US3731734A - Adjustable selective orificing steam condenser - Google Patents

Abstract

An air cooled steam condenser having adjustable plate means or a series of adjustable plates mounted within the steam intake header compartment. The plate means in effect form a series of interconnected subchambers, each of which communicates with a row of cooling tubes in which steam is condensed by a stream of cooling air flowing over, around and past the tubes. The rows of tubes extend transversely of the direction of airflow and the rows extend perpendicular to the direction of airflow at spaced intervals. An adjustable inlet passage is formed by each plate through which steam flows into the subchambers. The passages are smaller in area for each successive subchamber in the header through which the steam flows so that only that amount of steam that can be condensed effectively within the tubes in any row, enters such row, having regard to the tube length and the temperature difference at the particular row which determines the cooling effect of the airflow over the successive rows of tubes.

Description

United States Patent 1 Ris et al.

[ 51 May 8,1973

[54] ADJUSTABLE SELECTIVE ORIFICING STEAM CONDENSER [75] Inventors: Kenneth B. Ris, Massillon; Ferdinand V. Huber, Canton, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: May 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 139,371

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,073,5 75 l/1963 Schulenberg ..l65/174 X 1,072,637 9/1913 Newman ..l65/96 2,915,294 12/1959 Christensen 165/174 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,291,617 3/1962 France 165/174 Att0mey-Charles M. Kaplan and Joel E. Siege] [57] ABSTRACT An air cooled steam condenser having adjustable plate means or a series of adjustable plates mounted within the steam intake header compartment. The plate means in effect form a series of interconnected subchambers, each of which communicates with a row of cooling tubes in which steam is condensed by a stream of cooling air flowing over, around and past the tubes. The rows of tubes extend transversely of the direction of airflow and the rows extend perpendicular to the direction of airflow at spaced intervals. An adjustable inlet passage is formed by each plate through which steam flows into the subchambers. The passages are smaller in area for each successive subchamber in the header through which the steam flows so that only that amount of steam that can be condensed effectively within the tubes in any row, enters such row, having regard to the tube length and the temperature difference at the particular row which determines the cooling effect of the airflow over the successive rows of tubes.

5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Patented May 8, 1973 INVENTORS.

KENNETH 5. R15 &

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FERDlNAND V. HUBER BY 950x140 & ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, 1973 3,131,734

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IRS a .a'xkmfgif A 1' '4 I 63 73 8! 62 .INVENTORS 6h KENNETH B. RIS &

FERD! NAND V. HUBER 9 ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS.

KENNETH a. RIS &

FERDINAND V. HUBER ATTORN EYS ADJUSTABLE SELECTIVE ORIFICING STEAM CONDENSER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The adjustable selective orificing steam condenser construction is an improvement upon the constructions shown, described and claimed in the copending application of Kenneth B. Ris, filed Mar. 19, 1971, Ser. No. 126,174.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to heat exchangers and in particular to air cooled steam condensers. More particularly the invention relates to adjustable orificing means mounted within the condenser header whereby the amounts of steam entering various rows of condensing tubes are metered or reduced proportionally to the reduced cooling effect of the cooling air due to increased cooling air temperature resulting from heat extracted from tubes previously cooled, so that only that amount of steam that can be cooled efficiently is supplied to the tubes of a particular row.

2. Description of the Prior Art Air cooled steam condensers usually include a plurality of condenser tubes arranged in rows one behind the other in the direction of airflow of the cooling air. Steam enters the condenser inlet header which communicates with the inlet ends of the tubes and then flows through the tubes wherein it is condensed. Fans blow cooling air across the tubes in an airflow direction generally perpendicular to the rows of tubes. The steam is condensed by the cooling air to form condensate as it travels through the tubes, and the condensate is collected at the outlet ends of the tubes in any suitable manner. Condensation should take place throughout the length of the tubes for most efficient condenser operation.

Problems have arisen in the construction and operation of air cooled steam condensers as described in US. Pat. No. 3,073,575 relating to inefficient steam feed distribution to the cooling tubes, temperature differential changes due to changing weather conditions, etc. The various solutions to such problems suggested in said US. Pat. No. 3,073,575, however, are complicated in structure and expensive in execution.

No air cooled steam condenser constructions of which we are aware have eliminated the problems of uneven steam distribution by efficiently metering or distributing the steam within the condenser inlet header by simple partition means using simple finned condenser tubes in all rows of the condenser having the same structure and characteristics as to diameter, length and cooling fin surface.

These problems have been eliminated by the constructions shown in said copending application Ser. No. 126,174 wherein one or more fixed partition plates that meter the amounts of steam entering the various rows of condensing tubes by forming inlet passages and subchambers, are mounted within the condenser header.

These constructions involve determination and formation of the inlet passage and subchamber sizes based upon an average of design factors, such as inlet steam temperature and pressure, and cooling airflow temperature and velocity. Thus, when one or more of these factors vary the design fails to be optimum and the efficiency of the condenser is reduced. Furthermore, this requires each condenser to be designed and constructed for a specific application and specific conditions without any flexibility in condenser operation and use once so designed and constructed.

It is desirable to provide some means in the condenser construction, and preferably in the steam inlet header, for selective adjustment of the steam distribution pattern, not only so that optimum operating conditions can be provided during original installation of a particular condenser, but also so that adjustments can be made from time to time to compensate for seasonal changes or for steam supply factors that may change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objectives of the invention include providing adjustable selective orificing for steam condensers which meters the amounts of steam flowing to and through the cooling tubes in tube rows of the condenser, proportional to the condensing ability of the tubes in any particular tube row; providing adjustable selective orificing for steam condensers having condenser tubes all of which are the same in length, passage cross section, number of fins, and total heat exchange surface area; providing adjustable selective orificing for steam condensers in which adjustable plates forming passages of varying widths or areas are mounted within the condenser inlet header for selective distribution of steam; providing adjustable selective orificing for steam condensers permitting existing condenser designs to be converted easily and inexpensively to establish adjustable metered distribution of steam to the several rows of cooling tubes in the condenser; providing adjustable selective orificing for steam condensers in which the metered distribution of steam may be varied as condenser design factors vary to insure optimum efficiency in condenser operation; and providing selective orificing for steam condensers which eliminate difficulties heretofore encountered, achieve the stated objectives simply and effectively, and solve problems and satisfy existing needs.

These objectives and advantages are obtained by the adjustable selective orificing construction for steam condensers, the general nature of which may be stated as including in a steam condenser for condensing steam in a plurality of tubes arranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending between and communicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outlet header; the rows of tubes extending transversely of and at spaced intervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air that passes over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowing through the tubes from the inlet header; the steam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said changer; partition means adjustably mounted within the chamber dividing the chamber into a series of metered steam zones each communicating with at least one row of tubes; said partition means being constructed to distribute inlet steam in the chamber in successively smaller amounts to each successive zone corresponding to the reduced cooling effect of the airflow of cooling air passing successively over the spaced rows of tubes to which steam is distributed from successive zones; means preferably including a plurality of partition plates dividing the chamber into a plurality of subchambers forming said successive zones and communicating respectively with successiverows of tubes; a passage formed by each plate for supplying steam from one subchamber zone to the adjacent subchamber zone; the passages formed by successive plates between adjacent subchamber zones being successively smaller; and means communicating with the plates for adjusting the size of the passages formed by the plates.

In the alternative the partition means may include an adjustable partition plate located in the inlet header angularly with respect to the tubesheet at the inlet ends of the rows of tubes; and said angular plate defining in said header a passage and a series of successively smaller tube inlet zones communicating respectively with successive rows of tubes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention illustrative of the best modes in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles are set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing an air cooled steam condenser equipped with the improved adjustable selective orificing plate construction;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical side elevation of the steam condenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view, with portions broken away and in section, looking in the direction of arrows 3-3, FIG. 2, showing one condenser section;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44, FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken on line 6--6, FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions broken away and in section, showing a modified steam condenser construction having a welded inlet header construction equipped with improved adjustable selective orificing plate means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8-8, FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9- --9, FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions broken away and in section, showing a steam condenser construction similar to FIG. 6 having another embodiment of the improved adjustable selective orificing plate means;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11-11, FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line l2-12, FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified steam condenser construction having a cylindrical steam drum or header equipped with improved adjustable selective orificing plate means; and

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another embodiment of the improved adjustable selective orificing plate means mounted within'a cylindrical steam drum condenser construction as shown in FIG. 13.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment A typical air cooled heat exchanger is indicated at 1, (FIGS. 1 and 2) and includes two steam condenser sections 2 and 3 supported on frame members 4 and having side and end panels 5 mounted on the frame members 4. Fans 6 mounted on pedestals 7 beneath condenser sections 2 and 3 blow cooling air (indicated by arrows A, FIG. 2) upward through sections 2 and 3.

A steam supply manifold 8 communicates with a source of steam, such as the exhaust of a steam turbine, to be condensed, and pipes 9 form steam inlets for the individual sections 2 and 3 from manifold 8. Condensate outlet lines 10 are connected to the opposite ends of sections 2 and 3 and deliver condensate into a main condensate line 11.

Different heat exchanger installations may have a different number of condenser sections 2 and 3 assembled together. The operation and function of condenser sections each having the improved adjustable selective orificing means incorporated therein are similar. Therefore only one condenser section 2 (FIGS. 3-6) is described in detail.

Condenser section 2 includes a plurality of cooling tubes 12 preferably having helical fins 13 extending outward therefrom. Tubes 12 are mounted within a frame 14 having side channels 15, an inlet header l6 and an outlet header 17.

Tubes 12 are mounted parallel to each other within frame 14 in a plurality of rows 18, 19,20 and 21 spaced one above the other (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) arranged in that order along the direction of airflow indicated by the arrow A. Tubes 12 in a particular row may be spaced intermediate the tubes in the adjacent rows, above and below, as shown in FIG. 5. Likewise, tubes 12 are assembled within frame 14 so as to have a slight incline from inlet header 16 to outlet header 17 so that condensate flows or drains into header 17.

Inlet header 16 has a coverplate header construction including a U-shaped member 22 formed of tubesheet 23, top and bottom wall portions 24 and 25 and side walls 26 (FIGS. 4 and 6). A removable end wall or coverplate member 27 closes the open end of and is attached to header member 22 by bolts 28 engaged with flange 29 on member 22. Coverplate 27 is sealed by gasket 30.

The inlet ends of tubes 12 are connected in a usual manner by expanding or welding in tubesheet 23. Coverplate 27 is removed easily from member 22 to permit access into header l6 and to tubes 12 for adjustment of the selective orificing means located within header 16, and for expanding or welding tubes 12 and for cleaning and for removing any obstructions that may form in tubes 12.

The upper end 31 of steam inlet pipe 9 is connected to header bottom wall 25 communicating with the let ends of tubes 12. A coverplate closes the open end of member 33. Condensate outlet opening 36 in bottom wall portion 37 of header 17 is connected with the upper end 38 of condensate outlet line 10.

In accordance with the invention a plurality of adjustable partition plates (FIG. 6), indicated at 39, 40

and 41 are mounted within header 16 on tubesheet 23 preferably by welding at 42 and extend outward therefrom into the compartment of header 16. The plates 39, 40 and 41 are parallel to each other and to bottom wall 25, and are mounted between tube rows 18 and 19, 19 and 20, and 20 and 21, respectively. Thus, subchambers 43, 44, 45 and 46 are formed within header l6.

Partition plates 39-41 each preferably includes a fixed base plate 47 and a top plate 48. Top plate 48 is adjustably mounted on base plate 47 by bolts 49 which extend through slots 50 formed in top plate 48. The number of attaching bolts 49 and slots 50 for each partition plate may vary depending upon the length of header 16 and the thickness and length of top plate 48. Three such attaching bolts and adjustment slots for each plate 48 are shown in FIG. 5.

Top plates 48 form a series of subchamber inlets 51, 52 and 53 between the outer or free edges 54 of plates 48 and coverplate 27. The position of the free edges 54 of partition plates 39-41 is adjusted easily by adjusting the location of bolts 49 in slots 50, after removal of coverplate 27, to change the size of inlets 51-53. As shown, inlet 51 is larger than inlet 52, and inlet 52 is larger than inlet 53.

Steam flow, indicated by arrows B (FIG. 6), enters header 16 through distribution pipe 9 and inlet opening 32. The amount of steam that passes through subchambers 4346 and subsequently rows 18-21 of tubes 12, respectively, becomes decreasingly smaller due to the decreasing size of inlets 51-53.

Therefore, a larger amount of steam B, enters the tubes in row 18 for condensation therein than the reduced amount of steam B entering tube row 19 and likewise the further reduced amounts of steam I3 and B entering tube rows 20 and 21. This continual reduction in amounts of steam entering succeeding tube rows of similar tubes spaced along the direction of flow A of the cooling air is a characteristic of the concept of the invention. This compensates for the continual increase in temperature of the cooling air and the decreasing mean effective temperature difference as the air passes from row 18 over the subsequent rows 19-21 picking up heat from the previously cooled rows of tubes.

The sizes ofinlets 51-53 are determined by adjusting partition plates 39-41 in any particular installation, taking into consideration factors including the pressure and temperature of the steam entering header 16, the velocity and temperature of cooling air flowing at A past the tubes 12, and the total finned heat exchange cooling surface of tubes 12. Ideally, the size of inlets 51-53 will be such that the amounts of steam B B entering the respective rows 18-21 of tubes 12 will be completely condensed as steam flow in any tube 12 reaches the outlet header 17.-

Thus, in the event that any of these above design factors change, partition plates 39-41 may be adjusted accordingly to admit more or less steam B B, through inlets 51-53 for condensation within tubes 12. For example the sizes of inlets 51-53 may be increased in winter months in cold weather regions due to the increased cooling ability of the cooling air. Likewise, should the pressure or temperature of the steam entering header 16 change due to a change in operating conditions of the source of steam supply, plates 39-41 may be adjusted accordingly to enable maximum efficiency to be achieved in the operation of the condenser.

The particular construction of header 16 described having a coverplate member 27 is preferred for low pressure applications and for installations in which rapid fouling occurs within tubes 12. Coverplate 27 may be removed easily to provide access to tubes 12' and the header chamber for rapid and efficient cleaning and removal of any foreign matter therein. Coverplate 27, likewise, provides quick and easy access into header 16 for adjusting partition plates 39-41.

SECOND EMBODIMENT A modified steam condenser construction is indicated at 55a, (FIGS. 7, 8 and 9) and includes an inlet header 55 preferably having a welded construction of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,582,599 of Melvin G. Yohn and preferably is used in applications having higher steam pressures than those applications in which header 16 described above is used. The header construction of FIG. 9 is similar to header 16 except that the end wall or plug sheet 56 is continuous and-integral with the top and bottom header walls 57 and 58 and tubesheet 59.

Rows of tubes 61a 61d each having a plurality of tubes 61, have their inlet ends expanded in or welded to tubesheet 59 and communicate with inlet header 55. Tubes 61 otherwise are arranged like tubes 12 in con denser 1 and cooling air flows past tubes 61 as indicated at C.

Holes 60 are formed in plug sheet 56 aligned with the inlet ends of tubes 61 to permit access into header 55 and to tubes 61 for expanding or welding tubes 61 in tubesheet 59 and for cleaning and removing any obstructions that may be formed in tubes 61. Removable plugs 62 close holes 60.

A plurality of adjustable partition plates 63, 64 and 65 are mounted within header 55 and form a series of subchambers 66, 67, 68 and 69 (FIG. 9) which communicate with tube rows 61a 61d, respectively. Partition plates 63-65 and subchambers 66-69 are similar in construction and function to partition plates 39-41 and subchambers 4346, respectively, in inlet header 16. Likewise, partition plates 63-65 each includes a fixed plate 70 and a moveable top plate 71.

The integral construction of header 55 prevents direct access to partition plates 63-65 for manual adjustment. Accordingly, adjusting means external to header 55 is provided.

Threaded studs 72 project from the free ends of each plate 70 and extend through slots 73 in movable top plates 71. Each top plate 71 is releasably tensionclamped to base plate 70 by springs 74 tensioned by nuts 75 and lock nut 76 on studs 72. Washers 77 may be placed between springs 74 and top plate 70. The spring tension on top plates 71 is such that any pressure exerted by incoming steam does not affect the adjusted positions of top plates 71, yet enables top plates 71 to be slidably moved with respect to plates 70 by means described below.

A number of adjusting rods 78, preferably three such rods for each plate, extend through holes 79 in plug sheet 56 and are connected to partition plates 63-65. A rod 78 preferably is located at each end and centrally of partition plates 63-65 for ready plate adjustment.

Rods 78 preferably are L-shaped having a threaded stem portion 80 and a leg portion 81. A plug 82 having a threaded shank 83 and a head 84 is threaded into each hole 79. Plug shank 83 has a central bore 85 coaxial with an enlarged threaded bore 86 formed in plug head 84. A packing gland 87 may be located in bore 86 to seal rod 78.

A U-shaped saddle 88 extends outward from plug head 84 provided with an opening in its web 89 through which rod stem 80 extends. Nuts 90 threaded on stem 80 on each side of web 89 retain rod 78 in adjusted position.

Adjustment of partition plates 63-65 is accomplished easily by loosening nuts 90 and by moving rods 78 into or out of header 55.

Steam flow indicated by arrow D (FIG. 9) enters header 55 through distribution pipe 9 and inlet opening 91 formed in bottom wall 58 and is metered and distributed in tube rows 61a 61d through subchambers 66-69 in the same manner as steam flow B in header 16.

THIRD EMBODIMENT Another modified steam condenser construction having adjustable selective orificing means incorporated therein is indicated at 92 in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Condenser 92 has a coverplate header 93 similar to header 16, including top and bottom walls 94 and 95, tubesheet 96, end walls 97 and a coverplate 98. Coverplate 98 is attached to header 93 by bolts 99 and the connection may be sealed by a gasket 100.

Tubes 101 are mounted parallel within condenser frame 102 in rows 103, 104, 105 and 106 in that order along the direction of airflow indicated by arrows E (FIG. 12). The inlet ends of tubes 101 are connected by expanding or welding to tubesheet 96.

A partition wall 107 is welded at 108 to tubesheet 96 between tube rows 104 and 105 and extends outward from tubesheet 96 within the header compartment.

A stud 109, threaded at ends 110 and 111, projects in each direction from the outer end of partition 107 Another stud 112 projects from top wall 94 toward and preferably aligned with stud 109.

A pair of flexible metal sheets 113 and 114 are welded at 116 to tubesheet 96, between tube rows 105 and 106 and branch away from each other in the compartment of header 93. Another flexible sheet 115 is attached to tubesheet 96 between tube rows 103 and 104 and extends within the header compartment in a manner similar to sheets 113 and 114. Sheets 113, 114 and 115 each are formed with slots 117 through which studs 112 and stud ends 110 and 111, respectively, extend. Pairs of stud positioning nuts 118 retain sheets 113-115 in adjusted positions within the header compartment.

Wall 107 and partition sheets 115-113 extend longitudinally throughout the length of header 93 (FIG. and form a series of subchambers 119, 120, 121 and 122 communicating with tube rows 103, 104, 105 and 106, respectively.

The positions of partition sheets 113-115 in header compartment are adjusted so that subchambers 119-122 progressively decrease in size in the direction of the cooling airflow indicated by arrows E, passing over the respective rows of tubes 103-106.

Adjustment of subchamber forming partition sheets 113-115 is made easily by loosening nuts 118 and then flexing the sheets in either direction as shown in dotdash lines in FIG. 12. Slots 117 and lock nuts 118 enable the sheets to be adjusted to different positions with respect to studs -112.

Steam flow indicated by arrow F (FIG. 12) upon en tering header 93 through inlet opening 123, first flows through subchamber 119 and then through header zone 124 located between coverplate 98 and the openings for subchambers 119-122. Various amounts of steam enter tubes 101 of tube rows 104-106, from zone 124, depending upon the size of the entrance to the subchamber communicating with the particular row of tubes, which subchamber entrance is regulated by the adjustment of sheets 1 13-1 15.

The cooling airflow first passes over tube row 103 which is connected to subchamber 119 which receives the largest amount of steam. Sheet is adjusted so that subchamber 120 receives the next largest amount of steam, and sheets 114 and 113 are adjusted so that subchambers 121 and 122 each receives a progressively smaller amount of steam.

Thus, as any of the factors affecting the condenser operation change, sheets 115-113 must be adjusted accordingly to regulate the amounts of steam entering the tube rows 103-106.

The partition means 113-115 may be hinged to tubesheet 96 rather than welded thereto, in order to permit adjustment of the subchamber openings.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT The new steam condenser construction may be incorporated in a cylindrical steam manifold 125 shown in FIG. 13. Header 125 includes a chamber 126 formed by cylindrical walls 128 and a header inlet section 127 defined by tubesheet 129, top and bottom walls 130 and 131, and end walls 132.

Header section 127 is provided with a flange 172 which is connected in a suitable manner with tubesheet 129. The connection may be sealed by a gasket 173. Top and bottom walls 130 and 131 and end walls 132 are secured to cylindrical walls 128 and flange 172 by welds 174.

Tube rows 133-136 each having a plurality of tubes 137, are connected by welding or expanding to tubesheet 129. Tubes 137 are arranged in the same manner as tubes 12, 61 and 101 in condensers 1, 55a and 92 and cooling air flows past tubes 137 in a direction indicated at G.

Flexible metal partition sheets 138, 139 and 140 and partition wall 141 are connected within the header inlet section 127 to tubesheet 129 by welds 173 and extend into the compartment formed by header 127. Studs 142 project from partition wall 141 and extend through slots 144 formed in sheets 138-140. Nuts 145 retain sheets 138-140 in adjusted position.

Partition wall 141 and partition sheets 140-138 thus form subchambers 146, 147, 148 and 149 which communicate with the successive rows of tubes 133-136.

Steam flow, indicated by arrows H enters the zone located between the open end of header section 127 and the openings to subchambers 146-149, directly from the steam manifold chamber 126.

The partition sheets 138-140 are adjusted so that subchambers 146-149 and the steam distributed to each subchamber is largest in amount for subchamber 146 and progressively smaller in subsequent subchambers along the directionof airflow G.

FIFTH EMBODlMENT Another modified form of header construction is shown at 150 in FIG. 14 and includes adjustable selective orificing means.

Header 150 includes a manifold chamber 151 formed by a cylindrical drum 151a and a header inlet section 152. Tubes 153 located in parallel spaced rows 154-157 are connected to tubcsheet 162 by welding or expanding. Cooling air flows past tubes 153 as indicated by arrows J.

A curved flexible baffle 158 is mounted within the header inlet section 152 preferably by welding at 160 to top wall 161. Baffle 158 extends downwardly at an angle away from tubesheet 162 into manifold chamber 151. The lower portion 163 of baffle 158 is spaced above bottom wall 164 of header section 152 to form a passage 165 communicating between header chamber 151 and header subchamber 166 located between partition baffle 158 and the inlet ends of tubes 153.

Threaded studs 167 and 168 extend through slots 169 and 170 formed in baffle 158 and are adjustably connected to baffle 158 by nuts 171. Studs 167 and 168 preferably are attached within header 150 to header inlet section top and bottom walls 161 and 164, respectively, by welds 174.

A number of studs 167 and 168 may be located in spaced relation along baffle 158 to provide adjustment for baffle 158.

The angular arrangement of baffle 158 with respect to tubesheet 162 forms a series of zones in subchamber 166 of decreasing size from bottom to top opposite the inlet ends of the rows 154-157 of tubes 153. This series of zones of decreasing size meters the amounts of steam flowing into tube rows 154-157 in decreasing amounts distributed from the main steam flow indicated at K entering subchamber 166 from manifold 151 through passage 165.

Baffle 158 thus forms adjustable partition means defining in header 150 and header section 152 a passage 165 and a series of successively smaller tube inlet zones communicating respectively with the successive rows of tubes 154-157.

The amount of steam entering the various tube rows is adjusted by flexing baffle 158 about weld point 160, thereby changing the angle of baffle 158 with respect to tubcsheet 162 which changes the capacity and shape of subchamber 166 and the amounts of steam entering the various tube rows. Flow J of cooling air is in the direction across tube rows 154-157 such that row 154, which receives the greatest amount of steam, is cooled by the coolest air.

Baffle 158 may be adjusted to permit various steam distribution patterns to be established in the design of subchamber 166. Baffle 158 may be hinged to top wall 161 rather than welded thereto, in order to permit adjustment of subchamber 166.

1N GENERAL In each of the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described, adjustable partition means is provided within the inlet header to distribute the incoming steam in decreasing amounts to successive rows of cooling tubes so that the row of tubes first cooled by the coolest airflow receives the greatest amount of steam and subsequent tube rows along the path of airflow receive proportionally decreasing amounts of steam. Any individual row of tubes therefore receives only that amount of steam that can be condensed throughout its length, eliminating premature or insufficient condensation within the tubes, while using tubes all identically the same in the construction of the condenser. The partition means may be adjusted to admit more or less amounts of steam into the various tube rows, so that as the factors which affect the condensation rate within the tubes change, the supply of steam to the tubes can be changed to enable the condenser to operate at optimum efficiency.

Accordingly, the adjustable selective orificing steam condenser construction provides for progressively reducing the amount of steam passing through header zones so as to correspond to the location of the rows of tubes in the path of flow of cooling air; enables condenser tubes having the same length, the same passage cross section, the same number of fins and the same total heat exchange surface to be used in fabricating the condenser; enables many designs of steam condensers to be easily and inexpensively converted to include the improved adjustable selective orificing construction; enables the amount of steam that enter the various rows of tubes to be adjusted so that if those factors which affect the rate of condensation are changed, then the amounts of steam to be condensed are adjusted accordingly to provide maximum efficiency in the operation of the condenser; prevents premature condensation which may result in frozen conditions during cold weather; and provides such a construction which is effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient in assembly, operation and use, and which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details of the construction shown or described.

Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the improved adjustable selective orificing steam condenser is constructed, assembled and operated, the characteristics of the new construction, and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. in a steam condenser of a type in which a plurality of tubes are arranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending between and communicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outlet header; in which the rows of tubes extend transversely of and at spaced intervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air that passes over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowing through the tubes from the inlet to the outlet header; and in which all of the tubes in all of the rows have the same internal diameter and length and the same heat exchange cooling surface area; the steam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber; partition means mounted within the chamber dividing the chamber into a series of metered steam zones each communicating with at least one row of tubes; said partition means being constructed to distribute inlet steam in the chamber in successively smaller amounts to each successive zone corresponding to the reduced cooling effect of the airflow of cooling air passing successively over the spaced rowsof tubes to which steam is distributed from successive zones; said partition means including a plurality of partition plates which divide the chamber into a plurality of subchambers, in which the subchambers form said series of metered zones successively communicating with successive rows of tubes, and in which a passage is formed by each plate communicating between adjacent subchambers in which the passages are successively smaller; and means for adjusting partition plates to change the size of said passages and thereby regulate the flow of inlet steam to said subchambers whereby the steam in each subchamber may be maintained at an optimum operating level by such adjustment to compensate for changes in operating conditions. i

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the inlet header includes a tubesheet and an end wall; in which each partition plate includes a base plate mounted on the tubesheet between a pair of adjacent tube rows; in which a top plate is movably mounted on the base plate and extends outward from the base plate toward the end wall; and in which the passages are formed between the extended ends of said top plates and said end wall, whereby adjusting the top plate on its base plate changes the size of its related passage.

3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which holes are formed in the end wall; and in which adjustment means connected to the top plates extend through said holes for adjusting said top plates with respect to their base plates.

4. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the end wall is removably mounted on the header to provide access into the header for adjustment of said partition plates.

5. The construction defined in claim 3 in which the adjustment means for the partition plates includes a plurality of rods each having a first and second end; in which the first ends extend through the end wall holes and are connected to the movable top plates within the header chamber; and in which clamping means are provided outside the header chamber for clamping the rods in adjusted position.

Claims (5)

1. In a steam condenser of a type in which a plurality of tubes are arranged in a plurality of generally parallel rows, extending between and communicating with a steam inlet header and a condensate outlet header; in which the rows of tubes extend transversely of and at spaced intervals perpendicular to the direction of airflow of cooling air that passes over and around the rows of tubes to condense steam flowing through the tubes from the inlet to the outlet header; and in which all of the tubes in all of the rows have the same internal diameter and length and the same heat exchange cooling surface area; the steam inlet header having a chamber and inlet means for said chamber; partition means mounted within the chamber dividing the chamber into a series of metered steam zones each communicating with at least one row of tubes; said partition means being constructed to distribute inlet steam in the chamber in successively smaller amounts to each successive zone corresponding to the reduced cooling effect of the airflow of cooling air passing successively over the spaced rows of tubes to which steam is distributed from successive zones; said partition means including a plurality of partition plates which divide the chamber into a plurality of subchambers, in which the subchambers form said series of metered zones successively communicating with successive rows of tubes, and in which a passage is formed by each plate communicating between adjacent subchambers in which the passages are successively smaller; and means for adjusting partition plates to change the size of said passages and thereby regulate the flow of inlet steam to said subchambers whereby the steam in each subchamber may be maintained at an optimum operating level by such adjustment to compensate for changes in operating conditions.

2. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the inlet header includes a tubesheet and an end wall; in which each partition plate includes a base plate mounted on the tubesheet between a pair of adjacent tube rows; in which a top plate is movably mounted on the base plate and extends outward from the base plate toward the end wall; and in which the passages are formed between the extended ends of said top plates and said end wall, whereby adjusting the top plate on its base plate changes the size of its related passage.

3. The construction defined in claim 2 in which holes are formed in the end wall; and in which adJustment means connected to the top plates extend through said holes for adjusting said top plates with respect to their base plates.

4. The construction defined in claim 1 in which the end wall is removably mounted on the header to provide access into the header for adjustment of said partition plates.

5. The construction defined in claim 3 in which the adjustment means for the partition plates includes a plurality of rods each having a first and second end; in which the first ends extend through the end wall holes and are connected to the movable top plates within the header chamber; and in which clamping means are provided outside the header chamber for clamping the rods in adjusted position.

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