US1637066A

US1637066A - Steam accumulator plant

Info

Publication number: US1637066A
Application number: US92161A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wettstein Fritz
Original assignee: RUTHS ACCUMULATOR Co Inc
Current assignee: RUTHS ACCUMULATOR Co Inc; RUTHS ACCUMULATOR COMPANY Inc
Priority date: 1926-03-04
Filing date: 1926-03-04
Publication date: 1927-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 1944-07-26

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 26 Ju y 1927 F. WETTSTEIN swam ACGUMULATOR PLAN:

Filed March 4. 1926 R N m J d R V f m, W T 6 a m V Z W% m I. Q b. f w ll=l m m R, an M l w 6 I5 6 6 v V 46m. ninth V 1 m I! .WN\ :nN

AN N A Am MN NW \N My \r: Iv \N 1,637 066 July 26, 1927. F WETTSTEIN STEAM ACCUMULATOR PLANT Filed March 4, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR, E/7'2 Wf'TTJYEf/V.

BY WE'JWM @ATTORNEY Patented July 26, 1927.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRITZ WET'ISTEIN, OI- SUIIIT, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO RUTHS ACCUHULATOB COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 01 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Sm AGUUIULATOB PLANT.

Application illed'Iarch 4, 1926. Serial in. 92,161.

My invention relates to steam plants and more particularly to steam accumulator plants wherein there is a demand both for steam and hot water.

5 The purpose of my invention is to provide an accumulator arrangement wherein the accumulator acts both as a steam accumulator and as a hot water accumulator. As herein dealt with, steam accumulation is to be understood as meaning that process wherein steam is introduced into a body of water and condensed therein and steam is obtainedby flash from the body of water by mere drop of pressure whereby the difference in the latent heat of vaporization at the higher ressure and that at the pressure to which the dy of water drops, serves to vaporize a portion of the body of water. By hot water accumulation, as herein dealt with, is meant the accumulation of hot water and the withdrawal of hot water from the bodyof accumulation wherein the change in the body of accumulating water is, as the result of this action, merely one of volume. My in vention has for its principal object to rovide an accumulator plant wherein th steam accumulation and hot water accumulation is effected in one accumulator or a set of accumulators operating in similar manner and wherein the whole operation is entirely automatic. My invention is particularly adaptable to plants wherein the greater proportion of the variations in load can be equalized by means of feed water accumulation wherein surplus steam or steam gener ated at a rate above a given base rate is used to heat hot water for boiler feed purposes which water is accumulated at a variable rate, in accordance with the variations in amount of surplus steam, and is fed to the boilers at the rate demanded by the boilers which should be as nearly constant as possible to obtain the best results.

My invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawferred, embodiment thereof, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the arrangement and construction of parts form wherein the function of the circulating pump is assumed by the boiler feed ump.

Iteferring more particularly to Fig. 1, 10 designates a primary source of steam which may be one or more boilers of any type, fired in any desired manner. Steam generated in boiler 10 passes through conduit 11 and into conduit 12. Conduit 12 is the main steam supply conduit to which any number of steam consumers may be connected. As one of the consumers supplied from conduit 12, is shown a steam turbine 3 connected to recerve steam from conduit 12 by way of con- (hut 14. The steam turbine 3 is, for purposes of illustration, shown as driving an electric generator 5.

steam is generated in boiler 10 at a rate Wl'llCh is independent of the demand for steam'by the consumers connected to conduit 12. In operation, there will be, durmg the greater part of the time, a surplus of steam supplied to conduit 12 over that consumed. is surplus of steam passesthrou and consequently a constant pressure in boiler 10 and a constant pressure of supply for turbine 3. I have shown diagrammatically one form of over-flow valve, though it is to be understood that anytype of valve operatmg to maintain a constant or approximately constant pressure in conduit 12 may be used for this purpose. In the illustration given, the over-flow valve is regulated through the agency of pressure impulses transmitted through tube 4 which is connected to conduit 12 and to a chamber 15 forming part of the valve mechanism. Changes of pressure in chamber 15 cause movement of diaphragm 16. Movement of diaphragm 16 is transmitted to valve disks 17 by means of spindle 18. A spring 19 serves to oppose the steam pressure in chamber 15.

Assume that the pressure in conduit 12 rises above a predetermined value. Pressure lugs which show several, including a pre-..

then increases in chamber 15 whereupon valve disks 17 are moved to increase the valve opening of valvt 13 and consequently increase the flow of steam therethrough so that more steam is releasgd from conduit 12 and the pressure is retur ed to normal. On the other hand, if the pressure drops'below the given predetermined value, which is assumed to be one within the regulating range gh over-flow valve 13 which operates to mamtam a constant pressure in conduit 12 a of the valve, the pressure decreases in cham- Steam passing through valve 13 is con-.

veyed by means of conduit 21 to chamber 22 wherein it is mixed with cold water and condenses, thus serving to heat the cold water. This chamber 22 I will herein term a heater. The heater is equi pad with bafles 23 serving to more intimate y mix the steam and cold water and to give a large surface of cold water for heating by the steam. Any form of receptacle mav be used in place of heater 22 and an internal arrangement of arts may be use provided it is built of su cient strength to withstand the pressure prevailing in the same and the effects of -introduction of hot steam and cold water.

Cold water is supplied to heater 22 through conduit 24 and by means of pump 25. Conduit 24' is controlled by a regulating valve 27 presently to be described. The hot water prepared in heater 22 flows through conduit 26 and into accumulator 28 which consists of'a large vessel preferably of cylindrical form and having spherical ends. This accumulator serves to store-hot water and steam.

An equalizing pipe 29 is provided extending between the steam dome 30 of accumulator 28 and the inside space of heater 22. The

purpose of this equallzing pipe is to allow the same pressure to prevail in the accumulator and in heater 22 and to permit flow of water by gravity from heater 22 to the accumulator.

Regulating valve 27 in conduit 24 1s responsive to and controlled by the pressure in the accumulator which is transmitted through tube 31. The operation of this valve is as follows: -A given pressure in the accumulator holds the valve in a given position with a given amount of valve opening. Should the pressure increase above this given value, diaphragm 32 is flexed to the left, .as shown, against the action of spring 33 and valve disks 34 are moved to the left, as

shown, to increase the flow of cold water through conduit 24. Having given a certain rate of sup 1y of steam to heater 22, this increase of ow of water through conduit 24 means that a greater cooling efl'ect is produced in heater 22, as a result of which colder water is pre ared and flows through conduit 26 so that t e pressure is reduced to the given value. If, on the other hand, the pressure \should decrease below the given value, less cold water will be supplied to the heater-accumulator system and the pressure will thus be increased a sin to the given value. Instead of regu ating valve 27 in response to variations of pressure in accumulator 28 this valve may be regunuances lated by changes of temperature since, where water is at boiling temperature as is the case with the accumulator herein described, there is a definite relation between temperature and pressure. Valve '27 may be controlled by temperature or pressure anywhere in the accumulator-heater system. It may be controlled by temperature in heater 22 as is illustrated in'subsequent modifications.

Water is extracted from the accumulator through conduit 35, by means of pump 36, and forced through conduit 37 into heater 22. Pump 36 is shown as driven by a turbine 38 supplied with steam through conduit 39 from conduit 12. It is also shown as being driven by a motor 40. Either of these primemovers or other prime-movers may be used to operate the pump. The pump is driven continuously and preferably at a rate which is independent of actions and reactions within the heater-accumulator system.

Pump 41 serves to withdraw hot Water from the accumulator and force this water into boiler 10 through 'conduit 42. For purposes of illustration I have shown the supply of feed water to boiler 10 controlled by a valve 43 regulated by means of a float 44, though obviously this mechanism may be replaced by any mechanism which will control the flow of water to the boiler or,

if desired, no mechanism for this purpose need be used. Hot water for other use may be withdrawn from the accumulator through conduit 64.

Steam may be withdrawn from the accumulator through conduit 45. This steam may be used for any purpose. In the illustration it is shown as being supplied to the low pressure stages of turbine 3. The-plant thus described is intended to operate primarily to give constant pressures and consequently constant temperatures in all parts of the system. The plant operates in this manner so long as there is at least as much steam supplied to conduit 12 as is consumed by the consumers connected thereto. Should, however, there be a greater demand for steam than is supplied by the boilers (as determined by a given pressure), then steam is withdrawn from the accumulator to supply the deficiency in steam demand. The withdrawal of steam from the accumulator may take place automatically. The with pressure in conduit 12 will rise to normal.

lll)

As is obvious, the opening of the valve controlling conduit 45 may be effected automati cally by a mechanism responsive to the speed of turbine 3 or by a given drop of pressure in conduit 12.

When conduit 45 is open there is a drop of pressure in accumulator 28, as a result of which part of the Water contained therein is flashed into steam. The drop in pressure which takes place in the accumulator causes a closure of valve 27 so that no cold water fiows through conduit 24. This efl'ect is desired since when steam is with-dra 11 through conduit 45 valve 13 is closed and there is no steam supplied to heater 2 wherefore there is no purpose in supplying cold water thereto. The pressure in the accumulator thus drops and steam is supplied at continually dropping pressure until the peak of steam load is over and boiler 10 is capable of supplying the required amount of steam whereupon the steam flow through conduit 45 is cut off. If desired, when such a peak in steam demand occurs, the boilers may be increased in output.

When, after a peak, steam flow through conduit 45 is cut off and'there is a surplus of steam in conduit 12, valve 13 opens again. Now, however, since the pressure within the accumulator is below the value at which valve 27 is caused to open, no cold water will be supplied through conduit 24 to condense the steam flowing into heater 22 through conduit 21. There is therefore the danger that steam will blow through heater 22, through conduit 26, and directly into the accumulator. This might cause serious consequences to the accumulator unless special equipment were provided to take care of this contingency as, for example, the provision of a distributing device within the accumulator having a great number of small outlets. but it is for the purpose of eliminating such structures that the hot water prepared for storage in the accumulator is prepared in a separate receptacle. Iobviate the danger referred to by means of the circulating

system including conduits

35, 37 and 26 and the heater 22, the accumulator and pump 36. It will be seen that the quantity of water to be pumped through

conduits

35 and 37 by the pump 36 is to be determined by the amount of steam which may be admitted to heater 22 through conduit 21 after a peakhas been taken care of by the accumulator. The water pumped through conduit 37 serves to condense the steam entering through conduit 21 and thus there is always a flow of water through conduit 26. It will be noted that water for this circulation is extracted from the lower part of the accumulator where it is somewhat cooler than the temperature corresponding to the steam pressure of the upper part of the accumulator. In

case some steam should be carried along with the water through conduit 26 this will do no harm where the main portion of the column flowing through conduit 26 is made up of water.

It will be seen from the above description that it is unnecessary for water to be pumped through heater 22 when cold water is belng forced through conduit 24. For this reason, if desired,'there may be employed the arrangement shown in Fig. 2. The parts in spring 50 to increase the valve opening of valve 46. Increase of temperature within the accumulator causes an expansion of liquid in bulb 51, tube 52, and chamber 53, which acting on diaphragm 54, in opposition to spring 55, causes a decrease of flow opening through valve 47.

In main, the modification of Fig. 2 operates in the same manner as the modification of F 1g. 1. The differences in operation are as follows: \Vhen the pressure and tempera- .ture in the accumulator are at or near their normal working value, that is when the accumulator is not discharging steam and is charged to such a degree that valve 27 is in operation, valve 47 is kept closed by the action of the fluid in bulb 51, tube 52, and chamber 53. Now assume that there is a peak demand for steam and it becomes necessary to withdraw steam from the accumulator. The temperature in the accumulator drops upon withdrawal of steam therefrom. This drop in temperature has the tendency to allow steam to flow through conduit 39 by opening valve 47. It would however be of no purpose to circulate water through heater 22 when the temperature in the accumulator is low due to a withdrawing of steam because at such time there is no supply of steam to heater 22. At such time, furthermore. there is a low value of pressure in conduit 12. This low value of pressure is utilized to keep conduit 39 closed so that steam energy will not be used for a useless purpose. When the pressure in conduit 12 is low, as indicated. the force of spring 50 overcomes the pressure on the upper side of diaphragm 49 and valve 46 is thus kept closed so long as the pressure in conduit 12 is lower than that pressure at which overflow valve 13 begins to open or a somewhat lower value. Obviously any of the valves may be arranged to be adjustable to giveany desired degree and value of regulation.

Now assume that the peak of demand is ill over and conduit 45.is again closed. The

pressure in conduit 12 now rises. When this pressure has risen to such a value that valve 13 begins to open, valve 46 either begins to open or is alread opened. It will be understood that it is pre erable to open valve 46 at a somewhat lower value of pressure than that at which valve 13 opens so that water will be forced into heater 22 before steam enters the same. Upon opening of valve 46, with a low temperature in the heater-accumulator system, so that valve 47 is open, pump 36 is put into operation and water is circulated through conduits and 37, into the heater 22 where it condenses the steam entering the same from conduit 21 and through conduit 25 back to the accumulator. The introduction of steam into the heater-accumulator system causes a rise of temperature and pressure and when the temperature in the accumulator has risen to such a degree that valve 27 begins to function, then valve 47 is closed by the expansion of fluid in bulb 51 and the circulation through the heater is again stopped.

In the modification of Fig. 2, there is a further difference in that valve 27, instead of being controlled by pressure, iscontrolled by temperature and. instead of being controlled bv pressure in the accumulator, is controlled by temperature 1n heater 22. This will not alter the OPGIHtlOIh in principle, since, as above explained, there is a definite temperature for each given pressure in the accumulator and the pressure, and consequently the temperature 18 equalized in the accumulator and heater by means of conduit 26 and tube 29. There may be a, slight difference in operation in that steam entering heater 22 may heat the thermostat bulb '57, which is the temperature responsive element operating valve 27, even though the temperature is low in the accumulator. This effect is not objectionable but, on the other hand. desirable as it may cause a su ply of water to heater 22 at such time. ulb 57 is connected with a diaphragm chamber in valve 27 by means of tube 58. The interior of one form of valve for the purpose may be considered similar to that shown in Fig. 1. Increase of temperature in heater 22 causes expansion of fluid in bulb 57, tube 58 and in the chamber adjacent the valve diaphragm, as a result of which valve 27 closes or tends to close.

In the modification of Fig. 3, pump 36 is dispensed with and its function is taken over by the boiler feed pump 41. A.b\'-

pass connection 60 extends from boiler feed line 42 at a point between the feed pump and the feed control valve 43 to the heater 22 and the water pumped by pump 41 is thus fed partly to boiler 10 and partly to heater 22, whence it returns to accumulator 28 through conduit 26.

In plants where the heater 22 and the accumulator are at lower pressure than the boilers, as in the modification herein descrlbed, it is necessary to place a restriction in by-pass connection 60. This restriction maintain a constant temperature in .the accumulator .which is an advantageof great importance. v 7

While it appears that the arrangement according to Fig. 2 is more economical than the other arrangements I believe that the saving in power and steam obtained by this arrangement is not suiiicient to ofi'set the complication of the system by the addition of regulators and therefore I prefer the arrangements wherein there is a continual circulation, although as I have stated the arrangement according to Fig. 2 may be used if desired. 7 v

I wish it understood that, as used in the appended claims, the term source of steam is not to be limited to an ultimate source such as a steam generator, but may be, for

example, any part of a steam line delivering steam toany other part of a steam line or a machine.

While I have described more or less in detail certain modifications of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific parts and arrangements of parts described, butthat various other plant arrangements are possible and readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention belongs which embody the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a source oi steam, a

cold water into said heater, means to conduct water from said heater to said accumulator,

said heater, means to conduct water from said heater to said accumulator, means to conduct water from said accumulator to said heater, means to conduct Water from said accumulator to said boiler and means to withdraw steam from said accumulator.-

5. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, a circulating system including said accumulator and said heater, means to introduce cold water into said heater, and an equalizing pipe extending between said heater and said accumulator.

6. In combination, a source of steam, a heater,v an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, 2. heater-accumulator system including said heater, said accumulator and circulating means between the same, means to introduce cold water into the heater-accumulator sys tem, means to control the introduction of cold water in response to variations in heat conditions of the heater-accumulator system, and means to utilize the stored contents of the accumulator.

7. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, means to circulate water between the heater and the accumulator and means to control the rate of circulation in response to variations in pressure of steam in said source and in response to variations of temperature in said accumulator.

8. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, means to supply cold water to said heater, means to conduct water from said heater to said accumulator, a conduit to conduct water from said accumulator to said heater, means to conduct steam from said accumulator for use, means to conduct water from said accumulator for use, means to control the supply of cold water to the heater, said means being inactive when the pressure and temperature in the accumulator is below a given value, and means to cause flow of water through said conduit from the accumulator thereto from the source, and to prevent flow through said conduit when thepressure and tem rature in the accumulator is above a pr etermmed value and cold W ter i HP- plied to said heater.

9.In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, means to circulate water between the heater and the accumulator and means to control the rate of circulation in response to variations in pressure of steam in said source.

10. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, means to circulate water between the heater and the accumulator and means to control the trate of circulation in response to temperaure.

11. In combination, a steam boiler, a heater, an accumulator, a passage for steam from said boiler to said heater, an over-flow valve n said passage, a heater-accumulator system including said heater and said accumulator, means to conduct water from said heater to said accumulator, a conduit to conduct water from sald accumulator to said heater, a pump 1n said conduit, means to conduct energy to said pump to drive the same, means to supply cold water to the heater, means to cut off the supply of cold water when the temperature in the heater-accumulator system falls below a predetermined ""value, means to withdraw steam from the accumulator for use, means to withdraw hot water from the accumulator for use, an equalizing pipe extending between the heater and the accumulator, means to cut off the supply of energy to the pump when the temperature in heater-accumulator system is above a predetermined value' and means to cut oil the supply of energy to the pump when there is no flow through the over-flow valve.

12. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, a pump, means to supply cold water to said heater, means to conduct water from'said heater to said accumulator, a conduit for conducting water from said accumulator to said pump and a conduit for conducting water from said pump to said heater, and means to bring steam from said source into contact with the water in said heater.

13. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator having a hot water space, means to conduct hot water from said heater to said accumulator, means to introduce coldwater into said heater, a conduit connected to said hot water space of said accumulator and to said heater for conducting hot water from said'hot water space to said heater and circulating means interposed in said conduit, and means to bring steam from said source into contact with the water in said heater.

14. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator having a hot water space, means to conduct hot water from said heater to said accumulator, means to introduce cold water into said heater, a conduit connected to said hot water space of said accumulator and to said heater for conducting hot water from said hot water space to said heater and a pump interposed'in said conduit, and means to bring steam from said source into contact with the water in said heater.

15. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, 9. heater-accumulator system including said heater, said accumu ator and circulating means between the same, means to introduce cold Water into the heater system, a valve to control the suppl of cold water in response to variations 0 fluid conditions in the heater-accumulator system and operating to maintain constant pressure and temperature therein, and means to utilize the stored contents of the accumulator. v

16. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater, a heater-accumulator system including said heater, said accumulator and circulatmg means between the same, means to introduce cold water into the heater system, a valve to control the supply of cold water in response to variations of temperature in said heater and means to utilize the stored con-.

tents of the accumulator.

17. In a steam lant, in combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, a

assage for steam from said source to said heater, means to introduce cold water into said heater and to mix the cold water with the steam to form hot water in the heater, a conduit connecting said heater with the lower part of said accumulator for conduct heater, means to introduce cold water said heater and to mix the cold water wlth the steam to form hot water in the heater,

ing hot water from said heater to said accumulator, a conduit connecting said accumulator with said heater and circulating means in the last mentioned conduit.

19. The method of generating and dispensing steam in a steam plant which comprises generating steam at a difierent rate than the rate of heat consumption, condensing surplus generated steam by means of cold water to produce hot water, accumulating hot water thus produced, and circulating hot accumulated water into contact with the surplus generated steam.

20. The method of generating and dispensing steam in a steam plant which comprises generating steam at a difierent rate than the rate of heat consumption, condensing surplus generated steam by means of cold water to produce hot water, accumulating hot water thus produced, and, simultaneously with the condensation of steam b cold water, circulating hot accumulate water into contact with the surplus generated steam.

21. In combination, a source of steam, a

heater, an accumulator, a passage for steam from said source to said heater, means to conduct water from said heater to said accumulator and separate conduits for conductin cold water and accumulated water to said heater. i

22. The method of generating and dispensing steam in a steam plant which comprises generating steam at a different rate than the rate of heat consumption, condensin surplus generated steam by means of co d water to produce hot water, accumulating hot water .thus produced, and continuously circulating hot accumulated water into contact with the surplus generated steam.

23. In combination, a source of steam, a heater, an accumulator, means to conduct steam from said source to said heater,'means to circulate water in a complete c cle between and through the heater and t e accumulator and means to cut off the circulation when the pressure of steam in-said source falls below a predetermined value.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my:

signature. A FRITZ WETTSTEIN.