US1845538A

US1845538A - Condenser

Info

Publication number: US1845538A
Application number: US404709A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph P Lidiak
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1929-11-04
Filing date: 1929-11-04
Publication date: 1932-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1949-02-16

Description

GONDENSER Original Filed Nov. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l f 5 a.....,g ||m 23 I 24 29 2s 1: T 2 2: /l6

3" 4 nllllllllm v WITNESS. I v INVENTOR 5 v J.P.Lidiak GAQLM ATTORNEY Feb. 16, 1932.

CONDENSER Original Filed Nov. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 oooooouo 00000090000 0 o 2 o O o O O O O 0 V n O F" .6. Y 3 IN\LENTOR J.P.Li iak BY (1.43, M

ATTORNEY F" .4- WITNESS Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNETED ldllES earsnai" OFFICE aosnrn r. LrnrAK, or ansnownn, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNon. r0 WESTINGEOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING con rary, a conroaa'r ou or PENNSYLVANIA CQ SEB Application filed November My invention relates to apparatus for condensing gaseous media and particularly to apparatus of the surface type intended pri: marily for condensing steam and it has for an object to provide apparatus of the charac ter designated which shall be so constructed and arranged as to effectively utilize the entire cooling surface of the apparatus in order that it may operate with a. very high heat transfer rate.

It has for a further object to provide a con denser of the surface type and of relatively large capacity which shall be provided with intermediate tube-supporting sheets so arranged as to permit free circulation of gaseous media within the condenser shell longitudinally of the tube nest.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser which shall be so arranged as to provide for distribution of steam internally of the tube nest.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser of the single-pass type which shall be soarranged as to provide for the circulation of steam and non-condensable gaseous media longitudinally over a portion of the tube nest and in a direction from the warm, or cooling water outlet end of the condenser,

toward the cold, or cooling water inlet end of the condenser. 7

It has for still another object to provide .a condenser of the foregoing character which shall have a novel structure for supporting the tube nest intermediate of its ends, which supporting structure shall be so arranged that the steam and air moving longitudinally from the relatively warm end of the condens r toward the relativelycold end thereof shall travel such a path or route as to insure ample transfer of heat to the tube nest, whereby the steam movinglong'itudinally is condensed and the air moving longitudinally is effectively cooled.

it has for a further object to provide a condenser of the foregoing character which shall he so constructed and arranged as to provide for the removal of non-condensable gaseous media from the cold end thereof 'andwhich shall be of the radial flow type in that the steam enters thetube nest about-the greater 4 929 Seria1 N0. 404,?09. Renewed March 31, 1931.

portion of its periphery and the air and noncondensable gases are withdrawn, laterally,

from an interior portion of the tube nest.

These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will be apparent from the folm lowing description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, in section, showing one form of condenser arranged in accord ance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in sectional elevation, of the condenser shown in Fig. 1 with the tube nest removed; 7

Figs. 3, 4L and 5 are transverse, sectional views taken on the lines III.III, IV.IV and V V of Fig. 1, respectively, the tube nest having been omitted from Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the intermediate tube-supporting sheets.

In condensers of large capacities which are necessarily quite long, some means must be provided for supporting the tube nest inter.- mediate of their ends and it has been the practive for many years to provide longitudinally spaced intermediate supporting sheets, which intermediate supporting sheets prevent objectionable sagging or vibration of the condenser tubes. However, such inter.-

mediate tubesupporting sheets may seriously 489 interfere with the free and natural longitudinal circulation of'theg-ases in the condenser shell from the warmend, or region of relatively low heat head, to the cold end or region of relatively high heat head. It has been proposed to utilize the intermediate tube.- supporting sheets to completely sectionalize the condenser and thus .entirely destroy or prevent the aforcsaid'natural tendency for the gases to circulate longitudinally from the c warm toward the cold end. In .contradistinction to the foregoing, I have conceived tween :the respective condenser sections, as 30 defined by the longitudinally-spaced tubesupporting sheets, as will allow the gases to assume their natural tendency to flow from the warm toward the cold end. Furthermore, my condenser structure is so arranged that the gases, in assuming this general direction of circulation, traverse a substantial portion of the tube nest surface, whereby their condensable components are condensed and the non-condensable components are effectively cooled. Furthermore, the non-condensable gases are preferably withdrawn rom the cold end of the condenser or terminus point of the natural circulation heretofore referred to and, hence, the non-condensable gases are removed from the condenser at the lowest possible temperature.

More particularly, I so arrange the tube nest as to provide a longitudinally-extending lane in the latter, which lane provides for longitudinal distribution of the steam after it has penetrated a portion of the tube nest and before it has penetrated the entire tube nest. In condensers of the larger capacities, intermediate tube-supporting sheets are necessarily provided and I therefore so arrange these intermediate tube-supporting sheets that they embody openings of substantial flow-area in order that the natural longitudinal distribution of the steam throughout the length of the lane may not be interfered with.

In addition, I prefer to so arrange my condenser that, after the gaseous media has penetrated nearly the full depth of the tube nest, the remaining non-condensed gaseous media is allowed to circulate longitudinally from the warm or circulating water outlet end of the condenser, which end has a relatively low heat head, to the cold or circulating water inlet end of the condenser, which end has arelatively high heat head. This circulation provides for a second longitudinal distribution of the gaseous media, thus rendering the entire tube nest as effective as possible, and, inasmuch as the air or non-condensable gaseous media is withdrawn from the cold end of the condenser, the temperature of the latter is reduced to a minimum. 7

Referring now to the drawings, I show a condenser having a shell structure 10 provided with an inlet 11 for steam to be condensed and an outlet 12 for the liquid or condensed media. Secured to each end of the shell structure 10 is a' tube sheet 13 and extending longitudinally through the shell er portion of, the tube nest 14:.

Secured to one of the tube sheets 13 is an inle't'water box 16 provided with an inlet connection 17 while, secured to the other tube sheet 13, is an outlet water box 18 provided with a circulating water outlet 19. In the present embodiment, the condenser is of the single-pass type and hence the

water boxes

16 and 18 are so constructed and arranged that the cooling water passes longitudinally through the tubes of the nest let in a single direction. Such a condenser is generally referred to as a condenser of the single-pass type.

As stated heretofore, in condensers of the larger capacities, it is essential that some means be provided for supporting the tubes of the nest at points located intermediate of the end tube sheets 13 and, hence, in the present embodiment, I show a plurality of longitudinally-spaced tube-supporting sheets 21 extending transversely of the shell structure and having an outer contour generally similar to the outer contour of the tube nest 14. Preferably, the intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21 have their peripheral edges spaced from the side walls of the shell structure or from both the bottom wall as well as the side walls of the shell structure in order that the entire longitudinal length of the tube nest may freely communicate, through the intervening steam delivery space 15, with the steam inlet 11.

The intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21 may be said to divide the tube nest into a plurality of

sections

22, 23, 24- and 25, the section 22 adjacent the inlet water bo-x being referred to as the relatively cold section and the section 25 adjacent the outlet water box 18 as a relatively warm section. As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, the tube nest is so arranged as to comprlse an outer annular group of tubes 26 and an inner cylindrical group 27, the two groups being spaced from each other so as to provide a longitudinally-extending lane 28. This lane provides for longitudinal circulation and d1str1bution of the gaseous media after it has penetrated a portion of the depth of the tube nest. In order that such longitudinal circulation may not be interfered with by the intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21, the latter are provided with circumferentially-extending openings 29, which openings register with the lane 28 and cooperate therewith to provide free and uninterrupted longitudinal circulation of gaseous media throughout the length of the tube nest.

As shown particularly in Figs. 2., 3 and 4, what I term, an air box 31 extends longitudinally throughout the condenser shell in an interior portion of the tube nest. The air box 31 is supported by an air offtake pipe 39 and a bracket 40. The air oiftalre pipe 39 is preferably located near the cold end of the condenser. The air box 31 serves as a supporting structure for a shroud 32,- which shroud 'is arranged to cover an internal group 33 of the tube nest. All of the tubes of the nest are supported by the, intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21 except the group 33 which extends through suitable openings 34 provided in each of the intermediate tube-supporting sheets. The openings 34 afford free longitudinal circulation of gaseous media throughout the length of the condenser shell after it has penetrated substantially all of the tube nest with the exception of the tubes of group 3.3.

However, inasmuch as each tube of the tube nest must be supported at several points between the end tube sheets, I associate with each intermediate tube-supporting sheet 21 first and second partial

intermediate tubesupporting sheets

35 and 36. As will be apparent from Figs. 1- and 2, the

partial sheets

35 and 36 are spaced, respectively, longitudinally from their associated intermediate tubesupporting sheets 21 as well as from each other. In addition, the partial sheets 35 are arranged to support only the central and outer tubes of the group 33 while the partial sheets 36 support the remaining 0r intermediate tubes of the group 33. In this way, all tubes of the group 33 are properly supported intermediate of the end tube sheets while, at the same time, longitudinal circulation of gaseous media over the tubes of the group 33 is freely permitted. By providing a staggered arrangement of the partial tube sheets such as disclosed in the present application, the gaseous media circulating longitudinally through the condenser is given a slightly tortuous direction of circulation, thus assuring more intimate contact. with the cooling surface of the tube nest. The,

partial sheets

35 and 36 are preferably supported from the shroud 32, from which they depend.

The greater portion of the air box 31 merely serves as a supporting structure for the shroud 32 and the

partial sheets

35 and 36. However, near the cold end of the condenser I provide a transversely-extending wall 37 within the air box so as to form, with the end wall of the air box, a passageway extending between air inlets 38, located on each side of the cold end of the upper portion of the air box, and the air ofitake pipe 39.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved condenser will be apparent. Steam to becondensed enters the shell structure through the inlet 11 and surrounds the tube nest in the steam delivery space 15. Steam is drawn radially inward in each of the, sections 22 to 25, inclusive, from the perimeter of the tube nest toward the inner group 33 of the nest. It first traverses the outer,'annular group of tubes 26 and, in its passage thereacross, a portion of the steam is condensed and the condensate falls to the lower portion of the shell structure and is removed through the outlet 12. The steam .which is not condensed by the outer annular group 26 enters the lane 28 and, inasmuch as this lane affords a substantially uninterrupted path of travel longitudinally of the entire tube nest, there is a natural tendency for the steam to shift or How through this lane in a direction from the region of relatively low heat head, that is, the outlet water box end of the condenser, to the region of relatively high heat head, that is, the inlet water box end of the condenser. In this way, the cold end of the condenser is fully utilized. In this connection, it is noted that the aforesaid shifting may result in some of the steam which has traversed, for example, the annular, outer group of tubes 26 in the tube nest section 25 may, for example, traverse the inner cylindrical group 27 in the tube nest section 24. Thus, longitudinal shifting and distribution of the gaseous media after it has penetrated a portion of the tube nest is assured.

The gaseous media then traverses radially across the inner group of tubes 27 and further condensation is efiected. The condensate thus created falls upon the upper surface of the shroud 32 and drips therefrom to the lower portion of the shell structure. The gaseous media which has not now been condensed, enters the final or internal group of tubes 33 and circulates in a longitudinal direction over this group of tubes from the Warm end of the condenser toward the cold end thereof. In this way, there is a second longitudinal distribution of the steam in accordance with the unit condensing capacity of the various portions of the tube nest. During longtiudinal circulation through the group of tubes 33, all of the steam still contained in the gaseous media is condensed, while, the remaining non-condensable gaseous media or air has its temperature constantly reduced as it approaches the inlet end of the condenser.

The air finally enters the inlets 38 and is removed from the condenser through the outlet 39.

In its longitudinal circulation from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser overthe group of tubes 33, the gaseous media passes through the cut-away portion provided in the partial tube sheets 36, through the openings 34 provided in the intermediate tube-supporting sheets and through the cutaway portions provided in the partial tube sheets 35. The arrangement is such that the group of tubes 33 is properly supported at points intermediate of the end tube sheets,

while, free circulation of the gaseous media longitudinally thereover is not interfered with. As will be apparent, the gaseous media entering the group of tubes 33 from each of the respective sections 22 to 25, inclusive, moves in a direction toward the adjacent and colder tube nest section. As the steam is condensed, it falls to the bottom. of the shell structure, while the air continues to circulate 33 affords a'second and final distribution.

toward the inlets 38 or region of minimum temperature. The lane 28 provides an initial longitudinal distribution of the steam while the space associated with the group of tubes In this way, the entire tube surface is rendered highly active.

Although in the present embodiment, I show a type of radial flow condenser wherein the steam delivery space 15 surrounds the entire periphery of the tube nest, nevertheless, it is to be understood that I may construct radial flow condensers in accordance with my invention wherein the steam delivery space does not extend entirely or completely around the tube nest. Furthermore, it will be obvious that my invention, in its broader as pects, is not confined to condensers of the radial flow type, but that it may be applied to various other types of condensers in order to provide for the free and natural distribution of the steam and gaseous media througln out the longitudinal length of the tube nest. In addition, while I have shown a condenser of the single-pass type, the broad inventive ideas which I have suggested may also be applied to condensers of the multi-pass type and, while I have shown an embodiment wherein longitudinal steam distribution is twice effected, I may, in condensers of very large capacities, provide for efiecting longitudinal distribution more than twice.

WVhile I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, means for withdrawing air from the shell structure, an inlet water box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold end thereof and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, a single-pass tube nest extending longitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nest embodying first and second groups of tubes, the first group being disposed adj acent the gaseous media inlet and the second group adjacent the air withdrawal means and said groups being spaced, transversely, from each other so as to form an intervening passageway' extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the shell structure.

2. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, means for withdrawing air from the shell structure, a tube nest extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end of thetube nest and defining a cold end thereof, a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, said tube nest embodying first and second groups of tubes, the first group being disposed adjacent the gaseous media inlet and the second group adjacent the air withdrawal means and said groups being spaced, transversely, from each other so as to form an intervening passageway extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the coldend of the condenser, and tube sheet or sheets disposed intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting the tube nest and dividing the latter, longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, said intermediate sheet or sheets being provided with openings for affording free communication between the longitudinally-extending passageways of adj acent tube nest sections.

In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, an inlet water box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold end thereof, an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, means for withdrawing air from the cold end of the shell structure, and a single-pass tube nest extending longitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nest embodying first and second groups of tubes, the first group being disposed adjacent the gaseous media inlet and the second group adjacent the air withdrawal means and said groups being spaced, transversely, from each other so as, to form a passageway intervening between the gaseous media inlet and the air withdrawal means and extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the shell structure.

4. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, means for withdrawing air from the shell structure, an inlet water box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold end thereof, an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, and a single-pass tube nest extending longitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nest embodying internal and external groups of tubes spaced from each other so as to form a passageway intervening between the gaseous media inlet and the air withdrawal means and extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the longitudinal circulation of gaseous media.

5. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media tobe condensed and an outlet for condensate, means for withdrawing air from the shell structure, an inletwater box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold end thereof, an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, and a single-pass tube nest extending longitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nest embodying a substantially annular outer section and a substantially cylindrical inner section, the outer periphery of the annular section being spaced from the side walls of the shell structure so as to form an intervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion of the tube nest and the inner periphery ofv the annular group being spaced from the outer periphery of the cylindrical group so as to form an intervening passageway extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the shell structure.

6. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, means for withdrawing air from the shell structure, a tube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold end thereof, a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structure and defining av warm end thereof, a single-pass tube nest extending between the tube sheets, said tube nest embodying a substantially annular outer section and a substantially cylindrical inner sect-ion, the outer periphery of the annular sect-ion being spaced from the sidewalls of the shell structure so as to form an intervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion of the tube nest and the inner periphery of the annular group being spaced from the outer periphery of the cylindrical group so as to form an intervening passageway extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the shell structure, and tube sheet or sheets located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting the tube nest and dividing the latter, longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, said intermediate tube sheet or sheets being provided with an opening or openings for affording free circulation of gaseous media between the longitudinally-extending passageways of adjacent sections, and means for withdrawing air fro-m the cold end of the cylindrical group of the tube nest.

7. In a single-pass condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tube sheet and an inlet water box located at one end of the shell structure and a tube sheet and an outlet water box located at the other end of the shell structure, said inlet water box defining a cold end of he condenser and said outlet water box a warm end thereof, air withdrawal means connecting with the shell structure and having an inlet located, longitudinally, near the cold end of the condenser and, transversely, in spaced relation with respect to the gaseous media inlet, and a single-pass tube nest disposed in the shell structure between the gaseous media inlet and the inlet of the air withdrawal means, said tube nest being so formed as to provide an internal lane extending longitudinally of the shell structure and located transversely, intermediate of the entrant and discharge peripheries of the tube nest for the passage of gaseous media in a direction from the warm end of the shell structure toward the coldend thereof.

8. In a single-pass condenser, the combination of a shell structure having aninlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tube sheet and an inlet water box located at one end of the shell structure and a tube sheet and an outlet water box located at the other end of the shell structure, said inlet Water box defining a cold end of the condenser and said outlet water box a warm end thereof, air withdrawal means connecting with the shell structure and having an inlet portion disposed in spaced relation, transversely, with respect to thegaseous media inlet, a single-pass tube nest disposed in the shell structure between the gaseous media inlet and the inlet portion of the air withdrawal means, said tube .nest being so formed as to provide an internal lane extending longitudinally of the shell structure and located transversely, intermediate of the entrant and discharge periphcries of the tube nest for the passage of gaseous media from the warm end of the shell structure toward the cold end thereof, and a tube sheet located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting the tube nest, said intermediate tube-supporting sheet being provided with an opening or openings forming a portion of said longitudinally-extending lane. 9. 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 of the shell structure, an inlet water box and a tube sheet located at one end of the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and an outlet Water box and a tube sheet associated with the other end of the tube nest and defining a warm end thereof, and means for withdrawing air from an interior portion of the tube nest and from the cold end thereof,

said tube nest being so formed as to provide passageway means extending longitudinally of the shell structure for the passage of gaseous media from' the warm end of the shell structure toward the cold end and said passageway means being located, transverse ly, between the periphery of the tube nest and the air withdrawal means.

10. 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 of the shell structure, said tube nest being spaced from the side walls of the shell structure so as to define an intervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion of the tube nest, a tube sheet and inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and a tube sheet and outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest and defining a warm end thereof, means for withdrawing air from an interior portion of the tube nest and from the cold end thereof, said tube nest being so formed as to provide a substantially cylindrical, longitudinally extending passageway for the circulation of gaseous media longitudinally from the warm end toward the cold end of the condenser, and said passageway being located, transversely, intermediate of the air withdrawal means and the perimeter of the tube nest.

11. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a tube nest extending longitudinally of the shell structure, said tube nest being spaced from the side walls of the shell structure so as to define an intervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion of the tube nest, a tube sheet and inlet water box associated with one end of the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest and defining a warm end thereof, means for withdrawing air from an interior portion of the tube nest and from the cold end thereof, said tube nest being so formed as to provide a substantially cylindrical, longitudinallyextending passageway for the circulation of gaseous media longitudinally from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, and

7 said passageway being located, transversely,

intermediate of the air withdrawal means and the perimeter of the tube nest, and a tube sheet located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting the tube nest, said intermediate tube-supporting sheet being provided with an opening or openings of substantial flow area and forming a part of said longitudinally-extending passageway.

12. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an 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 direction through the tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of the condenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser, means for withdrawing air from the cold end of the tube nest, and tube sheet or sheets located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting a portion of the tube nest, said intermediate tube sheet or sheets being provided with an opening or openings extending about an internal group of tubes of the nest for afi'ording longitudinal circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser and over said group of tubes, and means for supporting the tubes passing through said opening or openings intermediate of the end tube sheets.

13. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end ofthe 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 direction through the tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of the condenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser, means for withdrawing air from the cold end of the tube nest, tube sheet or sheets located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting the tubes of the nest, said intermediate tube sheet or sheets each having an opening of substantial flow area through which a group of tubes of the nest extends and which opening or openings afford longitudinal circulation of gaseous media through the tube nest, and means located between the end tube sheets and independent of the intermediate tube sheet or sheets for supporting the group of tubes passing through said opening or openings.

14. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an 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 direction through the tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of the condiate tube sheet or sheets having internal opening or openings through which an internal group of tubes of the nest extends, said opening or openings affording longitudinal circulation of gaseous media over said group of tubes in a general direction from the cold end of the condenser toward the warm end of the condenser, means independent of said intermediate supporting sheets for support-- ing said group of tubes between the end tube sheets, and means for withdrawing air from the tube nest near the cold end of said group of tubes.

15. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, said nest of tubes being spaced from the side walls of the shell structure so as to form an intervening steam delivery space surrounding asubstantial portion of the tube nest, a tube sheet and an 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 circu lation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction through the tube nest andsaid inlet water box defining a cold end of the condenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser, tube sheet or sheets located intermediate of the end tube sheet for supporting tubes of the nest, said intermediate tube sheet or sheets being provided with an opening or openings extending about a group of tubes located in a substantially central portion of the nest, said opening or openings aifording circulation of gaseous media over said group of tubes in a general direction from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, means located between the end tube sheets and independent of the intermediate tube sheets for supporting said group of tubes, and means for withdrawing air from a central portion of the tube nest and near the cold end thereof.

16. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an 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 direction through the tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of the condenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser, main intermediate tube sheet or sheets dividing the tube nest,'longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, longitudinally aligned openings provided in the main intermediate tube sheets for affording a longitudinal circulation of gaseous media through the tube nest in a direction from the warm end of the condenser toward the cold end thereof, partial intermediate tube sheets spaced longitudinally'from the main intermediate tube sheets for sup-porting the tubes passing through said opening or openings, said partial tube sheets being so disposed, transversely, as to effect a tortuous passage for the gaseous media circulating longitudinally through the tube nest, and means for Withdrawing air from the cold end of the portion of the tube nest passing through the openings in the intermediate tube sheets.

17. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a

of the condenser, an intermediate main tube sheet dividing the tube nest, longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, said main intermediate tube sheet being provided with an opening for affording longitudinal circulation of gaseous media through the tube nest in a direction from the warm end of the condenser toward the cold end thereof, a partial intermediate tube sheet for supporting some of the tubes passing through said opening, a second partial intermediate tube sheet for supporting the remaining tubes passing through said opening, said main intermediate, said first and said second partial tube sheets being spaced from each other longitudinally and said first and second partial tube sheets being disposed, transversely, in staggered relation, and means for withdrawing air from the cold end of the tubes passing through said opening.

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 nest of cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an 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 direction through the tube nest and said inlet Water box defining a cold end of the'condenser and said outlet Water box a Warm end of the condenser, main intermediate tube sheet or sheets dividing the tube nest, 1ongitudinally, into a plurality of sections, a shroud extending longitudinally Within the shell structure and covering a group of tubes of the nest, said main intermediate tube-supporting sheet or sheets being provided with an opening or openings disposed below the shroud for affording free circulation of gaseous media from the Warm end of the condenser toward the cold end over the group of tubes covered by the shroud, a partial intermediate tube sheet depending from the shroud and supporting some of the tubes of said group, a second partial intermediate tube sheet depending from the shroud and supporting the remaining tubes of said group, said main intermediate tube sheet and said first and said second partial tube sheets being disposed, longitudinally, in spaced relation and said first and said second partial tube sheets being disposed, transversely, in staggered relation, and means for Withdrawing air from said group of tubes near the cold end thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2 lth day of October,

JOSEPH P. LIDIAK.