US2399467A - Heating apparatus and system - Google Patents

Heating apparatus and system Download PDF

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US2399467A
US2399467A US493158A US49315843A US2399467A US 2399467 A US2399467 A US 2399467A US 493158 A US493158 A US 493158A US 49315843 A US49315843 A US 49315843A US 2399467 A US2399467 A US 2399467A
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fluid
heat
heated
generator
outlet
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Edward F Chandler
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JOHN P CHANDLER
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JOHN P CHANDLER
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24HFLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H1/00Water heaters, e.g. boilers, continuous-flow heaters or water-storage heaters
    • F24H1/22Water heaters other than continuous-flow or water-storage heaters, e.g. water heaters for central heating
    • F24H1/40Water heaters other than continuous-flow or water-storage heaters, e.g. water heaters for central heating with water tube or tubes
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F22STEAM GENERATION
    • F22BMETHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
    • F22B21/00Water-tube boilers of vertical or steeply-inclined type, i.e. the water-tube sets being arranged vertically or substantially vertically
    • F22B21/22Water-tube boilers of vertical or steeply-inclined type, i.e. the water-tube sets being arranged vertically or substantially vertically built-up from water tubes of form other than straight or substantially straight
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F22STEAM GENERATION
    • F22DPREHEATING, OR ACCUMULATING PREHEATED, FEED-WATER FOR STEAM GENERATION; FEED-WATER SUPPLY FOR STEAM GENERATION; CONTROLLING WATER LEVEL FOR STEAM GENERATION; AUXILIARY DEVICES FOR PROMOTING WATER CIRCULATION WITHIN STEAM BOILERS
    • F22D7/00Auxiliary devices for promoting water circulation

Definitions

  • This invention relates to methods of, and apparatus for, heating fluids.
  • This application constitutes a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 312,240, filed J anuary 3, 1940. More specifically, the invention pertains to fluid heaters and fluid pressure generators, boilers, heat exchangers, and heated fluid-utilizing systems. Further, the invention relates to fluid generators and systems within which the flow of fluid being thermally treated therein is circulated therethrough at a rate greater than that which would be obtained by gravity circulation alone, and in which the flow is positively accelerated by a strong uni-directional pumping effect resulting from the conversion of heat into kinetic energy within the generating zone.
  • the invention further provides, in apparatus of the class described, operation of the system on the contra-flow principle without the employment of auxiliary, mechanical circulating or pumping means.
  • the present invention is based on the discovery that the use of mechanical circulating means may be avoided in a contra-flow generator by the simple expedient of so applying the heatto the fluid that the'potential thermal energy is converted into kinetic energy and translated into uni-directional flow, It has been found that this impelled or heat-pumped flow is in the direction away from the zone of most intense heat application to the fluid; that is to say, the direction of flow corresponds to the direction in which the fluid is being progressively heated from a lower to a higher temperature.
  • a Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through a heating apparatus and system embodying the present invention. 1
  • Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the heating coils shown in Fig. 1. a
  • Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken through a modified form of heating tube.
  • Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken through a modified form of heating apparatus.
  • Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken through the structure shown in Fig. 4 and showing certain details of the interior of the heating apparatus.
  • Fig. 6 is a'vertical section taken through a further modified form of heating apparatus.
  • Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the heating apparatus shown in Fig.- 6, the view being, at right angles to the view shown in Fig; 6.-
  • Fig.8 is a schematic viewshowingthe operation of one form of heating system embodying the present invention.
  • a Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show slightly-modified forms of such heating systems.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic-illustration of a com' plete system for the generation, storage and sup-' plying of heated fluid embodying one form of the invention.
  • the inventive idea embraces the generation, control and utilization of heat, and provides a simple, inexpensive apparatus or system for economically and efliciently heating a fluid or liquid medium for various domestic and industrial applications and purposes.
  • 2 represents any suitable source of heat, and in this instance is indicated as a standard oil burner having an air tube or nozzle 3 projecting into a combustion chamber 4, which is preferably formed of refractory material.
  • the combustion chamber as shown, comprises four side Walls and a bottom, which may be of the same material, and is open at the top.
  • a suitable casing or jacket envelops the apparatus and serves to thermally insulate the same.
  • jacket 5 is composed of a suitable heat-insulating material which may be encased in an outer sheet-metal casing to afford finish and styling in a well-known manner. 7
  • a generating coil or element 6 Positioned over the open top of the combustion chamber is a generating coil or element 6, provided with a fluid outlet I, which, in this instance, enters the lower part of a storage tank 8 situated within the insulated jacket 5, preferably just above the generator element 6, and having a fluid outlet 9 at its upper part.
  • a flue chamber Ii To the rear of the combustion. chamber 4 is a flue chamber Ii having a. stack connection II through which the products of combustion escape to a suitable chimney (not shown).
  • a fluid inlet connection I2 is adapted to receive fluid, preferably under pressure, through pipe I3 from a suitable source.
  • this source may be the city water main.
  • This incoming fluid is delivered by means of pipe I4 to the inlet connection I2, and then to a suitable preheater.
  • coil I5 positioned in the path of the escaping combustion products in the flue chamber I0.
  • The'fluid passes through the coil I 5 and into the generator coil or element 6 to be delivered by the same into the storage space 8 through the outlet 1.
  • a delivery pipe I6 equipped with a suitable cook or valve I1 controlling the flow of heatedfluid from the system.
  • a pipe I9 equipped with a, flow-valve. 20 connects pipe I 4 with the tank 8, and thus, affords. circulation of the fluid being heated Within the system.
  • a suitable fluid mixing or blending valve 25' may be connected with the tank outlet 9 and to which the supply pipe It may be connected for selectively modifying, in a well known manner, the temperature of the fluid delivered by the valve I'I. Cool fluid is delivered from the source entering the system at I3 and conveyed through pipe 26 to the blending valve 25-for admixture-with the heated fluid from tank 8, as fluid of the desired temperature is delivered from the system through pipe I6 upon opening the valve IT.
  • the flow valve 20 When heated fluid is being drawn from the tank 8, the flow valve 20 is closed by the unbalancing of the pressure within the system, thereby preventing the flow of cool fluid through pipe I9 into the heated fluid stored in the tank 8. Instead, upon the closing of valve 20, the cool fluid must enter the system through the inlet connection 52 and pass through the preheater coil I5 and the generator element 6 before reaching the tank 8. Accordingly, upon the energizing of the heat source, due to the response of the aquastat to a reduction of the temperature of the fluid in the tank 8, it will be seen that the incoming cool fluid, entering through pipe I4, will become heated before it enters the storage tank 8, is blended with the heated fluid stored therein, and then delivered from said tank through the outlet 9.
  • a suitable fuel, oil in the present instance may be delivered to the burner 2 by the pipe 28, and electrical energy, for operating the burner, may be supplied to the connection 29.
  • Fig. 2 is a front view of the fluid heating tubular system, removed from the apparatus, and illustrating one form of construction, and in which 6 are the generating coils 0r elements and I5 the preheater coils.
  • the fluid inlet connection I2 delivers fluid into a suitable header 3
  • These coils I 5 communicate with a fluid receiving header 32 with which the inlet ends of the generator tubes 6 connect, the outlet ends of the generator coils 6, in turn, being in communication with the outlet header 33, which carries the outlet connection I.
  • the rectangular or trombone shaped coils 6 form a tubular grid positioned over the combustion chamber and directly in the radiant heat zone of the furnace.
  • each coil causes the fluid flowing therein to make a plurality of passes forward and back through the zone of intense heat, and that accordingly the fluid, as it. passes through this zone, issubjected to a comparatively prolonged period of accumulative heating as distinguished from the period of progressive heating to which the fluid is subjected as it is passing through the preheater coils I5.
  • the advantage also shouldbe noted of dividing the original fluid stream, as it passes through the tubular heating system, into a plurality of smaller streams, thereby greatly increasing the heat-absorbing area exposed tothe source of heat, while, at the same time, greatly reducing volume of fluid relative to said area.
  • the heat selectively absorbed by the plurality of individual streams is accumulated as said streams are recombined to issue from.the system as a single stream of heated fluid.
  • Fig. 3 is shown a modified form of fluid'generator element which may be substituted for the coil type 6' described;
  • the. outlet end of the preheater coil I5 would be connected to the inlet port 40 of the header unit. 4
  • the outlet pipe I would be connected with the outlet port 45 carried by the, header unit 4
  • preheated fluid from the coil I5 will absorb heat as it flows through the tubular member 42 toward the opening 4-1, and as the direction of flow is reversed and the fluid flows toward the outlet port 46, as arelatively thin-walled, hollow stream in contact with the comparatively large heat-absorbing area of the tubular member 44, it is intensely heated within the radiant heat zone of the furnace.
  • Fluid generators constructed in accordance with both of these designs perform the desired function of setting up a heat pump action, believed to be due to the conversion of the potential energy of the heat into kinetic energy, and thereby establishing a strong uni-directional flow and result, regardless of the particular means employed to produce it, as an inherent, non-mechanical element of the fluid circulating system, and constitutes an important feature of the present invention or discovery.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea applied to a fluid heater which may be employed both for the generation of a stream of heated fluid, as, for example, for a supply of hot water, and for the generation of fluid pressure-steam, for example.
  • Fig. 5 is a top view of the same with the cover removed. The apparatus shown in these views is generally quite similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, except with regard to certain details, and operates in substantially the same manner.
  • the cool fluid to be heated is returned or delivered through the inlet pipe 55 to a suitable inlet header 5
  • the coils 52 and 53 are preferably wound in opposite directions, as indicated, for the purpose of accelerating the heat transfer to the fluid flowing therein, and also it is preferred that a slight but adequate space be left open between the individual coils so as to permit the flue gases to pass therebetween to increase their heat releasing, scrubbing action.
  • Preheated fluid delivered from the coils 52 and 53 into the space 54 passes into the open inlet end 56 of the generator coil or element 6, is caused to flow in this element as previously described, and is delivered from the open exit end '51 into the space 58, in the outlet header 55, and from this space through the port 59 into the outlet pipe connection Bil.
  • the heated fluid leaving the apparatus through the outlet pipe connection 60 may, as will be understood, be delivered to a storage space or to some form of suitable heat-utilizing means, as desired, the cooled fluid being returned to the inlet connection 55 for re-circulation through the generator for further thermal treatment.
  • the outlet header 55 shown in Fig. 4, is provided with a relatively large interior space 58, and while this'space may be reduced in size where the system is to be employed primarily for heating a flowing fluid, this larger space is desirable when the apparatus is to be employed as a vapor or steam generator.
  • a fluid level approximately at the height marked A, would be established in the system, the fluid filling the tubes 52 and 53, the generator coil 6, the inlet header 5!, and a part of the return piping connected with the inlet connection 50 up to this point A.
  • is provided in the lower part of the space 58, so that in certain uses of the system, a pipe connection 62 may be employed to form a return connection directly with the header 5!, and through which means fluid in the system may be circulated in an auxiliary loop.
  • a purpose of this is to prevent excessive priming of the fluid in the space 54 and the passage of unvaporized fluid into the vapor outlet connection 60.
  • Another purpose is to afford an increased body of fluid, which, being highly heated and in comparatively rapid circulation, is useful for heating a supply of hot water or for other auxiliary purposes which may be desirable in conjunction with a vapor-generating system.
  • FIG. 6 is a side View, partly in section, illustrating a modified embodiment of the generating ele-- ment shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. '7 is a plan View of the same with the cover removed.
  • a fluid inlet header i0 is provided with a plurality of preheater tubes H, preferably equipped with suitable heat-transfer fins 12, each having an extended tubular portion 13, bent at an angle and secured in the Wall of the outlet header 14.
  • Secured in the opposite wall of the header 14 are a plurality of tubular members 15, closed at 16, and into which, in spaced relationship, the tubular portions 13 project.
  • the tubular members 15 are preferably also equipped with surfaceextending, heat-absorbing fins TI.
  • the header I4 is provided with an outlet connection 18, and header 10 is provided with an inlet connection 19.
  • Heat generated in the combustion chamber 4 by the operation of the fuel burner 3 heats the fluid in the generator element, in a manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 3, the hot combustion gases flowing into the flue chamber l0 being obliged to pass through the bank of finned preheater tubes H before escaping through the stack connection II.
  • This is an example of simple, inexpensive construction, and afiords high thermal efficiency.
  • Fig. 8 is a diagram which is intended to illustrate in simple form a typical system embodyin the principle of operation herein described.
  • the riser pipe 9' leading from the generator coil 6, supplies heated fluid to the space 90. Cooled fluid from the space 9
  • the heated fluid will circulate in the system, without the addition of heat to the fluid from the heat source 3, by thermal-Syphon or gravity circulation, the cooler, heavier fluid in the limb l4 tending to displace the warmer, ligher fluid in the balance of the circuit. Circulation by this means is slow and diminishes as heat is released from the system.
  • the fluid in the generator coil 6 becomes highly heated, and the fluidin the coil I5 is progressively heated to :a lesser degree toward the inlet [2 where cool fluidenters the coil I5 .from the return pipe hi. Accordingly, there is provided in the tubular circuit composing the system a :relatively long .column of fluid that is being heated progressively from a lower to a higher temperature, the'portion of the column that is most highly heated being positioned adjacent the source of most intense heat and in the vicinity of the generator outlet. This condition favors gravity circulation. in a direction contra-flow to that in which heat is being applied to the column.
  • Fig. '9 diagrammatically illustrates a means forcarrying out an initial step in 'theevolution .of the discovery.
  • the generating element is represented as a simple tubeIilii, positioned above the combustion chamber 4.
  • Said tube I Ill! is shown as an extension of the preheater coil I5. Cool fluid enters the coil at IIII, and heated fluid is discharged from the tube I 00 at the outlet I02.
  • Fig. 10 is illustrated diagrammatically a single-loop generator coil I05.
  • the preheater coil receives cool fluid through the inlet I06 and discharges preheated fluid into the upper limb I01 of the generator coil III-5, which is provided with an outlet connection I08.
  • the highly-heated fluid in the lower limb of the enerator coil is displaced toward the outlet !88, by the less-heated fluid flowing from the coil I5 into the upper limb I07, to take its place.
  • Fig. 11 in which the coil system is shown as reversed; that is, the preheater coil is positioned above the plane in which the generator element I III is situated.
  • the combustion of fuel (gas, oil or coal) in the combustion chamber III directly supplies heat to the generator element IIO, and the combustion gases pass over the coil I5 as they flow in the flue chamber II2 toward the stack exit I I3. Cool fluid enters the coil I 5 through the inlet H5, and heated fluid issues from the tubular system through the outlet I I6.
  • the fluid column is progressively heated from a higher temperature, starting in the vicinity of the outlet IIS and near the source of intense heat application, to a lower temperature toward the cool fluid inlet.
  • the intensely-heated fluid in the generator coil IIO flows toward the outlet I I6 due to its being displaced by the cooler fluid in the preheater coil I5, the direction of flow being counter to the direction of flow of the products of combustion.
  • the invention provides a method of,and apparatus 'for, causing a stream'or body of fluid to flow, while being heated, in a direction counter to that in which the heat is being applied. That is to say, while the fluid is being progressively heated from a lower temperature, beginning at or near its inlet terminal, to a higher temperature at or near its exit terminal, it is caused to flow by the action of gravity, and the direction of such flow is toward the point of greatest heat absorption and in accordance with the principle of contra-flow operation.
  • each of said generator tubes being comprised of an inner tube having an open end and an outer tube having a closed end adjacent said open end, a first header for uniting the entrance ends of said preheater coils, a second header for uniting the exit ends of the generator tubes, and a third header for uniting the exit ends of the preheater coils and the entrance ends of the generator tubes, means for supplying fluid to be heated to said first header, means for receiving heated fluid from said second header, and means for supplying hot gases of combustion first to said generator tubes and then to said preheating coils.
  • a hot fluid generating system operating on the contra-flow principle in which the fluid being heated is caused to flow through the system by thermal syphon action in an endless passage, comprising a combustion chamber, a plurality of multi-pass tubular generators arranged with one pass in position to receive more heat from said ccmbustion chamber than another pass, each generator comprising concentrically-arranged, spaced tubes, the fluid flowing through the inner tube on the first pass, and between the inner and outer tubes on the second pass, a flue receiving gases said source.
  • a fluid heater comprising a combustion chamber provided with a source of radiant heat, a flue chamber having a plurality of preheater coils therein, a plurality of tubular, fluid-heating elements in the combustion chamber, each comprising an inner tube, having an open outer end, and an outer tube carried concentrically of, but spaced from, the inner tube and being closed at its outer end, a first header for uniting the entrance ends of the preheater coils, a second header for uniting the exit ends of the tubular fluidheating elements, and a third header for joining the exit ends of the preheater coils with the inlet ends of the fluid-heating elements.
  • a fluid heater comprising a combustion chamber provided with a source of radiant heat, a flue chamber having a plurality of preheater coils therein, a plurality of tubular generating ele- 'ments in the combustion chamber, each comprising an inlet tube having an open outer end, and an outer tube carried concentrically of, but spaced from, the inner tube and being closed at its outer end, an inlet header for uniting the entrance ends of the preheater coils, and an outlet header for uniting the exit ends of the tubular generating elements and for receiving the exit tubes of the preheater coils.
  • each of said generator tubes including an inner tube having an open end, and an outer tube having a closed end adjacent said open end, an inlet header for uniting the entrance ends of said preheater coils, an outlet header for uniting the exit ends of the generator tubes and for receiving the exit tubes of the preheater coils, means for supplying fluid to be heated to said inlet header, means for delivering heated fluid from the outlet header, and means for supplyin heat to the generator tubes and to said preheater coils.
  • a fluid heating device including a source of heat, a plurality of multi-pass tubular generators arranged with one pass in a position to receive more heat from said source than another I EDWARD F. CHANDLER.

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Description

April so, 1946.
E. F. CHANDLER HEATING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Filed July 1, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR -0W4k0 f. Cl/4/vols? -April 30, 1946. CHANDLER 2,399,467
HEATING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Filed July 1, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' INVENTOR.
[OI'VAAD F 074N045 79 A ii BY r /M Patented Apr. 30, 1946 HEATING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Edward F. Chandler, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to John P. Chandler, as trustee Application July 1, 1943, Serial No. 493,158
6 Claims.
This invention relates to methods of, and apparatus for, heating fluids. This application constitutes a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 312,240, filed J anuary 3, 1940. More specifically, the invention pertains to fluid heaters and fluid pressure generators, boilers, heat exchangers, and heated fluid-utilizing systems. Further, the invention relates to fluid generators and systems within which the flow of fluid being thermally treated therein is circulated therethrough at a rate greater than that which would be obtained by gravity circulation alone, and in which the flow is positively accelerated by a strong uni-directional pumping effect resulting from the conversion of heat into kinetic energy within the generating zone. The invention further provides, in apparatus of the class described, operation of the system on the contra-flow principle without the employment of auxiliary, mechanical circulating or pumping means.
The art has almost universally resorted to mechanical pumping means for forcing the fluid being thermally treated to follow a path counter to that being travelled by the hot furnace gases, 1. e., a fluid being fed under pressure is progressively heated from a lower to a higher temperature as it travels from the inlet to the outlet of the generator, and, in the case where the combustion of a fuel is the source of heat, the gases therefrom, in giving up their heat to the fluid, are progressively cooled as they travel from the heat source toward the flue outlet. As is well known, operation on the contra-flow principle affords the maximum difference in temperature between the fluid and the source of heating throughout their respective paths. This results in high efficiency, fuel economy and improved performance generally,
Heretofore, the advantages and economies of the contra-flow method of operation, while gen-. erally employed in various types of modern power plants, have not been available for the more numerous installations designed for heating, hot fluid supply, and the like, because of the, oomphcated mechanical equipment involved and the necessity for maintaining said equipment, pumps and the like in safe and sound working order.
, The present inventionis based on the discovery that the use of mechanical circulating means may be avoided in a contra-flow generator by the simple expedient of so applying the heatto the fluid that the'potential thermal energy is converted into kinetic energy and translated into uni-directional flow, It has been found that this impelled or heat-pumped flow is in the direction away from the zone of most intense heat application to the fluid; that is to say, the direction of flow corresponds to the direction in which the fluid is being progressively heated from a lower to a higher temperature. There is an actual flow of the fluid in the system by gravity circulation due to the more highly-heated fluid in the vicinity of the exit terminal being of lower specific gravity than the cool, denser fluid entering the generator and displacing the same, and this flow or circulation continues forsome time after the supply of heat from the source has been discontinued and at a gradually diminishing rate. Upon again bringing the heat source into play, the rate of flow is rapidly accelerated. This dual circulation of the fluid is an important feature of the invention in that it aiiords a highlyaccelerated flow during the periods in which the generator is energized, and permits the continued flow of the fluid for the distribution of its heat substantially while the generator is at rest.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be ointed out in the following specification.
In the drawings: a Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through a heating apparatus and system embodying the present invention. 1
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the heating coils shown in Fig. 1. a
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken through a modified form of heating tube.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken through a modified form of heating apparatus.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken through the structure shown in Fig. 4 and showing certain details of the interior of the heating apparatus.
Fig. 6 is a'vertical section taken through a further modified form of heating apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the heating apparatus shown in Fig.- 6, the view being, at right angles to the view shown in Fig; 6.-
Fig.8 is a schematic viewshowingthe operation of one form of heating system embodying the present invention. a Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show slightly-modified forms of such heating systems. Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic-illustration of a com' plete system for the generation, storage and sup-' plying of heated fluid embodying one form of the invention. The inventive idea embraces the generation, control and utilization of heat, and provides a simple, inexpensive apparatus or system for economically and efliciently heating a fluid or liquid medium for various domestic and industrial applications and purposes. In the drawings, 2 represents any suitable source of heat, and in this instance is indicated as a standard oil burner having an air tube or nozzle 3 projecting into a combustion chamber 4, which is preferably formed of refractory material. The combustion chamber, as shown, comprises four side Walls and a bottom, which may be of the same material, and is open at the top. A suitable casing or jacket envelops the apparatus and serves to thermally insulate the same. Preferably, jacket 5 is composed of a suitable heat-insulating material which may be encased in an outer sheet-metal casing to afford finish and styling in a well-known manner. 7
Positioned over the open top of the combustion chamber is a generating coil or element 6, provided with a fluid outlet I, which, in this instance, enters the lower part of a storage tank 8 situated within the insulated jacket 5, preferably just above the generator element 6, and having a fluid outlet 9 at its upper part. To the rear of the combustion. chamber 4 is a flue chamber Ii having a. stack connection II through which the products of combustion escape to a suitable chimney (not shown). A fluid inlet connection I2 is adapted to receive fluid, preferably under pressure, through pipe I3 from a suitable source. For example, in the case of a hot Water system, this source may be the city water main. This incoming fluid is delivered by means of pipe I4 to the inlet connection I2, and then to a suitable preheater. coil I5 positioned in the path of the escaping combustion products in the flue chamber I0. The'fluid passes through the coil I 5 and into the generator coil or element 6 to be delivered by the same into the storage space 8 through the outlet 1. Connected with the tank outlet 9 is a delivery pipe I6 equipped with a suitable cook or valve I1 controlling the flow of heatedfluid from the system. A pipe I9 equipped with a, flow-valve. 20 connects pipe I 4 with the tank 8, and thus, affords. circulation of the fluid being heated Within the system.
When the source of heat 2 is supplying heat to the, generator element 6, heated fluid flows into the tank 8, through the pipe I9 and valve 20 to pipe I4, through which it is delivered to the coil. I5 and into the generator. A suitable aquastat 22 is so positioned with respect to the heated fluid in the tank 8 that it responds to the temperature of said fluid. This aquastat is electrically. connected, inra well known manner, with the stack temperature relay means 23 and the source of heat or oil burner 2, and so adjusted that the source'of heat is energized to supply heat to the fluidpwhen the heat of the stored fluid falls below a predetermined temperature, to replenish the same and to de-energize the heat source, and to discontinue or modify the supply of heat from said source when the heat of the stored fluid in the tank 8 reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. A suitable fluid mixing or blending valve 25' may be connected with the tank outlet 9 and to which the supply pipe It may be connected for selectively modifying, in a well known manner, the temperature of the fluid delivered by the valve I'I. Cool fluid is delivered from the source entering the system at I3 and conveyed through pipe 26 to the blending valve 25-for admixture-with the heated fluid from tank 8, as fluid of the desired temperature is delivered from the system through pipe I6 upon opening the valve IT.
When heated fluid is being drawn from the tank 8, the flow valve 20 is closed by the unbalancing of the pressure within the system, thereby preventing the flow of cool fluid through pipe I9 into the heated fluid stored in the tank 8. Instead, upon the closing of valve 20, the cool fluid must enter the system through the inlet connection 52 and pass through the preheater coil I5 and the generator element 6 before reaching the tank 8. Accordingly, upon the energizing of the heat source, due to the response of the aquastat to a reduction of the temperature of the fluid in the tank 8, it will be seen that the incoming cool fluid, entering through pipe I4, will become heated before it enters the storage tank 8, is blended with the heated fluid stored therein, and then delivered from said tank through the outlet 9. A suitable fuel, oil in the present instance, may be delivered to the burner 2 by the pipe 28, and electrical energy, for operating the burner, may be supplied to the connection 29.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the fluid heating tubular system, removed from the apparatus, and illustrating one form of construction, and in which 6 are the generating coils 0r elements and I5 the preheater coils. The fluid inlet connection I2 delivers fluid into a suitable header 3| wherein the stream of fluid is divided into a plurality of streams by the coils I5 which are in communication therewith. These coils I 5 communicate with a fluid receiving header 32 with which the inlet ends of the generator tubes 6 connect, the outlet ends of the generator coils 6, in turn, being in communication with the outlet header 33, which carries the outlet connection I. It will be noted that the rectangular or trombone shaped coils 6 form a tubular grid positioned over the combustion chamber and directly in the radiant heat zone of the furnace. It will be noted further that each coil causes the fluid flowing therein to make a plurality of passes forward and back through the zone of intense heat, and that accordingly the fluid, as it. passes through this zone, issubjected to a comparatively prolonged period of accumulative heating as distinguished from the period of progressive heating to which the fluid is subjected as it is passing through the preheater coils I5. The advantage also shouldbe noted of dividing the original fluid stream, as it passes through the tubular heating system, into a plurality of smaller streams, thereby greatly increasing the heat-absorbing area exposed tothe source of heat, while, at the same time, greatly reducing volume of fluid relative to said area. The heat selectively absorbed by the plurality of individual streams is accumulated as said streams are recombined to issue from.the system as a single stream of heated fluid.
In Fig. 3 is shown a modified form of fluid'generator element which may be substituted for the coil type 6' described; In this form of the generator, the. outlet end of the preheater coil I5 would be connected to the inlet port 40 of the header unit. 4|, so a to deliver fluid through the tubular member 42 to the space 43 within the tubular member 54', which isclosed at the end 65. The outlet pipe I would be connected with the outlet port 45 carried by the, header unit 4| and which is in communication with the space 43. In this modification, preheated fluid from the coil I5 will absorb heat as it flows through the tubular member 42 toward the opening 4-1, and as the direction of flow is reversed and the fluid flows toward the outlet port 46, as arelatively thin-walled, hollow stream in contact with the comparatively large heat-absorbing area of the tubular member 44, it is intensely heated within the radiant heat zone of the furnace. Fluid generators constructed in accordance with both of these designs perform the desired function of setting up a heat pump action, believed to be due to the conversion of the potential energy of the heat into kinetic energy, and thereby establishing a strong uni-directional flow and result, regardless of the particular means employed to produce it, as an inherent, non-mechanical element of the fluid circulating system, and constitutes an important feature of the present invention or discovery.
Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea applied to a fluid heater which may be employed both for the generation of a stream of heated fluid, as, for example, for a supply of hot water, and for the generation of fluid pressure-steam, for example. Fig. 5 is a top view of the same with the cover removed. The apparatus shown in these views is generally quite similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, except with regard to certain details, and operates in substantially the same manner. In Fig. 4, the cool fluid to be heated is returned or delivered through the inlet pipe 55 to a suitable inlet header 5|, and in this arrangement, as shown in Fig. 5, there are four preheater coils, i. e., two sets comprising outer coils 52 and inner coils 53, nested, and forming two inner channels through which some of the flue gases pass on their way from the combustion chamber A, through the flue chamber H], to the gas exit I I. At their inlet ends, these coils are in communication with the interior of the header 5|, and the outlet ends of these coils 52 and '53 communicate with the space 54 of the outlet header 55.
The coils 52 and 53 are preferably wound in opposite directions, as indicated, for the purpose of accelerating the heat transfer to the fluid flowing therein, and also it is preferred that a slight but suficient space be left open between the individual coils so as to permit the flue gases to pass therebetween to increase their heat releasing, scrubbing action. Preheated fluid delivered from the coils 52 and 53 into the space 54 passes into the open inlet end 56 of the generator coil or element 6, is caused to flow in this element as previously described, and is delivered from the open exit end '51 into the space 58, in the outlet header 55, and from this space through the port 59 into the outlet pipe connection Bil. The heated fluid leaving the apparatus through the outlet pipe connection 60 may, as will be understood, be delivered to a storage space or to some form of suitable heat-utilizing means, as desired, the cooled fluid being returned to the inlet connection 55 for re-circulation through the generator for further thermal treatment.
The outlet header 55, shown in Fig. 4, is provided with a relatively large interior space 58, and while this'space may be reduced in size where the system is to be employed primarily for heating a flowing fluid, this larger space is desirable when the apparatus is to be employed as a vapor or steam generator. For the purpose of generating fluid pressure, as a steam boiler, for example, a fluid level, approximately at the height marked A, would be established in the system, the fluid filling the tubes 52 and 53, the generator coil 6, the inlet header 5!, and a part of the return piping connected with the inlet connection 50 up to this point A. 7 Upon energizing the source of heat; the fluid in the generator element 6 and in the tubes 52 and 53 would be heated in the manner already described, except that in this case, vapors evolved from the highly-heated, rapidly-circulated fluid in the generator element 6, instead of heated liquid, would pass out of the header 55, through the outlet connection 60, for example, to a steam radiator or other heatutilizing means, where it would be condensed and returned to the system through the inlet connection 5B, and again be vaporized and utilized as before.
A tapped opening 6| is provided in the lower part of the space 58, so that in certain uses of the system, a pipe connection 62 may be employed to form a return connection directly with the header 5!, and through which means fluid in the system may be circulated in an auxiliary loop. A purpose of this is to prevent excessive priming of the fluid in the space 54 and the passage of unvaporized fluid into the vapor outlet connection 60. Another purpose is to afford an increased body of fluid, which, being highly heated and in comparatively rapid circulation, is useful for heating a supply of hot water or for other auxiliary purposes which may be desirable in conjunction with a vapor-generating system.
Fig. 6 is a side View, partly in section, illustrating a modified embodiment of the generating ele-- ment shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. '7 is a plan View of the same with the cover removed. A fluid inlet header i0 is provided with a plurality of preheater tubes H, preferably equipped with suitable heat-transfer fins 12, each having an extended tubular portion 13, bent at an angle and secured in the Wall of the outlet header 14. Secured in the opposite wall of the header 14 are a plurality of tubular members 15, closed at 16, and into which, in spaced relationship, the tubular portions 13 project. The tubular members 15 are preferably also equipped with surfaceextending, heat-absorbing fins TI. The header I4 is provided with an outlet connection 18, and header 10 is provided with an inlet connection 19. Heat generated in the combustion chamber 4 by the operation of the fuel burner 3 heats the fluid in the generator element, in a manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 3, the hot combustion gases flowing into the flue chamber l0 being obliged to pass through the bank of finned preheater tubes H before escaping through the stack connection II. This is an example of simple, inexpensive construction, and afiords high thermal efficiency.
Fig. 8 is a diagram which is intended to illustrate in simple form a typical system embodyin the principle of operation herein described. In the diagram, is a storage space for heated fluid. The riser pipe 9', leading from the generator coil 6, supplies heated fluid to the space 90. Cooled fluid from the space 9|] flowing in the return pipe I4 is delivered to the preheater coil [5, and from this coil to the generator coil 6. The heated fluid will circulate in the system, without the addition of heat to the fluid from the heat source 3, by thermal-Syphon or gravity circulation, the cooler, heavier fluid in the limb l4 tending to displace the warmer, ligher fluid in the balance of the circuit. Circulation by this means is slow and diminishes as heat is released from the system.
Upon actuation of the heat source, the fluid in the generator coil 6 becomes highly heated, and the fluidin the coil I5 is progressively heated to :a lesser degree toward the inlet [2 where cool fluidenters the coil I5 .from the return pipe hi. Accordingly, there is provided in the tubular circuit composing the system a :relatively long .column of fluid that is being heated progressively from a lower to a higher temperature, the'portion of the column that is most highly heated being positioned adjacent the source of most intense heat and in the vicinity of the generator outlet. This condition favors gravity circulation. in a direction contra-flow to that in which heat is being applied to the column. That-is,:the less heated portion of the fluid column is constantly moved ahead to a point whereit will :receive .more heat, the lessheated portion tending to displace the hotter portion. This relatively sluggish movement of the fluid stream, however, is rapidly accelerated as the fluid within the generating element is subjected to intense heating.
Initially, the acceleration is probably due to the widening of the temperature diflerential, but this action is followed almost immediately by impulses, set up within the generating element, as the fluid contained therein is heated to .substantially its boiling temperature. These impulses, assumed to be due to the sudden expansion and contraction of intensely-heated fluid particles within the stream of fluid, occur with increasing frequency under the continued application of heat to the generator. The expansion of these intensely-heated particles or portions of the restricted fluid stream occurs substantially midway, it would appear, between zones of lesser and greater temperature of the fluid body, and
the translation of the heat energy thus expended into a strong, unidirectional pumping action seems to bear out this reasoning.
It appears logical that a portion of the fluid heated substantially to the boiling point or above would, upon expanding, lose heat to'the cooler portion of the fluid stream, and experience less resistance and substantially no loss .of heat toward the hotter portion .of the stream. The result of this action would .be a movement 'of the fluid particles composing the stream toward a zone of greater heat, and, by the same token, away from the cooler portion of the stream. The repetition of this effect, in rapid succession, during the period in which-heat is being applied to the generating element, is believed to account at least in part for theunique result obtained. '3. his new discovery brings to the :realm of simple, low-cost fluid heating and vapor-generating equipment and systems the advantages,,economics and efficiency presentl obtainable "in .relatively large, complicated andexpensive installations.
In further consideration of the underlying principle which is the basis of the present inven tion, reference is made to Fig. '9, which diagrammatically illustrates a means forcarrying out an initial step in 'theevolution .of the discovery. In this case, the generating element is represented as a simple tubeIilii, positioned above the combustion chamber 4. Said tube I Ill! is shown as an extension of the preheater coil I5. Cool fluid enters the coil at IIII, and heated fluid is discharged from the tube I 00 at the outlet I02. We will assume, now, that the unit is connected into a system similar to that shown in Fig, 8, -so as to form a closed circuit comprising a fluid storage tank to which heated fluid from the outlet Ill2 is delivered, and that cool fluid from the tank is returned by suitable means toithe inlet ;I Ill, and that. heat is applied in substantially. th
til
same manner as described hereinbefore in connection with Figs. 1 to 8. It will accordingly be apparent that the cool fluid entering at IUI is progressively heated from a lower to a higher temperature in the direction toward the outlet I02. In view of this method of heat application, it will be appreciated that fluid heated in the tube I00 will flow, by gravity circulation effect, toward the outlet I02, because the highly-heated fluid, being lighter, will be displaced by the cooler fluid following through the coil I5. Thus, we have an example of a fluid-heating system, operating on the contra-flow principle, in which the flow occurs as a result of gravity circulation"; that is, without resort to mechanical circulating means.
In Fig. 10 is illustrated diagrammatically a single-loop generator coil I05. In this case, the preheater coil receives cool fluid through the inlet I06 and discharges preheated fluid into the upper limb I01 of the generator coil III-5, which is provided with an outlet connection I08. Employing here the same method of heating as previously described, that is, progressively heating the fluid in the tubular system fro-m a lower temperature, beginning near the cool fluid inlet, to a higher temperature toward the source of intense heat application and in the vicinity of the heated fluid outlet, it will be noted that the same principle of operation obtains as in the other examples. The highly-heated fluid in the lower limb of the enerator coil is displaced toward the outlet !88, by the less-heated fluid flowing from the coil I5 into the upper limb I07, to take its place.
And, as a further indication of the persistence of the operating principle, reference is made to Fig. 11, in which the coil system is shown as reversed; that is, the preheater coil is positioned above the plane in which the generator element I III is situated. In this example, the combustion of fuel (gas, oil or coal) in the combustion chamber III directly supplies heat to the generator element IIO, and the combustion gases pass over the coil I5 as they flow in the flue chamber II2 toward the stack exit I I3. Cool fluid enters the coil I 5 through the inlet H5, and heated fluid issues from the tubular system through the outlet I I6. As in the former examples, it will be noted that the fluid column is progressively heated from a higher temperature, starting in the vicinity of the outlet IIS and near the source of intense heat application, to a lower temperature toward the cool fluid inlet. In this case, as in the former examples, the intensely-heated fluid in the generator coil IIO flows toward the outlet I I6 due to its being displaced by the cooler fluid in the preheater coil I5, the direction of flow being counter to the direction of flow of the products of combustion. The arrangement shown in Fig. 11, however, differs in one respect from the other examples cited in that while the system, during the period in which heat is being applied, operates on the contra-flow principle, the heated fluid is being circulated positively, with a strong heat-pump action, in the direction toward the outlet I I6. The direction of flow tends to reverseshortly after the application of heat to the generator coil III) has been discontinued. Thisis due to the tendenc of the preheated fluid in the coil I5 being displaced, due to its relatively low specific gravity, by cooler fluid in the system.
'From the foregoing it will be seen that in its simplest form the invention provides a method of,and apparatus 'for, causing a stream'or body of fluid to flow, while being heated, in a direction counter to that in which the heat is being applied. That is to say, while the fluid is being progressively heated from a lower temperature, beginning at or near its inlet terminal, to a higher temperature at or near its exit terminal, it is caused to flow by the action of gravity, and the direction of such flow is toward the point of greatest heat absorption and in accordance with the principle of contra-flow operation. The discovery and application of this method of heat ing a fluid is important, as it provides a most simple and inexpensive means for improving the efiiciency and economy of fluid-heating equipment in which gravity circulation is depended upon, and in which a relatively slow, sluggish flow of the fluid is not especially objectionable.
It will, however, be understood from the foregoing description of the discovery forming the basis for this invention that means are also afforded whereby the flow of the fluid being heated is accelerated by a positive and strong pumping action. This method of circulating a fluid, which is apparently the result of so heating a portion of the fluid body that the latent heat energy therein is converted into kinetic energy and translated into uni-directional flow, eiminates the need for mechanical fluid pressure-pumping means in fluid-heatin systems operating on the contraflow principle.
What I claim is:
1. In combination, a plurality of preheater tubes, a plurality of horizontal generator tubes, each of said generator tubes being comprised of an inner tube having an open end and an outer tube having a closed end adjacent said open end, a first header for uniting the entrance ends of said preheater coils, a second header for uniting the exit ends of the generator tubes, and a third header for uniting the exit ends of the preheater coils and the entrance ends of the generator tubes, means for supplying fluid to be heated to said first header, means for receiving heated fluid from said second header, and means for supplying hot gases of combustion first to said generator tubes and then to said preheating coils.
2. A hot fluid generating system operating on the contra-flow principle in which the fluid being heated is caused to flow through the system by thermal syphon action in an endless passage, comprising a combustion chamber, a plurality of multi-pass tubular generators arranged with one pass in position to receive more heat from said ccmbustion chamber than another pass, each generator comprising concentrically-arranged, spaced tubes, the fluid flowing through the inner tube on the first pass, and between the inner and outer tubes on the second pass, a flue receiving gases said source.
from said chamber, and a plurality of tubular preheater coils in said flue connected to said generators for supplying fluid thereto, the fluid making a single pass through each of said preheater coils.
3. A fluid heater comprising a combustion chamber provided with a source of radiant heat, a flue chamber having a plurality of preheater coils therein, a plurality of tubular, fluid-heating elements in the combustion chamber, each comprising an inner tube, having an open outer end, and an outer tube carried concentrically of, but spaced from, the inner tube and being closed at its outer end, a first header for uniting the entrance ends of the preheater coils, a second header for uniting the exit ends of the tubular fluidheating elements, and a third header for joining the exit ends of the preheater coils with the inlet ends of the fluid-heating elements.
4. A fluid heater comprising a combustion chamber provided with a source of radiant heat, a flue chamber having a plurality of preheater coils therein, a plurality of tubular generating ele- 'ments in the combustion chamber, each comprising an inlet tube having an open outer end, and an outer tube carried concentrically of, but spaced from, the inner tube and being closed at its outer end, an inlet header for uniting the entrance ends of the preheater coils, and an outlet header for uniting the exit ends of the tubular generating elements and for receiving the exit tubes of the preheater coils.
5. In a heating apparatus, the combination of a plurality of preheater coils, a plurality of generator tubes, each of said generator tubes including an inner tube having an open end, and an outer tube having a closed end adjacent said open end, an inlet header for uniting the entrance ends of said preheater coils, an outlet header for uniting the exit ends of the generator tubes and for receiving the exit tubes of the preheater coils, means for supplying fluid to be heated to said inlet header, means for delivering heated fluid from the outlet header, and means for supplyin heat to the generator tubes and to said preheater coils.
6. In a fluid heating device including a source of heat, a plurality of multi-pass tubular generators arranged with one pass in a position to receive more heat from said source than another I EDWARD F. CHANDLER.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3368546A (en) * 1965-07-26 1968-02-13 Purex Corp Ltd Pool heater
US20120111287A1 (en) * 2010-11-04 2012-05-10 Nuscale Power, Inc. Helical coil steam generator

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3368546A (en) * 1965-07-26 1968-02-13 Purex Corp Ltd Pool heater
US20120111287A1 (en) * 2010-11-04 2012-05-10 Nuscale Power, Inc. Helical coil steam generator
US8752510B2 (en) * 2010-11-04 2014-06-17 Nuscale Power, Llc Helical coil steam generator
US9188328B2 (en) 2010-11-04 2015-11-17 Nuscale Power, Llc Helical coil steam generator
US9403205B2 (en) * 2010-11-04 2016-08-02 Nuscale Power, Llc Helical coil steam generator
US10512991B2 (en) 2010-11-04 2019-12-24 Nuscale Power, Llc Method of manufacturing a helical coil steam generator

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