinally
out of the precipitator and perforated therein and opening outside thereof, each of
the said before mentioned pipes being provided with suitable cocks substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
2. In a steam boiler the combination of perforated radial arms or pipes H, H¹ H'H³
and H with baffle plates M and M. and pipes I and J the latter provided with cocks C
and C, with the precipitator A exterior to the boiler having therein a perforated
tube D with which latter is connected a pipe L with a cock E substantially as and for
the purpose herein before set forth.
3. In a steam Boiler, the combination of perforated radial arms or pipes H H'H' H³
and H and a pipe 1 leading therefrom with the precipitator A exterior to the boiler
provided with curved branches B and B a perforated pipe D a pipe L and handhole F
and a pipe J leading from the chamber A to the interior of the boiler substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
4. In a steam boiler the perforated radial arms or pipes H H H H³ and H₁
connected with a boss or spider and suspended from the crown of the boiler by
pipe G substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
5. In a steam boiler the perforated radial arms or pipes HH' H2 H3 and H* having
on the back side of two or more of such arms or pipes a baffle plate or plates
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
Dated this Ninth day of April 1889.
SAMUEL BINKS.