IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED-WATER HEATERS."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Chance, of Watson's Patent Press Bang Bazar,
in Calcutta, in the Province of Bengal, in the East Indies, Civil Engineer,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED-WATER HEATERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Chance at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd October 1880.
"
WILLIAM CHANCE, of Watson's Patent Press Bang Bazar, in Calcutta, in the
Province of Bengal, in the East Indies, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED
WATER HEATERS."
This Invention, which is applicable to locomotives and all high pressure engines,
(but not to condensing or low pressure engines so called), has for its object the
heating of the feed water supplied to the boiler in such a manner that such water
is pumped into the boiler at a higher temperature than that usually obtained in
ordinary practice, or by the use of the so called feed water heaters.
It also overcomes the great loss of steam where injectors are used, and can be
used instead of injectors and with better results.
The apparatus consists of a tube of about the same diameter as the exhaust
pipe bent at right angles, having the open end (which bulges shortly beyond its
connection with the exhaust) fixed onto the exhaust pipe as near as possible to the
cylinder, and the other end partly closed, is connected by a small pipe to the feed
pump, through which the hot water is pumped into the boiler.
Into the perpendicular leg of this apparatus is fixed a vertical pipe of smaller
dimensions perforated with holes, but closed at its lower end, and having beyond
its connection with such leg a stop or other cock. This pipe brings water from a
cistern placed in any convenient position above its normal level.
The mode of operation is as follows:-
Steam having been let onto the engine the exhaust steam in passing up the
exhaust pipe enters the apparatus above described. The cock attached to the
water pipe being now opened the water squirts out from the holes in its sides and
condenses the incoming steam, which, together with the cold water, falls to the

page_text: bottom of the apparatus and passes through a small pipe into the feed pump,
whence it is directly pumped into the boiler. The mixed water and steam is
formed into water nearly at boiling heat, and it is then only necessary to regulate
the flow, and the aforesaid cock being fixed in such position the pump delivers
water at an equal heat while the engine is at work; when the engine is stopped
the feed cock must be closed.
The apparatus is simple in construction, and the costs of making and applying
it to any high pressure engine is small compared with other heaters at present
in use.
The principle of the heater is that the exhaust steam is always in contact with
the water which feeds the boiler, by which means the water is raised to boiling
heat and effects a saving of at least 25 per cent. of fuel, while there is also less
firing and less labour required, and the boiler is supplied with clean and less water
in the above manner, nearly all the exhaust steam is utilized for heating the feed
water.
The uniforın temperature at which the feed water is supplied to the boiler
prevents that wear and tear from expansion and contraction caused by the common
practice of feeding the boilers with cold water.
By using this Invention the boiler is supplied with water at a temperature of
about 212° or boiling heat, the water is purified in its transit, and the same water
being used over and over again the accumulation of scale and sediment, and
excessive firing, accompanied by unnecessary emission of smoke, is prevented.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Chance in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
April 1881.
WILLIAM CHANCE, of Watson's Patent Press Bang Bazar, in Calcutta, in the
Province of Bengal, in the East Indies, Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED
WATER HEATERS."
This Invention, which is applicable to locomotives and all high pressure engines,
but not to condensing or low pressure engines so called, has for its object the
heating of the feed water supplied to the boiler in such a manner that such water
is pumped into the boiler at a higher temperature than that usually obtained in
ordinary practice, or by the use of the so called " feedwater heaters." It also over-
comes the great loss of steam where injectors are used, and can be used instead of
injectors and with better results.
The apparatus differs from others of its class. It consists of a tube of about the
same diameter as the exhaust pipe, and fixed on to the exhaust pipe as near as
possible to the cylinder, and the other end is connected to the feed pump through
which the hot water is pumped into the boiler.

page_text: I will now proceed to describe the apparatus as it will appear when attached to
a vertical exhaust pipe. The heater is vertical, with the bent leg attached on to
the exhaust pipe in the usual way.
Into the perpendicular leg of the apparatus is fixed a vertical pipe of smaller
dimensions perforated with holes, but closed at its lower end, and having beyond
its connection with such leg a stop or other cock. This pipe brings water from a
cistern placed in any convenient position above its normal level.
It can be connected to the governor of the engine, but it is not absolutely
necessary that the apparatus should be so connected, as that may not be always
convenient, and in applying this apparatus to a locomotive (the regulating cock
could be attached by means of a lever near the steam regulating handle of the
engine.

page_text: differ with the class and figure of steam engine. But what I do claim of my
Invention is,
I. The combination of the said heater constructed as above described attached
to and in open connection with the exhaust pipe, through which the exhaust steam
passes from the engine in connection with the water tube or sprinkler direct to the
feed pump, and regulated by hand for the purpose of heating the feed water used
to supply the engine.
II. Portability. It can be fixed to any light pressure engine.
III. It may be made of cast iron, but need be no larger in diameter inside and
outside than the exhaust pipe, and length about five times the diameter for the
long end and twice the diameter for the short one space between as near as
possible.
The sprinkler bad better be made of the thinnest Muntz metal, of length three
times the diameter of exhaust pipe, and of the same diameter as the feed pipe, and
holes not more in number than equal to the area of feed pipe, and of inch
diameter and 1 inch apart.
But I do not restrict myself to the above dimensions, as the details may be
made to suit particular cases.
IV. The cost in making a feed water heater as above described is much less
than any other of its class, and when once set up will last with little or no
repairs.
The part of pipe or heater can be fixed to any convenient distance from the
exhaust pipe so long as the exhaust steam has free entrance to heater, but the
nearer the heater is the better. It is better to fix it where the exhaust steam may
enter at its greatest force, keeping the principal exhaust pipe clear of exit. The
overhead tank for cock D may be placed above or in level with D.
The bottom of heater can be on a level with the bottom of feed pump, or any
convenient distance therefrom.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Chance, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
H. H. REMPY,
Solicitor,
Calcutta.
W. CHANCE. (L.S.)