A method for improving the heating efficiency of steam wherein a polyamine represented by the following general formula (1) is caused to be present in a steam system to be used for heating. R.sup.1—[NH—(CH.sub.2).sub.m].sub.n—NH.sub.2 . . . (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; m is an integer of 1 to 8, and n is an integer of 1 to 7; and when n is 2 or more, a plurality of NH—(CH.sub.2).sub.m may be identical or different.

A method for improving the heating efficiency of steam wherein a polyamine represented by the following general formula (1) is caused to be present in a steam system to be used for heating. R.sup.1—[NH—(CH.sub.2).sub.m].sub.n—NH.sub.2 . . . (1) wherein R.sup.1 represents a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; m is an integer of 1 to 8, and n is an integer of 1 to 7; and when n is 2 or more, a plurality of NH—(CH.sub.2).sub.m may be identical or different.

A rotary joint for connecting a stationary body to a rotating body. The rotary joint has a rotatable wear plate connectable to the rotating body and a seal ring seated in the wear plate. A spring-biased piston engages the seal ring against the wear plate by compressed springs between an end flange and the piston. The end flange and the piston are at least partially disposed within a shroud, wherein the shroud has at least one aperture extending there through. Alignment rings are formed on the piston and viewable through the aperture in the shroud to confirm the proper distance between the end flange and the piston and the proper force applied to the piston. A seal wear indicator is connected to the piston and moves between an exposed position, wherein the seal ring is not worn, and a non-exposed position, wherein the seal ring is worn.

A siphon elbow for pivotally connecting a first pipe and a second pipe in fluid communication. A first elongated body has a bore extending therethrough and a partially spherical indentation within the bore. A second elongated body has a bore extending therethrough and a generally spherical extension on a first end that pivotally engages the partially spherical indentation of the first elongated body. An internal locking system is disposed in at least one of the bores and locks the second elongated body into an operating configuration in which an angle formed between the first elongated body and the second elongated body is less than 180-degrees. Pivoting of the second elongated body from an installation configuration in which the angle is approximately 180-degrees to the operating configuration activates the internal locking system.

An apparatus for removing fluid, such as condensate, from the inside of a rotating cylinder 10. The apparatus comprises a syphon shoe 50 proximate to the inside surface 35 of the rotating cylinder 10. The syphon shoe 50 is connected a syphon pipe 29. The syphon shoe 50 further comprises two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and a divider 60. The two opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 are disposed substantially parallel to the direction of rotation of the rotating cylinder 10. The divider separates the opposing circumferential openings 51, 52 and extends radially from the end of the syphon end 50.

When the efficiency of heating with steam is enhanced by adding a condensed water film formation-suppressing amine in a heating step of heating a material to be heated with the steam via a metallic material, the amount of the condensed water film formation-suppressing amine to be added is controlled based on any of the concentration of the condensed water film formation-suppressing amine in a drain, the pH of the drain, the electroconductivity of the drain, the amount of the drain, the amount of the steam, the temperature of the drain, the temperature of the metallic material, and the amount of the metallic material eluted in the drain.

The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.

The invention may utilize shaft horsepower for rotating cylinders to move a fluid in an axial direction within the cylinder. The cylinder may comprise a spiral blade on or in its inner surface with a pitch relative to a central axis of the cylinder. The blade's pitch may be variable or uniform with respect to the central axis. In some applications, plural blades may be positioned within the cylinder. The invention is particularly suitable for imparting kinetic energy sufficient to assist with the evacuation of condensate from a paper dryer cylinder with reduced or no blow through steam. The invention also has applications for spinner wheels.

A rotary joint for connecting a stationary body to a rotating body. The rotary joint has a rotatable wear plate connectable to the rotating body and a seal ring seated in the wear plate. A spring-biased piston engages the seal ring against the wear plate by compressed springs between an end flange and the piston. The end flange and the piston are at least partially disposed within a shroud, wherein the shroud has at least one aperture extending there through. Alignment rings are formed on the piston and viewable through the aperture in the shroud to confirm the proper distance between the end flange and the piston and the proper force applied to the piston. A seal wear indicator is connected to the piston and moves between an exposed position, wherein the seal ring is not worn, and a non-exposed position, wherein the seal ring is worn.

When the efficiency of heating with steam is enhanced by adding a condensed water film formation-suppressing amine in a heating step of heating a material to be heated with the steam via a metallic material, the amount of the condensed water film formation-suppressing amine to be added is controlled based on any of the concentration of the condensed water film formation-suppressing amine in a drain, the pH of the drain, the electroconductivity of the drain, the amount of the drain, the amount of the steam, the temperature of the drain, the temperature of the metallic material, and the amount of the metallic material eluted in the drain.