US1397556A

US1397556A - Moisture control

Info

Publication number: US1397556A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry F Smith
Original assignee: GAS RES CO
Current assignee: GAS RES CO; GAS RESEARCH Co
Priority date: 1918-02-23
Filing date: 1918-02-23
Publication date: 1921-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1938-11-22

Description

H. F. SMITH.

MOISTURE CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED 5158.23. I918.

1 555 Patented. Nov. 22, 1921..

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' satura tor.

its way to the generating chamber.

FIE.

HARRY F. SMITH, 0F LEZX'ZING'TGN, OHIQ, ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASfiIGIxTT/IENTS, TO THE (SS-AS RESEARCH COMPANY, 01E DAYTON, OHIO, A CURPORATION OF OHIO.

l /ZOIS'"URE CONTROL.

memes.

Application filed February 23, 1918.

To all 1/; from it may concern Be it known that Lliannr l3. SMITH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Lexington, Richland. county, Ohio, have invented certain new and uset'ul Improvements in Moisture Controls, of which the following is a full, clear, and err-- act description.

This invention relates to generation and more particularly to apparatus for regulating; the supply of moisture to a gas generating chamber.

It is a quite common practice in present day gas producer operation to utilize as a supply of moisture tor the generating chamber, the exhaust steam from the engines driving the pumps for forcing the gas through, the mains. As is well known, in the generation of producer gas asupply of air and moisture is passed through a bed of incandescent carbonaceous material. "W here exhaust steam is used a source of moisture, it is frequently passed. into a saturator, through which is flowing a stream of air on These saturators are of substantial size, in general practice being about four feet wide, ten feet high, and from four to twelve feet long, depending upon the size of the plant. Preter'ably battles are placed in the saturator to facilitate bringing the steam and air into more intimate contact, but these may be dis-- pensedwith if desired. T he air as it passes through the saturator absorbs a greater or less quantity of steam, where there is an excess of steam present becoming completely saturated, and carries the absorbed. moisture into the generating chamber. Since the usual practice is to have the moisture containing air leaving the saturator at a tempcrature of about 140 F. there Will be some water, or condensed steam, present in the Under these circumstances the quantity of moisture thus absorbed by the air wiltvary according to the temperature of such air, since it is a well recognized fact that the saturation point of air forwater varies with the temperature of that air. if steam in large excess is supplied to the saturating chamber, it is obvious that the temperature of the air will be l srher than it a smaller quantity of steam is supplied, and, that because of such higher temperature the quantity oi moisture necessary tor saturating the air will also be greater. It is ap- Speclfication of Letters Patent.

steam controlling valve; and

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 218,913.

parent, therefore, that by properly regulatmg the quantity of steam introduced into the saturating chamber, the temperature ex- I 1st1ng in that chamber can be varied and the proportion of moisture supplied to the generating chamber thus also correspondingly varied.- A I in carrying out my invention 1 provide temperature responsive means in the outlet from the saturator for controlling valve actuating means to admit a greater orless quantity of steam to the saturator according as the temperature therein decreases or increases.

One object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivm'but thoroughly re liable and effective apparatus for varying the quantity of steam supplied to the satu-- rator in such wise as to keep constant the proportion of moisture and air supplied to the generating chamber.

In the accompanying drawing, in Which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, and in which the invention is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically,

Figure l discloses a preferred embodiment of my invention having pressure op erated means for varying the opening of the Fig. 2 is another form of apparatus in which the steam controlling valve is electrically operated.

,In that form of invention illustrated'in Fig. l, l is av steam supplying pipe which opens into the saturator 2.

in the drawing the saturator is show diagrammatically, the dimensions in actual. practice, as set forth above, varying, accordmg to the size of the producer with which it is to be used; its also stated above, the saturator preferably contains battles, coke or cobble stones serving very satisfactorily, but these batlles may be dispensed with if desired, and are not shown in the drawing,

' since they may be of any ofthe well-known ber, and, through the passage 4: connected therewith, upon the interior or the saturator,

As may be seen, from the structure disclosed,

in order to securethe desired proportion of v steam and air,

a suificient quantity of steam should be introduced into the saturator to insure a temperature therein suficiently high to cause the saturated air to contain the desired proportion of moisture. To maintain constant the proportion of moisture in the air the inflow of steam to the saturator should be so regulated that the temperature thereof shall remain constant. lhis form of moisturei'egulating mechanism may also be used in connection with a pressure or forced draft producer if desired, in which case the exhaust steam should be introduced into the current of air being forced into the generating chamber. In other words the only necessary difference in operation will result, fronrthe air and moisture being forced into the. generator chamber instead of being sucked therethrough.

Located in the pipe 1 is a valve 5 for controlling the flow of steam therethrough. he stem 6 of this valve is operatively connected with the diaphragm 7 of the pressure controlled diaphragm regulator 8. Surrounding the stem 6 is a spring 9 adapted to normally urge the valve 5 toward closed position. Opening into one end of the diaphragm is a pipe 10 adapted to convey a fluid under pressure into the diaphragm -to a pipe 11. which is in turn connected regulator. This fluid under pressure tends to normally urge the diaphragm 7 to open the valve 5 against the action of the spring 9. The pipe 10 is connected at its other en to a source of fluid under pressure. In actual practice any desired fluid under pressure may be used, but I prefer to use water or air. The pipe 10 is also connected to a waste or exhaust pipe 12 adapted to lead off from that pipe and the diaphragm regulator 8 the pressure fluid stored up therein to thus dissipate the pressure on the diaphragm 7.

Located in the pipe 11 and adapted. to control the flow of pressure il'uid therethrough is a valve 13. While located in the pipe 12 and adapted to control flow througli that pipe, is a valve 14. As shown each [of these valves consists d This will of a metallic piston lh incense located in an enlargement 16, and having a leather or rubber plug 17 attached to the .lower end thereof for cooperation with ,the

valve seat 18. lhe valves 15 are normally urged against their cooperating seats, to close off flow through the pipes controlled thereby, by the action of gravity. Surrounding each of the enlargements '16 is a solenoid 19 adapted upon being energized to move the valve located therein thus raise that valve off its seat.

Passing through the wall of the passage 4 and insulated therefrom in any desired manner, is a metallic member 20, the inner end of which extends into the passage 4, and carries thereon a thermostatic strip 21. Located within the passage 4 and upon opposite sides of the thermostatic strip 21 are two contact elements 22. Each of these contact elements extends outwardly through the wall of the passage a and is insulated therefrom in any desired manner. As shown each of the contact members 22 and the member 21 is insulated from the wall of the passageway 4 by means of conventional insulation 23. The thermostatic strip 21 is so arranged that it is normally out of contact with both of the contact elements 22. As the temperature in the passageway varies,-however, it is obvious that the distorted to cause it to contact with either one or the other of the contact elements. Leading from the free end of the member 20 is a conductor 24, which connects the member 20, and thus the thermostatic strip 21, to one terminal of each of the solenoids 19. Leading from one of the elements 22 and connected to the free terminal of one of the solenoids is a conductor 25. Leading from the free end of the other element 22 is a conductor 26. which is connected to the free longitudinally to thermostatic strip will be terminal of the other solenoid. Each of the

conductors

25 and 26 has herein a. battery 27 for causing a flow of current therethrough when the circuit is closed. If the temperature in the passage a surrounding the ther-. mostatic strip 21 varies, a corresponding deformation of that strip will ensue causing it to contact with one of theelements 22 immediately close the circuit through the corresponding conductor 25-26 resulting in thepassage of current from the battery 27 throng!" the solenoid cotiperating with the particular fcontact element. And the passage of current through this solenoid will immediately energize it with a resulting longitudinal movement of the valve cooperating therewith to move the valve oh its seat and permit flow of fluid therethrough to or from the pipe 10.

It the amount of steam flowing through the pipe 1 into the saturator 2 is excessive there will be a resulting rise in temperature in the of the valve 15 controlling flow through the exhaust pipe 12 to-thus decrease the pressure -in the diaphragm regulator 3 and permit ormation of the thermostatic strip 21 to ac-- tuate the valve 15 controlling the flow of pressure fluid from the pipe 11 through the pipe 10 into the diaphragm regulator8. The pressure tending to open the valve against the tension of spring 9 will thus be built up with a resulting opening movement of mechanism is of a different type.

througli the pipe 1.

the valve to admits larger quantity of steam to the saturaton which will bring about a return therein to' normal conditions. In Fig. 2 is illustrated a modified form of apparatus in which the vali e actuating In this modification 1' is the steam supply pipe, 2. is the saturator having an air inlet 3 and a passage 4 leading to the producer. Passing through the wall of the passage 4 and extending into the interior thereof, is the thermostatic strip 21 and the contact elements 22, each of which is properly insulated as at 23. Connected to the thermostatic strip is a' conductor 24, While connected to the contact elements 22 are

conductors

25 and 26, having batteries 27 therein. All of the parts thus referred to are identical in structure with the corresponding parts in Fig. 1 and no further description is neces sar "located in the siteam supply pipe 1 and adapted to control flow therethrough is any conventional type of rotary valve 28, having an operating stem 29 connected thereto, rotation of which stem will cause a corresponding actuation of the valve 28, to bring about an increased or decreased flow Rigidly attached to the free end .of the valve stem 29 are two disks 30 and 31, rotation of either of these disks causing corres ending rotation of the valve stem. Locate o'e'tween the twodislrs 30 and 31, and adapted to contact with either of them, is a friction pulley 32 car ried by the shaft 33 of the motor 34. The shaft 33 has therein intermediate the motor and friction pulley, a universal joint 35. The

motor 34 is adapted to rotate continuously in one direction and to impart to the trio: tion pulley 32 a corresponding motion. Because of the universal joint in the driving shaft the friction pulley can be urged into substantial frictional contact with either of 'the disks 30-31 and maintained in such contact therewith.

Surrounding the shaft 33 between the universal joint and \the friction pulley, is .a loosely mounted collar 36 adapted to permit of ready rotation of the shaft 33 therein. Attached to the collar 36 at diametrically opposite points are two metallic members 37'and 38. The

members

37 and 38 extend inside the solenoid 39 and 4:0 respectively and constitute in eii'ect cores for those solenoids, Energizing either solenoid will cause axial displacement of the core cotiperating therewith to bring the friction pulley 32 into substantial frictional contact with one of the plates 30-31. Inasmuch as the motor 34: is rotating the friction pulley 28 continuously in one direction, it is evident that bringing that pulley into substantial frictional contact with either of the disks 30-31, will cause a corresponding rotation of that disk about its axis to bring about rotation of the valve 28. It is also evident that, inasmuch as the rotation of the friction pulley is constant in direction, bringing it into contact with the disk 30 will cause a rotation of the valve in a direc' tion opposite to that causedby bringing it the selenoid corresponding thereto to ener- I gize that solenoid, and thus bring thefriction pulley into substantial contact with one of the disks 30-31.

Any variation in the relative amount of steam passing into the saturator 2 will cause corresponding variation in the temperature in the passageway 4 with a resulting deformation of the thermostatic strip 21. Such deformation will cause contact of the thermostatic strip with one of the contact ele ments 22 to energize the solenoid coiiperating therewith to increase or decrease the opening of the valve 28 with a correspond mg; .increaseor decrease in the quantity 0};

steam supplied to the saturator to. bring about a return to normal condition's'therein';

{While the forms of. mechanis' i I shown and described constitutafprefefi'ed- .forms of embodiment of the iitventiou-, ,it

is to be understood that other forms be ado ted, all coming Within the claims which follow? urator having a gas inlet at one end and an outletat the other end thereof; a steamlsup ply pipe leading into the saturator adjacent said air inlet a pressure operated valve controlling flow through said pipe; electrically operated means for controlling the operating pressures affecting said valve; and means responsive to temperature conditions in the outlet pipe for actuating said electucally operatedcontrolling means,

3. In a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a producer; the combination of a saturator; an air inlet thereinto, an out- 'let passaqe therefrom; a steam supply'pipe leading into the saturator adjacent the air inlet; means for controlling flow of steam into the saturator; and means responsive to temperature conditions within the outlet passage for actuating the co ntrolling means.

4-. in a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a producer; the combination of a saturator, an air inlet thereinto, an outlet passage therefrom; a steam supply pipe leading into the saturator adjacent the air inlet; a valve for controlling flow of steam into the saturator; pressure operated means for controlling the valve; and means responsive to temperature conditions within the outlet passage for actuating the pressure operated means.

5. In a device for controlling a supply of moisture to a producer, the combination with a. saturator, having an air inlet in one end and an outlet in the other end thereof; of a steam supply pipe opening into saidsaturator adjacent the air inlet; a valve for controlling the flow of steam through said sup ply pipe into the satuator; pressure operated means for varying thepositioning of said valve; electrically operated means for varying the pressure upon said pressure'op erated means; and means responsive to temperature conditions within the outlet for causing actuation of said electrically operated means.

6. ln a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a producer, the combination with a saturator, having an air inlet in one end and an outlet in the other end thereof; of a steam supply pipe opening into said saturator adjacent the air inlet; a valve for controlling the flow of steam through said pipe; pressure responsive means for varyins; the positioning of said valve Within the steam supply pipe; a plurality otelectrically operated valves for controlling the pressures affecting said pressure responsive means; and means responsive to temperature conditions Within the outlet pipe for actuatint: said electrically operated valves.

7. In a device for controlling the supply of moisture to a producer, the combination 5 with a saturator, having an air inlet in one end and an outlet in theother end thereof of asteam supply pipe opening into said saturator adjacent the air inlet; a valve for controlling the How of steam through said 0 pipe; pressure responsive means for varying the positioning of said valve within the steam supply pipe; a pipe forwsupplyirig pressure fluidto said pressure responsive means, an electrically operated valve there 35 in; a second pipe for exhausting pressure fluid from said pressure responsive calls, an electrically operated valve therein; and means responsive to temperature conditions within the outlet pipe'i'or actuating said electricallyoperated valve.

8. In a device for controlling. the supply of moisture to a saturator having an air inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end thereof, a steam supply pipe opening into said saturator, a valve for controlling the flow of steam therethrqugh; pressure responsive means for varying the positioning of said valve ithin the steam supply pipe;

a pipe for supplying pressure fluid to said pressure responsive means, a gravity closing valve in said pipe a solenoid for moving" said valve into open position; a pipe for ex hausting pressure fluid from said pressure responsive means, a gravity closing valve in. said pipe, a solenoid for moving said last named valve into open position; and heat responsive means, adapted for positioning within the saturator outletpipe, for causing energizing of said solenoids.

In testimony. whereof l alfix my si nature HARRY l3. SMITH.