US3795273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feedwater heater
Assignee: Foster Wheeler Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-12
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1992-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A feedwater heater for use in a power plant system in which steam from another unit in the system is introduced into the shell of the heater and the latter discharges condensate to another unit in the system. Feedwater to be heated is circulated through tubes in the shell in heat exchange relation to the steam whereby a portion of the steam is condensed. Another portion of the steam is directed to an area of the shell where it warms the condensate to a degree that maintains the condensate at or near its saturation temperature. An additional inlet is provided in the shell for receiving condensate from another unit of the system along with means for breaking up the flow of the latter condensate to promote deaeration as a portion of the condensate flashes into vapor. The vapor produced as a result of the flashing is directed in the same flow path as the above-mentioned steam, and vent means are provided for permitting the removal of the non-condensibles and associated water vapor from the shell.
Inventors
- 👤 C Brigida
- 👤 M Wexler
- 👤 P Woodford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:55
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22D; F22D1/00; F22D1/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/184; Y10S165/192; Y10S165/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A feedwater heater capable of receiving steam and drain flows containing non-condensibles from at least one external source, comprising a shell having an inlet for receiving steam, an inlet for receiving drain flows, and an outlet for discharging condensate; a plurality of tubes for circulating water through said shell; means for directing said steam through said shell in a direct heat exchange relation to said water to condense a portion of said steam and heat said water; means for heating the condensed steam to a degree that maintains it at or near its saturation temperature; an end plate disposed in said shell and separating said tubes from the end of said shell to define a flash chamber; a baffle plate and a plurality of bars mounted in said flash chamber in the path of said drain-flows to break up said drain flows to promote the removal of said non-condensibles as flaShing occurs; and vent means for conveying said noncondensibles out of said shell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A feedwater heater capable of receiving steam and drain flows containing non-condensibles from at least one external source, comprising a shell having an inlet for receiving steam, an inlet for receiving drain flows, and an outlet for discharging condensate; a plurality of tubes for circulating water through said shell; means for directing said steam through said shell in a direct heat exchange relation to said water to condense a portion of said steam and heat said water; means for heating the condensed steam to a degree that maintains it at or near its saturation temperature; an end plate disposed in said shell and separating said tubes from the end of said shell to define a flash chamber; a baffle plate and a plurality of bars mounted in said flash chamber in the path of said drain-flows to break up said drain flows to promote the removal of said non-condensibles as flaShing occurs; and vent means for conveying said noncondensibles out of said shell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heater of claim 1 wherein said baffle plate is in the form of a perforated lip integral with a liner disposed in said flash chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heater of claim 1 wherein said bars extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shell and extend across a portion of said flash chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heater of claim 1 wherein said baffle plate extends between said drain flows inlet and said bars.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The heater of claim 1 further comprising baffle means for directing non-condensibles from said steam and said drain flows and that portion of said steam that doesn''t condense into said vent means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The heater of claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises means for providing an external source of steam to said shell to maintain the condensate at saturation temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The heater of claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises means for directing steam around various sections of said tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The feedwater heater of claim 7 wherein said means for directing steam flow around various sections of said tubes comprises a plurality of partitions disposed in said shell, a portion of said tubes being spaced from another portion, whereby an uninterrupted flow of a portion of said steam is provided through spaces between said tubes to the bottom of said shell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2354071A
Cited
US2939685A
Cited
US3061273A
Cited
US2956784A
Cited
US2995341A
Cited
US3698476A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |