IL28461A - Liquid despensing apparatus providing an automatic intermittent supply - Google Patents

Description

» ' 28461/2 Liquid dispensing apparatus providing an automatic intermittent supply UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY C: 27005 The present invention relates to an improved form of liquid-dispensing system providing for an automatic, intermittent supply, to a zone of.use, of a treated water stream, ; or. other liquid stream, ;tb be used, for exartple as . £ an additive to recirculating water or other liquid ;systerns.· Morfc specifically, the invention provides a liquid-dispensing arrangement that utilizes a siphon to effect unifbrln,' intermittent fluid discharge from' one chamber to a second:' chamber provided with a special air inlet and/or air-venting¾ se'ctio,n 0 which precludes both vacuum and flow-reversing problems. from arising due to pressure changes in the zone of „uge.

The.inventio'n thus provides a, pressure-relieving arrangement on the discharge line of a( siphon outlet which will preclude imposition .of either a vacuum or a super-pressure on,the > siph i section of the dispensing system, said arrangement comprising, a surge chamber in the siphon outlet line having open ports which serve as liquid or air outlet means. 3 Various forms of liquid dispensing devices ai '' commonly employed to provide -automatic feeding of dry 0 chemicals to various types of water systems, as for example, in connection with boilers, cooling towers, heat exchangers, evaporative 'condensers, etc. Small " quantities of dissolved chemical compounds may be contin- Uously added to a water system1 (or other circulating liquid £ system) so as to prevent the formation of certain minerals which tend, to form scale or cause corrosion. Chemical accumulation and growth of biological organisms, such as algae and slimes that may interfere with water circulation and heat transfer. The chemical may be in various dried forms or shapes, including briquettes and the like, so as to effect the desired slow dissolving and gradual feeding of the chemical into a water stream which passes through the dispenser system and is in turn fed into a circulating water system which needs treating., ; For slow, controlled; flows into a recirculating water system,, it is common to use ;a siphon form of liquid outlet in connection with the discharge portion of;. the unit, thus providing an intermittent or batch type of flow from the apparatus. However,- this presents various operational problems when discharging into certain types of water systems. For instance, when feeding into an evapora-tive condenser tank there may be either a vacuum condition or a super-pressure condition acting upon the discharge line from the liquid-dispensing system,, depending upon the type of fan or blower equipment used,.with the evaporative con-denser. In other words, the fan equipment for the evaporative condenser may blow air down over the condenser coils,, thus causing super-pressure within, the condenser tank. .This, in turn, causes flow-reversing problems,, i . the treated water stream from the dispensing unit.

Alternatively, the fan arrangement may be of an air suction type with respect to the evaporative condenser tank, causing a pressure below atmospheric therein and a vacuum condition on the treated water line from the liquid dispensing system.

In the latter case, there would be a sustained suction in the dissolving chamber of tho disposing unit, which will disrupt the desired intermittent liquid flow therefrom, as required, for normal operation of the sipho means.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a liquid-dispensing system having a siphon arrangement in connection vrith the treated water outlet therefrom in combination with a pressure relieving means in the outlet lino of such siphon arrangement so as to preclude either a vacuum or flow-reversal condition within the liquididispensing siphon chamber.

The invention achieves this object by means of the special enlarged air inlet and/or air venting section hich acts as a surge chamber and insures a desired freeflow of liquid from the outlet leg of the Biphon means by allowing either intake of air or discharge of air or liquid to accomodate changing pressure conditions in the zone of se to which the liquid 1B ultimately supplied.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a liquid-dispensing apparatus mpable of providing an intermittent supply Of liquid to a zone of use and substantially unaffected by minor pressure changes in said zone of use, characterized by a siphon chamber, a liquid supply conduit to said siphon chamber, a downwardly extending transfer conduit connecting a siphon in said chamber to an enlarged surge chamber, said siphon being adapted to be primed to siphoning action by a rising liquid level in said siphon chamber, said siphon chamber being provided with internal means for supporting a column of chemical substance whereby the lower portion of said column is in intermittent contact with the liquid in said siphon chamber, lower and said surge chamber having aj outlet conduit connected to said zone of use and being provided with at least one permanently open vent to the exterior thereof at a level not below the level of connect on-with said transfer conduit,,' '■- The -preferred form of-pressure-relieving means or "surge chamber" includes an elongated depending enlarged section containing a path for- the freefall of the liquid stream from the outlet line of the siphon, and a vent at an upper -peripheral plane where the intake of air to break any -vacuum created down-stream will not interfere with said freefailing liquid0> -^, -Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following description thereof will serve to more clearly illustrate the operation and advantages of the improved liquid dispensing system as-1 well as point out . the design and arrangement of a preferred form of vent or flow-breaking section, for use in combination with the. liquid dispensing system,, - ; ■ Figure 1 of the drawing Indicates, diagrammatically, the overall- liquid-dispensing system including a siphon discharge from a siphon chamber and pressure-relieving section, or surge chamber in combination with the siphon discharge transfer line, whereby vacuum or pressure problems within a particular liquid circulating system system.

Figure 2 of the drawing indicates by an enlarged, partial section one form of pressure-relieving section or surge chamber for use in the discharge line from the siphon chamber.

Figure 3 shows a modification in the construction and assembly of the section shown,in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, there is indicated a liquid dispenser system 1 having dissolving or siphon chamber 2 adapted to receive water or other liquid by way of- an inlet line 3 and control valve I.. The inlet line 3 is here shown entering the lower portion of the chamber. However, such inlet may be ^at a side or at the top of the chamber in any convenient location which will permit a steady liquid inlet flow to the interior thereof. For simplicity, a transfer conduit 7 containing, or having connected thereto, a bent-tube siphon section 5 is shown as providing the liquid outlet means for chamber 2, Said outlet means may pass through a suitable packed-collar arrangement 6 and thence,. to surge chamber 18.

Internally, a short intake conduit, section 8 is positioned such that an open inlet end 9 is spaced a short distance above the bottom of the chamber. It will thus be seen that the water, or othe liquid, 10 inside the chamber will intermittently rise- and fall by virtue of the action of the siphon, £>. With a steady water inlet flow through line 3 and valve ij., the water level 10 will rise to a point where it primes the inverted "U" portion of the siphon and' causes a descending flow in transfer line 7 to provide a suction on the inlet section 8 and in turn lower the level of liquid 10 in chamber 2. Preferably, the piping or tubing for the siphon 5 should be of a larger diameter than the water inlet line 3 to permit a relatively rapid discharge of the liquid., from the tank 2. Also, since the rate of discharge is rapid, the control of the overall rate of liquid flow from the chamber 2 may be controlled by the rate of flow of liquid through line 3 and valve I4..

In order that the _|.iquid:;dispensing system will operate as; a chemical treatment apparatus, a holder means, such as collar .2' is provided to support a container 11 containing suitable solid treating material 12. In the present example, the latter is indicated as a series of stacked chemical briquettes resting on a suitable perforate support-plate or screen 13. The -latter in turn may be adjustabl held in position by a threaded rod I extending through an internally threaded hub.1 on the bottom of tank 2. Thus, it will be seen that adjustment of the height of perforate: plate member 13 regulates the vertical position of the stack of briquettes 12>j and effects a corresponding control of the immersion depth of such dry chemical feed material into the liquid 10. . As an alternative arrangement for varying the height of the liquid level 10 in tank 2 and the corresponding amount of immersion of the column of chemical briquettes 12, the height of the inverted "U" portion of the siphon 5 at the outlet of the chamber ma be ad usted. For example, b a suitable clamp 16 on sleeve I? there may be a vertical adjustment of the siphon and a corresponding adjustment of the upper liquid level 10 in the chamber. Preferably, the chemical briquettes may be supplied in containers, such as tubes 11, arranged in various sequences of different chemical compounds to .provide desired*- chemical balance in the. ■ treated water from the chamber 2.., It will be seen that as the bottom briquette dissolves, the one immediately above will take its place, allowing the ; dissolving process to continue automatically. When the briquettes 12 have been exhausted from the tubular holder 11, a new supply of briquettes may be provided by a change of holders, or by the addition- of a new series of briquettes 12 into holder 11. .

Generally, the briquettes, may comprise combinations of additives such as polyphosphates, organic dlspersives such as water soluble. tannin extracts, alkalinity control agents (which may include both acidic and basic compounds) corrosion inhibitors and biocidal agents.

In accordance with the present invention, the transfer conduit 7 from siphon jj> leads to surge chamber 18. For purposes of example, the latter is' shown in Figure 1 as connecting through line 19. to an evaporative condenser tank 20. As · exemplified in Figure 2, one preferred form of the surge chamber l8 has an elongated, tapered, cylindrical design, with a tapering wall section 21, an internal liquid inlet tube 22 extending from a horizontal plate 23 contain connected with any suitable outlet tubing or conduit such as 19 which carries the treated liquid stream to the "zone of use", which is usually a particular circulating liquid system. The water inlet section 22 is axially positioned, and is adapted to connect with transfer conduit from the siphon 5« In the present instance, the inside wall of-the inlet tube 22 p^oyides a slip-fit for the end of line 7. However, where desired, a threaded or welded connection between the two sections may be used.

It will be noted that the upper plate 23 is provided with a plurality of spaced holes 2 such that air may be expelled from, or drawn into, the interior portion 26' of .surge chamber 21 in response to pressure changes down stream. In a normal operation, intermittent flow of treated liquid 27 from the lower end of conduit 7 and inlet means 22 will occur as the siphon 5 periodically discharges th 1- liquid 10'· fronr-chambe'r 2. Also, under normal operating conditions, there will be substantially no flow of air or liquid through any of the ports or openings 25 in plate 23 as the intermittent discharge of treated liquid takes place in the system. However, whenever there is a pressure upset at the discharge end of the -conduit 19 which leads to the evaporative condenser, or other^zone of use, the pressure-relieving action of chamber 21 provides corrective action-with respect to the siphoning action of the dispensing system. In other words, in the eve/nt of a vacuum condition existing on line 19 to tank 20, there will be a compensating intake oi air through port holes 2 which will permit the discharge flow through transfer conduit 7 to remain undisturbed. In the absence of the improvement of the present- invention, the continuing vacuum effect on siphon 5 would prevent the liquid level 10 from rising to its normal position and obtaining the needed immersion of the lower briquettes 12.

. Alternatively, in the, event of a temporary super-atmospheric pressure surge existing in zone 20 which causes the flow of liquid through line 19 to reverse and back into , the interior zone .26 of venting or pressure .: relieving means 18, there will be a relief of such reversal by an outward flow of air or- liquid, or both, through ports 2 to the atmosphere. Such venting thereby eliminates any deleterious effect on the siphoning action of line 7.

The circumferential placement ,of wholes 2 around siphon line 7 a.nd inlet 22 provides for, -a uniform intake of air on vacuum condition or, a uniform discharge of back' pressure around stream 27 such that there is substantially no disruption of flow 27 out of the- siphon line 7. Further, it has been found that the slightly tapering configuration of housing 21, with the air ports surroundi g the axis of the inlet at a spaced vertical distance above outlet 2I4. is responsible for the uniform dissipation of any positive or negative pressure surges in line 19.

Preferably, for a discharge line of approximately I.27 cm. inside diameter (line 7) there should be in the range of from 10 to 12.7 cm. of, vertical space 26 tapering from a diameter of from about 3· 8 cm. to a diameter of about 2« J¾. cm. in order to minimize turbulence and to provide sufficient free-fall of liquid 27 from the internal discharge of inlet 22 to the outlet nozzle 2I4.. A smaller space does not adequately permit the correction of a back-flow problem, because a smaller space 26 might lead to a complete filling of such space with liquid, overflow of the same through vents £ and' possible eventual disruption of the action of siphon i An alternative design and assembly may provide a separate perforate diaphragm and conical section. For example, Figure 3 of the drawing shows a separate piece 29 resting on1 a shoulder 30 of the upper wall portion of section 181. ■ This permits easier,, less-costly construction of the . total unit by virtue of the separate fabricatipn' of each element. Holes 2£' can, be uniformly spaced in the horizontal . portion as shown in section 23 of Figure 2 „ In the present . design, the interior of nozzle sectio,n,22l is threaded to accomodate a threaded end on line 7 ' rather than-a slip fit.^ Also, for assembly purposes the shoulder 3.0 may be internally positioned to provide a proper recessing of the diaphragm 23 ' and holes 2£' below the top of the unit. After placement, the diaphragm 23 ' may be readily glued or welded at 3I to insure the tight assembly of section 29 with section 18 ' .

It is preferred' that the diaphragm 23 or 23 ' be recessed so as to provide a shallow pan :-or "bubbl'e :·■·· · ·· · zone". In other words, as shown- in Figure 2, it is preferred that space be provided for temporary accumulation of small amounts of liquid or mixed liquid and air bubbles within the well or recess formed by the upper wall section 28 above ports 2$. Such accumulated liquid may subsequently drain back through ports 2£ after the causative pressure-variation has passed. -13- 28461/2

Claims (1)

1. A liquid-dispensing apparatus capable of providing an intermittent supply of liquid to a zone of use and substantially unaffected by minor pressure changes in said zone of use, characterized by a siphon chamber^ a liquid supply conduit to said siphon chamber, a downwardly extending transfer conduit connecting a siphon in said chamber to an enlarged surge chamber, said eiphori being adapted to be primed to siphoning action by a rising liquid level in said siphon chamber, said siphon chamber being provided with internal means for supporting a column of chemical substance whereby the lower portion of said column is in intermittent contact with the liquid in said siphon chamber, and said surge chamber having a lower outlet conduit connected to said zone of use and being provided with at least one permanently open vent to the exterior thereof at a level not below the level of connection with said transfer conduit· 2, The apparatus of claim 1 characterized in that the surge chamber has a side wall substantially in the form of an inverted frustum, is vertically disposed substantially beneath the siphon chamber, has an axially-positioned inlet conduit projecting through its substantially horizontal, circular, upper wall and connecting with the transfer conduit, and has an axially-positioned outlet comprising a cylindrical extension of the lower extremity of said frustum and of smaller diameter than the latter. f 3„ The apparatus of claim 2, further characterized in that the surge chamber inlet conduit projects a short distance downwardly through the upper wall of the chamber forming an annular zone within the upper portion thereof and said upper wall is perforated to vent the chamber to the exterior thereof. 'ί The apparatus of claim 3, further characterized in that the upper wall of the surge chamber contains a plurality of substantially symmetrically-positioned perforations o » The apparatus of any of the claims 2 to further characterized in that the interior vertical length of the surge chamber is from about 8 to about 10 times as great as the inside diameter of the:: inlet conduit thereto. 6o The apparatus of any of the claims 2 to 5, further characterized in that the side wall of the surge chamber extends upwardly a short distance above the upper wall thereof, forming an open, shallow pan for temporary collection of liquid. 7o A liquid-dispensing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described. Dated this 6th August, 1967