IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE EXHAUST STEAM OF STEAM ENGINES PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of 323 High Holborn in the county
of Middlesex Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESS AND
APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE EXHAUST STEAM OF STEAM ENGINES PARTLY
APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES A communication from David Renshaw,
"
of Braintree Massachusetts United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred. Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1883.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex
[Engineer] "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR UTILISING THE
EXHAUST STEAM OF STEAM-ENGINES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES"
[A communication from David Renshaw, of Braintree Massachusetts United States
of America]
This invention relates to the process of and apparatus for utilizing exhaust
steam of engines by returning it to the boiler from which it was supplied to the
engine.
The invention will be described under two different heads, the first head
embracing the various methods and means in combination for returning the
exhaust of the engine to the boiler and the second head embracing a specific form
and construction of injector designed for use in returning the exhaust steam to the
boiler and for the propulsion of all kinds of fluids, Under the first head the
invention consists: First, in taking water from the working boiler and cooling
the same and also taking live steam from the steam space of the boiler and by
means of the two acting in an injector in conjunction with suitable mechanism,
forcing the exhaust directly into the water space of the boiler from which it was
primarily supplied to the engine. Second in the process of taking direct from the
engine its exhaust and first passing it through a superheater where a high degree
A

page_text: of temperature is imparted to it and then bringing it in contact with water from
the boiler whose temperature has been reduced effecting a partial cooling thereof
by which the high heat of the superheated exhaust steam is also reduced producing
a partial vacuum and adding momentum and velocity to the said superheated
exhaust steam so that it passes into the boiler from which it was taken, upon the
principle of the injector.
Third, in the process of taking the exhaust from the engine and first passing it
through a superheater, raising its temperature to a high degree and then causing it
to come in contact with steam of a lower temperature or saturated steam in an
injector whereby a partial vacuum is effected and its movement increased so that it 1
passes to the boiler from which it was originally taken
Fourth in the combinations of the various parts of the apparatus used in
carrying out the above mentioned processes.
The following apparatus is employed in carrying out this part of the said
invention: A boiler is set in a furnace and connected with an engine; a cooling 1
vessel contains a coil connected with the boiler at one end and with an injector at
the other. The exhaust pipe of the engine is connected directly with the injector
or first with a superheater and then with the injector. A pipe conducts live steam
from the boiler to the engine and another pipe conducts live steam from the boiler
to the injector. A. pipe connects the coil with the injector and the injector is :
connected with the lower part of the boiler A pipe connected with the injector
serves for inducing a current when necessary by blowing off and then suddenly
closing a valve. In one form of the apparatus there is a steam pipe which may
sometimes be used for accelerating the raising of steam in both the boiler and the
superheater befor the engine is started. The superheater connected with the
exhaust pipe and injector is set in a furnace. A pipe having a check valve
connects the injector with the water space of the boiler. It is noted that the pipe
leading from the cooling coil in connection with the boiler is connected with the
injector below the valve of the steam pipe. It will be observed that the steam
passing through the steam pipe is of much less temperature than the superheated
exhaust steam so that when the currents of different temperature are brought in
contact a partial vacuum is created which causes the steam in the chamber of the
highest temperature to rush to that of the lowest temperature and thus form a
current from the one to the other, drawing off the exhaust from the engine.
The object of cooling or reducing the temperaturo of the boiler water is to a
partially condense the superheated steam as it enters the injector and thus form a
partial vacuum by which the superheated exhaust steam is more readily forced
into the boiler on the usual injector principle. After a thorough current is
established from the superheater to the water space of the boiler, the cooling vessel
inay be dispensed with, as the difference of temperature between the superheated
exhaust steam and water of the boiler will be sufficient to maintain the current
from one vessel to the other.
Under the second head this invention consists mainly in a novel combination of
a steam supply pipe and the transfer conduit or conduits for supplying the gas or
fluid to be transferred, of a multitubular steam receiver and an enlarged condensing
chamber which connects preferably directly with the discharge pipe so that the
steam entering said condensing chamber in a multiplicity of jets its rapid con-
densation will be ensured.
It also consists in the combination in an injector with a multitubular steam
receiver and an enlarged condensing chamber which connects preferably directly
with the dischargo pipe so that the gas or fluid to be transferred will surround and
enter between and amongst the tubes and flow along the same to their discharge
ends whereby its mingling with and condensation of the steam is facilitated.
This part of the invention further consists in the combination with the condensing
chamber supply devices and multitubular steam receivers, of
a water spray
nozzle arranged to force a spray of water into the condensing chamber for the

page_text: purpose of forming a vacuum therein. The object of this part of the invention
is the rapid transference of large volumes of gaseous or aëriform fluids by the aid
of steam currents.
An injector embodying this part of the said invention has an enclosing cylinder
which is enlarged at one end to form the condensing chamber which is contracted
at its outer end to join the discharge pipe provided with a check valve. At the
rear or outer end of the cylinder is a steam chamber separated from the main
portion by a partition in which are set, in annular rows, tubes communicating with
the steam chamber and increasing in length toward the center of the cylinder.
Surrounding the cylinder and the enclosed tubes is a way communicating with
the interior of the cylinder by a circumferential series of apertures and connected
with the gas or air transfer pipe. The main steam supply pipe is connected with
the steam chamber and provided with a stop cock. The steam chamber is provided
with draw-off cock for the escape of the water of condensation.
In a modified construction of the injector it is provided with a water spray
nozzle or rose head carried by a pipe which is arranged through the steam chamber
and the centre of the cylinder, said nozzle standing in advance of the tubes, so that
its spray will have free access to the condensing chamber. By using this nozzle
a more speedy starting of the injector into operation is ensured. In starting instead
of first turning on a partial supply of steam at a suitable cock, a full supply may
in the modified form be passed at once through the main supply pipe, and the
steam issuing therefrom passes through the tubes and meets water from the
perforated rose in the form of a fine spray by which it is very rapidly condensed
and a lifting vacuum very rapidly created.
When steam is to be transferred the water spray may be continued in operation
during the whole time for the purpose of assisting the cooler steam, which is to be
transferred, in condensing the injecting steam.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Julius Boult in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
3rd October 1883.
"
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR UTILISING THE
EXHAUST STEAM OF STEAM ENGINES, PARTLY APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
a communication to me from David Renshaw of Braintree, Massachusetts, United
States of America
This Invention relates to the process of and apparatus for utilizing exhaust
steam of engines by returning it to the boiler from which it was supplied to the
Engine.
The invention will be described under two different heads, the first head
embrassing the various methods and means in combination for returning the exhaust
of the engine to the boiler and the second head embracing the specific form and
construction of my injector designed for use in returning the exhaust steam to the
boiler and for the propulsion of all kinds of fluids. Under the first head the
invention consists, First, in taking water from the working boiler and cooling the
same and also taking live steam from the steam space of the boiler, and by means
of the two acting in an injector in conjunction with suitable mechanism, forcing
the exhaust directly into the water space of the boiler from which it was primarily
supplied to the Engine. Second, in the process of taking direct from the Engine
its exhaust and first passing it through a superheater where a high degree of
temperature is imparted to it and then bringing it in contact with water from the
boiler whose temperature has been reduced effecting a partial cooling thereof by
which the high heat of the superheated exhaust steam is also reduced producing a
partial vacuum and adding momentum and velocity to the said superheated
exhaust steam so that it passes into the boiler from which it was taken upon the
principle of the injector.
Third., in the process of taking the exhaust from the Engine and first passing it
through a superheater raising its temperature to a high degree and then
causing it to come in contact with steam of a lower temperature or saturated
steam in an injector whereby a partial vacuum is effected and its momentum
increased so that it passes to the boiler from which it was originally taken
Fourth, in the combinations of the various parts of the apparatus used in
carrying out the above mentioned processes as expressed in the Claims at the end
of this Specification.
The annexed drawing illustrates my invention and forms part of this
Specification
Figure 1 represents an elevation partially in section of one form of apparatus
for returning the exhaust from the engine to the boiler and figure 2 represents a
sectional elevation of another form of apparatus for returning the exhaust from
the Engine to the boiler from which steam is primarily supplied to the Engine
The same letters designate like parts so far as such parts are common in the
above two figures.
A. designates the boiler set in the furnace B. and C. is the connected Engine
D. represents the cooling vessel containing coil E. connecting with the boiler at
one end and with the injector F. at the other; G. is the exhaust pipe of the
engine connecting in figure 1. directly with the injector and in figure 2 with the
superheater L. and then with the injector. The pipe H conducts live steam from
the boiler to the engine and the pipe J. conducts live steam from the boiler to the

page_text: injector. The pipe I. connects coil E with the injector and the injector connects
with the lower part of the boiler. pipe K. connecting with the injector is for
inducing a current when necessary by blowing off and then suddenly closing the
valve. In figure 2. J, is a steam pipe which may sometimes be used for
accelerating the raising of steam in both the boiler and the superheater before the
engine is started. The superheater L. connected to the exhaust pipe G. and
injector F. is set in a furnace N. A. pipe f. having check valve f¹. connects the
injector with the water space of the boiler It is noted that the pipe I. leading
from the cooling coil in connection with the boiler connects with the injector F.
below the valve j. of the steam pipe J. It will be observed that the Steam passing
through pipe J, is much less temperature than superheated exhaust steam so that
when the currents of different temperature are brought in contact a partial
vacuum is created which causes the steam in the Chamber of the highest
temperature to rush to that of the lowest temperature and thus form a current
from the one to the other drawing off the exhaust from the Engine.
The object of cooling or reducing the temperature of the boiler water is to
partially condense the superheated steam as it enters the injector and thus form a
partial vacuum by which the superheated exhaust steam is more readily forced
into the boiler on the usual injector principle. After a thorough current is
established from the superheater to the water space of the boiler the cooling vessel
may be dispensed with as the difference of temperature between the superheated
exhaust steam and the water of the boiler will be sufficient to maintain the current
from one vessel to the other.
The operation of the apparatus shewn in figure I. is as follows,
Steam being raised in the boiler and the engine being started water is let into
the coil in the cooling vessel and live steam is admitted to the injector all the
valves controlling these pipes being opened as near simultaneously as possible.
The injector now being in full operation the exhaust is taken direct from the
engine and forced into the water space of the boiler. The water used for cooling
the boiler water in the coil is heated and may be used for any desired purpose.
After steam is raised, only a small be required to maintain the heat in the boiler
and keep up steam.
Under the second head my invention consists mainly in a novel combination of
a steam supply pipe and the transfer conduit or conduits for supplying the gas or
fluid to be transferred of a multitubular steam receiver and an enlarged condensing
chamber which connects preferably directly with the discharge pipe so that the
steam entering said condensing chamber in a multiplicity of ject, its rapid
condensation will be insured.
It also consists in the combination in an injector with a multitubular steam
receiver of a series of supply inlets surrounding the same so that the gas or fluid
to be transferred will surround and enter between and amongst the tubes and flow
along the same to their discharge ends whereby its mingling with and condensation
of the steam is facilitated.
This part of the invention further consists in the combination with the con-
densing Chamber, supply devices and multitubular steam receiver of a water
spray nozzle arranged to force a spray of water into the condensing chamber for
the purpose of forming a vacuum therein. The object of this part of the invention
is the rapid transference of large volumes of gaseous or aeriform fluids by the aid
of steam currents.
In the annexed drawing figure 3 is a longitudinal section of an injector con-
structed according to my invention. Figure 4. is a similar section showing the
injector provided with a water spray nozzle. Figure 5. is a cross section of the
injector in a plane indicated by the line x. x. of figure 3.
Figure 6. is a similar section on the line y. y. of figure 4.
Referring to figures 3 and 4 the letter A. indicates the enclosing cylinder which
is enlarged at one end to form the condensing character B. which is contracted at
its outer end to join the discharge pipe C. provided with a check valve at D. At

page_text: the rear or outer end of cylinder A. is a steam chamber E. separated from the
main portion by a partition f. in which are set, in annular rows the tubes G.
communicating with the steam chamber and increasing in length toward the
centre of the cylinder. Surrounding the cylinder and the enclosed tubes G. is a
way H. communicating with the interior of the cylinder by a circumferential
series of apertures i and connected with the gas or air transfer pipe K.-L. is the
mean steam supply pipe which is connected with the steam chamber E. and
provided. with a stop cock m. The steam chamber is provided with a draw off
cock n. for the escape of the water of condensation.
The operation of the injector as shewn in figure 3, is as follows. The transfer
pipe K. is to be connected to a reservoir or container from which a gas, steam or
air is to be transferred and the discharge pipe C. is to be connected with the
receptacle to which the said gas or air is to be supplied or it may be left open to
the air if it is merely intended to exhaust the gas steam or air from a given point.
When it is desired to start the injector into operation the cock n is opened and the
cock m. in the steam pipe is turned slightly to supply a small quantity of steam to
the steam chamber from which it flows through the tubes G. to the condensing
chamber driving the air therefrom partly becoming condensed and a portion being
forced through the vent in the check valve casing.-The condensation in the
Chamber B. causes a vacuum therein which also extends into the transfer pipe K.
and causes air gas or other fluid to be drawn through the same and the apertures i.
until the condensing chamber is filled. When steam flows from the vent n. then
it is to be closed and the cock M. fully opened to turn on a full supply of steam
which is rapidly condensed by the water in the chamber B. and issuing from
pipes G. the water at the same time being heated and driven past the cheek valve
and through the discharge pipe C. tending to create behind it a vacuum assisted
by further consideration of steam which lifts a continuing supply of the gas or a
similar fluid through its transfer pipe to the Chamber B. as long as the steam
cock M. is kept open. The sub division of the steam into small jets by multitubular
receiver and the provisions made for the entry of the moving gas amongst the
tubes and at their discharge ends insures a complete condensation and efficient
vacuum.
In the modified construction of the injector illustrated in figure 4. it is provided
with a water spray nozzle or rose head S. carried by a pipe N. which is arranged
through the stean chamber and the centre of the Cylinder, said nozzle standing in
advance of the tubes G. so that its spray will have free access to the condensing
Chamber. By using this nozzle I receive a more speedy starting of the injector
into operation. In starting, instead of first turning on a partial supply of steam at
the cock M. I turn on a full supply through pipe L. and the steam issuing there-
from passes through the tubes G. and meet water from perforated rose S in the
form of a fine spray, by which it is very rapidly condensed and a lifting vacuum is
very rapidly created.
When steam is to be transferred the water spray may be continued in operation
during the whole time for the purpose of assisting the cooler steam which is to be
transferred in condensing the injecting steam.
Having now described my invention and explained the principle and operation
thereof I wish it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise arrangement
and construction of parts shown in the drawing and heretofore particularly
described but may vary them in any manner tending to more effectually carry out
the principle of my invention without departing from the true scope and spirit.
I wish it also to be understood that I do not confine myself to the use of my
injector for transferring gaseous or aeriform fluids as it may be used for supplying
feed water to steam boilers the transfer pipe K. serving in such case as the water
supply pipe and the discharge pipe C. as the feed pipe.
What I claim is,
First. The process herein described for the utilization of the exhaust of engines
consisting in taking center
L
1

page_text: live steam from the steam space of the boiler and by means of the two operating
in an injector forcing exhaust steam of the engine directly into the water space of
the boiler from which it was primarily supplied to the Engine.
Second. The process of utilizing the exhaust of engines consisting in taking
water from the working boiler and cooling the same, taking live steam from the
steam space of the boiler and with them forcing the exhaust of the Engine through
the means of an injector directly into the water space of the boiler from which it
was taken as setforth.
Third. The combination of means for utilizing the exhaust of Engines consisting
of the boiler, the cooling coil, the exhaust pipe, the live steam pipe and the injector
as setforth.
Fourth. The process herein described for utilizing the exhaust of engines by
taking it from the engine and first passing it through a superheater where a high
degree of temperature is imparted to it, then conducting it to an injector in which
it is brought in contact with water from the boiler whose temperaturo and pressure
have been reduced, causing a partial cooling thereof by which the high heat of the
superheated exhaust steam coming in contact therewith is also reduced establishing
a partial vacuum thereby causing the superheated exhaust to flow towards and into
the boiler on the principle of the injector.
Fifth. The process herein described of utilizing exhaust steam consisting in
taking the exhaust from the engine and first passing it through a superheater
thereby raising its temperature to a high degree and then causing it to come in
contact with steam of lower temperature or saturated steam in an injector whereby
a partial vacuum is effected and the exhaust passed into the boiler from which
it was taken,
Sixth. The combination of means for utilizing the exhaust of engines consisting
of the boiler, the superheater taking steam direct from the Engines and the injector
and cooling devices, substantially as shewn, whereby the exhaust of the Engino is
returned to the boiler from which it was taken, as described.
Seventh. In an injector, the combination with the steam and transfer pipes of
the multi-tubular steam receiver, the tubes arranged to form a cone as shown and
condensing chamber substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination with the inultitubar steam receiver of the series of
water inlets surrounding the same, substantially as described
Ninth. The combination with the condensing Chamber transfer conduits and
multi-tubular steam receiver of the air or water spray nozzle arranged in advance
of the steam Receiver pipes substantially as described.
Tenth. In an injector the combination with the multi-tubular steam receiver,
the tubes arranged to form a cone as shown and a central nose head of the steam
Chamber E. communicating with the tubes thereof substantially as described
Eleventh. The injector consisting of the Cylinder A. having steam Chamber E.
and enlarged condensing chamber B. the multi-tubular steam receiver, the tubes of
which communicate with said steam chamber and the passage H. surrounding the
cylinder and having communication therewith through a circumferential series of
inlets substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult. have hereunto set my hand
and seal this third day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.
ALFRED J. BOULT (L.S.)