Improvements in Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage or other Liquids.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Oct., 1896
Complete Specificatión Left, 18th June, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage or
other Liquids.
We, DONALD CAMERON, of No. 1 Sylvan Road, Pennsylvania, Exeter, Civil
Engineer, FREDERICK JAMES COMMIN, of No. 7 Bedford Circus, Exeter, Fellow of
the Institute of Surveyors, and ARTHUR JOHN MARTIN, of Bradninch House,
Exeter, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to various improvements in apparatus for the treatment of
sewage or other liquids.
One improvement relates to means for discharging the contents of a vessel or
tank along an extended line, so as to avoid concentrating the flow to a point or
points.
This consists of a pipe or conduit following the line along which it is desired
that the contents of the tank or vessel shall be discharged, and having throughout
its length or a part thereof a slot or aperture or a series of apertures by which
liquid may enter the said pipe or conduit. Such slot or apertures may diminish
in size towards the outlet or outlets from the said pipe or conduit, so as to avoid
an excessive rate of flow thereinto near such outlet or outlets, thus maintaining
a uniform flow into said pipe or conduit throughout its length.
The slot or apertures may be placed in any position along said pipe or conduit,
so as to admit liquid into the same in a downward, upward, horizontal or oblique
direction, as may be desired.
If desired or found advisable the slot or apertures may be protected by a
deflecting surface or surfaces so placed as to ward off solids or liquids coming from
any particular direction.
The slot or apertures may also be provided with a strainer for the exclusion of
solid matter.
The pipe or conduit may be fixed or movable.
Another improvement relates to means for the removal of mud or other material
deposited in a tank or vessel, for which purpose the bottom of such tank or vessel
may be sloped towards the slot or apertures in a pipe or conduit in the floor of such
tank; or there may be two or more depressions in the floor of such tank, each
having a separated slotted pipe or conduit. Where two or more pipes or conduits
discharge from the same tank, each may be controlled by an independent valve;
or two or more such conduits may discharge into one trunk conduit; and for the
purpose of concentrating the flow along one of the branch conduits, each may be
provided with a flap or slide where it enters the trunk conduit.
A slotted pipe or conduit as above described may be used for delivering a fluid
into a tank or vessel uniformly along an extended line.
Where mud or other deposited material is to be removed from the bottom of a
tank, one or more slotted or perforated pipes may be laid on or near the floor of such

page_text: tank so that a stream or streams of fluid either from the tank or from outside may
be impelled against such deposited material, so as to dislodge it and break it up.
Another improvement relates to a device for storing sewage or other liquid in a
tank or tanks, and discharging the whole or a part of same at intervals, especially
for the purpose of filtration.
In filtering sewage or other liquid it is desirable that such liquid be distributed
uniformly over the whole surface of each filter. If sewage is delivered on to a
filter continuously it is difficult to secure such uniform distribution.
By storing the flow for a time and suddenly discharging on to a filter the liquid
so stored, this difficulty is to a great extent avoided.
For the storage of liquid a special chamber or receptacle may be provided, or the
whole or preferably part of the capacity of a septic tank or of a precipitation tank
may be utilised for the purpose.
According to our invention, when the liquid so stored has accumulated in
suflicient quantity, a small part of the stored liquid will overflow and pass into a
bucket or vessel, connected with the valve which closes the outlet from the storage
chamber. The weight of the liquid so poured into the bucket causes the bucket
to descend, thereby opening the valve, and releasing the contents of the storage
chamber.
The bucket in descending is tilted, so as to permit the escape of its contents,
preferably through a siphon. When the bucket is empty, the weight of the valve
or a special counterbalance causes the valve and bucket to return to their original
positions, when the storage chamber will again be filled.
The time of emptying the bucket may be varied by regulating the rate of flow
through the siphon, by means of a valve. The quantity of liquid discharged from
the storage chamber may thus be varied at will.
Where the liquid dealt with is to be passed through a filter, the liquid used for
actuating the bucket may be passed either through the same filter, or through a
small subsidiary filter.
The
One storage chamber may discharge on to several filters, or there may be several
storage chambers discharging on to either one or more filters. Each set of dis-
charging gear may act independently; or they may be inter-connected.
inter-connection may be effected by placing a valve on the overflow pipe feeding
each bucket, all the valves being controlled by one shaft, which is turned through
part of a revolution by the motion of each set of discharging gear.
One set of discharging gear may command two or more filters, admission to which
may be controlled by separate valves. These valves may be opened and closed by
hand, so that the liquid may be discharged in turn on to the different filters; or
the valves may be operated by the motion of the discharging gear, each valve being
connected to a crank on a shaft which is turned through a part of a revolution by
each motion of the discharging gear.
The invention further relates to a modified form of device for delivering sewage
effluent or other liquid to different parts of a filter in succussion.
As hereinhefore stated in filtering sewage or other liquid it is desirable that the
liquid be delivered to all parts of the surface of the filter. If liquid is delivered
to the whole of a large filter continuously, it is difficult to ensure the delivery of
liquid to all parts of the filter. If instead of attempting the delivery of liquid
simultaneously to the whole area of the filter, delivery is made in turn to different
parts of its surface, a fair distribution of the liquid over the whole filter becomes
practicable.
To this end our invention provides for several branch distributing channels,
cach delivering liquid to one part of the filter, and each receiving its supply of
effluent through a valve. These valves are opened and closed in turn by cams or
cranks on a shaft, which is rotated by a water-wheel turned by the flow of liquid
along the main channel. In order that this work be easily done without unduly
obstructing the flow in the main channel, the motion of the waterwheel may he
communicated to the shaft by worm gearing.

page_text: If it is desired to give to any part of the filter a longer rest than would be given
by the periodical closing of the valve which supplies it, any valve may be dis-
connected from the shaft.
A modified form of device for delivering sewage or other liquid successively to
several filters or vessels, or parts of the same filter or vessel, consists of a revolving
chamber or basin having a lip or overflow which passes successively over the ends.
of the several filters or vessels, or of the conduits leading thereto.
Said chamber or basin is caused to revolve, preferably by means of the flow of
liquid to the same. In the conduit bringing liquid to said basin a waterwheel may
be so placed that it shall be turned by the liquid flowing in said conduit. The
motion of said waterwheel may be communicated through gearing or otherwise to
said basin.
One basin may be made to deliver liquid to any number of vessels or filters,
equally or in such other proportion as may be desired; and the desired proportions
will be maintained in spite of variations in the flow of liquid.
Where little fall can be spared, the liquid may be delivered into the basin by a
siphon. The wheel may be so designed that the fall required to work it shall be
very 'small.
The invention also relates to a special form of tanks in which liquid is to be
treated for the removal of solid matter by subsidence, flotation or otherwise, and
to tanks for containing liquid for any other purpose in connection with which it is
desirable that the contained liquid be disturbed as little as possible by liquid
entering the tank.
For this purpose we make the tank so that the incoming stream shall occupy
the whole cross section of the tank, such cross section preferably increasing as to
one or both of its dimensions as the inlet is receded from. Such a tank may have
the form of a cone or of a wedge with an inlet at the apex.
The cross section of the tank may diminish towards the outlet in the same
manner as it increases from the inlet, or the outlet may consist of a slotted pipe or
weir extending across the tank.
Transverse partitions or screens may be used, extending through the whole or a
part of the cross section of the tank, to arrest floating or suspended matter.
Two or more such tanks may be placed side by side. Thus the set of tanks may
form the sectors of a complete circle, having their inlets at the centre. Wliere
several such tanks are used, the inlet to each may be provided with a door or valve.
The principal advantages of such a tank are:-
(a). The avoidance of the eddy currents which would be produced in an ordinary
tank, and would interfere with the subsidence of suspended matter.
(b). The largeness of the cross section secured at the end furthest from the inlet
gives a comparative state of rest which is unattainable with a tank of equal
capacity of any other form.
(c). The graduation of the deposited matter according to size and density
obtained by the gradual, reduction of velocity due to increasing cross, section..
Dated this 17th day of October, 1896.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Treatment of Sewage or
other Liquids.
We, DONALD CAMERON, of No. 1. Sylvan Road, Pennsylvania, Exeter, Civil
Engineer, FREDERICK JAMES COомMIN, of No. 7 Bedford Circus, Exeter, Fellow of
the Institute of Surveyors, and ARTHUR JOHN MARTIN, of Bradninch House,

page_text: Exeter, Civil Engineer; do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to various improvements in the treatment of sewage or
other liquids and in apparatus therefor, and is illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a sectional plan view of a tank for use in the treatment of sewage
provided with the present improvements.
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and
Fig. 3 a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view, showing a medified form of such tank,
Fig. 5 a longitudinal section on the line 5-6 of Fig. 4, and
Fig. 6 a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a plan view and
Fig. 8 a longitudinal section showing an arrangement of apparatus for storing
sewage or other liquid in a tank or tanks and discharging same at intervals.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of an arrangement for delivering sewage effluent or other
liquid to different parts of a filter or to different filters in succession.
Fig. 10 a longitudinal section, and
Fig. 11 a transverse section of same.
Fig. 12 is a plan view of a modified arrangement for delivering sewage effluent
or other liquid to different parts of a filter or to different filters in succession, and.
Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of same.
According to the first part of this invention means are provided for discharging
the contents of a tank or vessel along an extended line, so as to avoid concentrating
the flow to a point or points.
This consists of a pipe or conduit 10 following the line along which it is desired
that the contents of the tank or vessel A shall be discharged, and having throughout
its length or a part thereof a slot or aperture or a series of apertures by which
liquid may enter the said pipe or conduit. Such slot or apertures may diminish
in size towards the outlet or outlets from the said pipe or conduit, so as to avoid
an excessive rate of flow thereinto near such outlet or outlets, thus maintaining
a uniform flow into said pipe or conduit throughout its length.
The slot or apertures may be placed in any position along said pipe or conduit 10
so as to admit liquid into the same in a downward, upward, horizontal or oblique
direction, as may be desired.
If desired or found advisable the slot or apertures may be protected by a
deflecting surface or surfaces so placed as to ward off solids or liquids coming from
any particular direction.
The slot or apertures may also be provided with a strainer for the exclusion of
solid matter.
The pipe or conduit may be fixed or movable.
Another improvement relates to means for the removal of mud or other material
deposited in a tank or vessel such as A, for which purpose the bottom of such tank
or vessel may as shown in Figs. 3 and 6 be sloped towards the slot or apertures in a
pipe or conduit 11 in the floor of such tank; or there may be two or more
depressions in the floor of such tank, each having a separate slotted pipe or
conduit. Where two or more pipes or conduits discharge from the same tank,
each may be controlled by an independent valve; or two or more such conduits
may discharge into one trunk conduit; and for the purpose of concentrating the
flow along one of the branch conduits, each may be provided with a flap or slide
where it enters the trunk conduit.
A slotted pipe or conduit 11 as above described may be used for delivering a
Buid into a tank or vessel uniformly along an extended line.
Where mud or other deposited material is to be removed from the bottom of a

page_text: tank, one or more slotted or perforated pipes 12 may be laid on or near the floor of
such tank so that a stream or streams of fluid either from the tank or from
outside may be impelled against such deposited material, so as to dislodge it and
break it up.
In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the sewage or other liquid coming
through the sewer 13 is delivered into a well 14, where grit and other solid matters
are allowed to settle. It then passes through the pipes 15 and 16 into the tank A
in which it may be treated either chemically, bacteriologically, or otherwise, as
desired. After treatment in the tank A it passes into the pipe or conduit 10
through the slots or apertures provided for the purpose, the effect of which is that
it is evenly delivered all along the line of the opening or openings into the pipe or
conduit, and concentration of the flow to one or more points is avoided. From pipe
or conduit 10 the effluent passes through pipes 17 (which may if desired be provided
with suitable valves) into the aerator 18, which is provided with a series of nearly
level surfaces over which the effluent flows in thin films, or with an overhanging
lip or lips from which the effluent falls in a thin film or films exposed on both sides
to the air. From the aerator, the effluent may if desired be conducted to a filter or
filters for further treatment.
The invention also relates to a special form of tanks in which a liquid is to be
treated for the removal of solid matter by subsidence, flotation or otherwise, and
to tanks for containing liquid for any other purpose in connection with which it is
desirable that the contained liquid be disturbed as little as possible by liquid
entering the tank. This form of tank is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.
In carrying out this part of the invention the tank is constructed so that the
incoming stream shall occupy practically the whole cross section of same, such
cross section preferably increasing as to one or both of its dimensions as the inlet
is receded from. Such a tank may have the form of a cone or of a wedge (as shown
clearly in Fig. 4) with an inlet at the apex.
The cross section of the tank A may diminish towards the outlet in the same
manner as it increases from the inlet, or as shown the outlet may consist of a slotted
pipe or conduit 10 either open or closed at the top, extending across the tank.
Transverse partitions or screens may be used, extending through the whole or
a part of the cross section of the tank, to arrest floating or, suspended matter.
Two or more of such tanks A may be placed side by side. In Fig. 4 three are
shown, but it will be understood that the set of tanks may form the sectors of a
complete circle, having their inlets at the centre.
The principal advantages of such a tank are:-
(a). The avoidance of the eddy currents which would be produced in an ordinary
tank, and would interfere with the subsidence of suspended matter.
(b). The largeness of the cross section secured at the end furthest from the inlet
gives a comparative state of rest which is unattainable with a tank of equal
capacity of any other form.
(c). The graduation of the deposited matter according to size and density
obtained by the gradual reduction of velocity due to increasing cross section.
in the arrangement shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the sewage or other liquid enters
the apparatus through the sewer or pipe 13, from whence it passes through the
inlet well 19 into the tanks A, where as in the previous arrangement it may be
treated either chemically, bacteriologically or otherwise as desired. After treat-
ment in the tanks A it passes through the slotted pipes or conduits 10 and pipes 17
into a conduit 20, whence it, may be conducted to an aerator as in the previous
arrangement or direct to a filter or filters if desired.
It will be seen that the floors of the tanks A are each provided with a slotted
pipe or conduit 11 for the purpose of removing matter collecting in the bottoms
of such tanks, pipes having slots or apertures also being provided for the purpose
of breaking up or dislodging such deposited matter by means of a stream or streams
of fluid.

page_text: The ends of pipes 11 may as shown in Fig. 4 be arranged to open-into a well :21,
in which sluices 22 are arranged which can be opened when it is desired to remove
the deposited matter from any of the tanks A.
1
Another improvement relates to a device for storing sewage or other, liquid in a
tank or tanks, and discharging the whole or a part of same at intervals, especially
for the purpose of filtration.
In filtering sewage or other liquid it is desirable that such liquid be distributed
uniformly over the whole surface of each filter. If sewage is delivered on to a
filter continuously it is difficult to secure such uniform distribution..
By storing the flow for a time and suddenly discharging on to a filter the liquid-
so stored, this difficulty is to a great extent avoided..
For the storage of liquid a special chamber or receptacle may be provided, or
the whole or preferably part of the capacity of a septic tank or a precipitation tank
may be utilised for the purpose.
According to this part of our invention as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings
when the liquid so stored has accumulated in the tank 23 in sufficient quantity,
a small part of same will overflow through the pipe 24 and pass into the bucket or
vessel 25, which is connected by means of the arms 26 with the valve 27 which
closes the outlet from the storage chamber or tank 23. The weight of the liquid
so-poured into the bucket 25 causes it to deseend thereby opening the valve 27 and
releasing the contents of the storage chamber, from which the sewage or other
liquid will then flow along the conduit 28 to the filter or filters or elsewhere as may
be desired.
The bucket 25 in descending is tilted, so as to permit the escape of its contents,
preferably through a syphon 29. When the bucket is empty, the weight of the
valve 27 or a special counterbalance 30 causes the valve and the bucket to return
to their original positions, when the storage chamber or tank 23 will again he filled.
The times of emptying the bucket may be varied by regulating the rate of flow
through the syphon, by means of a valve or cock 1. The quantity of liquid
discharged from the storage chamber may thus be varied at will.
Where the liquid dealt with is to he passed through a filter, the liquid used for
actuating the bucket may he passed either through the same filter, or through a
small subsidiary filter.
The
One storage chamber may discharge on to several filters, or there may be several
storage chambers discharging on to either one or more filters. Each set of dis-
charging gear may act independently; or they may be inter-connected.
inter-connection may be effected by placing a valve 32 on the overflow pipe 24
feeding each bucket 25, all the valves being controlled by, one shaft 33, which is
turned through part of a revolution by the notion of each set of discharging gear.
One set of discharging gear may command two or more filters, admission to
which may be controlled by separate valves all fed by the same conduit 28. These
valves may be opened and closed by hand, so that the liquid may he discharged
in turn on to the different filters; or the valves may be operated by the motion
of the discharging gear, each valve being connected to a crank on a shaft which is
turned through a part of a revolution by each motion of the discharging gear.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 it will he seen that the shaft 33
is arranged to control the overflow from a number of storage chambers, of which
only one is shown, the discharging gear of each storage chamber in turn causing
shaft 33 to move through a part of a revolution and so lift the overflow valve 32 of
the storage chamber which is next to be discharged.
This is effected in the following manner:-A geared sector 35 is mounted on
the arms 26 forming the frame of the bucket, and gears with another sector 36
which is loose on shaft 33. The sector 36 carries a pawi 37 which when in the
proper position engages a ratchet 38 having only onic tooth, which ratchet is fast
on the shaft 33 and carries an arm 39 adapted to act on the dise 40 on the rod of
valve 32, thereby lifting such valve and permitting the liquid to flow through the
overflow pipe 24. Each storage chamber or tank 23 will be provided with a

page_text: similar arrangement to that described, and the ratchets 38 will be so arranged that
the movement imparted to the shaft will each time bring such shaft to the position
for another storage chamber or tank to be next discharged.
The invention further relates to a modified form of device for delivering sewage
effluent or other liquid to different parts of a filter in succession.
As hereinbefore statod in filtering sewage or other liquid it is desirable that the
liquid be delivered to all parts of the surface of the filter. If liquid be delivered
to the whole of a large filier continuously, it is difficult to ensure the delivery of
liquid to all parts of the filter. If instead of attempting the delivery of liquid
simultaneously to the whole area of the filter, delivery is made in turn to different
parts of its surface, a fair distribution of the liquid over the whole filter becomes
practicable.
In carrying out this part of our invention as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 two
o more branch distributing channels 41 are provided, each delivering liquid either
to a certain part of one filter or to one of several filters, and each receiving its
supply of effluent through a valve 42. The valves 42 are opened and closed in
turns by the ends of arms 52 engaging the cams or cranks 43 on a shaft 44, which
is rotated by a water wheel 46 arranged to be turned by the flow of liquid along
the main channel 47. In order that this work may be easily done without unduly
obstructing the flow in the main channel 47, the motion of the water wheel 46
may be communicated to the shaft 44 by worm gearing such as 45..
The distributing channels 41 being of semicircular or trough shape as shown,
the sewage or other liquid will pass over the edges of same on to the filter, and it
will be seen that when a number of such channels are provided for one filter, an
even distribution of the liquid over its whole surface will thus be obtained, while
in the case of a set of filters being used each will receive its proper proportion of
liquid for treatment.
If it is desired to give any part of the filter a longer rest than would be given by
the periodical closing of the valve which supplies it, any valve may be disconnected
from the shaft.
In the modified form of device illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 for delivering
sewage or other liquid successively to several filters or vessels, or parts of the same
filter or vessel, it will be seen that a revolving basin or chamber 48 having a lip or
overflow 49 is employed, such lip or overflow being arranged to pass successively
over the ends of the several filters or vessels or of the conduits 41 leading thereto.
Said chamber or basin 48 is caused to revolve, preferably by means of the flow
of liquid to the same. In the conduit 47 bringing liquid to said basin a water
wheel 46 may be so placed that it shall be turned by the liquid flowing in said
conduit. The motion of said water wheel may be cominunicated through
gearing 45 or otherwise to said basin.
One basin may be made to deliver liquid to any number of vessels or filters,
equally or in such other proportion as may be desired; and the desired proportions
will be maintained in spite of variations in the flow of liquid.
Where little fall can be spared, the liquid may be delivered into the basin by a
syphen 50 The wheel 46 may be so designed that the fall required to work it shall
be very small.
The chamber or basin 48 may as shown he arranged to work on rollers 51, so as
to reduce the friction and consequently the power required for revolving it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The combination with a tank for treating sewage or other liquids of an acrator
to which the effluent liquid is delivered as it leaves such tank, such aerator con
sisting of a series of nearly level surfaces or of a lip or lips over which such effluent
flows in thin films, substantially as described and as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of
the drawings.

page_text: 2. The improved tank for the treatment of sewage or other liquids made in the
form of a cone or wedge with an inlet at the apex, for the purpose specified, and
substantially as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. Placing tanks of the form specified in the preceding claim so that the set of
tanks will form sectors of a circle having their inlets at the centre substantially as
described, and for the purpose specified.
4. In tanks of the construction specified in claims 1 and 2 the employment of a
pipe or conduit following the line along which it is desired to discharge the
contents of such tank, such pipe or conduit having one or more slots or apertures
throughout its length or a part thereof, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
5. The formation of the bottom of tanks of the construction specified in claims 1
and 2 with surfaces sloping towards one or more slots or apertures in a pipe or
conduit or pipes or conduits in the floor of such tank, for the purpose of removing
mud or other material deposited thereon, substantially as described.
6. In tanks of the construction specified in claims 1 and 2 the employment of one
or more slotted or perforated pipes laid on or near the bottom of such tanks, and
through which water or other liquid may be forced so as to act upon any material
deposited on such bottom and to dislodge same and break it up, substantially as
described.
7. The arrangement for storing liquid in a chamber or receptacle and suddenly
discharging it therefrom, consisting in a bucket or vessel mounted on a lever or
shaft connected with a valve in such chamber or receptacle, the overflow from which
passes into the bucket or vessel and causes same to descend thus opening the
discharge valve thereof, the bucket or vessel on its descent automatically dis-
charging itself so as to permit same to rise again and thus close the discharge valve
of the storage chamber or receptacle, substantially described, and as shown in
Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
as
8. The mechanism described and shown in Figs. 7 and 8 for applying the
arrangement specified in the preceding claim to a series of storage chambers or
receptacles.
9. The employment of a waterwheel actuated by the flow of liquid and which
operates a shaft connected to a series of valves delivering liquid to a filter or filters
so that such valves will be opened in any desired rotation and thus ensure a uniform
distribution of such liquid to all parts of the filter, or a uniform distribution to two
or more filters, substantially as described and as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 of the
accompanying drawings.
10. The arrangement for delivering liquid in succession to a series of chambers
or receptacles or effecting a uniform distribution of same to all parts of a chamber
or receptacle, consisting in the employment of a waterwheel actuated by the flow
of liquid and the movement of which is transmitted to a revolving basin to which
the liquid to be distributed is delivered, so as to bring the discharge orifice of such
revolving basin successively opposite a series of channels or passages leading to the
different chambers or receptacles or to different parts of a single chamber or
receptacle, substantially as described and as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of June 1897.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.