An Improved Method and Apparatus for Draining Rocky Beds and for the Damming of Water.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th July, 1897--Accepted, 5th Nov., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method and Apparatus for Draining Rocky Beds and
for the Damming of Water.
We, GUSTAV FRIEDRICH HERMANN WALTER POETSCHI, Engineer, of 12 Hahnel-
strasse, Dresden, and FRIEDRICH HERMANN POETSCH, Engineer, of 11 Pionier-
strasse, Magdeburg, both in the German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The improved method which forms the object of the present application consists
partly in forming around the rock to be drained a certain number of bore-holes
to a depth exceeding by several metres that at which the rock is to be drained,
and then producing in the zone to be drained a bod of ice above the level of the
water by ineans of a spiral pipe which is connected with a freezing machine in
such a manner that a cold solution, gases, or cooled air can circulate in this pipe.
The said method consists, moreover, in permitting the water which is found in
the more or less numerous beds or strata in the rocky zone surrounded by the
bore-holes, to run into the said bore-holes and raising it for the greater part to
the surface by means of a special apparatus applied to the freezing apparatus
before congelation, and then freezing the rock all around the rocky zone which
is more or less drained by the bore-holes, to prevent the water outside the circle
formed by the bore-holes penetrating into the drained zone and to maintain the
latter in a dry state during the requisite time. Further the said method consists
in sinking tubes of serpentine form, caissons or cylinders, and then draining
by freezing certain given rocky beds around these caissons or cylinders.
In carrying our said invention into practice, we sink down to the level of the sheet
of water a rocky zone which we line with wood, masonry or iron, and the base of
which is several metres wider than the surface to be drained; we construct in
this shaft at one metre or at the necessary height above the level of the water a
stage or platform from which, we bore into the internal wall as large a number
as possible of holes extending to several metres below the water-bearing rock to
be drained, and then we introduce into the level of the water the spiral tube which
we employ to produce the layer of ice at the bottom of the shaft, by causing a
solution, gases or cooled air to circulate therein."
After each bore-hole has been completed, a freezing apparatus is immediately
sunk into it, Sheet II, Figure 7, or Sheet III, 'Figure 8, passing from above the
level of the water to some metres below the rocky zone to be drained and main-
tained in a dry state, and the water in the hole is conducted into the freezing
tube G or G' by means of the plug or valve s at the bottom of the freezing apparatus,
Sheet I, Figure 3; Sheet II, Figure 7; and Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9, which
occupies the first position as shown in Sheet III, Figure 9.
At the end of a certain time, the tube G or G, Sheets II and III, becomes
filled with the water contained in the bore-hole, the plug or valve s is closed
by screwing and the freezing tube is emptied by means of a wimble scoop, a pump

page_text: or in any other suitable manner. By opening and closing the plug or valves at
intervals, it is possible to almost completely drain the rock which surrounds the
bore-holes, and consequently also, the rocky zone included in the circle formed
by the said holes or within the limits of the periphery of the surface to be drained,
We do not limit ourselves in any way to the forms of construction shown in the
accompanying drawings which are only given by way of example, viz:-Sheet I,
Figures 1, 2 and 3; Sheet II, Figure 7; and Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9; on
the contrary, our method of draining the rock, applied also for maintaining the
same in a dry state, can be carried out perfectly in practice by introducing into
the bore-holes any tubes or solid bodies for removing the water.
In order that the water removed from the rock by these means in larger or
smaller quantities, may not return to the rocky zone, we freeze the moist rocky
beds which are surrounded by the, froexing apparatuses, this being done in the
following manner, viz:-
(a). In the use of gas, we sink the freezing apparatus, Sheet II, Figure 7, into
the bore-hole and we connect, at the surface, the pipe & with the collecting receiver
of a freezing machine of any suitable construction, and the tube with the
compressing pump of the freezing machine in the known manner; afterwards by
turning the arm m, f, we raise the pipe in the freezing tube G to a height
sufficient to allow the piston c to close the apertures d. We then open the cock
on the collector of the freezing machine and whilst taking the necessary pre-
cautions, we lot the liquid ammonia or other liquids run through the pipe b, for
example, into the receiver a until the latter and the pipe bare filled therewith;
we continue to operate the machine at the surface to continually produce the
freezing liquid which is continually sent down the pipe & until it is desired to
stop.
Then, by turning the arm f, m in the opposite direction, we lower the pipe b
and with it the piston e, through about 5 millimetres or more as required, the
freezing liquid from the collecting receiver a, d, 4 being thus compressed through
the orifices d into the freezing apparatus G with an excess of pressure of about
9 atmospheres and over, and evaporated; in this manner an intense cold is pro-
duced, the walls of the freezing tubes remove all heat from the moist rock which
surrounds them, and, after a certain time, the rocky bed is drained and rendered
impermeable by reason of the congelation. The gases generated in the freezing
tube G are again drawn out in the known manner through the pipe n and are
brought to the liquid state by compression.
When the cold which exists all around the freezing apparatus has reached a
sufficient intensity to freexe together all the said apparatus, which takes place at
the end of a certain time, the water from the exterior cannot return to the rocky
zone included within the limits of the bore-holes.
We should, however, add that, according to need, we can protect certain parts
against the direct action of the cold, such, for example, as the cover h or the whole
of the receiver a, d, h, by means of a non-conducting material, when we wish to
prevent the temperature of the freezing liquid from falling much below zero.
This apparatus furnishes about 20 to 30 degrees of cold more than the known
freezing machines, because we can bring the freezing liquid to a temperature
much below zero Centigrade.
(b). In the use of solutions of haloid salts, we cool the solution in the known
manner in the refrigerator of a freezing machine of any suitable known con-
struction and we then pass, by means of a pump, this solution into the distributing
pine V, Sheet III, Figure 8, whence it runs through the pipe & to the bottom
of the freezing apparatus G', which is closed by means of the plug or screw
valves, Sheet III, Figure 8, it then issues from the lower end of the pipe 6, rises.
in the freezing tube G and again returns to the freezing apparatus through the
junction and collecting pipe S; in the whole of the zone which surrounds the
walls cooled by the freezing tube G', the rock freezes and, after all the freezing
apparatus have been attached together by the effect of the cold, the water which

page_text: is beyond the circle formed by the bore-holes can no longer pass into the rocky
zone surrounded.
If any water still remains in the rocky bed at greater depths, this water remains
stationary and can be raised through a bore-hole formed in the rock and by a
freezing apparatus provided with a plug, without which it would be necessary to
employ draining apparatus.
In carrying our method into practice we do not limit ourselves in any way to
the construction of the freezing apparatus and their connections either between
themselves or with the freezing machine, as shown in Sheets I, II, III or IV of
the drawings on the contrary in our method for draining and maintaining in a
dry state rocky beds within determined limits and for the damming of water
existing outside the rocky zone to be drained, any tubes or vessels and consequently
any hollow bodies can be employed, provided they allow the water outside the bore-
hole to be removed, and that it is possible to circulate therein cooled liquids,
gases or air, or to fill them therewith.
The method of producing cold at the surface in the liquid which is to circulate
in the freezing apparatus can be effected in any suitable manner.
On the other hand, we raise and lower the freezers at the commencement of the
freezing to prevent as much as possible the deformation of the tubes which can
easily take place when there exists outside the freezing tube G, G, Sheets II
and III, masses of water which expand by the action of the cold and produce
indentations, depressions, etc. in the freezing tube, which we flatten or remove,
however in the following manner:-We remove the cover e or el of the freezer G,
Sheet II, Figure 7, or G, Sheet III, Figure 8, we then take out the pipe b or bl
and introduce a plug or piston 7, Sheet I, Figure 5; the passage of the plug
without difficulty through the tube shows that there are no deformations; on the
contrary, if this plug cannot pass through the tube, the indentations or other
deformations are removed by forcing in the plug or piston after the previous
thawing of the ice on the outer side of the wall of the freezing tube. Play can
be given 'to this plug or piston by reason of the rotation of the tube b. Figure 5,
Sheet I, when the said plug is stopped by reason of its movement in the freezing
tube G, Figure 5; in this manner, it will be again freed.
Moreover, to again raise to the surface of the freezing tubes, when the operation is
completed, we unscrew, by means of a boring rod, the plug or screw-valve s, in
the hemispherical bottom, Sheet I, Figure 3; Sheet II, Figure 7; and Sheet III,
Figures 8 and 9; and we introduce into the tubes a hot solution serving to weaken,
if not to entirely destroy the adhesion between the freezing apparatus and the
rock. The hemispherical form of the bottom piece also contributes to facilitating
the separation of the freezing tube from the frozen rock; by the fact of the
freezing tube, turning more easily, it can be removed from the rock without fear
of deteriorating the screw-threads and without experiencing loss of tubes.
When it is desired, according to our method, to dry up springs in a well, at
the bottom or on the sides, we employ either spirally coiled or serpentine tubes,
Figures 4 and 4*, Sheet I, which we set up in the well at the bottom and all
around the sides, so as only to form a single apparatus in which is circulated a
cooled solution, gases or air, until there is formed an envelope of ice in the well
and the springs are intercepted in certain determined rocky beds. If it be desired
to use or divert the spring, behind the envelope of ice, we freeze a tuber sunk
horizontally into the rock and supported or lined with wood; we afterwards remove
the wood and provide this tube with a valve to enable the water to be drawn off
as required.
When, in order to sink a well or drive a tunnel, it is desired, according to our
method, to drain within fixed limits certain rocky beds, such for example, as"
shifting sands or other rocky beds hearing water, and to dam the water which is
behind, we sink. little by little into the bottom of the well or into the site of
the tunnel, until a dry rocky bed is reached, a caisson or cylinder E, Sheet I,
Figure 6, and Sheet IV, Figure 10, of a fixed length, and a diameter less than

page_text: that of the projected well or tunnel, this caisson being provided with mouths or
apertures R, Figure 10, Sheet IV, arranged at suitable intervals and which are
closed by covers while the caisson is being sunk into the rocky bed; from this
caisson bore-holes are made as required, horizontally, into the rocky bed to be
drained which surrounds the well or the bore-holes radiating from the axis of the
tunnel, and in which are then applied freezing apparatus F, Sheet I, Figure 6,
and Sheet IV, Figure 10, or Sheet II Figure 7 and Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9.
By circulating a freezing liquid, cooled gases or air in these freezing apparatus F,
the draining of the bed containing the water which surrounds the well or tunnel,
and the damming of the water within a fixed radius is effected.
If it be desired to drain moving beds of sand or other beds containing water
within a fixed radius, we sink in most cases only one metal caisson or cylinder K,
Figure 11, Sheet IV, through the rock or soil to be drained; the said caisson or
cylinder is closed hermetically at its upper part as well as at its base by means
of heads M and N and we circulate in this caisson or cylinder K a cooled solution,
gases or air until the rock which is outside the caisson or cylinder is drained by
freezing to a depth of several metres.
When we only wish to employ these wells or tunnels as refrigerators or
refrigerating chambers, in industry generally, we provide them with a double wall
and we continually circulate cold water or a solution cooled to a temperature
below zero Centigrade between the two walls.
Luvaban 1907:
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.
An Improved Method and Apparatus for Draining Rocky Beds and
for the Damming of Water.
We, GUSTAV FRIEDRICH HERMANN WALTER POETSCH, Engineer, of 12 Hahnel-
strasse, Dresden, and FRIEDRICH HERMANN POETSCH, Engineer, of 11 Pionier-
strasse, Magdeburg, both in the German Empire, 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:-
The improved method which forms the object of the present application consists
partly in forming around the rock to be drained a certain number of bore-holes
to a depth exceeding by several metres that at which the rock is to be drained,
and then producing in the zone to be drained a bed of ice above the level of the
water by means of a spiral pipe which is connected with a freezing machine in
such a manner that a cold solution, gases, or cooled air can circulate in this pipe.
The said method consists, moreover, in permitting the water which is found in
the more or less numerous beds or strata in the rocky zone surrounded by the
bore-holes, to run into the said bore-holes and raising it for the greater part to
the surface by means of a special apparatus applied to the freezing apparatus
before congelation, and then freezing the rock all around the rocky zone which
is more or less drained by the bore-holes, to prevent the water outside the circle
formed by the bore-holes penetrating into the drained zone and to maintain the
latter in a dry state during the requisite time. Further the said method consists
in sinking tubes of serpentine form, caissons or cylinders, and then draining
by freezing certain given rocky beds around these caissons or cylinders.

page_text: In the drawings filed with our Provisional Specification we have shown how
our said invention may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figures 1 and 2 show the arrangement of the freezing tubes in plan and
elevation respectively.
Figure 3 is a detailed view of a freezer.
Figure 4 shows the freezing tube coiled into a spiral so as to form an envelope
or wall of ice for damming or stopping the spring which crosses the well.
Figure 4 is a modification of this arrangement in which the freezing tube is
coiled into serpentine form.
Figure 5 shows a device employed for removing indentations or deformations
of the freezing tube.
Figure 6 shows the arrangement employed for draining rocky beds.
Figure 7 is a vertical central section, with parts removed, showing another form
or modification of our freezing apparatus.
Figure 8 is a vertical central section of a further modification of our freezing
apparatus, and
Figure 9 a part of the same, showing the screw-valve open.
Figures 10 and 11 are sectional views illustrating modified arrangements for
draining rocky beds.
In carrying our said invention into practice, according to one method, we sink
through the water-bearing stratum a shaft which we line with wood, masonry or
iron, and we arrest the flow of water into the bottom of this shaft by producing a
layer of ice at that place by means of a spiral tube through which a solution,
gases or cooled air are caused to circulate. At a suitable height in the interior
of this shaft is constructed a stage or platform from which as large a number as
possible of holes are bored into the inside wall or periphery of the shaft, these
holes extending several metres into or below the water bearing stratum.
After each bore-hole has been completed, a freezing apparatus is immediately
sunk into it, Sheet II, Figure 7, or Sheet III, Figure 8, passing from above the
level of the water to some metres below the rocky zone to be drained and main-
tained in a dry state, and the water in the hole is conducted into the freezing
tube G or G¹ by means of the plug or valve s at the bottom of the freezing apparatus,
Sheet I, Figure 3; Sheet II, Figure 7; and Sheet 'III, Figures 8 and 9, which
occupies the first position as shown in Sheet III, Figure 9.
At the end of a certain time, the tube C'or G, Sheets II and III, becomes
filled with the water contained in the bore-hole, the plug or valve s is closed
by screwing and the freezing tube is emptied by means of a wimble scoop, a pump
or in any other suitable manner. By opening and closing the plug or valve s at
intervals, it is possible to almost completely drain the rock which surrounds the
bore-holes, and consequently also the rocky zone included in the circle formed
by the said holes or within the limits of the periphery of the surface to be drained,
and thus also cause the subsidence of the drained rock.
We do not limit ourselves in any way to the forms of construction shown.
in the drawings which are only given by way of example, vir:-Sheet I,
Figures 1, 2 and 3; Sheet II, Figure 7; and Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9; on
the contrary, our method of draining the rock, applied also for maintaining the
same in a dry state, can be carried out perfectly in practice by introducing into
the bore-holes any tubes or solid bodies for removing the water.
In order that the water removed from the rock by these means in larger or
smaller quantities, may not return to the rocky zone we freeze the moist rocky
beds which are surrounded by the freezing apparatuses, this being done in the
following manner, viz:-
(a). In the use of gas, we sink the freezing apparatus, Sheet II, Figure 7, into
the bore-hole and we connect, at the surface, the pipe b with the collecting receiver
of a freezing machine of any suitable construction, and the tube n with the
compressing pump of the freezing machine in the known manner; afterwards by
turning the arm m, f, we raise the pipe b in the freezing tube G to a height

page_text: sufficient to allow the piston e to close the apertures d. We then open the cock
on the collector of the freezing machine and whilst taking the necessary pre-
cautions, we let the liquid ammonia or other liquids run through the pipe b, for
example, into the receiver a until the latter and the pipe bare filled therewith;
we continue to operate the machine at the surface to continually produce the
freezing liquid which is continually sent down the pipe b until it is desired to
stop.
Then, by turning the arm f, m in the opposite direction, we lower the pipe &
and with it the piston e through about 5 millimetres or more as required, the
freezing liquid from the collecting receiver a, d, h
collecting receiver a, d, h can pass through
the orifices into the freezing apparatus G with an excess of pressure of about
9 atmospheres and over, and evaporated; in this manner an intense cold is pre-
duced, the walls of the freezing tubes remove all heat from the moist rock which
surrounds them, and, after a certain time, the rocky bed is drained and rendered
impermeable by reason of the congelation. The gases generated in the freezing
tube G are again drawn out in the known manner through the pipe n and are
brought to the liquid state by compression.
When the cold which exists all around the freezing apparatus has reached a
sufficient intensity to freeze together all the said apparatus, which takes place at
the end of a certain time, the water from the exterior cannot return to the rocky
zone included within the limits of the bore-holes.
We should, however, add that, according to need, we can protect certain parts
against the direct action of the cold, such, for example, as the cover A or the whole
of the receiver a, d, h, by means of a non-conducting material, when we wish to
prevent the temperature of the freexing liquid from falling much below zero.
This apparatus furnishes about 20 to 30 degrees of cold more than the known
freexing machines, because we can bring the freezing liquid to a temperature
much below zero Centigrade.
(b). In the use of solutions of haloid salts, we cool the solution in the known
manner in the refrigerator of a freezing machine of any suitable known con-
struction and we then pass, by means of a pump, this solution into the distributing
pipe V, Sheet III, Figure S, whence it runs through the pipe b' to the bottom
of the freezing apparatus G, which is closed by means of the plug or screw
valve s, Sheet III, Figure S, it then issues from the lower end of the pipe 61, rises
in the freezing tube G and again returns to the freezing apparatus through the
junction n and collecting pipe S: in the whole of the zone which surrounds the
walls cooled by the freezing tube G', the rock freezes and, after all the freezing
apparatus have been attached together by the effect of the cold, the water which
is beyond the circle formed by the bore-holes can no longer pass into the rocky
zone surrounded.
If any water still remains in the rocky hed at greater depths, this water remains
stationary and can be raised through a hore-hole formed in the rock and by a
freezing apparatus provided with a plug, without which it would be necessary to
employ draining apparatus.
In carrying our method into practice we do not limit ourselves in any way to
the construction of the freexing apparatus and their connections either between
themselves or with the freezing machine, as shown in Sheets I, II, III or IV of
the drawings; on the contrary in our method for draining and maintaining in a
dry state rocky beds within determined limits and for the damming of water
existing outside the rocky zone to be drained, any tubes or vessels and consequently
any hollow bodies can be employed, provided they allow the water outside the bore-
hole to be removed, and that it is possible to circulate therein cooled liquids,
gases or air, or to fill them therewith.
The method of producing cold at the surface in the liquid which is to circulate
in the freezing apparatus can be effected in any suitable manner.
On the other hand, we raise and lower the freezers at the commencement of the
freezing to prevent as much as possible the deformation of the tubes which can

page_text: easily take place when there exists outside the freezing tube G, G, Sheets II
and 1II, masses of water which expand by the action of the cola aud produce
indentations, depressions, etc. in the freezing tube, which we flatten or remove,
however, in the following manner:-We remove the cover e of the freezer G,
Sheet II, Figure 7, or G, Sheet III, Figure 8, we then take out the pipe bor bi
and introduce a plug or piston y, Sheet I, Figure 5; the passage of the plug
without difficulty through the tube shows that there are no deformations; on the
contrary, if this plug cannot pass through the tube, the indentations or other
deformations are removed by forcing in the plug or pistou after the previous
thawing of the ice on the outer side of the wail of the freezing tube. Play cau
be given to this plug or piston by rotating the tube b, Figure 5, Sheet I, when
the said plug is stopped by reason of its movement in the freezing tube G,
Figure 5; in this manner, it will be again freed.
Moreover, to again raise to the surface of the freezing tubes, when the operation is
completed, we unscrew, by means of a boring rod, the plug or screw-valve's in
the hemispherical bottom, Sheet I, Figure 3; Sheet II, Figure 7; and Sheet III,
Figures 8 and 9; and we introduce into the tubes a hot solution serving to weaken,
if not to entirely destroy the adhesion between the freezing apparatus and the
rock. The hemispherical form of the bottom piece also contributes to facilitating
the separation of the freezing tube from the frozen rock; by the fact of the
freezing tube, turning more easily, it can be removed from the rock without fear
of deteriorating the screw-threads and without experiencing loss of tubes.
When it is desired, according to our method, to dry up or prevent
the discharge of springs into a well, at the bottom or on the sides,
we employ either spirally coiled for serpentine tubes, Figures 4
and 4, Sheet I, which we set up in the well at the bottom and all
around the sides, so as only to form a single apparatus in which is circulated a
cooled solution, gases or air, until there is formed an envelope of ice in the well
and the springs are intercepted in certain determined rocky beds. If it be desired
to use or divert the spring, behind the envelope of ice, we freeze a tube r sunk
horizontally into the rock and supported or lined with wood; we afterwards remove
the wood and provide this tube with a valve to enable the water to be drawn off
as required.
When, in order to sink a well or drive a tunnel, it is desired, according to our
method, to drain within fixed limits certain rocky beds, such for example, as
shifting sands or other rocky beds bearing water, and to dam the water which is
behind, we sink, little by little into the bottoni of the well or into the site of
the tunnel, until a dry rocky bed is reached, a caisson or cylinder E, Sheet I,
Figure 6, and Sheet IV, Figure 10, of a fixed length, and a diameter less than
that of the projected well or tunnel, this caisson being provided with mouths or
apertures R, Figure 10, Sheet IV, arranged at suitable intervals and which are
closed by covers while the caisson is being sunk into the rocky bed; from this
caisson bore-holes are made as required, horizontally, into the rocky bed to be
drained which surrounds the well or the bore-holes radiating from the axis of the
tunnel, and in which are then applied freezing apparatus F, Sheet I, Figure 6,
and Sheet IV, Figure 10, of G Sheet II, Figure 7 or G Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9.
By circulating a freezing liquid, cooled gases or air in these freezing apparatus F,
the draining of the bed containing the water which surrounds the well or tunnel,
and the damming of the water within a fixed radius is effected.
If it be desired to drain moving beds of sand or other beds containing water
within a fixed radius, we sink in most cases only one metal caisson or cylinder K,
Figure 11, Sheet IV, through the rock or soil to be drained; the said caisson or
cylinder is closed hermetically at its upper part as well as at its base by means
of heads M and N and we circulate in this caisson or cylinder K a cooled solution,
gases or air until the rock which is outside the caisson or cylinder is drained by
freezing to a depth of several metres.
When we only wish to employ these wells or tunnels as refrigerators or

page_text: refrigerating chambers, in industry generally, we provide them with a double wall
and we continually circulate cold water or a solution cooled to a temperature
below zero Centigrade between the two walls.
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:-
The improved method and apparatus for draining and maintaining in a cooled
and dry state any rocky bed or stratum below the level of the water therein during
a given time and within a predetermined radius, as well as for damming the water
on the outside of this radius, characterized by:
(a). The application of a series of bore-holes arranged so as to surround a rocky
zone and filled, in the manner described, by our freezing apparatus which divert
the water from such rocky zone and thus cause the subsidence of the drained rock,
and permit the water diverted to be brought to the surface.
(b) The freezing of the rock all around the drained and water-tight rocky zone
in the manner described, to prevent the water which is outside the bore-holes from
penetrating later on into the drained rocky zone, this being effected by employing
the apparatus and accessories shown on Sheet I, Figures 1 to 6, Sheet II, Figure 7,
Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9, and Sheet IV, Figures 10 and 11, of the drawings.
(c). The employment of the apparatus shown on Sheet I, Figures 1 to 6, Sheet II,
Figure 7, Sheet III, Figures 8 and 9, and Sheet IV, Figures 10 and 11, of the
drawings to maintain the rocky bed in a cold and dry condition within a pre-
determined radius, and at any suitable temperature, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
1008
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 and 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.