US2176097A - Steam drier - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 17, 1939. P. PASCALE' 2,176,097

- STEAM DRIER Filed Sept. 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 06] I I 1 0O A :0 27 27 Q f 6 I J 1:0 11 7 1 :I/(H

Ill 12 l I I I 14 I 35 Oct. 17, 1939. P. "SCALE 2,176,097

STEAM DRIER Filed Sept. 24, 1936 2 Sheats-She et 2 45 .Z-=JP 57:5.

BMW;

Patented Oct. 17, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Novo Patents, Inc., ware a corporation of Dela- Application September 24, 1936, Serial No. 102,438 6 Claims. (01. 183-108) This invention relates to improvements in devices for removing suspended or entrained moisture or condensate from steam or other gases and is especially adapted for use with the boilers of locomotive, marine or stationary engines and similar devices wherein a drier is interposed between a source of steam supply, such as the steam chamber of an engine, and a point of use, such as a superheater or the cylinders of an engine.

Steam driers and similar devices as heretofore constructed have in many instances been limited in capacity due to the resistance to the passage of steam or gas therethrough presented by the drying means employed. In other constructions the capacity is large and the resistance to flow of steam or gas through the device is small but these advantages are accompanied by a reduction in the effectiveness of the drier in removing moisture from the steam.

In accordance with the present invention disadvantages and objections to prior constructions are overcome by the provision of novel drying means which effectively remove moisture from steam or gas without imposing material resistance to the flow of steam therethrough.

In the representative forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described, the means provided for denuding the steam or gas of moisture include baffle members against which the steam impinges and certain other bafile members are formed with apertures presenting a total cross sectional area that is relatively large and may; if desired, be equal to or greater than the cross sectional area of the inlet or outlet opening so that steam or gas in passing through the device is not materially impeded. Further the bafiie members employed may in some instances be so constructed and arranged that steam passing upwardly thereover impinges on a projecting and downwardly sloping surface which serves further to denude the steam or gas of moisture. These surfaces may also serve to con-' duct the moisture deposited thereon away from the upwardly flowing steam so as to avoid reen- 1 trainment of the moisture by the steam.

One ofthe objectsof the present invention is to provide novel -means for drying steam or other gases which are simple in construction and eifective in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a drier which offers relatively small resistance to the passage of steam or other gases therethrough while effectively denuding the steam or gas of moisture. further object of the invention is to provide a steam drier having means provided with apertures through which the steam passes, the total cross sectional area of which apertures is relatively great and may be substantially equal to the cross sectional area of the passage through which the 5 steam enters or leaves the drier.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam drier having bafile members arranged therein and formed with projecting inclined surfaces positioned to cause steam passing upwardly 1.0 thereover to impinge thereon whereby the steam is denuded of suspended or entrained moisture.

Anotber object of the invention is to provide a steam drier with a bafiie and means for conducting moisture deposited on the baffle out of the path of 15 flow of steam passing thereover.

These and other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description thereof in which reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawings wherein 2O typical embodiments of the invention are 'illustrated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a typical form of steam drier embodying the present invention with parts thereof broken away to show the interior of the casing;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Figure 1 with parts broken away to show more clearly a suitable arrangement of the steam drying elements.

Figure 3 is a view partly in elevationand partly in section of an alternative embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the form of the invention shown in Figure 3 with the casing partly broken away to show the interior arrangement.

Referring to that'formof the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the numeral I designates a casing formed in the main 40 of a lower section 2, an upper section 3, and a dome or cover 4. Interposed between the sections 2 and 3, is a-cage 5 which is suitably secured to the two sections and may be made up of numerous blades 6, spaced apart to form between them the vertical steam inlet openings 1.

While the inlet opening or openings may be of any suitable form they are shown in Figure 2 in the form of vanes 6 so shaped in cross section and so arranged with relation to each other that the steam passes into the casing in a direction substantially tangential to the axis of the casing, and the cage is made of arcuate or curved sections, the vanes in each alternate section being reversed with relation to those in the adjoining section, the

result being that the incoming currents of steam are brought into conflict with greater resultant agitation, and since the sections so arranged extend entirely around the casing, a balancing action results and is maintained.

The dome 4 has a laterally extending annular flange 8 which overlies the upper inner edge of the section 3 through which pass bolts 9 by which the dome is secured to said section. The lower section 2 is formed with an outer wall it, an inner wall H, and a bottom l2, connecting the walls and forming an annular drainage chamber l3, to which is connected the upper end of a drain pipe [4. A suitable check valve It is. located in the drain pipe l4 for return of the condensate or separate from the steam to the boiler for reuse.

Integral with the inner wall of section Zis a comparatively wide flange l5, extending entirely around the casing on the inside thereof, andforming an annulus for supporting perforated drying or bafliing means of suitable form. As shown the annulus is provided with openings l6, which register with the lower opened ends of numerous cylindrical drier elements or bafile members l1, each of which is provided with a large number of perforations or nozzles E8. The upper open ends of these drying cylinders are seated in shouldered openings 59 in an annulus 20, integral with the dome 4. The shape and construction of the members ll may be varied as desired but by providing such means with a suitably extended surface and with a sufflcient number of apertures the total cross sectional area of the apertures provided for the passage of steam may be relatively great and may be substantially equal to or greater than the cross sectional area of the outlet opening so that the resistance to the passage of steam through the device is decreased without impairing the effectiveness thereof in denuding the steam of moisture.

Extending upwardly from the flange I5 is a central tubular portion 2|, whose upper edge is seated in a shouldered recess 22 in the annulus 2D, the upper end of the tubular portion 2 I being open, thereby establishing connection between the dome and the interior portion of the casing. The dry pipe 23 through which dry steam or gas passes from the device is secured by bolts 24 to the downwardly extending flange 25 of a ring 26 which is securely bolted to the bottom of the casing.

Firmly bolted to the outer face of the flange I5 is a baffle 21 which as shown may be generally tubular in form and extend entirely around the casing, with its upper edge spaced below the upper ends of the drying cylinders, and its lower end somewhat above the floor of the annular chamber l3. The baffle 2'! thus forms an outer annular passage through which the steam or gas passes upwardly from the inlet openings i to the top of the casing and an adjacent inner passage within which the cylindrical perforated baffle members are located and through which the steam or gas passes downwardly and through the perforations in the cylinders to the dry pipe 23.

The upper portion of the bafile 21 extends outwardly toward the inlet openings 1 presenting a projecting downwardly sloping surface 21a against which steam flowing upwardly over the baffle member impinges so that moisture carried thereby will be deposited on the sloping surface 21a. This surface slopes inwardly away from the inlet openings so that moisture collecting thereon and running down the surface is carried out of the path of flow of the upwardly passing steam. In this way the danger of reentrainment of moisture by the upwardly flowing steam is reduced and the effectiveness of the drying action of the baflie member is increased. Moreover, the inner surface of the baffle member 21 is similarly formed so that the distance between the bafile member 21 and the perforated cylinders I! is less near the bottom of the cylinders causing the steam to be forced through the perforations in the cylinders as it flows downwardly thereover.

The flange l5 between the baffle 21 and the cylinders is provided with a number of openings 21 communicating with the drainage chamber, so that the water. or moisture of which the steam is denuded before passing through the perforations in the cylinder may pass into the drainage chamber [3 to mingle with that which has been drained.- from the steam in passing through the steam inlet openings, and impinging against the outer face of the bafiie. The condensate or separate from the steam or gas in both passages thus flows freely into the drainage chamber and to the drain pipe M to be returned to the boiler.

The dome 4!] with which the upper ends of the cylinders l1 communicate is shaped to form a chamber 28 semi-circular in cross section as shown, to direct the dried steam downwardly through the central portion 2 I, where it joins the dried steam issuing from the lower ends of the drying cylinders on its way to the dry pipe. An eye-bolt such as is indicated by 28 is centrally mounted in the dome to facilitate handling the drier in installing it in the boiler, and in its removal therefrom.

It will be noted from the description of Figures 1 and 2, that there is within the casing, an annular chamber A formed by the circular bafiie 21 and the wall B of the central tubular portion 2!, the chamber being open at its top as indicated at C through which opening, the steam passes downwardly into said chamber and around all of the cylindrical perforated drying members. There is no communication through the upper ends of the drying cylinders except through the annulus 2D, consequently, as indicated, the steam passing into the open space between the baffle 21 and the cylinders can only pass into and through the central tubular opening 2|, after passing through the perforations in the cylinders. Thereafter it can pass from the cylinders upwardly into and through the dome and downwardly through the lower ends of the drying cylinders to the dry pipe.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 in which an alternative form of drier is shown, the casing is in the main made of two sections, a lower section 29 and an upper section 30, between which is interposed a cage 3i having elongated circumferential inlet openings 32. In this form of the invention the inlet openings are shown as formed between the circumferential vanes 33, the inner ends of which vanes are turned downward so as to conduct or direct the steam downward toward the center of the casing.

Spaced from the inner wall of the lower section is a supporting ring 34, which rests upon a ledge 35 of the lower section 29. The inner edge of this ring extends upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the casing and is provided with a flange for supporting the drying members or cylinders 38. These cylinders are located at spaced intervals about the flange and are suitably arranged to provide extended perforated surfaces. The lower ends of the cylinders 38 are closed except for the relatively small drainage openings 39 which coincide with openings 3'! in the supporting flange on ring 34 to permit the condensate or separate accumulating in the bottoms of the cylinders to pass to the annular drainage chamber 39. This chamber, like the chamber l3, in Figure 1, extends entirely around the casing for the collection and removal of liquid removed from the steam or gas.

Secured to the under side of the dome or upper section 30 of the casing is an annular supporting ring 40 having shouldered seats therein, as indicated at 4|, for the reception of the upper edges of the cylinders 38, which, like the cylinders in the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, are provided with numerous perforations or nozzles 42. The upper ends of these cylinders are in communication with the annular chamber 43 in the dome. The outer edge of this supporting ring is shouldered and flanged as indicated at 44 for the reception of the upper end of a baffle 45 which extends entirely around the casing with its lower end resting upon the ledge'35; Secured to the bottom of the casing is a ring 41 provided with a flange 48, to which is attached the dry pipe 49 which communicates with the central chamber within the casing.

The arrangement of the outer Wall of the lower section 29, and the inwardly inturned portion of the supporting ring 34 is such that the drainage chamber 39 is formed. The lower end of the baflle bisects the drainage pipe 46, which is let into the bottom of the section 29, so that the condensate or separate will pass from both sides of the baffle into the drainage pipe.

In operation, referring particularly to the form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the steam passes into the casing through spaces between the vanes of the cage from all sides of the casing simultaneously, and is conducted and directed in conflicting currents (caused by the indicated shape and arrangement of the vanes) against the circular baiile 2! and passes upwardly thereover depositing much of the moisture carried thereby on the surface 21a down which it drains out of the path of the upwardly passing steam. The steam then passes downwardly over the upper edge of the baffle 21 into the chamber formed between the wall of the central tubular portion 2| and the baffle 21. This chamber extends entirely around the casing and is closed at its lower end except for the drainage openings 21 and is of smaller diameter near the lower portion thereof so that steam or gasses being dried necessarily pass through the numerous perforations or nozzles [8 in the cylindrical members I1 thereby being denuded of substantially all of the remaining moisture carried thereby. Both ends of the drying cylinders are open so that the resulting dry steam may pass from the upper ends thereof through the chamber 28 in the dome, into the central tubular portion 2|, to the dry pipe whereas dry steam from the lower ends of the drying cylinders passes directly to the dry pipe. In this way the steam is dried or denuded of moisture very effectively while the resistance to flow of steam through the drier is very low.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 the course of the steam, in passing through the drier, is somewhat different from its course in passing through the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2. In the modified form, the steam passing, through the circumferential inlets in the casing wall impinges against the baflle 45, but it cannot reach the open upper ends of the drying cylinders 38, save through the dome of the casing, and

from thence the dried steam passes throughthe nozzle or perforations 42 in all radial directions to the dry pipe. The condensate passes through the openings in the closed ends of the cylinders and is led into the drainage chamber.

In each of the forms of the invention illustrated and described it will be noted that the perforated cylindrical members present extended surfaces and are provided with a multitude of apertures so that the total cross sectional area of the apertures in the members l1 and 38 is relatively large and may if desired, equal or exceed 1e cross sectional area of the inlet or outlet openings so that the resistance to the passage of steam through the device is relatively low. At the same time the drying action of the baffle members is not impaired since the steam must pass through apertures which are individually relatively small.

While the perforated members illustrated in the drawings are cylindrical in form it will be apparent that such members may be of any other suitable shape or construction and the arrangement thereof within the casing may be altered as desired or necessary to adapt the invention for use in any particular installation. In view thereof it should be understood that those forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be illustrative of typical embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. A steam drier including a casing having steam inlet and outlet openings, a plurality of vertically extending hollow steam drying elements open at their upper and lower ends and provided with perforations in the walls thereof, said steam drying elements communicating with said outlet opening only through the openings in the top and bottom thereof, whereby the steam in passing from said inlet to said outlet opening must pass through the perforations in said drying elements before reaching the outlet opening.

2. A steam drier including a casing having numerous elongated steam inlet openings in a wall portion thereof, a plurality of vertically extending hollow steam drying elements open at their upper and lower ends and provided with perforations in the walls thereof, said steam drying elements communicating with the outlet opening only through the openings in the top and bottom thereof, so that the steam in passing through said elements must pass through the perforations therein before reaching the outlet opening, and a baffle interposed between the steam inlet openings and the drier elements against which the steam impinges before reaching said elements, and means for conducting the condensate or separate from the steam out of said casing.

3. A steam drier including a casing having steam inlet openings circumferentially arrangeg in a side wall portion, an outlet opening, an interior structure including an annular chamber, means establishing communication between said annular chamber and the inlet openings for ad- 4. A steam drier including a casing having steam inlet openings circur n ferentially arranged in side wall portion, an outlet opening, an int eri or structure including an annular chamber, means establishing communication between said annular'chamber and'the inlet openings for admission of steamto said chamber, a plurality of hollow drying elements located in said annular chamber and provided with numerous perforations for the passage of steam therethrough, each of said drying elements being provided with an opening for the passage of dried steam from the interior thereof to the outlet opening only after it has passed through said perforations.

5.A steam drier including a casing having numerous steam inlet openings arranged in a wall portion thereof and an outlet opening for dried steam from the casing, means defining an annular chamber within said casing, said annular chamber being in communication with said inlet openings, a plurality of hollow drying elements located in said annular chamber and provided with numerous perforations for the passage of Steam therethlough, each of said drying elements be n ra der w t an p ni f r the to the outlet opening only after it has passed through said perforations.

GI A steam drier including a casing having numerous steam inlet openings arranged in a wall portion thereof and an outlet opening for dried steam from the casing, means defining an annular chamber within said casing, said annular chamber being in communication with said inlet openings, a plurality of hollow drying elements located in said annular chamber, said elements being provided with numerous perforations in their side walls and forming extended steam drying surfaces, each of said drying elements being further provided with an opening to permit substantially unrestricted flow of steam between the interior of the element and an adjacent passage, and said elements being so positioned between said inlet openings and said outlet opening that the steam in passing through said elements must pass through the perforations therein before reaching the outlet opening.

PASQUALE PASCALE.v

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