Steam generating system including means for reinitiating the operation of a steam bound boiler feed pump

摘要

An improved steam boiler system includes an automatic means for injecting cool water into a steam bound boiler feed pump. In a first embodiment a pressure sensitive check valve detects the drop of pressure in the steam bound pump and in response thereto directs a cool water mist into the high side of the pump, thus reinitiating its operation. According to a second embodiment, cool water is sprayed into the pump in response to a drop of the water level in the boiler. In both embodiments, a vent line is used to bleed the high side of the centrifugal pump to a condensate tank in response to a drop of pressure in the pump. The vent line may be bled through a check valve or directly through a manual valve. Additionally, both embodiments employ a pressure sensitive valve in the boiler feed line, which shuts off the pump flow to the boiler whenever the pressure in the boiler exceeds the pressure at the output of the pump. The invention has the major advantage of reinitiating the operation of a steam bound boiler feed pump but has as an important secondary advantage the ability to keep the pump packing seals under liquid pressure, thereby preventing the packing from burning up in the event that the pump becomes steam bound.