US2742234A - Flash steam eliminator - Google Patents

Description

C. C. CARSON FLASH STEAM ELIMINATOR April 17, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1952 INVENTOR CLIFFORD C. CARSON FIG.

ATTORNEYS April 17, 1956 c. c. CARSON 2,742,234

FLASH STEAM ELIMINATOR Filed Feb. 38, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIHI S- FIGA.

INVENTOR CLIFFORD C. CARSON ATTORNEYS I United States Patent FLASH STEAM ELIMINATOR Clifford C. Carson, Montgomery County, Md. Application February 28, 1952, Serial No. 274,045

Claims. (Cl. 237-67) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952.) sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. This invention relates in general to condensate control systems and in particular to steam condensate control systems for heating devices wherein condensate is discharged into a condensate return system.

In systems of the foregoing type where heat is transferred by the condensation of a vapor, such as steam, to

liquid in a closed chamber to deliver the heat of its latent heat of vaporization through the Walls of the chamber to a material which is to be heated, it is necessary to remove the condensate as fast as it collects to clear the way for the entry of additional vapor. Many examples of such systems are well known, from industrial heat transfer devices to the steam radiators employed for house and building heating. In such service, it is common practice to employ steam traps to discharge the condensate from such systems and yet prevent the loss of uncondensed vapors. In such systems it is necessary to employ a saturated vapor pressure in the heat exchange unit or chamber which is at least several pounds higher than the pressure existing in the condensate return line. The condensed vapor or water which is discharged is normally at its boiling point which is a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of saturated steam at the pressure existing in the heat exchanger. This therefore paves the way for the existence of an unstable situation because the condensate released at the boiling point corresponding to the pressure existing in the heat exchanger has a greater total heat contentthan the liquid can possess at the lower pressure existing in the condensate return line. This unstable situation cannot persist, however, because a portion of the condensate will immediately vaporize or flash into steam to remove, by its vaporization, the excess heat. A stable situation with regard to heat content will therefore prevail but the resulting material which must pass through the condensate return line will be a mixture of vapor and liquid which has numerous disadvantages. Typical disadvantages are, water hammer, large physical volume necessitating large piping, and variable volume causing variations in the back pressure. Accordingly it is desirable to make provisions to eliminate such condensate vaporization or flash.

In my U. S. Patents 2,449,055, issued September 14, 1948, entitled Flash Steam Eliminator, and 2,540,097, issued February 6, 1951, entitled Vapor Separator, steam traps of novel design were disclosed containing special apparatus to remove the flash vapor. Essentially this removal is effected by means of an after-condenser following the usual steam trap components to condense any vapors formed due to excess heat content of the liquid at the point of pressure release in the steam trap. The devices described in the prior patents provide exactly the form of operation desired in that they do eliminate vaporization difiiculties under most conditions usually making it possible to eliminate the mixed liquidvapor condensation in the design of condensate return piping and eliminating water hammer.

Continued investigation has resulted in improvements in the devices of the prior patents which are particularly worthwhile, primarily in situations where large quantities of vapor must be handled in pulsating fashion as in situations where the pressure difference between the heat exchange apparatus and the condensate return line is large and where .a steam trap of the intermittent discharge variety is-employed. The reason for the improvement lies in the fact that the devices of the prior patents rely on a head of condensate, typically of only a few inches height, as a-liquid seal to force passage of vaporized condensate into the after condenser and exert a limited amount of retarding force to resist the passage of vaporized condensate into the condensate return system. With this arrangement whenever large volumes of vaporized condensate are released suddenly, an actual blow-out of the liquid seal occurs permitting the passage of vapor into the condensate return line. Another disadvantage of the prior systems for use with large volumes of vapor su'ddenly discharged, is the type of condenser used employing a counter-current flow of vaporized condensate and the condensate therefrom in the same pipe.

Thus, although the devices of the prior patents represent very worthwhile advancements themselves, discoveries have since been made which represent still further advancements of the art.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for separating steam and water condensed therefrom.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus for separating vaporized condensate at its source from the condensate itself and conducting the vaporized condensate to a suitable condenser where cooling thereof takes place to cause complete condensation of such vaporized condensate so that the condensate formed thereby can be readily returned to the lines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steam trap which will insure complete drainage of condensate from a steam vessel under conditions where considerable partial vaporization of condensate occurs as the condensate is released to the lower pressure existing in the condensate return line.

Other and further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent upon a careful considerationof the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein,

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a vapor condensate separator constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a modification of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

With reference now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, a condensate control apparatus 10 is shown therein which is intended to receive condensate that is normally at its boiling point and at a high pressure, via the inlet pipe 40, to deliver this condensate to a reduced pressure condensate return system connected with the outlet pipe 50. The condensate thus delivered to outlet pipe 50 by the device of Fig. 1 is delivered free of any vapors, although it may 5 contain some air or other non-condensables.

*Internally the partitions 41 and 43 are connected by means of a cross partition 42. This partition 42, which is dis posed substantially in a vertical plane, extends the entire width of the apparatus at that point to form two chambers 13 and 14 which are substantially of semi-cylindrical shape, however as shown chamber 13 is somewhat smaller than chamber 14. These two chambers 13 and 14 may be further specifically characterized as inlet and intermediate chambers respectively.

Inlet chamber 13 iscommuni- 'cated to the upper portion of the condensate'control apparatus, which is identified as the float chamber 21, by

means of an aperture 31. Thus the float'chamber 21 "is connected with substantially no restriction through aperture 31, inlet chamber 13 and inlet pipe 40 to the heat transfer apparatus which is associated therewith.

Float chamber 21 is connected to intermediate chamber 14 by means of tube 24, which is screwed into a tapped aperture 26 in the upper partition 43. At the upper end of tube 24,-which as shown is hollow having a passage 25 in the center thereof, is a valve 25A'which is operative against a suitable seat member 2513 to selectively close or open the passage between float chamber 21 and intermediate chamber 14. Tube 24 also serves as a guide for the inverted bucket float 23 which rises or falls in accordance with the amount of steam trapped therein which displaces liquid condensate to provide buoyancy and is suitably linked to valve 25A to force it into contact with seat member25B when the inverted bucket 23 contains steam and is surrounded by condensate and to move valve 25A away from seat member 25B when the inverted bucket contains condensate and is surrounded bycondensate. This type of steam trap is more or less conventional,

' being well known to those skilled in the art and requiring no further elaboration here.

It is shown, for example, in substantially the present form in both of the previously identified U. S. patents.

The lower partition 41 has a discharge opening 46 con- -necting the intermediate chamber 14 to the lower chamber 53 to'permit the unimpeded passage of condensate from intermediate chamber 14 into the lower chamber '53. Condensate thus entering chamber 53 may collect in the bottom of chamber 53 as indicated by the reference character 80. Lower chamber 53 contains an outlet chamber 87 which is separated therefrom by means of the wall 81 and top partition 83. Lower chamber 53 and l outlet chamber 87 are connected by means of an opening in wall 81. Outlet chamber 87 further contains a transverse vertical partition 84, which is attached to the bottom member 88 but does not extend entirely to the top partition 83, to form a weir to maintain a liquid levelin outlet chamber 87 which is above the top of the opening in wall 81. The outlet chamber 87 is connected at a point therein downstream from the weir to the condensate return system by means of an outlet pipe 50. Thus,

in the normal course of operation condensate entering lower chamber 53 collects therein as indicated by the reference character 80, passes through the opening in wall 81, rises to subsequently fall over vertical partition 84 into the outer chamber of outlet chamber 87 from whence it enters the outlet pipe 50.

-In addition to the structure thus far described, a condenser system 70 is connected from the intermediate chamber 14 in the region of its junction with lower chamber 53 to the outlet chamber 87. Connection of thecondenser system to the intermediate chamber 14 is made by means of a suitable vapor pipe 71, whereas connection of the condenser system to the outlet chamber 87 is made by means of the condensate return pipe 74.

Theapparatus thus far described, with the. exception of the condensate return pipe 74, is substantially the equival- -.ent of that employed in the previously identified patents.

However, to;this basicapparatus has been added the addi- 7 tional structure which constitutes the basis of the present invention. The first additional structure has iust been described in the condensate retum pipe 74 which provides a concurrent flow of vaporized condensate and the condensate therefrom from intermediate chamber 14 to outlet chamber 87 as distinguished in the counter-current flow of vaporized condensate and the condensate therefrom as employed in the prior systems.

The second structural improvement is the provision of a mechanical valve assembly automatically responsive to the condition of the condensate discharged through passage 25 to close the opening in wall 81 whenever the vapor pressure or the temperature corresponding thereto in the lower chamber 53 builds up sufficiently as would be the case when a large amount of vaporization occurred upon release of large amounts of condensate at high pressure from the float chamber 21 into the low pressure of tube 24 in chamber 14. This mechanical valve closes to prevent blow-out of the liquid seal of chambers 53 and 87 and forces the passage of vapor through the condenser system 70. The advantages of this addition should now be obvious because by this operation loss of the liquid seal is prevented, to prevent delivery of vapor from lower chamber 53 directly through outlet chamber 87 to outlet pipe 50. In addition, with the valve closed, there is a positive pressure to force the passage of vaporized condensate through the'condenser system to the outlet chamber 87. Counter-current flow of condensate and vapor in the condenser 70 is thus eliminated, permitting I better heat transfer therein. The mechanical valve mechanism, identified generally by the numeral 60, includes a lower arm 62 and an upper arm 61, the two being disposed at substantially right angles with respect to each other and mounted at their juncture point upon a pin 54 supported by a projection 48 extending from the lower surface of partition 41. At the lower end of arm 62 is pivotally mounted a valve shoe 67, which carries on its face a layer of facing material 67A to provide a fluid tight seal when in engagement with a seat portion 18 of partition 81. The upper arm 61 carries an adjustable weight 65 which may be fixedly positioned on arm 61 to offer a force opposing the closing of the valve against seat 18. Weight 65, which by reason of gravity, exerts a downward force upon arm 61 to normally hold the valve shoe 67 away from valve seat 18. The extent of this movement of the valve shoe 67 away from seat 18 is controlled by the set screw 64,'which is also supported by a projection 47 from the'lower surface of partition 41 to provide a limit stop for the arm 62. l

All essential details of Fig. 1 have thus far been described, however other minor points may be discussed briefly. Component 22 is a support mechanism of the type commonly employed in steam traps; Screw 66 is providedfor the purpose of locking weight 65in a selected position upon upper arm 61. Additionally the weep holes 89 are provided in the lower portions of wall 81 and in vertical partition 84 to permit the condensate to drain to the return condensate line 50 during periods of inactivity of the apparatus. Additionally, the inverted bucket float 23 has a small aperture 2!) located in the upper regions thereof to permit the passage of air or other noncondensable gases from the bucket 23.

In addition to the apparatus as thus far described, a

more or less conventional thermostatic type of air or noncondensable elimination valve is provided as indicated in Fig. 2, which shows the inlet pipe 40, a portion of the vapor pipe 71, tube 24, passage 25 therein, and the upper partition 43. A hexagonal cap screw 30 is indicated. This cap screw, as indicated in more detail in Fig. 3, provides a mounting for the temperature responsive expansible bellows actuated valve 12 which forms apassage-way between inlet chamber 13 and the lower chamber 53. This thermostatically operated valve as employed in this and in conventional steam traps providesa means for the rapidelimination of air or vothersnonvcondensables as .is

.elimination of air and non-condensables.

associated therewith is placed in operation. The bellows 11- when cold, as in contact with air, is retracted so that the valve 12 is lifted and open thus directly connecting the inlet chamber 13 and the lower chamber 53 to permit the rapid discharge of air through the vapor pipe 71, condenser system 70 and condensate return pipe 74 through chamber 87 to the outlet pipe 50. As soon as steam reaches the bellows 11 however, expansion thereof, perhaps assisted if desired by a low boiling liquid con tained therein, closes valve 12 so that the direct connection between inlet chamber 13 and outlet chamber 53 no longer exists.

Actual operation of the apparatus of the invention is quite readily visualized. In normal operation the valve 60 remains open as shown in Fig. 1 to permit the flow of condensate through the aperture in wall 81 over the vertical partition 84 to the outlet pipe 50. Small amounts of vapor produced in such operation as the pressure thereon are released at valve 25A are forced by means of the liquid head maintained by vertical partition 84 into the vapor pipe 71 and through condenser system 70 and condensate return pipe 74 to the outlet pipe 50. Whenever sudden surges of vapor occur for one reason or another, the sudden pressure increase in the lower chamber 53 forces the valve shoe 67 toward the opening in wall 81 so that the valve facing material 67A forms a tight seal against the seat portion 18. This then retains the liquid in the lower chamber 53 as well as that behind the vertical partition 84 to prevent its loss and also prevents the direct passage of vapor from lower chamber 53 to the outlet pipe 50. The full pressure dififerential between chamber 14 and outlet pipe 50, which in many instances may be several pounds, is thus available for forcing the vaporized condensate through the condenser system 70 where it is condensed to a liquid before it reaches outlet pipe 50. It thus becomes evident that pressure caused by condensate vaporization upon the release of pressure at valve 25A is actually employed to assist the heat transfer action in condenser system 70.

With reference now to Fig. 4 of the drawing which shows another embodiment of the features of the present invention, the particular apparatus shown therein is intended to perform as an auxiliary device connected in the condensate return system following a conventional type of steam trap which is indicated by numeral 100. This steam trap, as mentioned, may be of any suitable conventional structure and as exemplified in Fig. 4, receives condensate from the heat transfer apparatus cooperative therewith at the inlet pipe 40 and discharges condensate free of vapor into the outlet pipe 50 which connects to the condensate return system. For purposes of illustration only, the steam trap 100 may include outer casing 90, and inlet pipe 91 which extends almost to the bottom of the casing 90. Surrounding inlet pipe 91 is an inverted bucket type float 94 as is commonly employed in steam traps. This float slides upon the outer surface of inlet pipe 91 and operates by means of suitable linkage 92 the outlet control valve 93. Thus, as more or less steam is contained within the inverted bucket, causing the bucket to displace a variable amount of water and hence provide a greater or lesser buoyancy, the valve 93 will be closed or opened to permit by proper adjustment the passage only of liquid condensate through the connecting line 102. This particular type of steam trap selected for the illustration of Fig. 1 does not contain the conventional type thermostatic valve for controlling the Instead, a separate line 101, without any restriction whatever therein from the interior of the steam trap, is provided for connection to the apparatus of the present invention.

The apparatus of Fig. 4 mounted within the body member 111 contains the apparatus embodying this modification of the features of the present invention. This apparatus is also substantially of cylindrical external shape wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member is mounted in a vertical plane. Basically, it is divided into three chambers by an upper partition 108 and a lower partition 118, which extend more or less transversely across the cylindrical member near the center thereof. The upper chamber 112 thus formed within the body 111 above upper partition 108 is connected by means of an opening 109 therein to the condensate line 102 leading from the steam trap 1-00. The upper chamber 112 is also communicated to the middle chamber 113 by several apertures 114 and 115 in the upper partition 108. In turn, the middle chamber 113 is communicated to the lower chamber 104 by means of a passage 119 which is controlled by a temperature responsive valve assembly 120 which broadly is a valve responsive to the condition of the condensate discharged through the line 102. Extending downwardly into lower chamber 104 from the lower partition 118 is a vertical partition member 129. This member extends across the lower chamber 104 to restrict passage of fluid to an area formed underneath the partition between it and the bottom of the outer housing. Thus, the lower chamber 104 is effectively subdivided to form a second lower chamber, outlet chamber 106. As in the apparatus of Fig. 1, this outlet chamber has a vertical partition member extending upwardly from the bottom of the housing to form a weir behind which liquid is impounded to a prearranged depth. As liquid enters lower chamber 104 through passage 119, the excess flows under the vertical partition member 129 into chamber 106, thence over the vertical partition 130, from whence it flows directly into the outlet pipe 50.

In addition to the passages thus far described, a condenser system having a return bend indicated figuratively by numeral provides a by-pass connection between the upper chamber 112 and the outlet chamber 106 by means of which vaporized condensate or flash from upper chamber 112 is condensed and delivered directly to the outlet chamber 106. Additionally, the direct line 101 from the bottom of the steam trap is connected to chamber 104 through an ante-chamber 133. The passage between ante-chamber 133 and lower chamber 104 contains a valve assembly 132, which is temperature responsive being retracted as shown when it is cold and expanded to close the opening between ante-chamber 133 and lower chamber 104 when the temperature sensitive valve assembly 132 is in contact with hot condensate.

In the discussion of this embodiment, the detailed discussion of the condition responsive device or, as hereinafter called, the temperature sensitive valve assembly has been reserved for this point for the purpose of emphasis. This valve, operated as shown by a bellows 126 is employed to open or close the passage 119. The temperature sensitive element is selected and adjusted so that the passage 119 will be open at a temperature slightly higher than the boiling point of water at the normal pressure existing in the condensate return system and closed above this temperature. Thus, as the steam trap 100 delivers condensate into the upper chamber 112 and middle chamber 113, this condensate, if existing at a temperature and heat content in excess of the boiling point of water at the pressure of the condensate return system, will partially vaporize and additionally due to the high temperature the bellows 126 will expand to close passage 119. This prevents the forceful ejection of the liquid seal maintained in the lower chamber 104 and the outlet chamber 106. With passage 119 thus closed, the vaporized condensate has a positive pressure urging its passage through the condenser system 70 to the outlet chamber 106. In passage thereof, however, the vapors are condensed to where only a liquid condensate is delivered into chamber 106, this provided, of course, that the rate of vaporization does not exceed the capacity of the condenser assembly 70 to remove heat.

Several additional features of construction can also be described briefly, for example a small aperture 131 is placed in the vertical pa rtition mernber 129 at a point which is slightly below the normal liquid level which exists in lower chamber 104 and outlet chamber 106. The purpose of this small aperture is to provide an easy passage of air and non-condensables from lower chamber 104- into lower chamber 106 and thence to the condensate return system, rather than requiring that the air collect in lower chamber 104 to such an extent as to lower the liquid level therein to a point below the bottom of the vertical partition member 129. Additionally, also, the vertical partition member 130 is provided with a small weep hole 141 to permit chambers 104 and 106 to drain into the condensate return system during periods ofv inactivity. of .the apparatus associated with thedevice shown in Fig.4.

To facilitate this drainage, the bottom of the device 111 i -may be inclined slightly as shown. Thus complete drainage of the device can occur. U

I From the above discussion, it .is seen that a condensate discharge system is provided .for heat operative apparatus .wherein vaporized condensate isexcluded from the condensate return system. This new apparatus isparticularly suited for operation under conditions where there is a pronounced tendency of condensate to partially vaporize upon release of pressure at the steam trap.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that many modifications of the invention may be made without exceeding the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a condensate control device for removing vapor "produced when a condensate having pressure and temperature conditions and existing at its boiling point in a first container at a high pressure is released to a second container at a. lower pressure through a liquid trap comprising, mechanical valve means between the first and second container responsive to one of said conditions of the condensate for preventing the direct passage of vapor through said liquid trap to the second container at the lower pressure, and condenser means bypassing said mechanical valve means and said liquid trap providing a path to the second container at the lower pressure wherein vapors liberated on pressure release are condensed, the construction and arrangement of said first container, said second container, said liquid trap, said mechanical valve means and said condenser means being such that under normal operating conditions with the mechanical valve open condensate vapor stands substantially dormant in the condenser and condensate flows through the liquid trap, whereas with a sudden flow of condensate into the second container the mechanical valve is automatically :closcd and flash vapor passes through the condenser with sufficient pressure as to be condensed therein and the condensatc formed thereby flows to said second container at a point downstream of the liquid trap.

' 2. In a device for preventing the entry of vaporized condensate having pressure and temperature conditions into a condensate return system for a heat exchange device including, a casing having a liquid seal and valve means responsive to the conditions of the condensate and being serially interposed between said condensate return system and said heat exchange device for blocking the direct passage of vapor through said liquid seal into said condensate return system, and condenser means having inlet and outlet means secured to said casing and bypassing said valve means and said liquid seal for providing a path wherein vapors liberated from the condensate are condensed before reaching the condensate return system andare delivered to the condensate return system at a point downstream of the liquid seal, the construction and arrangement of said liquid seal, said valve means and said condenser means being such that under normal operation 'with the valve means open condensate vapor stan'dsfsubstantially dormant in the condenser, whereas with the valve closed flash vapor passes into the condenser with suflicient' vapor pressure as to be condensed therein and thecondensateformed thereby flows therefrom to the "downstream side of the liquidseal.

3. In a condensate return system forremoving coni'densate from a heat exchange device employirig a vaporized liquid under pressure as a heat input medium, condensate return piping operative at a lower pressure than that in the heat exchange device, a casing having a liquid seal and adapted to serve as a vapor-liquid trap connected to the heat exchange device for eliminating of condensate vapor through said liquid seal into the condensate return piping, and condenser means secured to said casing and bypassing said liquid seal and said pressure responsive valve for condensing condensate vapors passing therethrough and delivering the condensate therefrom into the condensate return piping at a point downstream of the liquid seal, the construction and arrangement of said liquid seal, said pressure responsive valve and said condenser means being such that during normal operation of the system with the pressure responsivevalve open condensate vapor stands-substantially dormant in the condenser means and condensate flows through the liquid seal into the condensate return piping, whereas, with a sudden discharge of condensate into the casing the valve is closed and due to a resultant rise in vapor pressure the condensate vapor passes into the condenser wherein the vapor is condensed and the resulting condensate flows into the piping system at a point downstream of the liquid seal. V

4. In a condensate. return system for removingcondensate from a heat exchange device employing a vaporized liquid under pressure as a heat input medium, condensate return piping operative at a lower pressure than that in the heat exchange device, a casing having a liquid seal and adapted to serve as a vapor-liquid trap connected to the heat exchange device for eliminating condensate fromthe heat exchange device discharging the condensate from the higher pressure of the heat exchange device to the lower pressure of the condensate secured to said casing and bypassing said liquid seal and said temperature responsive valve means for condensing condensate vapors passing therethrough and delivering the condensate therefrom into the condensate return piping at a point downstream of the liquid seal, the construction and arrangement of said liquid seal, said temperature responsive valve and said condenser means being such that during normal operation of the system with the temperature responsive valve open condensate vapor stands substantially dormant in the condenser means and condensate fiows through the liquid seal into the condensate return piping, whereas, with a sudden discharge of condensate into the casing the valve is closed and due to a resultant rise in vapor pressure condensate vapor passes into the condenser wherein the vapor is condensed and the resulting condensate flows into the piping system at a point downstream of the liquid seal.

5. In a condensate return system for removing condensate having pressure and temperature conditions from v a heat exchange device employing a vaporized liquid under pressure as a heat input medium, condensate return piping operative at a lower pressure than that in the heat exchange device, a vapor-liquid trap for eliminating condensate from the heat exchange device discharging the condensate fromthe high pressure of the heat exchange device to the low pressure of the condensate return piping, a first enclosed chamber, connected to'thevapor-liquid trap for receiving condensate and We per therefrom, second and third enclosed chambers serially connected in the condensate path to the condensate return piping, said second and third enclosed chambers having a liquid seal associated therebetween, the third chamber being connected to the condensate return piping, a mechanical valve responsive to one of said conditions of the condensate in at least one of the first and second chambers operative to prevent flow of vapor through said liquid seal into the third chamber, and condenser means bypassing said mechanical valve and liquid seal to provide a vapor condensing path around said valve and liquid seal, the construction and arrangement of said vapor-liquid trap, said chambers, said liquid seal and said condenser means being such that during normal operation of the system with the mechanical valve open condensate vapor stands substantially dormant in the condenser means and condensate passes through the liquid seal into the condensate return line, whereas, with a sudden discharge of condensate into the second chamber the valve is closed and due to a resultant rise in vapor pressure condensate vapor passes into the condenser means wherein the vapor is condensed and the resultant condensate flows into the piping system at a point down stream of the liquid seal.

6. In a condensate return system, a condensate return line including an inlet pipe adapted to receive condensate at a relatively high vapor pressure and an outlet pipe adapted to discharge condensate at a relatively low vapor pressure, a condensate control in said line between said inlet and outlet pipes, said condensate control including means forming a steam trap, a first chamber, a valve and a second chamber connected in the order named for series flow of condensate therethrough, means in said second chamber forming a liquid seal for obstructing the flow of condensate vapor between said inlet and said outlet pipes, a vapor condenser bypassing said valve and said liquid seal forming means and having a vapor inlet at a point upstream of said liquid seal and a condensate discharge at a point downstream of said liquid seal, said valve being operable responsive to a condition of the condensate for preventing direct passage of condensate vapors through said liquid seal, said valve, said liquid seal and said vapor condenser being so constructed and arranged in said condensate return line as to pass condensate through said valve and liquid seal under certain conditions of the condensate, whereas, under other conditions of the condensate the valve is automatically closed to flow of condensate therethrough whereby the vapor pressure of condensate vapor contained in said second chamber is raised to a point that such vapor is forced into the vapor condenser wherein the vapor is condensed and the resulting condensate flows from said condenser into the condensate return line at a point downstream of the liquid seal.

7. A condensate control apparatus for removing vaporized condensate having pressure and temperature conditions comprising a casing having inlet means adapted to receive condensate at high pressure and near the boiling point, a float chamber operatively coupled to said inlet means, an intermediate chamber, valve means responsive to the amount of steam within said float chamber for coupling said float chamber to said intermediate chamber, a condensate chamber and a liquid seal therebetween having an integral outlet chamber, a flow preventing means coupling said intermediate chamber and said outlet chamber responsive to one of said conditions to prevent vaporized condensate from entering said outlet chamber through a blow out of said liquid seal, weir means in said outlet chamber adapted to maintain a liquid level therein, an outlet pipe connected to said outlet chamber at a point downstream from said weir, a condenser device having an inlet vapor pipe and a condensate return pipe, said inlet vapor pipe coupled to said intermediate chamber, and said condensate return pipe coupled to said outlet chamber at a point downstream from said weir thereby providing a concurrent flow of vaporized condensate and condensate from said intermediate chamber to said outlet chamber.

8. An invention as defined in claim 5 but further characterized by said mechanical valve being pivoted to close in response to increased pressure.

9. An invention as defined in claim 5 but further characterized by said mechanical valve having a bellows-type actuating member adapted to close said valve responsive to increased temperature.

10. A condensate control apparatus comprising a casing having condensate inlet means, a float chamber associated with said inlet means, an intermediate chamber, a first valve means responsive to the quantity of steam in said float chamber for connecting said float chamber to said intermediate chamber, a liquid seal, an outlet chamber associated with said intermediate chamber through said liquid seal, pressure responsive valve means cooperating with said outlet chamber to prevent vaporized condensate from entering said outlet chamber through said liquid seal, weir means within said outlet chamber for maintaining a condensate level therein, outlet means connected to said outlet chamber at a point downstream from said weir means, and a condenser device having a vapor inlet and a condensate outlet connected to said casing for providing a flow from said intermediate chamber to said outlet chamber, the construction and arrangement of the first valve means, the intermediate chamber, the liquid seal, the outlet chamber, the pressure responsive valve, the weir means and the condenser device being such that under normal operating of the condensate control with the pressure responsive valve open condensate passes through the liquid seal into the outlet chamher and condensate vapor stands substantially dormant in the condenser device, whereas, with a sudden discharge of condensate through the first valve into the intermediate chamber the pressure responsive valve is closed and due to a resultant rise in vapor pressure condensate vapor passes into the condenser device wherein the vapor is condensed at the higher vapor pressure and the resultant condensate flows into the outlet chamber at a point downstream of the weir means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,532,550 Hubbard Dec. 5, 1950 2,532,951 Schaub Dec. 5, 1950 2,665,073 Dondero Jan. 5, 1954 2,665,847 Schaub Jan. 12, 1954

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