Improvements in the Sterilization and Purification of Water and other Substances.
Year: 1898

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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Sterilization and Purification of Water
and other Substances.
I, EMILE ARTHUR STEIN, of 122, Rue de la Poste, Scharbeak, Brussels, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
--
My invention relates to a novel process for the sterilization and purification of
waters and other substances used as beverages and otherwise.
The principle of the invention consists in oxidizing organic impurities by means of
oxygen compounds of chlorine, obtained by the decomposition of chlorates by means of
acids and especially sulphuric acid, moreover the combustion of the organic matter
transposes the oxygen of the water into ozone, and this body re-acts in its turn on
the water. In consequence of this phenomenon a very small quantity of the
substance suffices to sterilize and purify a large bulk of water. For instance a
water which does not contain a large percentage of organic matter, may be sterilized
with less than one milligramme of material to the litre. The gas obtained by the
decomposition of five milligrammes of potassic chlorate will be sufficient
to sterilize and remove any smell from 21 litre of sewage water.
This operation can be effected in various manners. For instance a gas
coming from the decomposition of a chlorate by means of sulphuric acid
may be passed into water intermixed with air. But the most siniple method
consists in decomposing the chlorate by means of sulphuric acid in a stoneware
retort with three tubulures. The air current then carries the ogygen
compounds of chlorine into the water and effects a regular solution
thereof. The water when charged with these gases the amount of which is
ascertained beforehand, may then be poured into the water to be sterilized, and
an agitating apparatus effects the complete intermixture. It is obvious that other
means might be used to attain the same result, for instance, in small apparatuses
it may be so arranged that the purifying liquid may be pumped at the same time
as the water to be purified and in given proportions therewith.
I consider as within my invention the use of the oxygen compounds of chlorine
for the purification of water in general, the operative method indicated above being
only mentioned by way of example. The said compounds are moreover very
active as sterilizing agents and they may also be utilized for sterilizing other
matters than drinking waters. For instance they may be used for purifying
sewage. Waters from works or factories may also be treated in the same manner.
Moreover other various beverages or substances used for food may also be treated.
Dated this 28th day of February 1898.

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Sterilization and Purification of Water
and other Substances.
I, EMILE ARTHUR STEIN, of 122, Rue de la Poste, Scharbeek, Brussels, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, Chemist, 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: -
My invention relates to a novel process for the sterilization and purification of
waters and other substances used as beverages and otherwise.
water.
The principle of the invention consists in oxidizing organic impurities by means of
oxygen compounds of chlorine, obtained by the decomposition of chlorates by means of
acids and especially sulphuric acid, moreover the combustion of the organic matter
transposes the oxygen of the water into ozone, and this body re-acts in its turn on
the water. In consequence of this phenomenon a very small quantity of the
substance suffices to sterilize and purify a large bulk of water. For instance
water which does not contain a large percentage of organic matter, may be sterilized
with less than one milligramme of material to the litre. The gas obtained by the
decomposition of five milligrammes of potassic chlorate will be sufficient
to sterilize and remove any smell from a litre of sewage
This operation can be effected in various ways. For instance, a gas
coming from the decomposition of a chlorate by means of sulphuric acid
may be passed into water intermixed with air. But the most simple method
consists in decomposing the chlorate by treating it with sulphuric acid in a
stoneware retort provided with three washing vessels in series, through which the
evolved gases pass successively. The current carries the oxygen compounds of
chlorine evolved into the water in the vessels aforesaid and effects a regular solution
thereof. The water when charged with these gases the amount of which is
ascertained beforehand, may then be poured into the water to be sterilized, and
an agitating apparatus effects the complete intermixture. It is obvious that other
means might be used to attain the same result, for instance, in small apparatuses
it may be so arranged that the purifying liquid may be pumped at the same time
as the water to be purified and in given proportions therewith.
I consider as within my invention the use of the oxygen compounds of chlorine
for the purification of water in general, the operative method indicated above being
only mentioned by way of example. The said compounds are moreover very
active as sterilizing agents and they may also be utilized for sterilizing other
matters than drinking waters. For instance they may be used for purifying
sewage. Waters from works or factories may also be treated in the same manner.
Moreover other various beverages or substances used for food may also be treated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
The use of the oxygen compounds of chlorine, obtained by the decomposition of
chlorates (and especially peroxide of chlorine) for the sterilization and purification
of drinking water and beverages also of waste waters and the like, and for the
sterilization of various alimentary substances.
201
T
1000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C., Patent Agents for the Applicant.