US2680599A - Evaporative condenser - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1954 D. D. wlLE EvAPoRATIvE coNDENsER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 10. 1949 onu/EL 0. w/E INVENTOR.

@TTUPNES/S June 8, 1954 D. D. wlLE EvAPoRATIvE coNDENsER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 10, 1949 Y INVENTOR.

8% arma/5545' I Patented June 8, 1954 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER Application June 10, 1949, Serial N o. 98,295

Claims. (Cl. 257-37) My invention relates to evaporative condensers and included in the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an evaporative condenser wherein air is blown rather than drawn through the heat exchanging elements of the condenser, thus placing the blower or other air supplying device in a region of relatively dry air rather than in a region of moisture laden air whereby corrosion or the accumulation of mineral deposits on the blades and otherparts of the blower is avoided.

Second, to provide an evaporative condenser which incorporates a novel yet simple means without moving parts for continuously bleeding a predetermined proportion of the water from the condenser, whereby the mineral concentration in the water is maintained at a predetermined minimum.

Third, to provide an evaporative condenser which employs a novel water tight enclosure incorporating readily removable panels so that all parts of the apparatus are accessible for cleaning or servicing.

Fourth, to provide an evaporative condenser wherein an eliminator employed to remove excess moisture from the discharging air is disposed so as to be readily removable for cleaning and servicing.

Fifth, to provide on the whole an evaporative condenser which is particularly effective in its operation, easily serviced, and economical of manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my evaporative condenser.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View thereof, taken substantially in the plan 2-2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through 3-3 of Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed view taken in the plan 4-4 of Figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the frame elements employed in my apparatus.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through 6-6 of Figure 3.

My evaporative condenser is encased in a housing l of generally rectangular form. The housing includes frame members 2 which delineate the corner of the housing. The lower ends of the upright frame members t in the corners of a reservoir pan 3. The pan is in turn supported in a base frame 4 including corner legs.

The upright members of the frame structure 2 are preferably formed of angle iron with the legs of the angle iron facing outwardly as shown best in Figures 4 and 5. Removable side panels 5 overlie the legs of the angle irons and are provided with flanged edges. Marginal strips S of curved cross-section overlie the adjacent margins of the side panels and confront the angle members. The angle members are provided with lugs l', which are threaded to receive screws 8 extending inwardly through the marginal strips. The marginal strips are formed of metal having spring qualities so that when the screws are tightened, bearing pressure is exerted by the edges of the marginal strip against the panels 5, so as to maintain them in contact with the edges of the angle members thereby to provide a uid tight enclosure.

The housing includes a top panel or member 9 which may be secured to the horizontal members of the frame structure in the manner of the side panels. Formed corner members Iii cover the adjacent ends of the marginal strips 6.

Mounted on the top member 9 is a fan or blower housing i E in which is mounted a blower i2, the discharge end of which is directed into the housing l. The blower is driven by a motor I3 also mounted on the top member 9. The discharge end of the blower is located adjacent one end of the housing, and within the housing a partition or baie member lli extends downwardly to a point near the reservoir pan so that incoming air is forced to the bottom portion of the housing.

The top member 9 is provided at its end opposite from the blower l2, with an outlet stack l5. Within the stack l5 there is mounted a moisture eliminator I6, which comprises nesting sets of zigzag baffles il. These are preferably mounted in a frame in the form of a drawer so that they can be removed as a unit through a lateral opening provided in the outlet stack, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 2.

Within the housing l, above the lower end of the baffle H, are heat exchanger coils i8. Above the heat exchanger coils are disposed a series of nozzles 2li supplied from a common supply pipe 2l, which extends from the housing 2i and downwardly to a pump 22 located at one side of the housing. The pump 22 is connected by an intake line 23 to the interior of the reservoir pan 3. Water is supplied to the reservoir pan through a valve 2i controlled by a float 25.

Heat exchanger coils i8 are connected to a fluid circulating system not shown. In the construction illustrated, the coils I8 are primarily intendedr to circulate a heated iiuid so that its heat may be transferred to the water spray and air stream utilizing to a large degree the heat of the evaporation of the water. However, the coils if desired, may circulate a cooling fluid for the purpose of absorbing heat from the water spray and air, so that for example, a cooled air may be delivered to the ducts of an air conditioning system.

The reservoir pan 3 is provided with a sump 26 located under the heat exchanger coils i8. Mounted in the sump 2t is an overilow pipe 2l'. The upper end oi the overflow pipe 2l is provided with a bleeder cone 2S. The cone or basin 2s has a predetermined area, for example, ten percent (10%) or other selected proportion of the spray water escapes into the bleeder cone and overflow pipe. By this arrangement the mineral content of the water as it is circulated is prevented from rising above a predetermined value.

It will be observed that the blower forces the air upwardly through the heat exchanger coils and the downwardly flowing water spray. The blower does not come in contact with the moisture laden air discharging from the evaporative condenser and therefore is well protected against excessive corrosion or accumulation of mineral deposits.

The eliminator l tends to condense out of the air, excess moisture which drains back into the reservoir pan. The baiiles or plates oi the eliminator are, of course, subject to corrosion and accumulation of mineral deposits, however, by reason of the fact that the eliminator is arranged in the form of a drawer and can be readily withdrawn for service or replacement, the problem of maintaining the eliminator in goed condition is reduced to a minimum.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I not wish to be limited to the detail herein set forth, but by invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An evaporative condenser, involving: a relatively duid tight housing including a water reservoir at its lower portion and dry air intake and wet air discharge ducts at its upper portion; a blower mounted in said air intake duct to force air downwardly through said air intake duct and upwardly through said housing to said discharge duct said blower being isolated from the wet air in said discharge duct; heat exchanger coils disposed in said housing in the path of air iiowing upwardly therethrough; means including spray nozzles and a pump for circulating water from said water eservoir downwardly over said heat exchanger coils; an overl-low pipe in said reservoir; a deiiector ci predetermined area with respect to the spray area of said nozzles for catching a corresponding proportion or" spray and discharging the same through said overow pipe, thereby to prevent excessive rise in the mineral content of said circulated water; and means for replenishing the water to maintain a predetermined volume thereof.

2. An evaporative condenser, involving: a relatively iiuid tight housing including a water reservoir pan at its lower portion, removable side panels, and dry air intake and moist air discharge ducts in its upper portion, said intake duct continuing into said housing to deliver air at its lower portion for upward ow to said discharge duct; a blower mounted in said dry air duct and isolated from the wet air in said discharge duct, said blower adapted to deliver dry air downwardly through said intake duct for subsequent upper flow through said discharge duct; heat exchanger coils disposed in said housing in the path of said upwardly flowing air; means including spray nozzles above said coils and a pump for circulating water from said water reservoir pan downwardly over said heat exchanger coils and return thereto; an overflow pipe in said reservoir; a delector of predetermined area with respect to the spray area of said nozzles for catching a corresponding proportion of spray and discharging the same through said overiiow pipe, thereby to prevent excessive rise in the mineral content of said circulated water; and means for replenishing the water to maintain a predetermined volume thereof.

3. An evaporative condenser, involving: a relatively iiuid tight housing including a water reservoir pan at its lower portion, removable side panels, and dry air intake and wet air discharge ducts in its upper portion, said intake duct continuing into said housing to deliver air at its lower portion for upward iiow to said discharge duct; a blower mounted above said housing i said dry air inlet duct ior delivery of air downwardly through said intake duct and upwardly through said discharge duct; heat exchanger coils disposed in said housing in the path of said upwardly flowing air; means including spray nozzles above said coils and a pump or circulating water from said water reservoir pan downwardly over said heat exchanger coils and return thereto; a moisture eliminator in Said discharge duct including nested baliles; said eliminator being mounted in said duct for removal as a unit; an overflow pipe in said reservoir; a deector of predetermined area with respect to the spray area of said nozzles for catching a corresponding proportion of spray and discharging the saine through said overflow pipe, thereby to prevent excessive rise in the mineral content or" said circulated water; and means for replenishing the water to maintain a predetermined volume thereof.

4. In an evaporative condenser wherein a housing defines an inlet and an outlet at its upper side and a reservoir at its lower side, heat exchanger coils are disposed above said reservoir, spray means discharges water downwardly over said heat exchanger coils, means is provided to circulate air over said heat exchanger coils, and a pump recirculates the water from the reservoir to said spray means, the combination oi an overiiow pipe disposed uncle' said coils in the path of said spray; and a spray catching basin communicating with said overflow pipe and having a preselected area in proportion to the effective spray area of said spray means whereby a proportionate quantity of water is removed through said overflow pipe.

5. In an evaporative condenser wherein a housing defines an inlet and an outlet at its upperside and a reservoir at its lower side, heat exchanger coils are disposed above said reservoir, spray means discharges water downwardly over said heat exchanger coils, means is provided to circulate air over said heat exchanger coils, water is recurrently circulated from a reservoir over heat exchanger coils and caused to drain from said coils into said reservoir, a combined collector and overflow funnel disposed above the normal water level of said reservoir and arranged to collect a portion of the water draining from said coils; a discharge pipe to conduct away from said reservoir and remove from recirculation the water received in said collector; and means for f' l flung Number 6 Name Date Bulkeley Apr. 28, 1936 Best May 26, 1936 Raver June 14, 1938 Jones Dec. 27, 1938 Lea Jan. 10, 1939 Strang Nov. 12, 1940 Schoepn et al. J'uly 10, 1945 Olstad et a1. Nov., 30, 1948 Henney Jan. 3, 1950 Deverall June 27, 1950

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