US2733961A

US2733961A - Atomizer

Info

Publication number: US2733961A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1956-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 1973-02-07

Description

Feb. 7, 1956 Filed April 25, 1952 J.,R. RHINEHART ETAL ATOMIZER 3 Sheets-Sheet, 1

John JQ hz'nebart BY Char/BSS rig/Q ATTORNEY Feb. 7, 1956 J, R, RHlNEHART ET AL 2,733,961

ATOMIZER 3 Sheets-Sheen 2 Filed April 25, 1952 Feb. 7, `1956 1, R, RHlNEHAR-r ET AL 2,733,961

ATOMIZER 3 Sheets-Sheer. 3

Filed April 25, 1952 Flea @o Lm m a mh N E I 76 BY C bar/@5 i1. ,E5/Wick 9%@ #dr .ATTORNEY FIG? r- 2,733,961 ice Patented Feb. 7, 1956 ATOMIZER John R. Rhinehart, Ridgewood, and Charles H. Eshrich, Hasbrouck Heights, N. J., assignors to logue Eiectrie Manufacturing Co., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 25, 1952, Serial No. 284,224

3 Claims. (Cl. 299-118) This invention relates to improved atomizer means.

An object of this invention is to provide improved atomizer means adapted to modify the path of a moving stream of liquid in a manner to facilitate the subdivision of such liquid into extremely minute particles.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved atomizer means particularly adapted to respond to control means whereby the operation and orifice size of the atomizer means may be automatically controlled.

Another object of this invention is to provide atomizer means having multiple orifices which may be regulated as to their operating dimensions and are of self cleaning construction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide atomizer means particularly adapted to atomize liquids carrying entrained gases into particles of such size that a maximum amount of the entrained gases may be separated from the liquid.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown illustrative embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of liquid treating apparatus including atomizing means embodying the invention, with parts cut away and parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical enlarged sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the atomizer and associated actuating means, with parts cut away and parts in section;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical elevational View of a modified form of the atomizer, with parts cut away and parts in section;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of another form of the atomizer; Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a portion thereof, taken on line 7 7 of Pig. 8; and Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a portion of the atomizer shown in Fig. 6.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 designates liquidgas separating apparatus including atomizing means embodying the invention. The same comprises a storage tank 11 for receiving the degasified liquid and which is provided with a communicating atomizing chamber 12. The chamber 12 includes a top wall 13 on which is mounted a condenser and gas vent 14. The tank 11 is provided at its lower portion with an outlet l5 for drawing off the degasified liquid, and an overow pipe 15a.

Raw liquid to be degasified, is introduced into the upper end of chamber 12 by means of a supply line 16 which is connected to one branch 17a of a cross pipe tting 17 which is mounted on the top wall 13 of the cham.- ber through another branch 17b. An atomizer 18 depends from the under side of wall 13, projecting into chamber 12 and communicating at its upper end with branch 17b of fitting 17. A supply line 19 which is connected to branch 17e of fitting 17, is adapted to introduce another stream of liquid into atomizer 18 for degasification.

As shown in Fig. 3, the atomizer 18 comprises a plurality of similar, vertically superposed, cylindrical outer sleeves 20. Each of the sleeves is formed with radially extending ears 21 which may be aligned to receive bolts for securing the sleeves together. Each of the sleeves 20 is also formed with a plurality of suitably spaced, parallel slots or orifices 22 extending about the periphery thereof. The orifices 22 comprise vertical, outwardly diverging side walls 23, as shown in Fig. 4. The angle between each pair of orifice walls may be between about 30 and 60. Each of the orifices may have a maximum transverse dimension of about 0.25 inch.

The topmost sleeve 20 is bolted to a flanged, annular adapter member 24, which in turn is bolted to an annular rim member 25. The rim member 25 is disposed within an opening 25a formed in top wall 13 and secured therein by welding or the like. The flanged portion of branch 17b of the fitting 17 is bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface of member 25. A deector ring 26 is mounted on the outer surface of each sleeve 20 and includes an upwardly and outwardly extending portion 26a disposed opposite orifices 22, for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

A circular disc 27 closes off the lower end of the lowermost sleeve 20. The disc 27 is formed with an axial opening in which is mounted a bearing 28. A shaft 29 is axially disposed within sleeves 20, with its lower end slidably received in the bearing 28. The upper end of the shaft 29 extends through the annular member 25 and projects into the interior of the fitting 17 where it is connected to a coaxial shaft 30.

The shaft 30 extends upwardly through the branch 17d of fitting 17 and is connected to a pressure responsive, spring loaded, diaphragm type actuating device 31. The lower end of the device 31 is bolted or otherwise attached to the fianged portion of the fitting branch 17d. It is apparent that the shaft 29 is adapted to be moved axially with respect to sleeves 20 upon operation of the device 31.

Mounted in the adapter member 24 is a deflector 33 which comprises an axial hub portion 34 formed with a through opening through which shaft 29 freely passes. Extending radially from the hub 34 are a plurality of similar, equiangularly disposed vanes 35. The vanes may be of the propeller type and have surfaces 36 inclined to the horizontal. The leading edge of one vane may be in substantial vertical alignment with rear edge of an adjacent vane. The outer ends of vanes 35 are welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface of a cylindrical sleeve 37. The outer surface of sleeve 37 is fixed to the inner surface of the adapter member 24 by welding or the like.

Fixed on the shaft 29, in spaced longitudinal arrangement thereon, are a plurality of similar defiector members 4t). The deflectors 46 each comprise a hub portion 41 fixed to a predetermined portion of shaft 29 and a plurality of vanes 42 extending radially thereof. The vanes 42 are similar to vanes 35, hereinbefore described, and are similarly disposed relative to hub 41. The outer ends of vanes 42 on each of the deflectors 40 are secured to the inner surface of a cylindrical inner sleeve 43. The inner sleeves 43 are concentric with the outer sleevesr20, the outer surfaces of sleeves 43 slidably contacting the inner surfaces of the sleeves 20.

The deflectors 40 are arranged on shaft 29 so that in one position of the shaft, the orifices 22 in each of the outer sleeves 20 are covered or substantially covered by the inner sleeve 43 on one of the deectors 40. It is apparent that upon axial movement of the shaft, the orifices are progressively covered or uncovered, depending upon the direction of movement of the shaft. The eiective size of the orices 22 may be accordingly regulated upon controlled operation of the actuating device 31. The deliectors il may be so positioned on shaft 21! as to provide for orifice openings in one sleeve 2t? of a size different from that of the orifices in another sleeve 20, upon axial movement of the shaft 29 to a given position.

Means is provided for automatically controlling the operation of the actuating device 31 and thereby regulating the effective size of the orifices 22 in sleeves Ztl. To this end, the storage tank 11 is' provided with a float operated level device 45 which may be connected by a mechanical linkage 46 to suitable valve operating means on a valve 47 interposed in the inlet line 16. The upper end of the actuating device 31 is connected to the line 1o between the valve 47 and the fitting 17 by a conduit 4d. The pressure on the diaphragm in device 31 may be equalized by means of a conduit 4de interconnecting the lower end of the device 31 with the upper end of the chamber 12.

Steam is brought into the chamber 12 by means ot an inlet 49, as shown in Fig. 2. Such inlet is connected` to an annular steam chest Sti disposed within the storage tank 11 opposite the lower end of the chamber. The chest 50 is provided on its inner periphery with a sawtooth outlet 51. A conical batlie 52 is mounted within the lower end of chamber 12 and includes a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 53 which is disposed concentrically within the annular chest 50. A conical baffle Y 54 is also mounted within chamber 12 with its lower portion overlapping the upper portion of balile 52. A circular baffle plate 55 having an upwardly extending rim 56, is mounted within the lower portion of the baie 54, by means of angle members 56a.

It will be apparent that in the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 4, the flow of raw liquid through line 16 is controlled through valve 47 which is operated through the float operated level device 4S, which in turn is controlled by the level of the treated liquid in the storage tank 11. Also, the pressure in line 16 between valve 47 and fitting 17 controls the operation of the actuating device, which in turn determines the relative axial position of shaft 29, thereby controlling the eliective size of the orifices 22 in the atomizer 18.

A stream of raw liquid passing from the line 16 to the fitting 17 towards the atomizer 18, will impinge on the iixed deector 33. The stream will be deflected in substantially transverse directions by the vanes 3S which will impart a spinning, spiralling movement to the deflected stream. The spun liquid will pass spirally downward through the successive deectors 40. Here the liquid stream contacts the vanes 42 where the stream is again spun outwardly and has a substantial tangential cornponent imparted thereto.

The liquid then spins through the portions of the orifices 22 in sleeves 20 which are left exposed by the inner sleeves 43. As a result, the liquid will leave the atomizer in extremely finely subdivided form and will produce in effect a cloudlike formation within the charnber 12. As the finely divided particles of liquid leave the atomizer, they are dellected upwardly towards the top wall 13 of the chamber by means of the deector rings 26.

The steam entering through inlet 49, at a substantial velocity, passes through the outlet 51 and rises upwardly through chamber 12 in a tortuous path due to the

baffles

52, 54 and 55. The steam reaches the upper portion of the chamber in a highly agitated state and quickly intermingles with the iloating, linely divided particles of liquid. The particles then become highly agitated and reach their boiling point almost instantaneously. As a consequence, gases entrained in the liquid, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia or other volatiles not condensahle at the temperature of the steam, are

separated from the liquid very rapidly and in substantial amount. The separated gases or other volatiles are removed through the condenser and vent 14 or may be collected in any suitable manner.

After separation of the gases from the liquid particles, the degasiiied material falls downwardly until it reaches the baffle plate and the

baiiies

52, 54 which are heated by the steam from chest Sil. The liquid particles are quickly coalesced upon contact with the heated battle plates and baiiles. As the liquid particles impinge on the heated surfaces, a further boiling action may take place and thereby effect further separation of residual gases which may be still present in the liquid.

The lower portion 53 of baille 52 is immersed in gas free liquid which has passed down through the battles and overiiows over the steam chest 50 to be received in tank 1l. This in effect forms a liquid seal for the lower end of the chamber 12.

lt has been found that with the atomizer of the instant invention, gas containing liquid may be so iinely subdivided as to produce a cloudlike formation of particles. Such particles, upon agitation due to contact with steam, boil almost instantaneously, thus producing an unusually high degree of gas separation. Accordingly, gas separation may be effected without the use of conventional auxiliary equipment such as gas scrubbers, trays or other secondary treatment.

Various gases including carbon dioxide and ammonia, as well as oxygen, may be removed from the treated liquid. ln the case of liquids which are pretreated with chemicals which leave a residue of carbon dioxide in either free or combined form, atomization of such liquid results in an efficient separation of the gas content therefrom.

The orifices 22 in sleeves Ztl are sell cleaning since the axial movement or" the inner sleeves 43 is eliective in removing any incrusted solids which may collect on the inner surfaces of the sleeves Ztl under conditions of liquid atomization.

ln the case of gas containing liquids at relatively low pressure, such as steam boiler condensate, such liquid, which may enter the atomizer 18 through a line 19, may have its velocity increased in order to insure proper atomization. As shown in Fig. 5, this is accomplished by making the deector 33 rotatable. Accordingly, the hub 34 of the deflector is iixed to a hollow shaft 6l) which is rotatably mounted on shaft 29. The shaft 6l) may be supported by means of a spider 60u mounted within tting 17. A bevel gear 61 is fixed to the upper end of shaft 6G and meshes with a bevel gear 62 iixed on one end of a horizontally disposed rotatable shaft 63 which is mounted in a suitably packed bearing 64 in a `Hall portion of fitting 17. The shalt 63 is adapted to be rotate by means not shown, thereby rotating the deiiector 33. Such an arrangement will increase the velocity of approach of: the liquid as it is spun towards the orices 2?. in the sleeves 2li.

The rotation of deliector 33 is also effective to increase the velocity of approach of liquids having a relatively high viscosity. lt is understood that deiiectors 4t) may also be arranged for rotational as well as axial movement, by suitable mechanical means, thereby further increasing the velocity ot approach of the liquid passing through the atomizer.

The atomizer embodying the invention may be provided in moditied form, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. Thus, the atomizer generally designated at 7@ comprises a mounting plate 71 which may be suitably fitted in an opening in a wall of an atomizing chamber. The plate '71 supports a raw liquid inlet 72 which includes a downwardly extending vertical portion 73 and a short horizontal portion 74. An atomizer head 75 is threaded on inlet portion 74 and includes an enlarged end portion 76.

Atomizer portion 76 is formed with a vertically extending cylindrical chamber 77 having a constrict'ed opening 78 at the bottom thereof forming an orifice and a threaded opening at the top thereof for receiving a bushing 79. A valve stem 80 is vertically mounted for rotation on plate 71 by means of a handle 81. The stem 80 ncludes a tapered portion 82 intermediate the ends thereof which is adapted to engage a seat 83 formed on the upper surface of bushing 79, and an end portion 84 of reduced diameter which passes through chamber 77 and in tightly fitting engagement with orifice 78 for guiding the movement of the stem.

The atomizer head 75 is further formed with a short, horizontally extending, constricted passage 85 which communicates with chamber 77. As shown in Fig. 8, the relative dimensions and location of passage 85 and chamber 77 are such that the passage is tangentially disposed relative to the chamber.

It will be apparent that raw liquid entering the atomizer by way of inlet 72 will pass by way of passage 85 into chamber 77 and will be deflected in an upward direction while at the same time the deflected liquid stream is swirled as it passes through the opening or orifice in bushing 79 to form a very finely divided spray of atomized particles. The atomization may be regulated by suitable rotation of handle 81, to vary the relationship between stem portion 82 and seat 83. It has been found that the atomized spray of liquid tends to approach the horizontal, due to the swirling action of the atomizer head.

It is understood that the atomizers embodying the invention may be used for converting liquids other than water into very finely divided form for whatever purpose desired.

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 46,284, filed August 26, 1948, now Patent No. 2,625,236.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an atomizer in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the described invention and as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and ber having an imperforate surface operative to regulate the size of said orifices upon relative axial movement of said members, said other member having an axial hub and a plurality of radially extending vanes interconnecting such hub and the inner surface of said other member, said vanes including surfaces inclined relative to the axis of said members.

2. Atomizing means comprising a pair of concentric telescoped, contacting tubular members, the outer member being formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending orifices, the inner member having a circumferential imperforate wall surface, an axially movable shaft axially disposed relative to said members, means for mounting said inner member on said shaft comprising a plurality of radially extending Vanes interconnecting the inner surface of said inner member and said shaft, the wall surface of said inner member being operative to regulate the effective size of said orifices upon axial movement of said shaft, said vanes having surface portions inclined relative to a plane passing transversely through the axis of said members.

3. Atomizing means comprising a plurality of axially aligned outer, tubular sleeve members, each of said members being formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending orifices, means for interconnecting said members, an axially movable shaft disposed axially of said outer members, a plurality of axially spaced, inner tubular sleeve members mounted on said shaft, each inner member having a circumferential outer imperforate surface portion in contact with the inner surface of an associated outer member for regulating the effective size of said orifices upon axial movement of said shaft, and radially extending deilector means extending from the inner surface of each of said inner members to said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,008 Burns Apr. 23, 1895 704,374 Raymond July 8, 1902 1,289,779 Howard Dec. 31, 1918 1,383,404 Kirgan July 5, 1921 1,790,970 Braybrooks Feb. 3, 1931 2,043,378 Igorashi et al. June 9, 1936 2,092,846 Hutchinson Sept. 14, 1937 2,247,897 Wahlin July l, 1941 2,501,736 Olsen Mar. 28, 1950 2,503,723 Gothard Apr. 11, 1950 2,595,759 Buckland et al. May 6, 1952 2,602,002 Schutt July 1, 1952 2,625,236 Rhinehart et al. Jan. 13, 1953