US1765038A - Apparatus for transferring heat - Google Patents

Description

June 17, 1930. J. F. WAIT 1,765,038

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRIKG HEAT Filed Aug. 8, 1925 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR flash)? FWmt.

ATTORNEYS BYJ W J. F. WAIT APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRINQ HEAT June 17, 1930.

Filed Aug. 8 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \NVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JUSTIN I. WAIT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO SUN OIL COMPANY, OF PHILA- DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING HEAT Application filed August a, 1925. Serial No. 48,987.

. y invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for transferring heat from a source to a point ofuse.

More particularly my invention relates to an improved method for the transfer of heat 7 through the medium of metallic vapors, for

example, of mercury, cadmium, zinc and the like or' mixtures thereof and to heating apparatus of improved design and great elli- 10 ciency.

' Heretofore heat transference through the' mediumof metallic vapors has been accomplished by various methods and by the use of variousapparatus. However, while results of substantial practical" value have been obtained, such methods and; apparatus as have been used have not proved entirely satisfactory and have been open to numerous objections, chief among which are that the efficiency of the metalhc vapors is decreased by the presence of entrained metal and that the flow of the vapors is retarded by accumulations of scale, oxide and other impurities pres- I ent in the apparatus or carried thereinby the vapors.

Now, it is the object of my invention to provide a method and apparatus for the utilization of metallic vapor as a heat transfer medium with maximum efliciency and by which the vapors will be freed from entrained metal and from solid impurities accumulation of which tend to retard the flow ofv the vapors. Further objects of my invention are to provide means for accurately controlling the pressure and flow of the metallic vapors in the apparatus to the end that they may be utilized with maximum efliciency.

' Having indicated, in a general way, the nature and purpose of my lnvention, I will 40 now proceed to a detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which is illustrated a formof ap paratus embodying my invention in so far as it relates to details of construction and which may be utilized for carryin out the method embodying my invention, though it will be understood that the practice of my method is not dependent upon the use of any particular form of apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings in which .an element in the Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an ap paratus ,for effecting heat transference through-the medium of metallic vapors.

Figure 2-is a sectional view of a separator included as an element in the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectionalviewof a vapor flow controldevice included as an element in the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional'view of. a modification of the subject of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side view, partly broken away and partly in section, of a heater included as apparatus shown in Figure 1. t v

Figure 6 is a view 'showinga detail of construction of-the subject of-Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing a des tail of construction of the subject of. Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of a vapor pressure control device included as an element in the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

The apparatus consists essentially of a heating element comprising a chamber 3 from which depend fingers'29interiorly divided by vertical tubular partitions 36 to form passages within the gers' in communication with the chamber 3 at their upper ends and I with each other at'their lower ends through apertures formed in the partitions. The heating element, or heater, is suitably mounted in brickwork and is adapted to be heated by the application ofheat about the fingers 29. The heating element is charged w th metal, as mercury, cadmium, zinc, etc.-, or mm- .tures thereof, for example, to a level in chamber 3 indicated by the broken line 35 in Figures 1 and 7. On the application of heat, the metal circulates through the assages, formed'in the fingers, to and from t e chamber 3 and vapors arising from the metal collect in the upper portion of the chamber,- being led therefrom through a pipe 4. The heated metal circulating to and from the chamber 3 passes downwardly into the fingers at increasing velocity and upward with relatively high velocity, which decreases on the passage of the metal into the chamber, thus permitting flotation of solid impurities, such as oxide, scale, etc., which may be mixed with the metal. An aperture 33, provided with a suitable closure, is-provided 1n the end of the chamber 3 at a level permitting removal of impurities from the surface of the metal in the chamber. a

The pipe 4, which leads from the top of chamber 3 and which serves as a passage for metallic vapors therefrom, is connected to a vapor flow control device which consists of a chamber 19 into which, from its top, an-end portion of pipe 4 projects. From adjacent .the top of chamber 19 a pipe 18 leads to a heat absorbing unit 5, illustrated as a coil within a chamber, which may contain material to be heated and which will absorb heat from metallic vapors in the coil. From the bottom of the chamber 19 a pipe extends downwardly and upwardly, its end being connected to the bottom of a second chamber 21, provided with 20 cooling flanges 25, and from which a pipe 22, an end .portion of which extends upwardly within the chamber, leads to a separator 7 A pipe 23 is connected to the chamber 21 at its top.

25 the flow of vapor from heater 3 to heat exchanger 5 may be controlled. In the opera tion of the control device, the chamber 21 an the pipe leading therefrom to chamber 19 are filled with a'metal 26 similar to that in the 30 heating element, for example, mercury. he level of the metal in chamber 21 is controlled by pipe 22. The chamber 21 is positioned at a higher level than the chamber 19 and the metal is prevented from flowing from chamher 21 to chamber19 by maintaining a pressure in chamber 21 such that liquid cannot normally rise in chamber 19 above the lower end of the pipe 4. The desired pressure may be maintained in chamber 21 by means of a pump w attached to the pipe 23. So long as the metal in chamber 21 is prevented from flowing into chamber 19, vapors issuing from pipe 4 will pass from chamber 19 through pipe 18 to the heat exchange coil 5. The vapors on entering chamber 19 will lose velocity and any entrained metal will be dropped therein. If it be desired to shut off the flow of vapors from pipe 4, such is accomplished by varying the pressure on the metal in chamber 21, which will cause it to flow into chamber 19 and form a liquid seal over the end of pipe 4. I

In the modification shown in Figure 4, the chamber 21, containing metal 27, is positioned at a lower level than the chamber 19 and the metal 27 is caused to flow into chamber 19 to seal pipe 4 by the application of pressure through pipe 24.

The metallic vapors, which enter the heat exchange coil 5 are in' part condensed therein and vapor and condensate flow from the coil through a pipe 6 to a separator 7. The separator comprises a chamber 7 to which pipe 6 is connected at a point between its top and bottom. Opposite to the point of connection Chamber 21 forms a means whereby p d being connected to a condenser.

of pipe 6 a pipe 14 leading to a condenser 7 is connected. The vapor and condensate entering separator 7 are separated, the vapors passing out of the chamber to the condenser 7 and the condensate passing back to the heating element through a suitable pipe 8 leading from the bottom of the separator. 1 body of condensate tors 7 7 7 and 7 at the same level 35 as in the heater 3, and impurities therein are permitted to settle out by flotation. The separator 7 is provided with a removable cover 13, carrying a depending flange element 10 which enters a body of metal, as mercury, carried in a trough 11, formed adjacent the topof separator 7, to form a liquid seal. Impurities separated from the metal in separator 7 may be readily removed from time to time on removal of the top 13. The separators 7 7 and 7 are all similar to the separator 7.

Any metal which overflows from chamber 21, of the vapor flow control device, through ipe 22 enters a separator 7 similar to that described above, except that since no vapors enter it isvented to atmosphere instead of The condensate from the condenser 7 ceives vapors from the separator 7 who receives both vapor and condensate from the heat exchanger 5, passes to a similar separator 7 vented to atmosphere and thence back to the heater.

In order that any excess pressure of vapors in the apparatus may be relieved, a safety device is provided which consists of a chamber 50 into which extends downwardly the end portion of a pipe 40 connected to vapor pipe 4. A body of metal, as mercury, is maintained in chamber 50 at a level above the end of pipe 40, the level being determined by an .overflow pipe 42. A pipe 44 leads from the upper portion of chamber 50 to a condenser 45 in turn connected to a separator 7 such as has been described, vented to atmosphere and connected to the heater. In operation the metal in chamber 50 act as a liquid seal in pipe 40, the amount of metal over the end of the pipe being sufiiicnet to seal against normal pressure in the apparatus. If the pressurein the apparatus increases, vapors will force their way through the liquid seal in chamber 50 and the pressure will be relieved. The vapors will be condensed in condenser 45 and the condensate freed from impurities in the separator, returned to the heater.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a heating apparatus, a heater adapted for the vaporlzationof a metal, a heat exchanger, a conduit for the passage of vapors from the heater to the exchanger, and means for limiting the pressure .of vapors in said apparatus comprising a secin' combination,

is maintained 1n separa-' which rend conduit receiving vapors from said ap paratus and having an outlet controlled by a liquid metal seal.

2. In a heating apparatus, in combination, a heater adapted for the vaporization of mercury, a heat exchanger, a conduit for the passage of vapors from the heater to the exchanger, and means for limiting the pressure of vapors in said apparatus comprising a second conduit receiving vapors from said apparatus and having an outlet controlled by a mercury seal.

3. In a heating apparatus, in combination, a heater adapted for the vaporization of a metal, a heat exchanger, a conduit affording a passage for vapors from the heater to the heat exchanger, a second conduit receiving vapors from the heater, a chamber into which said second conduit extends, a body of liquid metal in said chamber, means to maintain the level of said body of liquid metal above the outlet end of said second conduit a distance suflicient to prevent the discharge of vapors therefrom under predetermined pressure and an outlet from said chamber above the level of the liquid metal therein. I

4. In a heating apparatus, in combination, a heater adapted for they vaporization of a metal, a heat exchanger, a conduit afiording a passage for vapors from the heater, a chamber into which the outlet end portion of said conduit extends and a conduit for the passage of vapors from said chamber tothe heat exchanger.

Y 5. In a heating apparatus, in combination,

' a heater adapted for the vaporization of a metal, a heat exchanger, a conduit afi'ording a passage for vapors from the heater, a chamher into which the outlet end portion of said conduit extends, a conduit for the passage of vapors from said chamber to'the heat exchanger, means affording a supply of liquid metal to said chamber in quantity suflicient to afl'ord a seal for the outlet end of said first mentioned conduit and means for controlling the supply of metal insaid chamber.

6. In a heating apparatus, in combination, a heater adapted for the vaporization of a metal, a heat exchanger, a conduit afiording a passage for vapors from the heater, a chamber into which the outlet end portion of said conduit extends, a conduit for the passage of vapors from said chamber to the heat exchanger, a second chamber, a supply of liquid metal in'said second chamber, a conduit affording communication between said chambers and means connected to said last mentioned chamber whereby the pressure therein may be equalized with that within said first mentioned chamber or differentiated there-v from toefi'ect transfer of said liquid metal from one chamber to another.

7 In a heatin apparatus, in combination, a' heater adapted for the vaporization of a metal, a heat exchanger, a conduit aflfording a passage for vapors from the heater to the heat exchanger, a condenser, a separator, a

conduit connecting the heat interchanger-

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