GB1061742A - Improvements in or relating to pumping systems for handling fluids in both liquid and gaseous phases - Google Patents

Abstract

1,061,742. Central heating systems. NASH ENGINEERING CO. March 19, 1964 [April 24, 1963], No. 11697/64. Heading F4U. [Also in Division F1] In a heating system steam passes from a line 16 into a radiator 15 and steam-condensate mixture passes from the radiator into a main line 17 wherein the steam separates from the condensate and flows through a by-pass line 23 to the inlet 19 of a two-stage pump 18 (see Division F1). The main line 17 is restricted at 20 to create a head of condensate upstream thereof and thereby provide a smooth and substantially uniform flow of condensate to the pump inlet 19. The pump 18 passes the condensate through a line 26 and storage tank 27 to a boiler, and the steam through a line 25 and a separating chamber 29 to a line 100 having a thermostatically operated vent valve 102 and a check valve 104. The basic suction created by the pump is transmitted back through the by-pass 23 to the radiator 15 and thereby maintains a sufficiently low pressure in the system to maintain a suitably low steam temperature therein. Where the level of the main line 17 is lower than that of the pump inlet 19, a vertical lift tube (see Specification 1,061,743) upstream of the restriction and bypass forms part of the main line 17, in which lift tube the steam of the steam-condensate mixture raises slugs of condensate to a level above that of the pump inlet. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 12 (not shown), the radiator 15 is replaced by a steam heating coil of a cooker, kettle, platen, mould jacket, dryer, laundry press or the like, the steam separated by the pump being returned to the system between the upstream side of the heating coil and a pressure reducing valve.