US1816149A - Vapor condenser - Google Patents

Description

July 28, 1931. H. GUY 1,816,149

VAPOR CONDENSER Original Filed Dec. 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL c c: CDHCD/CD c3110 3 WITNESS INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 28, 1931. H. L. GUY 1,816,149

VAPOR CONDENSER Original Filed Dec. 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESS ATTORNEY Patented July 28, 1931 Umrsn STATES PATENT oFFicE -HENRY LEWIS GUY, F HALE, ENGLAND,

ASSIGNOR TO -ill/ESTINGI-IOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A

VAPOR CONDENSER Application filed. December 18, 1926, Serial No. 155,697, and

in Great Britain December 23, 1925.

Renewed April 29, 1930.

This invention relates to condensers of the radial flow type, that is to say of the type'in which the vapor to be condensed is caused to flow in a more or less radial path from a space surrounding the tube nest to a space Within the latter from whence air and other non-condensable gases are extracted.

According to the invention in a condenser of this type the cross-sectional area of the space within the tube nest from which noncondensable gases are extracted is not less than 10% and preferably considerably more than this of the total cross sectional area of the tube nest. For instance, assuming thatboth space and tube nest are of circular cross-section the radius of the former Would not'be materially less than one-third the radius of'the latter. I

The tube nest may be of any suitable cross-section and the cross-section of the space from which non-condensable gases are extracted preferably conforms to that of the tube nest .and may be located centrally or eccentrically of the latter. To obtain the maximum outer periphery for given overall dimensions the tubes may be arrangedso that the tube nest as a whole has a, star-like or serrated cross section.

With condensers constructed according to the invention air removal trunks or conduits of relatively large size can be located within the tube nest which in additionto their primary purpose can be utilized as stays for the tube plates. Further, it is possible to arrange for air to be withdrawn through the water box by means of a pipe which is in- 7 dependent of the water box itself.

Furthermore with condensers 0f the single-pass type constructed in accordance ture than the water in the outlet end of the condenser.

In order, that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into practice reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by which a steam con denser constructed in accordance therewith is illustrated by way of example, Fig.1 being a longitudinal section, Fig. 2 an end elevation viewed from the left hand end of Fig. 1 with the water box cover at that end removed, Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus, taken on line III- III of Fig. 1, and Fig. d is a view, in sectional elevation, of the central portion of the inlet water box of the condenser and showing the arrangement of the plug located therein for directing the air into the numerous cooling spaces formed by the radially-extending vanes. For the sake of clarity, the inner edges of the vanes surrounding the plug and which would show behind the plug, have been omitted.

The particular condenser illustrated is of a well known single flow type comprising in general a casing 1 provided with a steam inlet 2 and condensate outlet 8, sectionalized water-boxes 4- and 5 connected by a tube nest 6 of substantially annular formation and incorporating respectively circulating water inlets and outlets 7 and 8, and an air withdrawal pipe 9 attached to the water box The primary feature of the present -l11-' vention consists, as stated above, in that the cross-sectional area of the space 10, i. e. the

whole of the central cylindrical space enclosed by the tube nest 6, is not less than 10% and preferably a considerably higher proportion of the total cross-sectional area of the tube-nest. By total cross-sectional area of the tube-nest is meant the cross-sectional area of the whole of the space enclosed by the outer periphery of the tube-nest, that is to say, the cross-sectional area of the tubenest proper plus the cross-sectional area of the space l0. j V I V By this arrangement it is possible to employ an air-removal trunk or conduit 11 of relatively large cross-section which, in addition to its. primary purpose, serves to stay the tube plates. It is also possible to locate air-cooling tubes 11 within the trunk or conduit 11 and to arrange for the air-with draw'al pipe to beindependent of the waterbox. This latter arrangement is not illustrated in the particular construction under consideration which, however, incorporates an alternative air-cooling device comprising a tubular rose :12 connected with the air-Withdrawal pipe 9. This rose is formed by a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced vanes 14 projecting radially inward from the annular :water' box. Each vane extends longitudinally of the water box and diverges from the longitudinal axis thereof j near the air-removal trunk or conduit 11; Disposed within the annular space defined bythe inner edges of the several vanes 14 is a cylindrical plug 13 having a conical face '13 for diverting the air radially outward between the several vanes 14. The plug 13 is located in spaced relation withrespect to the entrant portion of the air-withdrawal pipe 9 so as to provide a cylindrical outlet or open space 15between the plug and the outlet pipe 9, the space 15 providing a communicating passage for the air moving from the spaces between the surrounding vanes 14: to the air-withdrawal pipe 9. It will be noted that the space 15 is closed at the end remote from the air-withdrawal pipe 9 by the plug 13. The plug 13'is preferably supported by bolts extending longitudinally into the water box from its outer wall. By

locating the plug 13 in this manner, the

air from the conduit 11 is so diverted before it reaches the air-Withdrawal pipe 9 thatit comes into intimate contact with the relatively large heat-absorbing surface afforded by the several vanes 14 and, the latter being disposed in direct heat-conducting relation with the water in the inlet water box 4, thorough cooling of the air is consequently effected. v V

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have evolved a new and effective system for cooling the air withdrawn from condensers of the single pass type. "Essentially, my inventive idea comprises withdrawing the air longitudinally through the core space of the tube nest in a direction from the hot end or dischargewater box end of the condenser toward the cold end or inlet water box end of the condenser and in embodying means at the cold or inlet water box end of. the condenser for cooling the air prior to its removal from the condenser. While, I prefer to associate my improved form of air cooling systenrwith a tube nest wherein thecross-sectional area of the core space is preferably not less than 10% of the total cross-sectional area of the tube nest, nevertheless it will be obvious that my invention is equally applicable to condensers wherein the area of the core space is less-than 10% of the cross-sectional area of the tube nest, in which condensers the tube nest-may be so arranged as to merely provide sufficient core space for the necessary passage of the air longitudinally therethrough. a a I a It will be understood that the particular application of the invention described above is by way of example only and that numerous other forms and applications may be devised without exceeding the limits of the invention as defined by the succeeding claims.

W'Vhat I claim is 1. In a condenser comprising a shell, a nest of tubes within the shell, tube sheets for the tubes and water boxes associated with the tube sheets, the combination of an air offtalre within the nest of tubes andthrough a water box, together wi h means within one of the water boxes for directing gases there: in away from the center of said oil-take, whereby air and non-condensable gases are directed in proximity with cooling media in a water box before removalfrom condenser.

In a condenser comprising a shell, a,

nest of tubes within the shell, tube sheets for the tubes, and water boxes associated with the tube sheets, the combination of an air and non-condensable gas offtake centrally disposed with respect to the nest of tubes, and extending through a water box and means within said offtake for directing gases in a tortuous course within saidoiftalre and through the water box. 7

3. In a condenser comprising a shell, a nest of tubes within the shell, tube sheets for the tubes, and water boxes associated with the tube sheets, the combination of an air and non-condensable gasofftake centrally disposed with respect to the nest of tubes and extending through a water box, together with a conical obstruction within the water box section of said oiftake and radialrfins associated with said conical obstruction whereby gases withdrawn through the water box are directed inproximitywith cooling media. V V

4. In a condenser,-the combination of a shell having an inlet for exhaust steam and a condensate outlet, a hollow .nestfof tubes extending longitudinally through the shel l, the inner boundary tubes of said nest defining a core space having an unrestricted fi'owarea for the longitudinal circulation of gaseous media, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the nest, and means connecting with the core space of the tube nest near the inlet water box end of the condenser for removing air therefrom.

r 5. In a condenser, the combination of a shell having aninlet for exhaust steam and a condensate outlet, a hollow nest of tubes extending longitudinally through the shell, the inner boundary tubes of said nest defining a core space having an unrestricted flowarea for the longitudinal circulation of gaseous media, an inlet water box associated with one: end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest,'said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the nest, and means extending through'the inlet water box of the condenser and connecting with the end portion of the core space adjacent the inlet water box for removing air from said core space.

6. In a condenser, the combination of a shell having an inlet for exhaust steam and arcondensate outlet, a hollow nest of tubes extending longitudinally through the shell, the inner boundary tubes of said nest defining. a core space, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water boxassociated with the other end'of the tubenest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the nest, conduit means occupying the core space and extending longitudially between the tube sheets'ior the circulation of gaseous media, said conduit means being so formed as to provide an unrestricted flow passage, and said conduit means having openings for the reception of air, and

outlet means connecting with said conduit means near the inlet water box end of the condenser. I

7'. In a condenser, the combination of a shell having an inlet for exhaust steam and a condensate outlet, a hollow nest of tubes extending longitudinally through the shell, the inner boundary tubes of said nest defining a core space, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water; box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for. circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the nest, conduit means occupying the core space and extending longitudinally between the tube sheets for the circulation of gaseous media, said conduit means being so formed as to provide an unrestricted flow passage, and said conduit means having openings for the reception of air, outlet means connecting with said conduit means near the inlet water box end of the condenser, and means for conveying cooling water from the inlet water box through said conduit means to the outlet water box, whereby the air in the conduit means is reduced in temperature.

8. In a condenser, the combination of a shell having an inlet for exhaust steam and a condensate outlet, a hollow nest of tubes extending longitudinally through the shell, the inner boundary tubes of said nest defining a core space, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the nest, a conduit cating with said conduit near the inlet water box for cooling the air removed thereby, and air oft-take means provided in said compartment.

9.-In a condenser, the combination of a shell having an inlet'for exhaust steam and a' condensate outlet, a hollow nest of tubes extending longitudinally through the shell, the inner boundary tubes of said est delining a core space, tube sheets located at each end of the tube nest and intermediate of the ends of the latter, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a sin le, longitudinal direction through the nest, and conduit means extending longitudinally be tween the tube sheets and formed to provide an unrestricted flow passage for withdraw- 1ng air longitudinally through the core space in a direction irom the discharge water box toward the inlet water box, and outlet means connmmicating'with said air withdrawal means near the inlet water box end of the condenser.

10. In a condenser, the combination of a V a condensate outlet, a substantially annular nest through the shell, the inner boundarytubes to form an'intervening steam delivery space surrounding the greater portion of the tube nest, an inlet water box associated with one so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the nest, means for withdrawing air from the core space, and a cooling compartment for the air located, transversely, in approximate alignment with the core space or" the tube nest and, longitudinally, near the inlet water box end of the condenser.

11. In a condenser, the combination of a shell having an inlet for exhaust steam and of tubes extending longitudinally of said nest'defining a core space, and the outer boundary tubes of said nest being spaced from the side walls of the shell so as to i'orman intervening steam delivery space surrounding the greater portion of the tube nest an inlet Water box associated with one endof the tubenestand an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide for circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction throiwhthe nest means for withdrawin Z3 7 i a1r from the core space, and ZLCOOllllg compartment for the air formed in the inlet water box in approximate alignment with the core space of the tube nest.

12. In a condenser, the combination of a shell having an inlet for exhaust steam and a condensate outlet, a substantially annular nest of tubes extending longitudinally throughthe shell, the inner boundary tubes of said nest defining a core space, and-the outer boundary tubes of said nest being spaced from the side walls of the shell so as to form an intervening steam delivery space surrounding the greater portion of the tube nest an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged so as to provide 01" circulation of cooling water ina single, longitudinal direction through the nest, "and means ior withdrawing air longitudinally through the core space in adirectionfrom the discharge water box towards the ,inletwater box, said air withdrawal means extending through the inlet water box.

- 13. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having aninlet for gaseous -media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tube'nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure and exposed-throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet, an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and an outlet water box associated with the- W tt-AH 14. A condenser as claimed in claim 13 having means located near the inlet water box end of the condenser for cooling the non-condensed gaseous media prior to its removal from thecondenser.

1'. In condenser, the combination of a s5 structure having an inletfor gaseous a tube nest extending longitu- 'ough the'shell structure and exughout its length to the gaseous ri through the inlet, an inlet supplying cooling water to the tube nest, an outlet water box for receiving the cooling water discharged by the tube nest, Said tube nest being so formed as to embody a longitudinally-extending cavity having an unrestricted flow-area for the circulationoi' gaseous media to portion of t is shell structure adjacent the inlet water box, and means communicating with the interior of the shell structure near the con den:

inlet water box for removing non condensed gaseous media from the shell structure.

16. In 'a condenser, theicombination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed; and an outlet for condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally 't irough the shell structure and exposed tliro at its length to the gaseous media entenng througlithe inlet, tube sheets located at each end ofth tube nest and intermediate of the ends of the tube nest for supporting the latter, an inlet water box associated with an end portion of the tube nest and with the shell structure and delining a cold portion thereof, an outlet water box associated with end portion of the tube nest and with the shell structure and for the circulation Oil to be condensed and an outlet for,

Qso formed as its air and non-condensable gas ofttake means.

17. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outletfor condensate, a'tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet, an inlet water box for supplying cooling Water to the tube nest, an outlet water box for receiving the cooling Water discharged from the tube nest, tube sheets located at each end and intermediate of the ends of the tube nest for supporting the latter, said intermediate tube-supporting sheets being provided with openings of substantial, unrestricted flow-area and said tube nest being to embody a longitudinally extendin cavity for the circulation of gaseous media through the openings in the intermediate tube-supporting sheets from a por tion of the shell structure adjacent the outlet water box to a portion of the shell structure adjacent the inlet water box,,and means communicating with the interior of the shell structure near the inlet water box for removing non-condensed gaseous media from the shell structure.

18. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet'for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet, an inlet water box for supplying cooling water to the tube nest, an outlet waterbox for res ceiving the cooling water discharged by the tube nest, tube sheets located at each end and intermediate of theends of the tube nest for supporting the latter, said intermediate tube-supporting sheets being provided with openings of substantial, unrestricted flow-area and sa1d tube nest belng so formed as to embody a longitudinally-ex tending cavity for affording circulation of gaseous media through theopenings in the intermediate tube-supporting sheets from a portion of the shell structure adjacent the outlet water box to a portion of the shell structure adjacent the inlet water box, means communicating with the cavity near the inlet water'box for removing non-condensed gaseous media from the shell structure, and means disposed near the inlet water box for effecting a cooling of the non-condensed gaseous media'prior to the removal of the same from the condenser.

19, In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet,

an inlet chamber for supplying cooling communicatin "spective tube nest ,water to the tube nest, an outlet chamber for receiving the cooling water discharged by the tube nest, supporting tube sheets located at each end and. intermediate of the ends of the tube nest and dividing the tube nest, longitudinally, into a series oi conembody longitudinally-extending passageway means communicating with said openings for affording circulation of gaseous media from the respective tube nest condensing sections to a portion of the shell structure adjacent the inlet water chamber, means directly with the condensing section located adjacent the inlet water chamber for removing non-condensed gaseous media irom the shell structure, and passageway means affording free and open communication between the respective tube nest condensing sections for the drainage of condensate.

20. In a single-pass condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for steam to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet, an inlet Water box disposed at one end of the tube nest and an outlet water box at the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to circulate cooling Water through the entire tube nest in a single, longitudinal direction, tube-supporting sheets located at each end and intermediate of ends of the tube nest and dividing the tube nest, longitudinally, into a series of alined sections having increasing temperatures in a direction from the inlet water box toward the voutlet water box, a passageway of substantial, unrestricted flow-area formed within the tube nest and extending through the intermediatetube supporting sheet, said passageway communicating directly with the resections forafltording circulation of gaseous media from the respectivetube nest sections successively into the passageway means in a direction fromthe warmest tube nest section toward the coldest tubenest section, and means for withdrawing non-condensed gaseous media from the coldest tube nest section.

21. In a single-pass condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet, a tube sheet and inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to provide for the circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direo- 'tion through the entire tube nest, tube sheets Vlocated intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting the tube nest, said tube sheets dividing the tube nest, longitudinally, into a series of alined sections, the section nearest the inlet water box being a rela- 'z i' tively colder section than the sections further removed from the inlet water box, said intermediate tube-supporting sheets having openings of substantial, unrestricted flowarea located soas to afford longitudinal circulation of gaseous media between interior portions of the sections, passageway means affording free and open communication be- 'tween'the respective tube nest sections for the drainage of condensate, and means for withdrawing air from the colder section of the tube nest directly and from the remaining warmer sections of the tube nest via the colder section. p Y

22. In a condenser, the combination of 'a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensedand an outlet for.

condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure [and exposed throughout its length to the gaseous media entering through the inlet, 'an inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and an outlet water bo'x associated with the other end of the'tube nest and defining a relatively wa'rm end; thereof, said water boxes providing for the circulation of cooling water in asingle, longitudinal direction through the entire tube nest and said o tube nest being so formed as to embody subscribed my name this amber, 1926.

water for "absorbing heat from the non-condensed v 'a longitudinally-extending cavity having an unrestricted 'fiow area for the circulation of --gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, means for re moving non-condensed gaseous 'mediafrom the cold end of said cavity, and means disposed in the cavity for circulating cooling from the inlet to the outlet water box gaseous media in the cavity;

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto first day of De- HENRY LEW-IS GUY.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,816,149; Granted July 28, 1931, to

HENRY LEWIS GUY.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 128, page 3, lines 15, 33, 80, 103, 127, claims 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, respectively, after' the word "shell" insert and exposed throughout its length to the exhaust steam. p admitted through the inlet; and that the said Letters Patent shouid be read with" these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of September, A. D. 1931.

iviiJ Moore, (Sell) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images