Improvements in Apparatus for Testing Drains and other Pipes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1898-Accepted, 26th Nov.,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Testing Drains and other Pipes.
BENJAMIN HOWARTH THWAITE, 29, Great George Street, Westminster, S.W.,
Consulting Chemist, HORACE ALLEN, 224, Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham,
S.W., Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Improvements in apparatus for testing drains and other pipes.
This invention relates to the use of a novel agent for detecting the leakage of
gas in pipes drains or sewers or in locating leakages in fluid conveyor pipes or
conduits. We employ as the essential feature of our invention dry calcic carbide
a chemical combination of calcium and carbon preferably ground to a condition
-of-physical-fineness.
or we
We enclose the powered carbide of calcium in sealed glass tubes
press it mechanically into small balls marbles or tablets and to more perma-
nently maintain the calcic carbide agent in the physical forms described we mix
it with a gelatinous saccharine or other substance that immediately dissolves
when exposed to contact with water. We may place the calcic carbide in small
boxes or sacks that will dissolve or become porous when exposed to the in-
fluence of water. In order to test whether the drains sewers or other fluid
carrying conduits are leaky because it must be obvious that our agent can be
applied to conduits other than those employed as conveyors of sewage and it
is also applicable for developing considerable internal pressures,
we intro-
duce the calcic carbide along with a quantity of water flushed or poured into
the pipes; for ordinary house drains we simply introduce the agent through the
water closet basin immediately the calcic carbide comes into contact with
moisture or with water considerable volumes of acetylene gas are evolved, this
gas has a penetrating and easily identified odour, and if there are any leaks its
escape will very quickly enable their locality to be detected.
When it is intended to apply a pressure test we employ a special apparatus into
which we can introduce the calcic carbide agent without involving the escape of
gas in so doing.
Our invention also provides an excellent deodorizer and disinfectant as its
product of the chemical action is pure lime in a most finely divided condition.
Dated this 1st day of December 1897.

page_text: 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 the use of a novel agent for detecting the leakage of
gas in pipes, drains, or sewers, or in locating leakages in fluid conveyor pipes or
conduits. We employ as the essential feature of our invention calcic carbide,
a chemical combination of calcium and carbon, preferably ground to a condition
of physical fineness.
ΠΟ
We enclose the powered carbide of calcium in sealed glass tubes, or
press it mechanically into small balls, marbles, or tablets, and to more perma-
nently maintain the calcic carbide agent in the physical forms described, we mix
it with a gelatinous, saccharine, or other substance that immediately dissolves
when exposed to water. We may place the calcic carbide in small
boxes, or sacks, that will also dissolve, or become porous when exposed to the in-
fluence of water. In order to test whether the drains, sewers, or other fluid
conveying conduits are leaky, because it must be obvious that our agent can be
applied to conduits other than those employed as conveyors of sewage, and it
is also applicable for developing very considerable internal pressures, we intro-
duce the calcic carbide along with a quantity of water, flushed, or poured into
the pipes; for ordinary house drains we simply introduce the agent through the
water closet basin. Immediately the calcic carbide comes into contact with
moisture, or with water, considerable volumes of acetylene gas are evolved, this
gas has a penetrating and easily identified odour, and if there are any leaks, its
escape will quickly enable their locality to be detected.
Where it is intended to apply a pressure test we employ a special apparatus by
which we can introduce the calcic carbide agent without involving the
gas while so doing.
escape
of
Our invention also provides an excellent deodorizer and disinfectant as its
product of the chemical action is pure lime in a most finely divided condition.
The hermetically sealed glass tubes containing the calcic carbide are
scratched centrally with a file to facilitate the breaking of the tube for the pur-
pose described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
1. The employment of calcic carbide substantially in the manner described,
and for the purpose described.
2. The use of hermetically sealed glass tubes for the purpose described.
3. The mixture of calcic carbide with gelatinous or saccharine substance, com-
pressed into balls, or tablet form, for the purposes substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of August 1000
B. H. THWAITE.
HORACE ALLEN..