US1083374A - Steam-condensing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

D. B. MORISUN.

STEAM OONDENSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION rum) 00120, 1911.

1,083,374. Patented Jan. 6,19%

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

cOLuMnIA VLAHooIAPn 120.. WAININOION. 04 c. L,

asagna.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD BARNS MORISON, OF HARTLEPOOL, ENGLAND.

STEAM-CONDENSING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DONALD BARNS Momsox, a subject of the Kin of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at artlepool, in the :ounty of Durham England, have invented Improvements in i team-Condensing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

In a steam condensing plant for use on ships, stoppage or derangement of the air pump used in such plant, or variation in the air withdrawing efficiency, or in the air withdrawing capacity, of such air pump, is or might be attended with very serious consequences, therefore it is important to provide, as far as is practically possible, against any of these contingencies taking place and in3uriously affecting the proper working of the condenser. For this purpose there is described in the specification of my application for Letters Patent No. 545,538 of 1910, a construction of steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenser from which the mixture of air and vapor is normally withdrawn by a reciprocating ump capable of withdrawing air, vapor an water and from which condenser the water of condensation is normally withdrawn by another reciprocating pump also ca able of withdrawing air, vapor and water, t e pump which normally withdraws air and vapor being cooled by uniform admission thereto of a regulated amount of water of condensation cooled in a water cooler below the temperature of the water of condensation in the. condenser, the arrangement and disposition of the pumps and of the pipes and connections leading thereto, being such that on derangement or smppafe of either pump, the other pump can in ependently withdraw and independently discharge air and vapor together with water of condensation without causing any substantial alteration *in the direction of flow of vapor over the condensing surface, or without causing any such flooding of condensing tubes, or of the air pump connections, as would substantially reduce the condensing surface, or substantially impair the normal How of air and vapor to the withdrawing pump. in an arrangement of this kind. the water withdrawn and discharged from the condenser by the reciprocating air pump that normally acts as the water pump, becomes more or less aerated in its passage through the pump which is objectionable because the water is Specification of Letters Patent.

Application fllcd October 20, 1911.

Patented J an. 6, 1914.

Serial No. 655,665.

to used as boiler feed water and the air 1s liable to pass with the water into the b01161: Furt ermore, such a water pump is also liable to be subjected to shocks resultmg from sudden variations in the supply of water of condensation thereto from the condenser. Now the present invention has for obect to enable the water of condensation to be withdrawn from the condenser and discharged at any desired rate in a condition of minimum aeration by a pump that Will not be subject to shock resulting from sudden variation in the supply of water of condensation thereto, theair and uncondensable gases being withdrawn from the condenser by one or more air pumps capable of being worked at the highest designed speed and of maintaining its or their air withdrawing capacity at a maximum. For this purpose, a water pump of the rotary or centrifugal type is used constructed to work in one or more stages, while the air pump, or each air pump, is, as before, of the reclproeating type adapted to normally withdraw air, but capable, under special exigencies, of withdrawing air and water, the pumps being so connected together and to the condenser that the air pump, or each of the air pumps can, in the event of break down of the rotary water pump, or of the supply of an abnormal amount of water of condensation from the condenser, act to withdraw water in addition to air, without flooding the condenser or causing an undue or prejudicial amount of water of condensation to be accumulated either in the condenser or in the pi ms or passages connected therewith.

In t e accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 5 inclusive show diagrammatically in elevation and Figs. 1 and 2 also partly in section, several arrangements of steam condensing plant according to the invention.

n Fig. 1, a is a surface condenser from which air and vapor are withdrawn by two air pumps 1) and (r of the reciprocating type and from which condenser the water of condensation is withdrawn by a centrifugal pump (Z. The air pumps b, c are driven from the piston rods 6 of two steam cylinders f, the rods being connected together by a beam 9 in the well known manner so that in the event of derangement the pumps can be driven from either of the cylinders. The air suction pipes 77 and j of the two air pumps 11, c are in communication through a. horizontal air pipe and a vertical air and end of the pipe m at a point below that to which the lpe k is connected thereto so that normally the water of condensation does not flow through the air pipe I; to the air pumps 6 and a but flows direct'to the pump (2 and is discharged thereby through a pipe 1. The air pumps Z) and c are cooled by' water she: lied in a uniform manner and in regulaflfil amounts er stroke, such water being re'diiced inheim i l tltl llti .by continuous circnlatibn through a water charged water cooler it, forme' in the base of the condenser a, and supplied to the two pumps tirougb a pipe" 0 controlled by valves 0 and 0. Surplus water, formed by the condensation of the vapor within the pumps 7) and c, can be di'scha'r 'ed into a feed tank, or otherwise disposed oi as desired. 7) is a valve in' a P Ipebonnecting the suction ends of the two air pumps. By the arrangement described, the water of condensation is withdrawn direct from the condenser a through the pipe m by the )unip d and is therefore discharged in a condition of minimum aeration; and thesaid' pump d, being of the centrifugal type, can be] run at a high speed and it willin 'ot be subjected to shocks resulting from sudden variations in the supply of water thereto such as are liable to occur with a reciprocating water discharging pa m oreover, the air pumps 7), 0 being so ,p led with a uniform and regulated arng iunt cooled water per stroke, the load is i i nifiorm and they are therefore able to be worked at the highest designed speed consistent with maximum eflicrency, whereby the air withdrawing capacity is maintained at a, maximum, while the factor of safety of the pump mechanism is, under working conditions, greater than would be the case if he water of condensation were normally wirdrwn invariable quantities by one or boti 9 the air pumps and the pumpsare much ess liable to break down. F n rthermore, it will be seen, that the outlet pipes at and 7.: are so arranged that should the centrifugal water pump d become deranged or sto ped', the water will rise in the pipe m an overflow through the air pi es lo and i into the air pump 1) which will t en operate as a water pump and discharge the water oi condensation from the condenser, the air pump a working continuously as a cooled air pump and withdrawing the mixture of air and vapor. Or, should the amount of water to be withdrawn from the condenser be abnormal sothat it overflows into the pump 7), the valve 72 can be opened whereby the pump 0 will also be available for witlulrawing water together with air and vapor. it", however, the pump 6 becomes deranged in addition to the centrifugal pum (I, then water will rise in the suction pipe 13 and overflow through the pipe j into the pump 0 which will then alone act to withdraw air and'tvater. 'l'n this arrangement the air and uncondensable gases from the pumps 6 and 0 are discharged upwardly through the pipes b and consequently the cooling water will flow by preference through the small pipes b, c from the delivery chambers b, 0 at the upper ends of the pumps 11 and 0 respectively back to the cooler n. T he surplus watel resulting from the condensation of vapor the barrels of the pumps is discharged with the air and vapor.

In Fig. 2 the water of condensation is withdrawn from a receptacle m at the bottom of the condenser a by a two stage centrifugal pump (l d, the delivery from the first stage (I of the said pump (1 (l discharging into a pipe or receiver 1' which, in known manner, is in direct comn'iunication with the condenser, the outlet from the pipe or receiver 1' delivering into the suction of the second stage (I of the pump which discharges through the outlet pipe Z. The pipe ori'eceiver (1-) is rovided for the purpose of liberating any air that may be mixed with the water flowing through the first stage (al of the pump, and provides a passage for the flow of air back into the condenser so that it shall not accumulate in the casing and interfere with the proper working of the multi-stage pump. This arrangement by placing the delivery passage of the first stage pump under practically the same pressure as that at the inlet to the pump enables the water pump (1 d to be placed at only a small depth )elow the condenser a wh ch is advantageous on shipboard where the depth available below the condenser is usually limited. Air and vapor are withdrawn from the condenser through the pipes- Z, i and by the two air pumps I), c which are shown as driven from a single engine cylinder through a beam 9 and are cooled by water of condensation passing in continuous circulation through the pumps and a sepa rate water cooler'n. The surplus water from the )umps Z1 and 0 produced by condensation ofi t 10 vafpor entering these pum )s, can be removed mm the discharge cham ers Z), c by an auxiliary pump a: which delivers it through a pipe 3 into an elevated tank It in which the water may be heated by steam. By such an arrangement the head of water on the discharge valves of the pumps 1) and a is reduced and consequently there is a reduction in the quantity of power necessary to drive such pum s and a free escape for the air discharged mm the uinp barrels. Should the pump (1 d whicli normally withdraws the water of condensation from the condenser become deranged, water will overflow into the .pipe k and fall through the pipe 0 into the pump 1) which will then withdraw the Water of condensation from the condenser, such water being, if desired,-

.and the pump so used for the purpose of delivering the surplus water from the discharge chamber 0 into the discharge chamher 7) instead of into the tank h.

Fig. '3 shows an arrangement in which the depth' available below the condenser a is such as to enable a suitable head of water to be provided on the suction side of a single stage centrifugal pump (1 and the air pumps 7) and c are connected direct to the air and vapor outlet of the condenser and placed on or above a water cooler n through which and the valves 0, 0 a regulated portion of the water discharged by the pump (1 is passed into the pumps 6, a. In this arrangement during normal workin the cooling water, togetier with water 0 condensation due to condensation of va or in the pumps 7), 0', flows away from the ischarge chamber 0 which is common to the two pumps, by way of the branch a which is trapped, air

an uncondensable gases flowing through the pipe I).

In ig. 4, the water cooler n is placed at one slde of the air umps b, c, and is adapted to be cut out oi operation, in case of derangement, by a three-way cook it which, when the water cooler is not in use, allows a ortion of the water discharged by the centrifugal pump (1 through pipe Z to flow direct to the pumps b and 0 for sealing purposes. In this case, the surplus water from the pumps 1) and 0 produced by condensation of va or in the said umps, or this water toget ier with the coo ing water admitted from the pipe 1 when the cooler n, is cut out, is discharged together with the air and uncondensable gases through the pipes b.

Each of the modified arrangements shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 is capable of working in the manner described with reference to In Fig. 5, air and vapor are withdrawn from the condenser a. by a sin le air pump Z) which is supplied with a regu ated amount of cooled water of condensation which passes in continuous circulation through the pump and the tubular water cooler n, the water of condensation bein separately withdrawn from the condenser fiy a multi-stage rotary pump (Z, d having an air pipe 1' connected to the condenser. The air, vapor and water outlet pipe m is connected to the water pump (I (l and also, at a higher point, through the air suction )ipe k to the air pump 1) so that should t 0 pump (1 (l become deranged, the water will rise in the pipe m and overflow by way of the pipe is into the air-pum b which will then withdraw the water 0 f condensation from the condenser in addition to the mixture of air and vapor. In this case, during normal working, surplus water is discharged with the air and uncondensable gases through the outlet b.

Adaptability and safety are embodied in the combined apparatus according to the present invention to an extent not hitherto provided, and the utility of such a combination of apparatus on a warship, or on a turbine passenger steamer, is very great in view of the fact that any fall in vacuum has a highly rejudiciul efi'ect on the steam economy, w ile the stoppage of the air pump might result, were there no alternatives, in the stoppage of the ship.

In each case, the rotary water pump d, or l1 (1 may be connected to the water outlet of the condenser through a valve :1, as in Figs. 2 and 5, so that upon breakdown of the said pump it can be disconnected for repair. When the pump is also connected to the condenser by an air pipe 1', as in Figs. 2 and 5, such pipe may be provided with a valve to.

It is to be understood that any suitable type of reciprocating air pump, or rotary water pump, may be employed, that more than one water pump can be used, and that suitable valves may be interposed in the pipes or connections where found necessary or desirable for the proper working of the apparatus.

What I claim is 1. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenser, a multiple stage water pump of rotary type arranged to withdraw water of condensation from said condenser and having its interior, between its stages, connected to the interior of said condenser, an air pump capable of withdrawing uir. vapor and water from said condenser but arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only, said water and air pumps bein in communication with each other on their suction sides, a water cooler wherein water of condensation is cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the water of condensation in the condenser and means whereby a regulated amount of water can be admitted from said water cooler to the suction end of said secondly mentioned pump.

2. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenser, a water pump of rotary type arranged to withdraw water of coin densation from said condenser, a plurality of air pumps each capable of witlulrawing air, vapor and water from said condenser and all of them being arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only from said condenser, the suction pipes of said water and air pumps being each in communication with with the densing space, oi the condenser, a water.

cooler wherein water of condensation is cooled to. a temperature below the temperature 0t the'water of condensation in the conden r, and means whereb a regulated amount of water can be admitted from said cooler to the suction end of each oi; said air pumps.

3. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface, condenser, a water pump. of rotary type arranged to withdraw water ofcondensation from said. condenser, a plurality of air pumps each capable ofi withdrawing air, vapor and water from said condenser andall of them beingarranged normally to withdraw air and vapor onl 7- from, said condenser, the suction pipes of said water and air pumps being each in communication with the lower end portion of the condenser and with each other at a point below the condensing space of the condenser, valve controlled means connectin r said air pumps to ether at their'suction en s, a water cooler w erein water of condensation is cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the water of condensation in the condenser, and means whereby a regulated amount of water can be admit-ted from said cooler to the suction end of each ofsaid air pumps.

l. A steam condensing plant comprising a surface condenser, a water pump of rotary type arraned to withdraw water of condensation rom said condenser, a plurality of air pumps each capable of withdrawing air. vapor and water from said condenser and all of them being arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only from said condenser, the suction pipes of said water and air pumps being each in communication ower end portion of the condenser and with each other at a point below the condensing space oi the condenser, a water cooler wherein water of condensation is cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the water of condensation in the condenser, and means for separately controlling the supply of water from said water cooler to the suction end of each of said air pumps.

5. A steam condensing plant comprising a steam condenser, a water pump of rotary type arranged to withdraw water of condensation from said condenser, air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water from said condenser but arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only, said water and air pumps having their suction inlets in free communication with each other at a level below the steam condensing space of said condenser and means for supplyiu a re mlated amount of cooled water of C(Hflfihaction to the suction end of each air pump.

(l. A steam condensing plant comprising a massacre steam condenser, a water pump of rotary tv-pe arranged to withdraw water of condensation rom said condenser, air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and Water and having their suction conduits arranged in free communication with the air and vapor space in said condenser and also with each other and with the suction conduit of the water pump independently of the steam condensing space of the condenser, th suction conduits of said pumps being arranged so that water from the condenser can pass into the suction conduit. ofthe water pump but not into the suction'conduits of the air pumps but can overflow from the suction conduit of the water pump and pass into the suction conduits of the air pumps, a conduit with valve connecting the suction ends of said air pumps and means for admitting a regulated quantity of cooled water separately to each air pump.

7. A steam condensing plant comprising a. steam condenser, a water um of rotary type having its suction in ct connected to the lower end of said condenser, reciprocating air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water and having their suction inlets in communication with each other and also with the suction inlet of said water pump at a point below the steam condensing space of said condenser, sa-idair pumps having se arate delivery chambers, a water cooler aviug its inlet connected to the delivery chambers ofsaid air pumps and its outlet connected to the suction of each air pump and means for controlling the supply of cooled water from said water cooler to each air pump.

8. A steam condensing plant comprising a steam condenser, a water pump of rotary type having its suction inlet connected to the lower end of said condenser, reciprocating air pumps each adapted to withdraw air. vapor and water and having their suction inlets in conununication with each other and also with the suction inlet of said water pump at a point below the steam condensing space of said condenser, said air pumps havin separate delivery chambers, a conduit with valve connecting the suction ends of'said air pumps. a water cooler connected to the suction and delivery ends of said air pumps so as to be iii circuit therewith, means for controlling the flow of water to the suction end of each air pump and means for removing surplus water from the circuit.

9. A steam condensing plant comprising a steam condenser. a two stage water pump of rotary type having its suction conduit connected to the lower part of said condenser and its interior, between the stages, with the interior of said condenser, two reci rocating air pumps each adapted to with raw air. vapor and water. a suction pipe in commuuication with the suction inlets of both air pumps and with the suction conduit of said water pum below the steam condensing space of said condenser, a water cooler in circuit with each air pump and means for separately controlling the supply of cooled water from said water cooler to said air pumps.

10. A steam condensingeplant comprising a surface condenser, a we r pump of rotary type arranged to withdraw water of condensation from said condenser, an air pump capable of withdrawing air, vapor and water from said condenser but arranged normally to withdraw air and vapor only said water and air pumps being in commumcation with each other on their suction sides a water cooler connected to the suction and delivery of said air pump and wherein water of condensation is cooled to a temperature below the temperature of the water of condensation in the condenser and means whereby a regulated amount of water can be admitted from said Water cooler to the suction end of said air pump.

11. In a steam condensing plant the combination of a condenser, an air pump adapt ed to withdraw air, vapor and water from the said condenser, a steam engine for driving said pump and a water pump also driven by the said engine and arranged to withdraw and deliver water from the delivery chamber of said air ump.

12. In a steam con ensing plant, the combination of a condenser, a pair of air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water from the said condenser, a steam engine for driving said pumps and a water pump driven by the said engine and connected to the delivery chambers of said air umps.

13. In a steam condensing plant, the combination of a condenser, two air pum s each adapted to withdraw air, vapor an water from the said condenser, a steam engine arranged to drive one of said air pumps directly, a beam whereby the other air pump is driven indirectly from said engine and a water pump also driven from said engine and connected to the delivery chambers of said air pumps.

14. In a steam condensing plant, the combination of a condenser, two air pumps each adapted to withdraw air, vapor and water from the said condenser, a steam engine directly connected to one of said air pumps, a beam worked from said engine and arranged to drive the other air pum and a water pump also driven from sai beam and arranged to withdraw and deliver water from the delivery chamber of one of said air pumps.

Signed at West Hartlepool this 10th day of October 1911.

DONALD BARNS MORISON.

JOHN Cooxn.

ceplol 0! this patent may be obtained (or five cents each, by addressing the commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0."

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