US3033006A - Vapor jet refrigeration unit - Google Patents

Description

May 8, 1962 R. w. HAGEN VAPOR JET REFRIGERATION UNIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1960 R. w. HAGEN 3,033,006

VAPOR JET REFRIGERATION UNIT May 8, 1962 Filed Oct. 24, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Baker? W @621 May 8, 1962 R. w. HAGEN VAPOR JET REFRIGERATION UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 24, 1960 INVENTOR.

l l ll l li l'l HHII'I'I'IH" Ill lllll yen HTTOIZNEK York Filed Oct. 24, 196i), Ser. No. 64,562 6 Claims. (U. 62-170) This invention relates to improvements in vapor jet refrigeration units.

The invention provides for a substantially uniform liquid refrigerant flow through a multiple compartment efrigeration unit While one or more compartments may be operated to cool liquid refrigerant in the operating compartments where liquid flow is controlled by a plurality of liquid distribution sections, one for each operating compartment, having means for equalizing pressure between each operating compartment and the corresponding distribution section with feeder pipes connecting each section with the corresponding compartment so that control of the evacua'tor for each compartment will obtain liquid flow from the distribution section into the compartment only when the evacuator is in operation. When one or more of the evacuators are rendered inoperative, the distribution sections are constructed for cooperation to discharge a proportionately larger quantity of liquid refrigerant through the feeder pipes for the remaining operating compartments to maintain substantially uniform liquid flow through the apparatus.

The invention provides a vapor jet type of refrigeration unit having a casing formed With a plurality of cooling compartments each having a feeder pipe for discharging liquid therein and a distribution tank mounted above the cooling compartments. The distribution tank is divided into a plurality of distribution sections corresponding in number with the cooling compartments and have the upper ends of the feeder pipes terminating in an intermediate portion above the bottom, one in each section for the corresponding compartment. Each distribution section has a pressure equalizing pipe connected with the corresponding compartment for equalizing pressure therebetween. Each compartment has an evacuator for maintaining a reduced pressure or vacuum therein for cooling liquid in the compartment discharged therein through the feeder pipe from the corresponding distribution section during operation. The reduced pressure provided by the evacuator operates to raise the liquid level in the corresponding distribution section above the upper end of the feeder pipe for discharge of the liquid through the pipe into the cooling compartment. The evacuators automatically control liquid refrigerant flow from an inlet connected with the distribution tank and sections through the difference in pressure applied in the distribution sections without other control means. When any evacuator is shut off or rendered inoperative, the reduced pressure maintained by the operating evacuators in the remaining operating compartments will maintain uniform fluid flow through the apparatus. The pressure in the non-operating compartments will increase so the liquid level in the corresponding distribution sections will fall below the upper ends of the feeder pipes to stop liquid flow through the non-operating compartments. This results from the difference in absolute pressure between the operating compartments and the non-operating compartments. The lower absolute pressure in the operating compartments and corresponding distribution sections and higher absolute pressure in the non-operating compartments and distribution sections results in the liquid refrigerant ceasing flow through the spray nozzles of the non-operating compartments with an increased liquid refrigerant flow through the spray nozzles of the remaining operating compartments.

atent 3,033,006 Patented May 8, 1962 According to the invention, the cooling compartments may be arranged either side by side or one above the other. In each case the distribution tank will be positioned so the distribution sections are above the corresponding compartments. This enables-the control of the evacuators to automatically control liquid flow in each distribution section and its compartment by the evacuator.

The invention provides a means for utilizing the cap on a barometric type of steam vacuum refrigeration unit for the distribution tank by dividing it into a number of distribution sections equal in number to the compartments. The vertical partitions in the cap terminate in spaced relation above the bottom to allow liquid from an inlet connected with the cap to flow into all of the distribution sections. The feeder pipes extend from each compartment into a corresponding distribution section with the upper end terminating in an intermediate portion of the distribution section above the bottom of the vertical partitions.

by a pressure equalizing pipe, the evacuator will. cause the liquid level in each section to rise above the upper end of the feeder pipe by means of the reduced pressure in each distribution section causing liquid to flow from the distribution section for discharge and cooling in the corresponding compartment. This operation takes place when the evacuator is in operation. When the evacuator is shut off the pressure in the compartment and corresponding distribution section increases so the liquid level in the distribution section will lower to below the upper end of the feeder pipe and stop liquid flow through the feeder pipe of the inoperative compartment. By using the cap for the distribution tank, the cost of constructing the refrigeration unit is reduced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing a barometric type of steam vacuum refrigeration unit having a plurality of compartments formed in a tubular casing, arranged one above the other, and incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the refrigeration unit shown in FIG. 1 with portions shown in elevation for convenience in illustrating the invention.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-section through the distribution tank portion of a refrigeration unit incorporating the present invention Where the compartments are arranged side by side in horizontal relation, taken substantially on line 44 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-section of a refrigeration unit having the distribution tank on top of the refrigerating compartments in which the compartments are arranged side by side in horizontal relation.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views of the barometric type of refrigeration unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating the operation of the invention; FIG. 6 showing all the compartments in operation; FIG. 7 showing the two lower compartments in operation with the upper compartment shut off and FIG. 8 showing the two upper compartments shut off with the lower compartment in operation.

The invention is applied to a barometric type of steam vacuum refrigeration unit, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, and is generally similar to that shown in Patent No. 2,780,930, patented February 12, 1957. The present invention is an improvement over the steam vacuum refrigeration unit shown in co-pending application Serial Number 830,487 filed July 30, 1959, now Patent No. 2,978,880.

The present invention has a flash tank unit formed by a cylindrical outer casing or shell 1. The outer shell Then, by having each distribution section and its corresponding compartment connected 1 is divided into a plurality of compartments by partitions 2. Partitions 2 are suitably welded to casing or shell 1 so as to provide fluid tight joints with the shell. This provides a plurality of flash tank compartments in shell 1 of which three are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A cap 3 is mounted on the upper end of casing 1. With the cylindrical casing illustrated, the cap has a frustoconical shape and is mounted on the upper end to support the barometric condenser illustrated in the aforementioned patent. A plurality of steam iet ejectors or evacuators 4, one for each compartment, are mounted on the outside of outer casing or shell 1 of the flash tank unit and connected so each ejector or evacuator will operate to produce a vacuum and remove the vapor from each refrigerating compartment. The ejectors are connected to a barometric condenser mounted above the outer casing 1 and supported on cap 3 in a manner disclosed in the aforementioned patent.

Cap 3 forms a distribution tank or chamber and is provided witha pair of spaced parallel transverse partitions 5 extending in vertical relation for dividing the cap into a plurality of distribution sections, one for each refrigeration compartment. The lower ends of partitions 5 terminate in spaced relation above partition 2 attached to the lower end of cap 3 to form a distribution tank in the cap. This space allows arefrigerant liquid to flow into all distribution sections from the inlet 6 connected withthe lower portion of cap 3. A feeder pipe 7 is provided for each compartment and extends from the compartment vertically to a corresponding distribution chamber in cap 3, as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The upper ends of feeder pipes 7 terminate in an intermediate portion of each distribution section in spaced relation above the lower ends of partitions 5 and above inlet 6, as clearly shown in FIG. 2. The lower end of each feeder pipe terminates in the upper portion of its corresponding compartment and carries a spray nozzle 8 of conventional construction on the lower end for spraying refrigerant fluid outwardly in all directions within its compartment for cooling therein. In the barometric type of refrigeration unit, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeder pipe for the upper compartment will be relatively short in length while the feeder pipes for the two lower compartments will be progressively longer. These feeder pipes will have a size sufficient for conveying one-third of the refrigerant fluid entering through inlet pipe 6 in order that the three pipes will be of sufficient size to maintain a uniform flow through the refrigeration unit for discharge at the bottom of shell 1 through outlet pipe 9. When all three feeder pipes convey liquid, the normal Water level in each feeder pipe over each spray nozzle will be approximately 3.97 feet of water for a 16 foot per second spray velocity. When the upper compartment is rendered inoperative the two feeder pipes to the two lower compartments will then have the liquid level increase to approximately 8.9 feet of water in each feeder pipe 7. When only the bottom compartment is operating with the other two shut off, the liquid level in the feeder pipe to the bottom compartment will increase to 35.4 feet in order to have an increased pressure through the feeder pipe and the spray nozzle for the bottom compartment to pass the full flow of liquid from inlet pipe 6 to outletpipe '9. The feeder pipe 7 for the top compartment will have a length of at least four feet. The feeder pipe for the next lower compartment will have a length of at least nine feet and the feeder compartment for the bottom compartment will have a length of at least thirty-five and one-half to thirty-six feet. The spray nozzles 8 are located in each compartment below the level of the connection of the respective evacuator with the compartment.

A plurality of pressure equalizing pipes 10, one for each compartment and distribution section, are mounted in partitions 2 and have the opposite ends opening into corresponding compartments and distribution sections, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper ends of pressure equalizing pipes 10 terminate above the upper ends of feeder pipes 7 as illustrated in FIG. 2 while the lower ends terminate in the upper ends of the respective compartments to equalize pressure between each distribution section and its corresponding compartment. This provides for the automatic control of the liquid level in the distribution sections and flow through each feeder pipe 7, by control of the respective evacuators 4 for the respective compartments. Drain pipes 11, as shown in FIG. 2, connect the bottom of the upper compartment and the bottom of the intermediate compartment with the lower end of the bottom compartment for draining cooled liquid from each compartment into the bottom compartment or shell 1 so that it will flow outwardly through outlet pipe 9.

The invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is applied to a construction where the refrigeration compartments and distribution tank are arranged in side by side relation as distinguished from the illustration in FIGS. 1 and 2. The outer casing or shell 15 may be cylindrical or of any suitable shape and divided by partition members 16 into a plurality of refrigeration compartments, two being illustrated in the drawing. A distribution tank 17 is mounted on top of outer casing 15 and has an outer wall 18 formed by a continuation of the shell or outer casing 15. The top wall of outer casing 15 forms the bottom of the distribution tank which is divided by a transverse partition 19 into a number of distribution compartments equal in number to the number of refrigeration compartments so that each refrigeration compartment has a corresponding distribution section. An inlet pipe 20 is connected to the lower outer wall 18 of distribution tank 17 for supplying refrigerant liquid to the bottom of the distribution tank. Transverse partition 19 has the lower edge spaced above the bottom wallof the distribution tank to provide liquid flow from inlet pipe 20 to all of the compartments.

Evacuators 21 of conventional form are connected with the upper end of each refrigeration compartment in outer casing or shell 15, as shown in the drawings, for creating a vacuum in each refrigeration compartment in a manner well known in the art. Each compartment has a feeder pipe 22 extending vertically from the the upper portion of the compartment upwardly into the corresponding distribution section of distribution tank 17 with the upper end terminating in an intermediate portion of the distribution section above the lower edge of transverse partition 19. Pressure equalizing pipes 23, one for each compartment, extend vertically from the upper end of each respective compartment into the upper end portion of the corresponding distribution section, as shown in FIG. 5, for equalizing the pressure between the respective compartments and distribution sections. The lower end of outer casing or shell 15 has a liquid outlet 24 for conveying cooled refrigerant liquid from the casing.

The operation of the refrigeration unit, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is identical with that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 since the control of the evacuators will control the operation of each compartment and liquid flow through the respective feeder pipes. When the evacuators for all compartments are operating, the vacuum or reduced pressure in each compartment will be communicated to the corresponding distribution section through pipe 23 to cause the liquid level in the distribution section to rise above the upper end of feeder pipe 22 for discharging liquid through a nozzle on the end of the feeder pipe. The reduced pressure created by the evacuators which will remove the vapor from the compartments will cool the liquid refrigerant in the operating compartments to reduce the temperature a desired amount before the liquid flows out through outlet pipe '24. Whenever one of the evacuators 21 is shut oil? or rendered inoperative, the pressure in the compartment to which it is connected will rise and the pressure in the corresponding distribution section will also rise. This increased pressure in the distribution section will cause the liquid level therein to lower to a point below the upper end of the feeder pipe to cut off liquid flow through the feeder pipe into the compartment which is not operating.

The diagrammatic views of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the operation of the invention to show liquid distribution to the various compartments according to whether all three are in operation, as shown in FIG. 6, or two are in operation, as in FIG. 7, or only one is in operation, as in FIG. 8. FIG. 6 shows the operation of the refrigeration unit with all three evacuators 4 in operation. This provides a reduced pressure or vacuum in each 'of the three refrigeration compartments in shell 1 which is communicated through the three pressure equalizing pipes with the corresponding distribution sections in cap 3. With the vacuum or reduced pressure created in each distribution section, the refrigerant liquid entering through inlet pipe 6 will have the level raised above the upper ends of feeder pipes 7 so that approximately one-third of the flow of refrigerant liquid will enter each of the three feeder pipes and be discharged therethrough into the respective refrigerating compartments. The liquid will be sprayed outwardly by spray nozzles 8-, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 6. The cooled lliquid will then flow from the bottom of each of the upper compartments through drain pipes 11 to the bottom compartment and then outwardly through outlet pipe 9 for use in suitable apparatus where cooling or refrigerating operations are required. The feeder pipes in a barometric type of unit, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the diagrammatic illustration in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 will have a column of water in each feeder pipe approximately 3.97 feet above the spray nozzle for producing a 16 foot per second spray velocity through the three compartments. This will provide a maximum cooling operation of the refrigerant liquid. It will be understood that the flow of the refrigerant liquid is controlled solely through the operation of the evaucators without requiring the use of valves or mechanism of any kind. The height of the upper ends of the feeder pipes in the distribution sections is of particular importance in order to obtain this automatic feeding of refrigerant liquid into the several compartments.

FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the refrigeration unit Where evacuator 4 for the top compartment has been shut off or rendered inoperative. This allows the pressure within the upper compartment to rise and this increased pressure is communicated through pressure equalizing pipe 10 to the corresponding distribution section for the top compartment.

The shutting off of evacuator 4 for the top compartment provides the increase in pressure by having the higher absolute pressure in the condenser communicated to the top compartment through the idle evacuator connection. This equalizes the pressure between the nonoperating compartment, its corresponding distribution section and the condenser. The difference in absolute pressure created by active evacuators 4 in operating compartments where a lower pressure is produced and the higher pressure in non-operating compartments with idle evacuators having the higher pressure communicated from the condenser provides the means for controlling liquid flow through the feeder pipes. The control of the evacuators provides a simple and inexpensive way of obtaining substantially uniform liquid flow between the inlet and outlet connections through one or more compartments for evaporative cooling treatment.

The liquid level in this distribution section will \lower as shown in the upper portions of FIG. 7. The liquid level in the other distribution sections for the other compartments will rise slightly so that the same quantity of liquid entering inlet 6 will be distributed equally to the feeder pipes for the intermediate and lower refrigeration compartments. In obtaining this operation absolute pressure in the intermediate and lower compartments remains substantially uniform. In order to secure a uniform liquid flow through the apparatus, the longer feeder pipes 7 for the intermediate and lower compartments will have the liquid level therein increase to a height of 8.9 feet. This will increase the pressure and liquid flow through the active spray nozzles in the two lower compartments to maintain a uniform rate of flow through the refrigeration unit.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the refrigerant unit with the two upper evacuators shut off or rendered inoperative and only the lower evacuator 4 in operation. With this condition, the pressure in the two upper compartments rises and is communicated from the condenser by the corresponding pressure equalizing pipes 10 to the corresponding distribution sections. The liquid level in the two inoperative distribution sections will lower under the higher pressure therein so it will be below the upper ends of feeder pipes 7, as clearly shown in the upper portion of FIG. 8. The full flow of liquid from inlet pipe 6 will enter the distribution section for the lower compartment and rise a suflicient amount so that the entire liquid flow will pass through the feeder pipe 7 for the lower compartment. To obtain this operation, the liquid will fill feeder pipe 7 for the bottom compartment to a height of 35 .4 feet in order to produce a greater spray velocity for maintaining the uniform liquid flow through the refrigeration unit. It will be understood that the velocity of liquid flow through two feeder pipes to the two bottom compartients, as shown in FIG. 7, will be increased over the velocity of fluid flow, as shown in FIG. 6, when all three compartments are in operation. Likewise, when the single compartment is in operation, as shown in FIG. 8, the velocity of flow through the feeder pipe wilil correspondingly increase. This increase in velocity through the feeder pipe is obtained by the increased pressure produced by the higher column of liquid indicated above.

By using the cap on the upper end of the shell of the barometric refrigeration unit as the distribution tank, the invention provides a very economical construction for providing automatic control of refrigerant liquid distribution to the responsive refrigeration compartments solely through the control of the evacuators. This construction eliminates the use of the usual control valves and associated equipment for the supply of refrigerant liquid to each of the compartments and as a result affects a substantial reduction in the cost of construction the unit as well as an improved operation. Uniform liquid refrigerant flow can be maintained through this refrigeration unit regardless of whether one or more units are in operation. The cooling of the refrigerant liquid can be controlled by operating one or more of the compartments in order to secure the degree of the refrigeration desired to maintain a substantially uniform operation of the cooling apparatus under varying conditions of operation.

With the construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the feeder pipes 22. will have a length of at least four feet, while the pipe size may be varied in successive compartments to maintain uniform liquid flow through the apparatus as the evacuators are successively shut off.

The invention as disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5, shows how it is applied to a plurality of refrigeration compartments arranged in both vertical and horizontal relation. The description points out how steam jet evacuators are used with a barometric type of steam jet refrigeration unit where the barometric condenser is mounted above the compartments in carrying out one method of utilizing the invention. It will be understood that other types of condensers may be used to condense the steam from steam jet ejectors used in evacuating the compartments in the form shown in both FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5.

It will be further understood that jet ejectors using fluids or gases other than steam, may be used to provide the lower pressure in the compartments and control of the differences in barometric pressure may be obtained as hereinabove described. For example, Freon gas may be used as the fluid for operating evacuators 4 with recovery equipment of the desired character such as condensers or absorbers of types well known in the art. Any other suitable means may be used to provide the vacuum or reduced pressure in the operating compartments and the increased pressure in non-operating compartments required to control fluid flow within the scope of the invention as herein disclosed.

The invention claimed is:

l. A vapor jet refrigeration apparatus comprising a fiash tank formed with a plurality of compartments, evacuating means for independently evacuating each of said compartments, liquid distribution means separate from said compartments having a plurality of distribution sections one for each compartment, a liquid inlet connected for supplying liquid to each distribution section, each distribution section being located at a higher elevation than its corresponding compartment, a feeder pipe connecting each corresponding distribution section and compartment having the upper end terminating in an intermediate portion of said distribution section, means for equalizing pressure between each compartment and its corresponding distribution section, and a liquid outlet for conveying liquid away from said compartments, whereby liquid will flow at a substantially uniform rate between said inlet and outlet through those compartments and sections where said evacuating means maintains a reduced pressure in the distribution sections for automatically maintaining liquid flow and eliminating liquid flow in the compartments Where higher pressure exists in the distribution sections.

2. A vapor jet refrigeration apparatus, comprising a flash tank formed with a plurality of compartments, means for independently evacuating each of said compartments, a liquid distribution chamber above said compartments, means dividing said chamber into a plurality of distribution sections, one for each of said compartments having communication at the bottom, a liquid inlet connected to said chamber for supplying liquid to all of said distribution sections, a liquid outlet for drawing the liqu d from the lower portions of said compartments, a pressure equalicing pipe connecting each compartment. with the corresponding distribution section for equalizing pressure thereberween, and feeder pipes connecting corresponding compartments and distribution sections having the upper ends terminatin in respective distribution sections above said means providing commu ication therebetween for selectively delivering liquid to said compartments when said evacuating means for the com artment is operating and for discontinuing liquid delivery when said evacuating means is cut oil and maintaining uniform volume of liquid flow between said inlet and outlet independent of whether said evacuating means is operating or shut oil.

3. A vapor jet refrigeration apparatus comprising a flash tank formed with a plurality of compartments, means for independently evacuating each of said compartments, a liquid distribution chamber above said compartments, partition means dividing said chamber into a plurality of distribution sections equal in number to said compartments arranged in horizontal relation with said partition means terminating in spaced relation above the bottom of said chamber to provide liquid flow between sections, feeder pipes connecting each section with its corresponding compartment, said feeder pipes having the upper ends terminating in an intermediate portion of the respective sections above the bottom of said partition means, a liquid outlet for receiving the liquid from each compartment, a liquid inlet connected for supplying liquid to said liquid distribution chamber and all the sections therein, and pressure equalizing pipes extending between corresponding sections in said chamber and corresponding compartments, whereby liquid will be distributed into all of said compartments when all of said means for evacuating said compartments are in operation and shutting off said means for evacuating any or said compartments will provide an increased pressure in said compartment and the corresponding distribution section for automatically lowering the liquid level in said section to a level below the top of the "feeder pipe for stopping liquid flow into the corresponding compartment, liquid flow through the other distribution sections increasing sufiiciently to maintain the same liquid flow regardless of the number of compartments in excess of one which have said means shut off.

4. A vapor jet refrigeration apparatus, comprising an outer shell, partition means mounted in and dividing said shell into a plurality of compartments, a plurality of evacuators mounted on said shell, one for evacuating each compartment, :1 liquid distribution tank mounted at a higher elevation than said outer shell, partition means mounted in said tank dividing said tank into a plurality of distribution sections equal in number to the number of said compartments with one section provided for controlling liquid flow to a selected compartment, a feeder pipe connecting each distribution section with the corresponding compartment having the upper end terminating above the bottom and in an intermediate portion of said distribution section, a pressure equalizing pipe connecting each distribution section with the corresponding compartment and having the upper end in said section opening above said feeder pipe for equalizing pressure between each distribution section and. the corresponding compartment, a liquid inlet to said distribution tank communicating with each distribution section, and a liquid outlet connected with said outer shell and having communication with each compartment for conveying liquid away from said compartments and shell, whereby liquid refrigerant will flow from said inlet through said distribution tank and selected compartments when said evacuators are maintaining a reduced pressure in each selected compartment to said liquid outlet at a substantially uniform rate regardless of the number of compartments evacuated.

5. A vapor jet refrigeration apparatus, comprising an outer shell, partitions extending transversely of said outer shell dividing said outer shell into a plurality of separate compartments arranged one above the other, a plurality of evacuators mounted on said shell one for evacuating each compartment, a liquid distribution tank provided at the top of said shell, partitions dividing said tank into a plurality of distribution sections, a liquid inlet communicating with each of said sections for supplying liquid thereto, a liquid outlet connected to said shell for receiving liquid discharged from said compartments, a feeder pipe connecting each distribution section with one of said compartments, the feeder pipe for each compartment starting from the top compartment being progressively longer than the preceding one for containing a higher column of liquid in successively longer feeder pipes, and means for equalizing pressure between corresponding distribution sections and compartments, whereby liquid will how at a substantially uniform rate between said inlet and outlet through those compartments and sections where said evacuators maintain a reduced pressure in the distribution sections, a proportionately increased liquid flow occurring through said feeder pipes as operation of the evacuator to the top compartment and successively lower compartments are cut off to reduce pressure in the corresponding distribution sections to cause liquid flow to stop while higher liquid columns build up in the longer feeder pipes for increasing pressure in said longer pipes to produce a more rapid flow in the feeder pipes to the operating compartments for maintaining uniform liquid flow between said inlet and outlet independent of the number of distribution sections and compartments in operation.

6. A vapor jet refrigeration apparatus, comprising an outer shell, partitions extending transversely of said outer shell dividing said outer shell into a plurality of separate compartments arranged one above the other, a plurality of evacuators mounted on said shell one for evacuating each compartment, a liquid distribution tank formed by the uppermost partition in the upper end of said shell above all of said compartments, vertically extending spaced dividers in said distribution tank dividing said tank into a plurality of distribution sections equal in number to the number of said compartments, said spaced dividers in said distribution tank terminating in spaced relation above the partition forming the bottom of said tank to provide liquid flow at the bottom of said tank between distribution sections, a liquid inlet connected with said shell at the lower portion of said distribution tank for supplying liquid to said distribution sections, feeder pipes one connecting each distribution section with a corresponding compartment for discharging liquid from the distribution section into the corresponding compartment for cooling, each feeder pipe terminating and opening at the upper end in an intermediate portion of its distribution chamber above the lower end of said dividers, each feeder pipe being progressively longer starting from the feeder pipe for the top compartment and progressing downwardly, pressure equalizing pipes connecting corresponding compartments and distribution sections, and a liquid outlet for receiving and discharging liquid from all of said compartments at the lower end of said shell, whereby said evacuators maintain a reduced pressure in each of said compartments and distribution sections when oeprating, and will cause the liquid level in said distribution sections to rise above the upper ends of said feeder pipes for discharging liquid into all compartments, and when the evacuator for any compartment beginning with the top compartment and progressing downwardly is rendered inoperative, the pressure will rise in the compartment and distribution section lowering liquid level in the distribution section for the inoperative evacuator compartment below the upper end of the feeder pipe to stop liquid flow in the inoperative evacautor compartment while increasing liquid level in the distribution sections for the remaining operating compartments to feed the liquid to the feeder pipes of the remaining operating compartments at a faster rate to build up a higher liquid column in the longer feeder pipes for increasing the rate of flow and maintaining substantially uniform liquid flow through said apparatus between said inlet and outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,783,464 Follain Dec. 2, 1930

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