Wichita eagle., 1890-01-09
TO PURIFY WATER.

What Is Claimed for the Electrolysts
Method of Extracting Impurities.
1t is well known fact that since the
larger cities throughout the world have been
supplied with potable water from a common
source, there has been the utmost difficulty
in keeping the supply free from impurities
due to the presence of fecal matter from
sewage, surface drainage, etc. For the past
thirty years the large cities, such as London,
Paris, etc, have directed their attention to-
wards the correction of this evil, at an e1-
penditure of many millions of pounds sterling,
but their efforts were all directed towards
the publication of the sewage matter itself
before it was discharged into the water sup
ply.
Recent medical scientists have succeeded
in demonstrating a practical and efficient
method of treating water by electrolyss,
whereby all deleterious matter is extracted
and the water delivered to the consumer per-
fectiy pure and wholesome.
The process is exceedingly simple and mex
pensive, and is based upon the well known
fact that salts of iron possess a strong affinity
for animal matter, and unite with it readily
when held in solution or suspension, in water.
To those unfamiliar with the different phe-
nomena of the electric current, short ex-
PLANTATION of the decomposition of water by
so called 'electrolysis" will, perhaps, assist
to clearer understanding. When the two
poles of battery, dynamo or other source
of current are connected to metallic conduc-
tors, which are immersed in a jar Of water,
and a current of electricity is caused to flow,
the water is decomposed into its original ele-
ments, oxygen being released at the positive
I'll 10 &C. lxy
called, and hydrogen az the negative cleo
trode. This phenomenon is called "Decompo-
sition of water by electrolysis." If the water
is pure, the oxygen, released at the positive
electrode, ordinarily Inites with the metal
of which that electrode is composed, forming
an oxide of that metal, while the hydrogen,
released at the negative electrode, rises to the
surface of the water in the form OF minute
bubbles, and, ordinarily, escapes into the air.
These phenomena being explained, per-
feet understanding of the process, which is
beautiful in its. simplicity, is easily arrived
at. AS waterworks of the larger cities are
now commonly arranged, this electrolysing
plant is made to form part of the conduit
through which the water is pumped from the
source of supply to the distributing reser-
voirs. Within these corduits are placed the
electrodes which are connected to a dynamo
The positive electrodes are of cast iron, while
the negative electrodes are preferably of car
bon, but, for certain purposes, wrought iron
or copper may be used instead of carbon.
These electrodes, both positive and mega
tive, are so shaped and arranged that, in its
passage from the source of supply to the dis
tributing reservoirs, every particle of water
comes in contact with them and is thorough
" electrolyzed. This action releases oxide
of iron at the positive electrode, which
at once unites with the fecal matter in its
neighborhood, forming hocculent gelati-
nous mass. While it is in this condition 1t
is seized upon by the hydrogen bubbles
that have been released ct the neg
ative electrodes, and, by these attached bub-
bles caused TO rise to the surface Of the
water, when it is finally discharged into the
distributing reservoirs and from these 1t
may at once be hoated OF to waste by a
properly arranged overflow, or, if the water
is allowed to stand for q few hours in these
reservoirs, the hydrogen is released into the
air and the focculent mass precipitates and
settles to the bottom, from whence it Is
readily flushed out to waste after the pure
water above has been drawn off.
It has been demonstrated that water con-
tanning ma maximum volume of impurity may
be cleared of at least 50 per cent. of Its i'm
purities by the electrolytic treatneut alone,
and the remaining per cent. may be totally
distracted by passing the water through an
ordinary fiitering bed of sand, and 1t will be
readily understood that, whereas these fater
ing beds would have to be overhauled and
washed out once each day under present
methods, by the help OF electrolysas they
need he so cleaned out but three or four
times year,. I. Stanley.