SEPARATORS, STEAM, are used to separate and remove the water entrained or mechan ically suspended in a current of steam flowing through a pipe. The names " eliminator " and " extractor " are also applied to the same apparatus, and also to contrivances for removing oil, grease, or grit from exhaust steam, as it passes from an engine to a condenser, or to a sys tem of pipes in which it is utilized for heating purposes.
The Stratton Separator, shown in Fig. 1, is based on the principle that if a rotative mo tion is imparted to the steam the liquid particles it may contain, being heavier than the steam, acquire centrifugal force and are projected to the outside of the current. It consists of a vertical cylinder with an in ternal central pipe, extending from the top downward about half the height of the apparatus. leaving an annular space between the two. A nozzle for the admis sion of the steam is on one side, the outlet being on the opposite side or on top. The lower part of the apparatus is enlarged to form a receiver of considerable capacity, thus providing for a sudden influx of water from the boiler. A suitable opening is tapped at the bottom of the apparatus for a drip connection, and a glass water gauge shows the level of the water in the separa tor. The current of steam on entering is deflected by a curved partition and thrown tangentially to the annular space at the side near to top of the apparatus. It is thus whirled around with all the velocity of influx, producing the centrifugal action which throws the particles of water against the outer cylinder. These adhere to the sur face, so that the water runs down continuously in a thin sheet around the outer shell into the receptacle below, while the steam, following a spiral course to the bottom of the internal pipe, abruptly enters it, and passes upwards and out of the separator.
Robertson's Centrifugal Separator is shown in Fig. 2. In this separator the steam is com pelled to take a whirling motion by the spiral passages around the central tube.
Hine's Eliminator.—The Hine eliminator is shown in section in Figs. 3 and 4. The in terior surfaces have deep, sharp corrugations throughout, extending transversely to the cur rent, by which the steam is thoroughly broken up upon entering. In Fig. 3 a sharply corru
gated vertical diaphragm is interposed between the inlet and outlet side. By the force of the incoming current the steam is driven clown ward against this diaphragm, and by impinging the transverse corrugated surfaces in the body, the initial separation takes place before the turning of the steam into the outlet side.
At the lower end of this vertical diaphragm two convex disks, B B, are placed, having a narrow orifice at the bottom, through which the particles separated are carried into the chamber below, out of and away from the action of the steam current, and from thence out at drip valve. A. By the interposition, also, of an inward extending pipe.at the point of outlet, the steam current is also diverted.
In Fig. 4 is shown, at the side on one end, a corrugated deflecting partition which ex tends half the length of the body, forming the inlet. At the opposite end a vertical pipe cast with a flange and standing out from the body forms the outlet. The steam in passing through the deflecting partition ob tains centrifugal action, and by con tact with the inner corrugated sur faces is broken up,• and the water, oil, grease, or other particles elimi nated readily flow down the vertical corrugations and out, while the steam, diverted from its direct current, passes away from the body and out through the vertical pipe to point of delivery.
Kieley's 3.fultitubular Oil Separator is shown in Fig. 5. Both the inner and outer sides of the tubes arc cov ered with wire coils, increasing the effective area for retaining the oil.
The Curtis Combined Separator and Trap is shown in Fig. 6. The steam in its passage through the separator is sharply deflected downward, and then as sharply deflected upward. The particles of water by their momentum continue onward instead of turning with the steam, and are projected against the inclined faces of the deflector, and gradually falling, as they lose their momentum, are gathered in a stream against the back side of the separator, and flow downward to the base. The water in the base is removed by a balanced float-trap.