Abstract: A tray stack for a boiler feedwater deaerator is provided with a plurality of horizontally spaced troughs arranged in vertically spaced and staggered tiers. Each of the troughs has a generally V-shaped bottom and a pair of outwardly-extending, inclined wall members having notched lower edges. The vertical projected dimension of the inclined wall members is less than the overall depth of the trough such that the distance of travel encountered by the feedwater dropping from the lower edge of the wall members to the next adjacent, underlying trough is maximized, thereby increasing the interactive area of contact between the cascading water and uprising flow of steam. The lower edge of each wall member is preferably notched to enhance dispersion of the falling water, and the wall members also are disposed to positively guide the falling water into the adjacent underlying trough without bypassing the same.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a steam and water drum of a steam generating system is provided with an optical viewing device, partially inserted through the drum's manway, which permits visual inspection or observation of the drum internals. The device comprises a transparent protective barrier, or window, at the end of the device within the drum, which eliminates fogging or moisture condensation on the window to ensure visibility, a water cooled lens system having a wide angle lens for increased angular exposure, and an eye piece or camera attached to the other end of the device disposed outside the drum.