Claims
- 1. In a system, having at least one vapor generating boiler, one vapor utilizing condenser for production, distribution and utilization of condensable vapor, in a closed circuit wherein the pressure and temperature are substantially constant everywhere and identically the same at all points except for the pressure losses, with recovery of at least part of the condensates discharged by guided, preferably substantially dry and at least for the most part thereof generally gravitational return-flow in at least one closed container forming a main buffer-tank located at a general low point a method in particular for intermittent forced delivery of said condensates, for any selected one of the following purposes: direct reintroduction into said vapor-generating boiler, delivery into a higher-pressure system, passing of a geometrical rise such as a pitch-retaining arrangement by the discharge flow of condensates, the said method consisting in awaiting the obtention of a predetermined maximum level of filling of the said container with liquid; in isolating from the outside the upper space of the said container containing the gaseous phase by either one of the following procedures: cutting off any, at least unidirectional, fluid communication with at least the up-stream portion of the said system, stopping the up-stream inflow and preventing any return of the down-stream current of condensates into the said container; and in applying, at the free surface of the contained liquid, a sufficient additional vapor pressure to allow the total available gas pressure to be substantially equivalent to the sum of the necessary net geometrical height of delivery and the down-stream flow pressure losses to be overcome.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, comprising providing a controlled cyclic operation with periodical repetition and automatic control interlocked in follow-up relationship with the instant amount of condensates in the afore-mentioned container.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, comprising providing a collection and temporary accumulation of the condensates in at least one auxiliary buffer-tank up-stream of the said main buffer-tank during the forced delivery of the condensates from the latter.
- 4. A method according to claim 3, comprising providing an automatic discharge of vapor pressure from the said main buffer-tank at the end of the delivery cycle whereas the said discharge is continued until the said vapor pressure in the said main buffer-tank becomes substantially equal to the pressure of the condensates up-stream of the said main buffer-tank.
- 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the said equalization of the pressures is obtained by providing the temporary controlled direct communication between either one of the following pairs of spaces: the respective upper spaces of gaseous phase confinement of the said main and auxiliary buffer tanks, respectively; the upper space of the said main buffer-tank and either one of the up-stream inflow of condensates and of the live vapor supply flow.
- 6. A method according to claim 1, comprising providing a safety discharge of the excess condensates present in the said main buffer-tank, into either one of a feed tank and of a lower pressure system and automatically controlled in interlocked follow-up relationship with the admissible maximum liquid level in the said main buffer-tank, in particular in the case of at most reduced needs of the aforesaid boiler in liquid to be vaporized, said method further providing a safety discharge of vapor in case of over-pressure in the said main buffer-tank, said latter discharge being automatically controlled in interlocked follow-up relationship with the admissible maximum pressure, the said excess condensates being discharged into either one of the excess condensate discharge line and of the up-stream inflow of condensates.
- 7. A method according to claim 1, usable in the case of at least two pumping sub-stations mounted in parallel, and consisting in providing an automatic time-lag simultaneously interlocked in follow-up relationship with the instant amounts of condensates present in the said main buffer-tanks, respectively, of the said pumping sub-stations in order to throw out of step their respective operations for the purpose of a substantially continuous replenishment of the said boiler with liquid to be vaporized, by separately operatng one of the sub-stations while the other is being filled with condensates.
- 8. A method according to claim 1, consisting in heating at least part of the liquid phase present in the aforesaid container by means of an input of external heat in order to respectively raise its temperature and vaporize part of the said liquid in order to raise the pressure, thus creating a flow-boosting thermodynamic pumping effect producing the circulation.
- 9. A method according to claim 8, consisting in providing an earlier heating beginning as soon as the condensates in the said container reach a given intermediate filling level lower than the said maximum level.
- 10. A method according to claim 8, consisting in providing a physical separation of the volume of condensates to be vaporized from the volume of condensates to be delivered and by the exclusive heating of the said volume of condensates to be vaporized, said method further comprising on the one hand either one of the following steps: isolating and heating said volume within the said container itself, conveying said volume into and heating same in an external adjunct container, with direct supply of produced vapor above the level of the liquid condensates to be delivered, and on the other hand the keeping of a minimum amount of condensates to be heated.
- 11. A method according to claim 10, consisting in the introduction, into the upper space of the said main buffer-tank, of an external input of live vapor under a higher pressure.
- 12. A method according to claim 11, for delivering the condensates from the said main buffer-tank to a place where the pressure is higher than that of the said live vapor, consisting in providing a combination of the introduction of the said live vapor into the said main buffer-tank and of the said vaporizing heating of at least part of the said condensates, in such a manner that the total vapor pressure thus produced in the said main buffer-tank be at least equal to the necessary delivery pressure.
- 13. A device in a system having at least one vapor generating boiler, one vapor utilizing condenser for production, distribution and utilization of condensable vapor in a closec circuit wherein the pressure and temperature are substantially constant everywhere and identically the same at all points except for the pressure losses, with recovery of at least part of the condensates discharged by guided, preferably substantially dry and at least for the most part thereof generally gravitational return flow in at least one closed container forming a main buffer-tank provided with at least one level controller having at least two mutually opposite working limit positions, viz. a maximum limit position and a minimum limit position, and mounted in an inclined conduit for the descending return of the condensates, ending into the aforesaid boiler, said main buffer-tank being placed at either one of a general low point to form a pumping substation for reintroduction into the boiler and of, a local low point at a pitch-retaining pipe rise to form a lift pumping sub-station for the passing of a geometrical rise, the respectively up-stream and down-stream portions of the said conduit being connected to the respectively upper and lower portions of the said main buffer-tank, with a check valve intercalated in the said down-stream conduit portion, said device further comprising means for producing vapor through either one of additional introduction and of local production of vapor in the upper space of the said main buffer-tank, the said means comprising a switching member connected by a remote-control transmission to the monitoring member of the said level controller, whereas, a check valve is mounted in series in the said up-stream conduit portion.
- 14. A device according to claim 13, including an isolating valve mounted in the aforesaid up-stream conduit portion, wherein the said valve is connected in series with the said corresponding check valve, up-stream of the latter, and is motor-actuated, its servo-motor being connected by a remote-control transmission to the monitoring member of the said level controller.
- 15. A device according to claim 13, wherein the said main buffer-tank has its upper portion connected by at least one vapor discharge conduit to the said up-stream portion of the condensate return conduit before the said check valve through the medium of a motor-actuated stop-valve whose servo-motor is connected by a remote-control transmission to the monitoring member of the said level controller.
- 16. A device according to claim 15, in an aforesaid, two-pipe system of vapor production and distribution, including at least two systems of lines for, respectively, the supply of live vapor and the discharge of condensates, with at least one pipe-rise arrangement in the said condensate return conduit, provided with a said main buffer-tank and at least one vapor-phase direct-connection conduit between the said two systems of lines, interconnecting the upper point of the descending branch of the said pipe-rise arrangement to a live vapor supply conduit, wherein the said vapor discharge conduit is connected to the said direct connection conduit.
- 17. A device according to claim 15, in an aforesaid, one-pipe system of vapor production and distribution, including at least one single live vapor supply and condensate return conduit with at least one pipe-rise provided with a said main buffer-tank and an upper vapor-phase by-pass loop bypassing the said pipe-rise arrangement and connecting the upper point of the descending branch of the latter to a point located down-stream of the said pipe-rise arrangement, wherein the said vapor discharge conduit is connected to the said loop.
- 18. A device according to claim 15, comprising at least one auxiliary buffer-tank intercalated in series in the up-stream portion of the said condensate return conduit before the said check valve and after an additional up-stream check valve, whereas the said vapor discharge conduit opens into the upper portion of the said auxiliary buffer-tank, the capacity of the latter being substantially equal to the volume of condensates defined between the limit level positions, namely the maximum limit level position and the minimum limit level position, of the detecting member of the said level controller in the said main buffer-tank, which respectively switch on and switch off the said heating means, therefore equal to the volume variation between two successive fillings or emptyings.
- 19. A device according to claim 13, in an aforesaid system of vapor production and distribution, including at least two pumping sub-stations for reintroduction of condensates, mounted in parallel, wherein the monitoring member of the said level controller of each main buffer-tank is connected by an individual remote-control transmission to a common regulator and time-lag member.
- 20. A device according to claim 13, in an aforesaid system of vapor production and distribution, each said main buffer-tank of which is provided with an upper-level controller and has its lower portion connected to either one of a feed tank and of a lower-pressure system by at least one condensate discharge conduit containing a check valve and a motor-actuated stop-valve whose servo-motor is connected by a remote-control transmission to the monitoring member of the said upper-level controller, wherein the upper portion of the said main buffer-tank is connected to either one of the said condensate discharge conduit and of the up-stream portion of the said condensate return conduit by a safety relief conduit containing a safety valve.
- 21. A device according to claim 13, comprising heating means such as a heating resistor in heat exchange and transmission connection with at least part of the lower volume of condensates contained in the said main buffer-tank.
- 22. A device according to claim 21, including a said main buffer-tank provided with an additional intermediate level controller, wherein the respective monitoring members of the said intermediate level controller and of said maximum and minimum level controller are connected to a member for the switching of the said heating means through the medium of a common pilot relay.
- 23. A device according to claim 21 wherein the said main buffer-tank comprises a substantially vertical, partial internal partition wall extending upwardly from the lower bottom of the said main buffer-tank up to a predetermined height corresponding to a maximum level, thus subdividing the said main buffer-tank into two unequal sections communicating with one another in the upper portion, i.e. in the vapor-phase space, of the said main buffer-tank, the said partition wall being provided with at least one interconnecting through-orifice located at the said intermediate level, whereas the said heating means is placed in the smaller section towards the base of the latter, the useful capacity of which corresponds to the necessary minimum amount of liquid to be vaporized.
- 24. A device according to claim 21, wherein the said heating means is placed in a closed enclosure, the capacity of which is substantially equal to the volume of liquid to be vaporized in order to form a vapor generator and the respectively lower and upper portions of which communicate respectively with the lower and upper portions of the said main buffer-tank, at least an upper portion of the said enclosure being located substantially at most at the level of the said lower portion of the said main buffer-tank.
- 25. A device according to claim 24, wherein the said heating means is located outside the said buffer-tank and the lower and upper portions of its said enclosure are connected by respective conduits to the corresponding portions of the said main buffer-tank in the base of which the said conduit, proceeding from the lower portion of the said enclosure, penetrates and opens substantially vertically up to a height corresponding to the said intermediate level.
- 26. A device according to claim 24, including heating means located outside the said main buffer-tank and comprising an elongated hollow body, for example cylindrically tubular in shape, forming the aforesaid enclosure and placed either horizontally with at least one lower communication orifice opening towards its free end and an open vertical communication conduit extending from its upper portion into the upper space of the said main buffer-tank or vertically with communication orifices opening respectively towards its base and towards its top.
- 27. A device according to claim 21, wherein at least one live vapor supply conduit opens into the upper portion of the said main buffer-tank and is provided with a motor-actuated isolating valve, the servo-motor of which is connected by a remote-control transmission to the monitoring member of the aforesaid level controller of the said main buffer-tank.
- 28. A device according to claim 27, provided with a said main buffer-tank connected at its lower portion by means of a delivery conduit to either one of an aforesaid boiler and of a system of lines wherein the pressure is higher than that of the said live vapor, said main buffer-tank being provided with both the aforesaid vaporizing heating means and live vapor supply conduit connecting the upper portion of the said main buffer-tank to a live vapor supply source to thus constitute a combined pumping sub-station.
- 29. In a method for feeding vaporizable liquid to a system for producing, distributing and utilizing condensable vapor wherein the system includes at least one boiler, a vapor distributing system having a point of vapor supply and at least one point of mechanical condensate discharge a condensate return system including at least one buffer-tank for holding and temporarily storing all the condensates for return to the said boiler and a source of vaporizable make-up liquid for supplying said system, the method including the steps of producing vapor in the boiler in a closed loop circulation at a substantially constant temperature and pressure except for pressure losses, on the one hand, in the vapor distributing system between the vapor supply point and at least one of the mechanical condensate discharge points, and on the other hand, in the condensate return system between the point of discharge and at least one of the buffer tanks, with the pressure in the condensate return system no higher than the pressure in the vapor distributing system and effecting return of the condensates to the boiler under at least one of gravitational force and the motive action of the vapor within said system, and the impovement comprising the step of directing all the vaporizable make-up liquid to the collecting tank to supply the boiler with its total vaporizable liquid requirement.
- 30. A method according to claim 29 comprising continuously drawing vapor at maximum pressure from the vapor distributing system and supplying said vapor to the said collecting tank permanently to maintain therein a higher pressure than the pressure on the saturation vapor tension curve which corresponds to the temperature of the condensates.
- 31. A method according to claim 29, comprising automatically controlling the intake of vaporizable make-up liquid into the said system so that the water level in the boiler governs only the direct reintroduction of the said liquid into the boiler from the collecting tank.
- 32. A method according to claim 29, comprising automatically controlling the intake of vaporizable liquid into the boile- from the said collecting tank, said intake depending only on the water level in the boiler.
- 33. A method according to claim 29, comprising placing a collecting tank above the vaporizable liquid level in the boiler to direct the intake of vaporizable liquid to the boiler without requiring the use of any mechanical or power pump, directing the condensates at the pressure in the condensate return system into said collecting tank during a stage of filling said tank and allowing the said collecting tank to form distributing lock means, and to communicate with the vapor distributing system during a stage of emptying of the said collecting tank and of return of the condensates to the boiler.
- 34. A method according to claim 33, comprising mounting a pair of collecting tanks in parallel and in a similar manner in the downstream portion of the condensate return system and connecting said collecting tanks in a similar manner with the vapor intake at the pressure in the vapor distributing system, emptying one of the collecting tanks while filling the other tank and reversing the order when the tank being filled is full.
- 35. A method according to claim 29, comprising placing an auxiliary tank above the vaporizable liquid level in the condensate collecting tank to readmit the vaporizable make-up liquid into the collecting tank without requiring pumping, feeding, the auxiliary tank with make-up liquid while filling the auxiliary tank, the make-up liquid being at a lower pressure than the pressure prevailing in the condensate return system, directing the make-up fluid from the auxiliary tank to at least one collecting tank while emtpying of the auxiliary tank by allowing the auxiliary tank to communicate with the vapor distributing system.
- 36. A method according to claim 35 comprising automatically controlling the intake of vaporizable liquid into the said auxiliary tank in dependence upon the quantity of liquid in the said auxiliary tank.
- 37. A method according to claim 34, comprising directing the intake of vaporizable make-up liquid into the system only to that one of the two collecting tanks that is in the emptying stage.
- 38. A method according to claim 30 wherein the pressure of said drawn vapor is reduced in a pressure-loss device prior to feeding same to said collecting tank.
- 39. A method according to claim 30 wherein the vapor from the vapor distribution system is fed to a pressure reducing device to reduce the pressure prior to being supplied to the collecting tank.
Priority Claims (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
75 34705 |
Nov 1975 |
FRX |
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76 27510 |
Sep 1976 |
FRX |
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76 27511 |
Sep 1976 |
FRX |
|
78 01773 |
Jan 1978 |
FRX |
|
Parent Case Info
This is a division and continuation in part of patent application No. 741 339 filed on Nov. 12, 1976 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,767.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
741339 |
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