US2315227A - Water heating and deaerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 30, 1943.

v. A. ROHLIN ETAL WATER HEATING AND DEAERATlNG APPARATU Filed May 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToRs V/cro/r A Kom/N Afr/Mr BY Vw@ 2. /w

ATTORNEY March 3o, 1943.`

v A. ROHLIN ETAL WATER HEATING AND DEAERATING APPARATUS Filed May 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToRs ran ARO/lum nir/fm t'. mfr/P5065 BY l ATTORNEY lPatented Mar. 30, 1943 WATER HEATING AND DEAERATING APPARATUSl victor A. Roblin, Glenside, Pa., and Arthur E. Kittredge, Audubon, N. J., assignors to Cochrane Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation o "Pennsylvania Application May 17, 1940, Serial No. 335,702

Claims.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved water heater and deaerator of a two-stage-open-heater type, characterized by its mechanical simplicity, its eiiectiveness and its relatively small volume and weight, and other characteristics adapting it for use on shipboard, for which it was primarily devised, though Well adaptedY for other use.

Our improved water heater and deaerator is of the special two-stage type disclosed and claimed in the Gibson and Rohlin Patent 1,943,890, granted January 16, 1934, in which the water treated is ilrst sprayed into a steam space, and is thereby heated nearly to its final temperature, and in which the water is thereafter subjected to a steam atomizing action in a second steam space, to which the steam used in heating and deaerating the water, is initially supplied, and from which steam is supplied to the first mentioned steam space; and a main object of the present invention is to provide improvements inY a Water heater and deaerator of the type disclosed in said prior patent, which contribute to a reduction in the volume and weight of the apparatus required for a given heating andy deaerating duty.

An important specific object of the invention is to provide means practically effective to prevent` the atomizing steam stream from inducing a downflow of steam and air from the initial heating section into the nal deaerating section of the apparatus. Another practically important object of the invention is to provide improved means controlling the operation of the atomizing valve, and in particular to provide valve operating means optionally subject tomanual control, andto control in automatic response to the heatlng and deaerating load.

The various features of novelty which characterize our invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advantages and specic objects attained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan View of a water heater and deaerator;

Fig. 2 is an elevation in section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing valve operating mechanism; l

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a locking part shown in Fig. 3.

The water heater and deaerator shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, comprisesa vertically Idisposed tank A with convex tcp and bottom end portions A' and A2. The interior of the tank comprises an upper first stage space or chamber B, and a lower second stage chamber or space C. Partition means consisting of, or lcomprising as a principal element, a generally conical or funnel-like baille D, separate the chambers or spaces B and C, except 'for a central passage E for the downilow of water,

and a passage or passages E' adjacent the periphery of the tank, through which steam may pass from the upper portion of the chamber C into the chamber B. v

The water treated is passed under pressure, through connections hereinafter described, to the spray nozzle outlets F of a centrally disposed water distributor device F', which is preferably adapted to facilitate the preheating of the water sprayed into the steam space B. The steam used in heating and deaerating the water is supplied through a steam supply element G comprising a horizontal pipe inlet portion extending through apertures in the tank wall and in the baille D, and also comprising a central depending tubular outlet portion G', the lower edge of which forms a valve seat H adapted for engagement by a vertically movable steam atomizing valve I.

In the preferred construction shown, the valve member I comprises a body portion of circular outline which extends radially away from a central hub portion I'. The latter surrounds, and is vertically movable on a stationary shaft J, axially disposed in the supply pipe portion G', and having its upper end anchored in the hub portion of a spider element J', within and supported by said portion G.r As shown, the valve I is given vertical adjustments by the rotation of a horizontally disposed operating shaft K, which extends through the tank wall and is formed in sections connected by universal joint coupling elements K. I In the construction shown, the inner end section of the shaft K is journalled in a bearing member L, secured to the lower end of, and supported by the stationary shaft J, and the shaft K comprises crank arm portions K2 connected by links M to the hub portion of the valve member I.

In the preferred contemplated mode of use of the apparatus shown, the valve member I is adjusted. as required to normally maintain an approximately constant differentialof a pound or "so vbetween the pressure of the steam in the supply element G and the vapor pressure in the upper portion of the chamber C. Under the usual operating conditions, in which the water treated is supplied at a varying rate, the maintenance of said constant differential, requires the valve I to be adjusted as needed to maintain an approximately constant proportion between the rate at which water'is treated and the rate at which steam is passed into the space C through the supply element G.

The apparatus shown comprises valve operating means through which the valve member I may be automatically adjusted by changes in the diffe'rential of the steam pressures in the inlet element G and space C, so as to maintain that pressure diiferential approximately constant, and also includes means by which the position of the valve member I may be determined by manual adjustment. As shown, the valve operating means includes a lever O attached to the valve shaft K and associated means for subjecting the valve member I to a definite adjustable yielding force action, opposing the down movement of the valve I, in which the excess of the steampressure in 'the inlet element G is over the pressure in the space C. The outer end of the shaft K extends through a remo' l de casing element N, secured to the tank structure proper and closing an opening in the tank wall through which the shaft K extends. The lever O and associated valve operating mechanism are external to the tank structure.

A` counterweight O' mounted on and adjustable l along the length of one arm of the lever O, is

provided to counterbalance the dead weight of "l the valve I and its connections to the shaft K,

so that the latter will have no tendency to oscillate as a result of vibration of a ship or other supportl for the tank A. As shown, the lever O- is subjected to two separate and separately adjustable spring bias forces, each tending to turn the lever O, and thereby the shaft K,in the direction to raise the valve member I and thereby throttle the steam flow into the space C from the supply element G. One of the two forces is that due to the compression of a compression spring O2 acting through a stem O3 which has its upper end connected to the arm of the lever O carrying the weight O', and which has a nut threaded on i-ts lower portion and engaging the underside of a movable spring abutment member O4 engaging the movable lower end of the spring O2. The upper'end of the spring O2 bears against a stationary abutment N carried by the member N.

The second spring -force acting on the lever O, is that due to the compression of a compression spring O5 which has its lower end resting on a stationary abutment N2 carried by the member N, and which acts on the lever O through a thrust rod O2. The latter is connected at its upper end to the second arm of the lever O and has a nut threaded on its lower portion and engaging the upper side of an abutment member O". bearing on the movable upper end of the spring 05. 'I'he lever is also subject to a dashpot action tending to prevent excessively rapid movement of the valve I in either direction. The dashpot mechanism shown comprises a cylinder P, a crank arm P' and a link O8 connecting the arm P' to the lever O.

Advantageously, the springs O2 and 05 are of such length and stiffness, that the force with which they oppose opening 'movement of the valve increases but slightly, as the valve I .moves from its fully closed to its wide open position. For

acter that when adjusted to prevent the valve I from beginning to open except when ,the steam pressure in the inlet G is a pound higher than the steam pressure in the space C, the ditferential of the two pressures will not exceed a pound and a quarter when the valve I is in its wide open position.

Manual control of the adjustment of the valve member I, may be eiected by rotation of a spur gear segment Q secured to the outer endof the shaft K, and meshing with a spur gear R.. Thel latter and a hand wheel R coaxial with, and secured to, the gear R, are journalled on a stationary pivot shaft N3 parallel to the shaft K and carried by the tank part N.

By locking the gear R against rotative movement in the opening direction beyond a certain predetermined range, it is possible to limit the extent of its maximum opening movement, without interfering with its capacity for automatic adjustment within said range. For such locking action, we make use in the construction shown, of a wing nut S threaded on the outer end of the shaft N3, and acting through a clamping head S' on a locking rrember S2 surrounding the outer portion of the shaft N3 and interposed between a shoulder N4 of the shaft, and the clamping member S.

The limitation of the automatic opening movement of the valve to a range determined by the angularposition in which the member S2 is locked is effected by correspondingly limiting the angular movement of the hand wheel R relative to locking member S2. To this end, the hand wheel R is provided with a projection R2, which is adapted to engage a shoulder S3 of the part S2, and thereby prevent further opening adjustment/ of the valve I, after an initial adjustment dependent in extent on the angular position in which the member S2 has been clamped by the parts S and S'. The parts S, S', S2 and R2 then form means for limiting the extent of opening movement permitted the valve I, without preventing the automatic closure of the valve whenever the steam pressure in the space C increases relative to that in the inlet G. The angular position of the part S2 is indicated as shown by means of an index part S4 carried by the member S2, and a scale on a stationary dial plate S5.

When the locking part S2 is locked in xed angular position so as to limit the opening movement of the valve, as described, the latter has the capacity to act as a check valve preventing back ow through the inlet G, in the event of a sudden drop in the steam supply pressure.

The jet of steam discharged through the space between the valve I and seat H moves with high radial velocity through the space immediately above the rim portion of the valve I extending outwardly away from the seat H. In consequence of its high velocity, the velocity head of the steam above said valve rim portion may amount to several pounds, and its static pressure Aacting downwardly on said rim portion will be appreciably lower than the steam pressure acting upwardly on the underside of said rim portion. In consequence, the rim portion of the valve I is subjected to a diiferential pressure action, subjecting the valve to a closing force increasing with the extent of valve opening,so that with a.v

tion, the drop in pressure of the steam passing from the inlet G into the space C is prohibitively large.

The above mentioned valve closing tendency, due to the differential of the pressures on the upper and lower sidesA of the rim portion of the valve I, is compensated for, in accordance with the present invention, by so forming the valve seat H and the immediately adjacent portion of the valve member I, that the steam stream passing between them will be in the form of a hollow cone with its apex above the valve seat. The steam stream thus passing away from the valve seat impinges against the upwardly inclined outer portion of the valve member I, and thus subjects the valve member to a down thrust which increases in magnitude as the rate of steam discharge increases. By thus inclining the upper surface of the valve member I upwardly and away from the valve axis as shown, the atomized water and steam is caused to pass away from the valve in an upwardly inclined direction, as is desirable.

While the steam passage E' is large enough to substantially equalize the general vapor pressures in the chambers B and C, when operating under any normal condition, the velocity of the steam flowing into the space C through the atomizing valve, is high enough to give the steam a velocity head component of the order of a pound or so.

4In consequence, but for the provisions now to be described, the static fluid pressure adjacent the discharge end of the water outlet passage E may be something like a pound or so below the pressure of the atmosphere in the space B, thereby causing an appreciable downflow of atmosphere through the passage. Such a gaseous downflow through the passage E is objectionable, because the atmosphere in the space B includes air or other liberated gases in amounts suicient to diminish the ultimate deaerating effect, if any signicant amount of said atmosphere is passed down through thepassage E into admixture with the relatively pure steam supplied through the inlet element G.

In accordance with our invention, the atomizing steam stream is prevented from inducing a vapor flow from the initial heating into the nal deaerating section of the apparatus, by provifeet or so.

sions through which said stream induces a recirculation of steam in the final deaeration section C, and thereby prevents the pressure reduction at the outlet end of thepassage E, which would otherwise occur. Such recirculation is effected, in the apparatus illustrated, by means of a conical baffle T beneath and generally parallel to the baille D and separated from the latter by a space T with an annular inlet T2 atits upper end of relatively large cross section. The lower edge ofthe baille T is separated by a slight horizontal distance from the lower portion of the vertical steam supply element G', thereby providing an outlet T3 from the space T' of relatively small area and in close proximity to the subjacent portion of the atomizing steam stream.

With the described arrangement of the baille T, the stream of atomizing steam and atomized water will cause a volume of steam ilow downward through the space T whichwill pass out of the space T through the restricted outlet T3 at a relatively high velocity, and withv a corresponding pressure'drop in passing through said outlet. In consequence, the static pressure of the steam at the lower outlet end of the water downflow passage E, will be significantly higher than the static pressure of the atomizing steam stream, and need not be significantly lower than the static pressure in initial heating space B.

In eflect, the steam owing through the space T audits outlet T3 forms a barrier to the downflow of steam and air from the space B through the outlet E into contact with the high velocity steam In lieu of, or in addition to such a steam barrier, we may provide a Water seal barrier to the ilow of steam and air down through the outlet E. As shown, such a water seal is established by means of the conical baffle TD which unites with the steam pipe portion G' to provide a water seal chamber into which the ange portion D of the partition member D extends. In the absence of the steam barrier provided by the use of the baille T, the diierence in the water levels in the water seal chamber at the inner and outer sides of the flange D would need to be a couple of With the baille T in use, -its steam barrier producing effect maybe desirably augmented in some cases by a water seal in which the difference between the inner and outer water levels is only a few inches. Ordinarily, however, we find the steam barrier effect produced by the use of the baille T effective to prevent objectionable downflow through the outlet E and thereby dispense with the baffle TD or other water sealingprovisions.

In some cases, it may be advantageous to provide a water seal at the lower end of the passage E, as by the use of` the conical baille TD uniting with the steam pipe portion G', to provide a water seal chamber into which the cylindrical lower end portion D' of the baille member D extends. Such a water seal, used in connection with the baille T, needs to provide for a water level in thew portion of the seal at the outer side of the ilange D', which is only a few inches higher than the water level at the inside of that ange, in order that the seal may be continuously maintained. Without the baille T, the difference between the two water levels lneeded to maintain in the seal, would be a couple of feet or so.

As shown in the drawings, the water supplied to the device F comes to the latter through the cooling water outlet U5 of a vent condenser U. As shown, the condenser U comprises a shell extending through the body of the tank A with its major portionwithin the tank and with a head U detachably secured to Ithe external end of the shell and with an innerhead U2 within the shell and movable longitudinallythereof. The two heads form tube sheets in which the ends of the condenser tubes U3 are secured. The water to vbe treated passes into the tubes U3 through an external inlet chamber part U4 detachably secured to the head U", and passes from the tubes Ul through the outlet part or element U5 to the device F.

In the preferred construction shown, the discharge element U5 comprises cast metalr sections proportioned and connected to one another and to the oating condenser head U2 to permit the mechanical unit comprising tubes U3, head U2 and discharge element U5 to be bodily withdrawn from the tank and condenser shell, through the outer end of the latter.`

'I'he air and vapor mixture from the space B, enters the inter-tube space of the condenser U through an inlet opening Us in the condenser shell, and the uncondensed residue is discharged through an outlet U7 which may dischargev into the atmosphere directly, or through a suitable throttling valve, or be connected to the inlet of a vacuum pump, in accordance with the steam pressure to be maintained in the deaerating apparatus. Water oi' condensation formed in the inter-tube space of the condenser U is returned to the space B through a' drainage outlet U.

The vent condenser shell extends through an opening formed for the purpose in the baille D which may be welded to and assist in supporting the condenser shell.

In the preferred construction illustrated, the water distributing and preheating device F' is supported on a ventI condenser outlet part U5. The latter is itself supported by the central portion of the steam supply connection G, which is provided for the purpose, with pads Wx5 which may be welded to the top wall of the supply connection at opposite sides of the tank axis, and

l on which supporting foot portions U9 of the part U are detachably secured.

As shown,-the top wall of the supply connection G is also reenforeed byl radially disposed ribs W extending upward from the upper side of the wall. The ribs W also serve to prevent excessive flow of water over the top of the steam supply connection, which might otherwise result upwardly from the tank bottom wall A2.

To prevent water discharged through the noz- A zles F to the distributor F', from'passlng directly into the space C through the steam passage E', we have surrounded the distributor F' by a cylindrical baiile Z of relatively large diameter, having its upper edge attached to the upper tank head A'. The baille Z has its lower portion extending vdown into the space surrounded by the cylindrical upper end portion of the baille member D, which is suitably larger in diameter than the baille Z. In accordance with modern practice, the structural parts within the tank A are generally attached to and supported from the tank structure proper through welded joints or `connections.

While the general operation of our improved apparatus disclosed herein is substantially identical with that of the water heating and deaerating apparatus disclosed in the previous mentioned prior Patent No. 1,943,890, ourimproved `apparatus possesses important practical advantages in respect to the previously described provisions for controlling the position of the steam atomizing valve and in respect to the provisions for preventing the atomizing steam from inducing a downiiow of steam along with the water to be atomized,` and in respect to the form and disposition of the vent condenser. The extension of the vertical discharge end portion G' of the steam supply conduit axially downward through the outlet opening E, facilitates the provision of means for preventing an induced r downfiow of vapor through the outlet E, and desirably distributes the water falling into contact with the atomizing steam.

Our. vent condenser arrangement is especially advantageous `for marine use because its form and disposition minimizes the weight and space requirements of the vent condenser and its pipe connections.- Our arrangement permits of a substantial reduction in the bulk, weight and cost of the water supply piping required when the vent condenser is located externally of the deaerating heater, as is illustrated in said prior patent. and as is customary commercial practice.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, we have illustrated and described the best forms of embodiment of our invention now known to us, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of our invention as set forth in the appended claims and that in some cases certain features of our invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

i. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank, partition meanswithin the tank between an upper water heating space and a lower water deaerating space, said partition being formed with a lower outlet for the downow of water from said heating space into said deaerating space and with an upper port for the upfiow of steam from the deaerating space into the heating space, means for passing water into said heating space, steam supply means adapted to discharge a stream of steam across the path of the water passing into the deaerating space through said outlet, and baille means within the deaerating space through which the steam stream induces a recirculation of steam in the deaerating space along a path of ow including a portion adjacent said outlet and extending into contact with said steam stream and a portion more remote from said outlet and separated from said steam stream by said baille means, and

2. Apparatus as specied in claim l whichv includes means adapted to maintain a water-seal against the passage of vapor through said outlet.

3. Heating and deaerating apparatus comprisl. ing a tank, a funnel shaped partition within the i tank between an upper water heating space and a lower water deaerating space, said partition being formed with a lower central downwardly extending spout portion and with an upper port for the upow of steam from said deaerating space into said heating space, means for supplying water to said heating space, steam supply means including a conduit extending through the tank wall and having a vertical discharge end portion extending downwardly through said spout portion and spaced from the wall thereof to provide an annular water outlet from said heating space to said deaerating space, the lower edge of said discharge end portion forming a valve seat, a valve member movable upwardly into engagement with the said seat and downwardly away from said seat to permit the discharge from said conduit of steam moving away from the axis of said opening with a velocity high enough to subject the water passing downward through said annular outlet to an atomizing action, and means carried by said end portion forming an annular water holding trough into which the lower edge of said spout portion pro- ,I steam from said deaerating space into said heating space, means for supplying water to said.

heating space, steam `supply means including a conduit extending through the tank wall and 'having a vertical discharge end portion 'extending downwardly through said opening and spaced from the wall thereof to provide an annular water outlet from said heating space to said deaerating space, the lower edge of said discharge end portion forming a valve seat, a valve member movable upwardly into engagement with 1 the said seat and downwardly away from said seat to permit the dischargenfrom said conduit of a steam stream moving away from the axis of said opening with a velocity high enough to subject the water passing downward through said annular outlet to an atomizing action, and a baffle in the form of an inverted cone truncated to provide a central port, beneath and spaced away from said partition with said port below said opening and above said valve seat, whereby said steam stream induces a deaerating space atmosphere flow downward through the space between said partition and baille, which minimizes the tendency of said stream to induce' a vapor downilow through said opening.

5. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank enclosing a steam space, a vent condenser comprising a casing extending through the tank wall into said steam space and enclosing a condensing space and comprising water tubes within said tank extending through said condensing space, a water supply conduit connected to the outer end of said casing and supplying water to the outer ends of said tubes, a floating tube sheet at the inner end of saidl space connected to the inner ends of said tubes and movable longitudinally of said casing in. ac-

lcordance with the longitudinal expansion and contraction of said tubes and casing, and a water distributer in said steam space mechanically connected to said tube sheet and thereby to the inner ends of said tubes and receiving water from the inner ends of said tubes and distributing said water insaid steam space, the portion of said condenser within said tank being provided with an inlet for the passage of vapors and gases from said steam space into said condenser space, and with an outlet for the return of condensate from said condensing space to said steam space and with an outlet opening for the discharge of uncondensed vapors ternally of the tank.

6. Water heatingr and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank, partition means within the tank between an upper water heating space and a lower water deaerating space, said partition being formed with a lower central outlet for the downflow of water from said heating space into said deaerating space and with an upper port for the upflow of steam from the deaerating space into the heating space, steam `supply means including a conduit extending horizontally into the tank at a level above said outlet and comprising a discharge end portion extending downwardly through said outlet, a vent condenser comprising a casing extending horizontaland gases eX- ly into the tank through the wall of the latter and enclosing a condensing space, tubes extending through said condensing space, water supply means connected to the outer end of said casing and supplying water to the outer ends of said tubes, a water distributor within the tank and connected to the inner end of and'receiving water from said tubes, and extending above and being supported by said steam supply conduit and comprising an uprising portion centrally disposed in said tank and formed with one or more discharge outlets through which the waterl is sprayed into said heating space, said condenser being formed with an inlet for the passage of vapors and gases to said condensing space from said heating space and with an outlet for the return of condensate from said condensing space to said heating space and with an outlet for the passage of uncondensed vapors and gases from said condensing space to the exterior of said tank.

'7. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a deaerating chamber, means for supplying steam to said chamber comprising a discharge port, a valve member mounted for movement toward and away from a position and comprising a lip portion extending away from said port and along which the steam passing through said port flows at high velocity, said port and lip portion being formed and disposed to extend across the line of steam ow through the port whereby the steam impacts against said valve member and subjects the latter to a port opening force increasing as the amount of steam passing through the port increases, and means subjecting said valve member to a bias force tending to maintain a predetermined and approximately constant diierential between the static steam pressure within the conduit and the static steam pressure within said chamber.

8. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a deaerating chamber, a steam supply conduit extending into said chamber and having a discharge port opening downwardly into said chamber and a valve seat surrounding between the valve and seat for the discharge ofsteam laterally away from the axis of said port, means subjecting 'said valve member to a bias force tending to maintain a predetermined and approximately constant differential between the static steam pressure within the conduit and the static steam pressure within said chamber, said valve comprising an annular portion surrounding and extending outwardly and upwardly from said seat, whereby as the rate of steam discharge is increased, the valve opening tendency of the impact of the steam against the valve member may substantially neutralize the excess of the static steam pressure acting on the underside of said valve over the static pressure of the high velocity steam stream ilowing along the displaced from said seat to provide an annular discharge passage between the valve and seat for the discharge of steam laterally away from said seat, means subjecting said valve member to a bias force tending to maintain a predetermined and approximately constant differential between the static steam pressure within the conduit and the static steam pressure within said chamber, said valve comprising an annular portion surrounding and extending outwardly from said seat and inclined away from a horizontal plane of said seat at the side thereof toward which the steam in said conduit ilows, whereby as the rate of steam discharge is increased, the valve opening tendency of the impact of the steam against the valve member may substantially neutralize the excess of the static chamber steam pressure acting on the other side of said valve over the static pressure of the high velocity steam stream flowing along the upper side of said annular portion.

10. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a deaerating chamber, means for supplying steam to saidchamber having a discharge port and a valve mounted for movement between a closed position in which it closes said port and a variable open position in which it throttles the discharge through said port, means for adjusting `said valve into different positions as the deaerating chamber demand for steam varies, said means comprising a valve operating rock shaft, automatic biasing means and manual operating means connected to said shaft, and locking means adjustable to limit the extent of opening movement permitted the valve to a preadapted to engage said element and thereby arrest further opening movement of the valve after an extent of opening movement of the valve dependent on the angular position of said element.

12. Heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank, partition means within the tank between an upper water heating space and a lower water deaerating space, said partition being formed with a lower central opening and with an upper port for the upflow of steam from said deaerating space into said heating space, means for supplying water to said heating space, steam supply means including a conduit extending through the tankwall and having a vertical discharge end portion extending downwardly through said opening and spaced from the wall of said outlet to provide an annular water outlet from said heating space to said deaerating space, the loweredge of said discharge end portion forming a valveseat, and a valve member movable upwardly into engagement with the said seat and downwardly away from said seat to permit the discharge from said conduit of steam kmoving at high velocity in a direction including aromponent directed radially away from the axis of said opening and a downwardly directed component, said valve member including annular rim portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the seat engaging portion of said conduit.

13. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank enclosing a steam space, a vent condenser comprising a casing extending through the tank'wall into said steam space and e enclosing a condensing space, a unit extending through said shell and adapted to be removed through the outer end of said shell, and comprising an outer head detachably secured to the outer end of said shell and forming the outer end wall of said condensing space, an inner head within said shell adjacent the inner end of the latter and forming the inner end wall of said condensing space, water tubes extending through said condensing space and having their end portions extending through and secured to `said heads, said inner head forming a iioating tube sheet movable longitudinally of said casing in accordance with the longitudinal expansion and contraction of said tubes and casing, and a conduit section secured to said inner head to rey ceive water from said tubes and extending through andA inwardly away from the inner end oi said shell, the portion of said condenser within a water distributor connected to and receiving water from the inner end of said conduit section and distributing it in said steam space.

14. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank enclosing a steam space, a steam supply conduit extending through and supported from the tank wall and having a discharge end portion disposed centrally in said tank, with a discharge port at its underside, a vent condenser comprising a casing extending through the tank wall into said steam space and enclosing a condenser space, an outer head secured to the outer end of said shell and forming the outer end wall of said condensing space. an inner head within said shell adjacent the inner end of the latter and forming the inner end wall of said condensing space, water tubes extending through said condensing space and having their end portions extending through and secured to said heads, and a conduit section secured to said inner head to receive water from said tubes and extending through and inwardly away from the inner end of said shell and having it's inner end portion above and supported by the vsaid steam conduit discharge end portion, a conduit supplying water to the outer ends of said tubes, and a water distributor connected to and directly supported by said conduit section and receiving water therefrom and distributing it in said steam space.

' 15. Water heating and deaerating apparatus comprising a tank enclosing a steam space, a steam supply conduit extending through and supported from the tank wall and having a discharge end portion disposed centrally in said tank with a discharge outlet at its underside, a vent condenser comprising a casing extending through the tank wall into said steam space and enclosing a condenser space, an outer head secured to the outer end of said shell and forming end portions extending through and secured to said heads, anda conduit section secured to said inner head to receive water fromsaid tubes 4 and extending through and inwardly away from the inner end of said shell and having its inner 10 end portion above and supported by the said steam conduit discharge end portion, a conduit supplying water to the outer ends of said tubes,

and an uprising water distributor axially dis-l posed in said tank above and connected to and directly supported by said conduit section and receiving water therefrom, and having spray outlets distributed about the tank axis through which it discharges water into said steam space.

VICTOR A. ROHLIN. v ARTHUR E. KI'IIREDGE.

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