US1764716A

US1764716A - Condenser

Info

Publication number: US1764716A
Application number: US87545A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond N Ehrhart
Original assignee: Elliott Co
Current assignee: Elliott Co
Priority date: 1926-02-11
Filing date: 1926-02-11
Publication date: 1930-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1947-06-17

Description

June 1'7, 1930.

R. N. EHRHART 1,764,716

CONDENSER Filed Feb. 11 1926 m l o N 0 0 m no 000000200 :50 0 0000 00000000 0000 0O 0 0 0 0 c. 0 oo o0O n) C O O O O o o o "0 00000000000 0000000 000 S 000000000000 0000 N 000000 000 N 000000 000 000000000000 4 O00000000 O O O O O o O O O N Nl Ill

INVENTOR Patented June i7, i930 UNITED s'rATEs v'PATENT ,orFicl-I RAYMOND N. EHBHABT, F EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB. TOELLOT'L OOI- PANY, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CDRPOBATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA I coNDENsEn vApplication led February The present invention relates broad] to the art of heat excha ers and method o operating the same, an more particularly to surface condensers. p

p It has heretofore been proposed in the art to which the present invention relates to provide surface condensers with cells or ycompartments of different condensing capacities. The control o'f such condensers has however,

presentedy a very considerable prob some cases there have been rovided valves to lappoi'tion the steam tot e variouscells in accordance with their condensing capacities. When it is considered that the exhaust opening of a 30,000 kw. turbine, for example, is approximately 8 feet by 16 feet, it will be readily apparent that since each valve must be of a size tohandle in the neighborhood of one third of the steam exhausted, the

valves are of such magnitude as to make them not only extremely cumbersome and dillicult to mount and operate, but also very expensive. Controlling valves of this .general character, have, therefore, not gone yinto any extended use. y i

In other cases engineers in the art have at tempted to solve the problem by the use of separate air pumping means 'for each of the cells or compartments of the condenser, the air pumps each being of such size that the lifull capacit of each compartment could be obtained, 'he use of amultiplicity of air pumping means, however, introduces complications both. froma manufacturing and operating stand oint,A together with additional cost, all o whil are obJectionable.

It hasalso been proposed to'utilize but one 'air pump and provide the same with separate regulating valves to the individual ,compartf ments. To those skilled inthe art it is well understoodl that widely dilferent v.operating conditions are encountered with a given 1nstallation, and' such conditions requentyY necessitate-manual operation of the indivi ual valves. This is not' desirable, as 1 t requires not only a skilled operator at all times, but careful' kadjustment 'of ,the individual valves in order to insure roper results.

Thepresent invention' v v 50 objects the simplification of condensers of vthe which t as for one of its.

11, 1926. Serial No. 87,645.

general character referredto both with respect to construction and operation,;by the elimination of steam distributing valves, separate air pumping means, separate air olftakes or re lating valves, or similarfmeans, with the elimination of their inherent objec tions. l

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 1t being understood that the drawings do not define the limits o'f my invention and changes in the construction and o eration therein disclosed may be made wit out departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of my broader claiins.

In the drawings: c

Figurel is a longitudinal sectional view, largely diagrammatic, through one florm of coidenser embodying the present invention, an

Figure 2 is a partial transverse sectional view on the line II-II of in the direction of the arrows.Y

In a multi-cellular condenser in which the cooling or condensing water makes but a single ass throu h the tubes, and therefore usua ly referre to as a single pass condenser, a cell or compartmentA of givensize nearest the cold end of the condenser, the end first receiving the cooling water, has obviously a reater condensingcapacity than a similar cel or compartment 'more remote from the cold end of the condenser, least ad'acent the end of the condenser from e cooling water is dischar d. 'If each of thecells condenses to its fu capacity, the one condensing the most steam will obviously havek the greatest pressure loss measured at the extremes of the steam ow zone. It necessarily follows that as the ressure of the steam at* the inlet of allo the cells is. substantially the same, the pressures at the termini ofthe respective cells must be different; It isfoi-ethis reason that ithas lieretoforebeen considered necessary to have either separate airppumpin means to sepa- .y rately handle the `non-con ensible gases or connecting to h the .ave vvalve means adjustably individual cellstqa single air pumping Figure 1 lookingl the capacity beingv means. If, however, large valves with their attendant objections, as referred to, are placed at the steam inlet `to the respective cells, the loss of pressure can be equalized for all of the cells by proper setting of the valves, thereb permitting a single air pumping means to e utilized. My invention contemplates similar results without the use of an valves.

ere a single air olftake is used on single pass condensers as heretofore designed, any increased air pumping capacity has withdrawn an increased amount of vapor from any cell which is doing its full quota of condensing work.` If certain cells are doing l their full quota of work, and other cells are not, ity is impossible to increase the overall condensing capacity of such other cells by increasing the capacity of the air pumping means, as such means will simply draw an excess amount of vapor from such cell or cells as are already doing their full quota'.` In accordance with the present invention, I prevent such excess vapor withdrawal from any cell or cells, for example,.by providing an opening of limited area in the gas o'take of the compartment. In carrying out rthe present invention there may be provided a condenser comprising a4 water header 2 having a suitable water inlet 3, and a similar header f1 having a water outlet 5, these headers being connectedby` tubes 6 as is customary in the art.` The tubes and headers are of such construction that a single pass for the cooling or condensing water is provided.

The interior of the condenser may be di- 'vided into any number of cells, as indicated by the reference characters 7, 8 and 9, by suitable bailles 10 and 11 disposed as desired.

AThese cells respectively have steam or

vapor inlets

12, 13 and 14 all communicating with the main vapor intake 15 of the condenser, and providing a vapor flow through the cells in parallel, while the water flow is in series therethrough.

The partition 10 is provided with an opening 16 constituting an outlet from the cell 7 into the cooler cell 8 for vapors and non-condensible gases, while 17 is a similar opening through partition 1l from cell 8 into the still cooler -cell 9. An oil'take 18 is in turn provided for communication with any suitable pumping or lexhausting means capable of handling the amounts of gas and vapor incident to condenser operation.

With the construction shown it will be seen that all gases and va ors leaving the warmest cell 7 must travelt rough all of the other cells, the direction of gas and vapor flow from cell to cell being counter to the direction of water flow. The openings 16 and 17 permitting this travel are preferably located be- :neath a baiile 19 herein illustrated. as being generally of inverted V-shape. TheA gases and va ors flow in cell 7 into the space below the ba e, and thence through opening 16 into the next cell. Beneath the baffle in cell 8 there are preferably provided baiiles or other flow obstructing means 20, whereby fluid entering through the opening 16 is deflected and 'caused to flow through at least a portion of the tube zone of the cell 8. The underside of the baille in cell 9 is similarly provided with bailles 21 for correspondingly producing a fluid flow from opening 17 into at least a portion of the tube zone of the cell 9. The openings 16, 17 Iand 18 are graded in size as each in succession must handle an increased amount of gas and vapor. l

In operation, with a construction of the character herein contemplated, cooling water entering at 8 yand leaving at 5 traverses the tubes 6 with the result that condensation occurs in all of the cells. The condensation in cell 9 heats the cooling water to some extent, so that there is less condensation in cell 8, and correspondingly .less in cell '7 due to additional heat imparted in cell 8. As there is a less vapor flow throughcell 8 than through cell 9 there will be a greater pressure loss through cell 9 than through cell 8, and the vpressure at the terminus of cell 9 will be less than at' the terminus of cell 8, and, likewise the pressure at the terminus of cell 8 will be less than at the terminus of cell 7.

In general, I have found it to be desirable f to grade the area of the openings 16, 17 and 18 in proportion tothe amount of fluid each must handle. If, for example, the condensing capacity of Icells 7, 8 and 9 is inthe ratio of 400, 500 and 600, then the openings might conveniently be proportioned as follows:

Area 16 proportioned to 400.

Area 17 proportioned to 400 plus 500.

Area 18 proportioned to 400 plus 500 plus 600.

Furthermore, the areas for these openings are preferably such that Vthere will be a pressure drop of, say, a few hundredths of an inch of mercury through them when passing about triple the normal air with its accompanying vapor. When each of the cells is worklng up to its normal condensing oapacity it discharges roughly two pounds of vapor with every pound of air through its terminus o r outlet, either into the next cell as in the case of cells 7 and 8 or directly to the a1r pumping means asin the case of cell 9. If more steam enters a cell such as 7, than can be condensed therein, the pressure at the terminus of such cell will rise, since the opening 16 1s so small that the steam cannot be withdrawn rapldly enoughv to keep the pressure down.

The obstructions or baies 21 operate to prevent overloading of the pumping means y an excess of vapor from 'incomplete condensatlon 1n cells 7 and 8, by deiiecting such vapor into the tube space of the next cell vao receive cooling water.

where it is condensed. Normally there should be the lowest pressure at the terminus of cell 9, and my present condenser admirably accomplishes this inasmuch as cell 9 is in direct communication with the pumping means. Also, the natural loss ofpressure through the openings 16 and 17 likewise tends to grade the pressure as desired.

The condensate from the condenser may be removed through branch conduits lea ing from a main conduit 22. On account of the different pressure obtaining at the termini of the respective cells, it will be a parent that the 4condensate will stand at dierent levels in the branches "as indicated in Figure. 1. Any suitable means, such as a centrifugal pump 23, may be used to finally exhaust the condensate-and deliver it to the desired point. The advantages of the present invention arise from the rovision of a multi-cellular single pass con enser in which the termina-l fluid liowy from each of the cells is definitely restricted.;`

Further advantages arise from the provision of a multi-celliilar condenser of the character referred to in which cumbersome or manually operable valves are obviated, and in which it is possible toobtain both the desired pressures at the termini of the respective cells, and the desired gas and vapor oitake by the use of a single exhausting means.

Still further advantagesl arisefrom theV provision of means in a condenser of the character herein contemplated operable to prevent an excess of va or in certain of the cells from overloading t e'exhausting means.

I claim: i Y 1. Inv a single pass surface condenser, means providing a pluralit of cells having a vapor low therethrough 1n parallel and a water How therethrough in series, and means for directing a flow o gas from the terminus of atleast one cell later to receive cooling water into a cell earlier' to receive cooling water.

2. In a single pass surface condenser having cooling tubes,means providing a plurality of cells having a vapor flow therethrou h inv parallel and a water flow therethrough 1n series, and means for directing a flow of gas from the terminus of at least one cell later to receive cooling water into a cell earlier to receive cooling Water and through the vtube zone therein.`

3. In a single pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality of cells havin a vapor owtherethrough in parallel an a water flow therethrough in series, and

means for directing a flow of gas from the termini of the cells later to receive cooling water successively into the cells earlier to 4. In a single pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality of cells having a vapor flow therethrough in parallel and a water flow therethrou h in serles, and means means providing a plurality of cells havin a vapor flow therethrough in parallel an a water flow therethroughl in series, and means for directing a flow-of gas from the terminus of at least one cell later to receive cooling water into cells earlier to receive cooling water, saidI cells earlier to receive cooling water having means therein to insure cooling of the Y as directed thereinto..

6. In va sing e pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality of cells having va'vapor flow therethrough in parallel and a Water flow therethrou h in series, and I 'neans for directing a flow o gas from the termini of the lcells later to. receive cooling 'water successively and in seriesinto the cells earlier to receive cooling water.

7. In a single pass surface condenser,

means providing al plurality of cells having aV vapor flow therethrough in parallel and.` a water How therethrough in series, and means for directin a ow of gas from the termini of said ce ls in series through the cells in a direction counter to the water ilow therethrough.

8. In a single pass surface condenser, means providing a plurality of cells havin a vapor flow therethrough in parallel and a water iiow therethrough in series, and means for directin a flow of gas from the termini of said ces in series throughthe cells in a direction counter to the water flow therethrough, said cells so receiving gas from another cell having means therein insuring'.

the cooling of such gases.

' 9. In a condenser having a plurality ofA cells providing a vapor flow therethrough iii parallel, means providing a water flow through said cells in series, said cells having means providing a gas flow therethrough in eries in a direction opposite to said water ow. e

10. Inra multicellular surface -conden'ser constructed for a vapor flow through the cells Ain, parallel, means providing a single-pass water How through at least a plurality of said'cells in series, at least a lurality of said cells havin a gas flow theret rough in series in a direction counter to said water flow.

11.l In a multicellular surface condenser,

cessivel increasing in size in the direction of gas ow.

12. In a multicellular surface condenser, means providing a single-pass Water flow through at least a pluralit of said cells in series, at least a plurality o said cells having a gas flow therethrough in series in a direction counter to said water flow, said gas liovv being permitted by outlet openings succes! sivel increasing in size in the direction of gas ow and in proportion to the condensing capacity of the cells from which they discharge.

l 13. In a multicellular surface condenser, means providing a single-pass Water loW through at least a pluralit of said cells in series, at least a plurality o said cells having a gas fiow therethrough in series in a direction counter to said Water oW, said gas 'How being permitted by outlet openings of such size there will be a pressure drop of a few hundredths of an inch of mercury through them when passing triple the normal gas and accompanying vapor.

14. In a condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, and a partition dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells receiving vapor therein in parallel, said p partition having an opening therethrough permitting a gas iow from cell to cell.

15. In a` condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, and a partition dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells receiving vapor therein in parallel, said partition having an opening therethrough permitting a gas flow from cell to cell in opposition to the'vvater flow.

16. 1n a condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, and partitions dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells, each of said partitions having an opening therethrough permitting a gas lovv from cel to cell, said openings being of successively greater capacity in the direction of gas dow.

17 ln a condenser having a main gas ofi'- take, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, a partition dividing said condenser into a plurality-of cells, said artition having an opening therethrough et less size than said oftake permitting a gas flow from cell to cell, and abatiie cooperating With said opening.

18. ln a condenser, Water tubes forming a single pass therethrough, a partition dividing said condenser into a plurality of cells, said partition having an opening there through permitting a gas flow from cell to cell and a bafe cooperating with said epening, said baiie having fovv-deecting means thereon.

ln testimony whereof li have hereunto set my hand. n v

RAYMOND N., EHRHART.