Improved System of and Apparatus for Purifying Sewage.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
...
. . . )
Improved System of and Apparatus for Purifying Sewage.
We, DONALD CAMERON, of 1, Sylvan Road, Pennsylvania, Exeter, Civil Engineer,
FREDERICK JAMES COMMIN, of 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:-
J.
This invention relates to the purification of sewage, more particularly. when
such purification is effected by the agency of bacteria, and is especially applicable
in connection with what is known as the septic tank system.
'
The principal objects of this invention are to introduce into sewage or sewage
effluent a supply of air under the conditions most favourable for the absorption of
such air thereby; and, in connection with the bacterial treatment of sewage, to
inoculate sewage, either in the crude state, or preferably when partially purified,
with sewage or effluent in a more advanced stage of purification, containing the
organisms whereby such purification is effected.
65
In the following description it will be convenient to speak of crude sewage,
or sewage effluent in an early stage of purification, as "sewage," and to use. the
term effluent" to indicate sewage in a more advanced stage of purification.
This invention also provides improved means for the distribution of sewage or
sewage effluent over a filter, and for the collection of the filtered effluent; and
for bringing a second set of filters into use when those previously in use become
unable to discharge their contents, through the rising of the tide (when the
invention is used in connection with a tidal arrangement), or otherwise.
For the purpose of introducing air into sewage we pass such sewage through
a chamber, into which we shower water, preferably through a rose or perforated
pipe, so that such water may carry down into the sewage the air which becomes
attached to its surfaces as it falls therethrough. In order to retain in the sewage
the air which is so carried down into it, the chamber may contain coke or other
substance, preferably having rough surfaces, in which the rising bubbles, of air
will become entangled. Such substance may rest on the floor of the chamber or
be carried by trays at a higher level.
As a further means of retaining the air in contact with the sewage, the latter
may be caused to pass through perforated partitions, as for instance walls built
with perforated bricks, in the holes in which air may become engaged. There
may be a series of such partitions, through which the sewage may be successively
passed, and water may be showered into the compartments between them.
The water so showered into the sewage may be derived from some external
source, or it may consist of sewage which has already been wholly or partially
purified, and which, as already mentioned, it will be convenient to speak of as
effluent. Such effluent will bring into the sewage the bacteria necessary for the
purification of the latter, thus inoculating it. This part of our invention may be
advantageously employed in connection with the septic tank system, by inocu-
lating sewage after treatment in a septic tank, and before passing on to the

page_text: filter, with filtered effluent, thus introducing aerobic conditions into the sewage
before it enters the filters. Where a supply of effluent cannot conveniently be
got high enough to be showered into the sewage as above described, it may be
allowed to flow into it, thus giving the desired inoculation without simultaneous
aeration.
In some cases it will be practicable to intercept a part of the sewage of a
town at a higher level than the main body thereof, and to treat this part in
independent works, so that the filtered effluent therefrom may be available for
inoculating the main body of the sewage.
For the distribution of sewage over the surface of a filter we prefer to use
open channels of stoneware or other suitable material. For a large filter several
such channels are required, which must be fed from a main distributor, preferably
a pipe. This part of our invention consists in an improved form of junction
for connecting the distributing channels to the main pipe distributor. With
the ordinary form of junction one half of the pipe is above the top of the channel,
so that one half of its carrying capacity cannot be made use of. According to
our invention the junction is taken off from the upper part of the pipe, so that
the top edges of the channel are level or thereabout with the top of the pipe.
Our invention further provides a simple means of stopping the flow into any
branch distributor, so that these may, if so desired, be used in turn, such means
consisting in grooves in the branch from the pipe, in which a slide or hatch
of stoneware or other material may be placed.
For the collection of the filtered effluent our present invention provides inverted
channels of a semi-circular or horseshoe section resting on the floor of the filter,
which may or may not be grooved to receive them or to add to their capacity.
The main collectors may be similarly formed, with lateral openings to admit
the branches, or they may consist of depressions formed in the floor and covered
with slabs of suitable material. Spaces may be left between the ends of the
slabs to admit the flow from the branches into the main collector, or special open-
ings may be made for the purpose.
In carrying out the last part of our invention we divide the filters into two
or more sets and supply each set through a separate valve from the main distri-
butor. Such valves are connected with a lever or levers controlled by a float
hung in a chamber connected with the tideway. When the tide is low and it
is desired to feed the lowest set of filters, the float will be in its lowest position,
and the valve supplying the lowest set of filters will be open, and the other
valves closed. When the tide rises in the chamber, the float will also rise, closing
one valve and opening another, so as to supply the next set of filters. Conversely
when the tide falls, the supply will be diverted from a higher to a lower set of
filters. The distribution to the individual filters of a set may be controlled by
an automatic alternating apparatus similar in construction to that described in
the Specification of Patent No. 3003 dated 10th February 1896.
Dated this 3rd day of February 1899.
Improved System of and Apparatus for Purifying Sewage.
We, DONALD CAMERON, of 1, Sylvan Road, Pennsylvania, Exeter, Civil Engineer,
FREDERICK JAMES COMMIN, of 7, Bedford Circus, Exeter, Fellow of the Institute
* of Surveyors, and ARTHUR JOHN MARTIN, of Bradninch House, Exeter, Civil

page_text: 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 the purification of sewage, more particularly when
such purification is effected by the agency of bacteria, and is especially applicable
in connection with what is known as the septic tank system.
The principal objects of this invention are to introduce into sewage or sewage
effluent a supply of air under the conditions most favourable for the absorption of
such air thereby; and, in connection with the bacterial treatment of sewage, to
inoculate sewage, either in the crude state, or preferably when partially purified,
with sewage or effluent in a more advanced stage of purification, containing the
organisms whereby such purification is effected.
"
In the following description it will be convenient to speak of crude sewage,
or sewage effluent in an early stage of purification, as sewage," and to use the
term "effluent" to indicate sewage in a more advanced stage of purification.
This invention also provides improved means for the distribution of sewage or
sewage effluent over a filter, and for the collection of the filtered effluent; and
for bringing a second set of filters into use when those previously in use become
unable to discharge their contents, through the rising of the tide (when the
invention is used in connection with a tidal arrangement), or otherwise.
We will now proceed to describe our invention in connection with the accom-
panying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one arrangement we may employ for
introducing air into sewage, and
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified arrangement for this purpose.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section, and
Fig. 4 a plan view of a junction for connecting the channels by which the
sewage is distributed over a filter with the main supply pipe.
Fig. 5 shows in perspective a main and branch channel for the collection of
the filtered effluent from a filter, and
Fig. 6 is a plan view and
Fig. 7 a vertical section showing a modified arrangement for the same purpose.
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section and
Fig. 9 a plan view of an arrangement we may employ for controlling the supply
to different filters or sets of filters by the rise or fall of the tide.
According to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, which is designed for the purpose
of introducing air into sewage, or preferably into the effluent from a septic tank, we
pass such sewage through a chamber 1, into which we shower water, preferably
through a rose or perforated pipe 2, so that such water may carry down into the
sewage the air which becomes attached to its surface as it falls therethrough.
In order to retain in the sewage some of the air which is so carried down into
it, the chamber may contain coke or other substance 3, preferably having rough
surfaces, in which the rising bubbles of air will become entangled. Such sub-
stance may rest on the floor of the chamber or be carried by a tray or trays 4
at a higher level. If several trays are employed the water may advantageously
be showered obliquely into the spaces between them, so that the bubbles when
they rise may be caught under the trays, the edges of which may be turned
down so that the air can only rise through the holes in the trays and through
the material resting thereon. When a perforated pipe such as 2 is employed for
showering the water into the sewage, same may be arranged either longitudinally
or transversely in relation to the direction of flow of the latter.
As a further means of retaining the air in contact with the sewage, the latter
may be caused to pass through perforated partitions, as for instance walls 5
built with perforated bricks (as shown in Fig. 2), in the holes in which air may
become engaged. There may as shown be a series of such partitions, through
which the sewage may be successively passed, and water may be showered into

page_text: the compartments between them, through perforated or, slotted pipes, 6 or other
suitable means.
709-94 19
The water so showered into the sewage may be derived from some external
source, or it may consist of sewage which has already been wholly or partially
purified, and which, as already mentioned, it will be convenient, to speak of as
effluent. Such effluent will bring into the sewage the bacteria necessary for the
purification of the latter, thus inoculating it. This part of our, inventionsmay, be
advantageously employed in connection with the septic tank system, for inocu-
lating sewage after treatment in a septic tank, and before, passing on to the
filter, with filtered effluent, thus introducing aerobic conditions; into the sewage
before it enters the filters. Where a supply of effluent cannot conveniently be
got high enough to be showered into the sewage as above described, it may be
allowed to flow into it, thus giving the desired inoculation without simultaneous
aeration.
+
21 ST.
In some cases it will be practicable to intercept a part of the sewage of a
town at a higher level than the main body thereof, and to treat this part in
independent works, so that the filtered effluent therefrom may be available for
inoculating the main body of the sewage...
For the distribution of sewage over the surface of a filter we prefer to use
open channels 7 of stoneware or other suitable material as shown in Figs. 3 and.4.
For a large filter several such channels 7.are, required, which must be fed from.
a main distributor 8, preferably a pipo. This part of our invention consists
in an improved form of junction for connecting the distributing channels 7
to the main pipe distributor 8. With the ordinary form of junction one half
of the pipe is above the top of the channel, so that one half of its carrying
capacity cannot be made use of. According to our invention the junction.is
taken off from the upper part of the pipe 8, so that the top edges of, the channel 7
are level or thereabout with the top of the pipe. Our invention further provides
a simple means of stopping the flow into any branch distributor 7, so that these
may, if so desired, be used in turn, such means consisting in grooves 9 in the
branch 10 from the pipe, in which a slide or hatch 11 (shown in..broken, lines
in Fig. 3) of stoneware or other material may be placed.
For the collection of the filtered effluent our present invention provides inverted
channels 12 (see Fig. 5) of a semi-circular or horseshoe section resting on the floor
of the filter 13, which may or may not be grooved to receive them or to add to
their capacity. The main collectors 14 may be similarly formed, with lateral
openings to admit the branches as shown in Fig. 5, or as shown in Figs. 6 and 7
they may consist of depressions formed in the floor and covered with slabs 15
of suitable material. Spaces 16 may be left between the ends of the slabs to
admit the flow from the branches 12 into the main collector 14, or special openings
may be made for the purpose.
In carrying out the last part of our invention, which is illustrated in Figs. 8.
and 9, we divide the filters into two or more sets and supply each set through
a separate valve 17, 18, from the main effluent carrier 19. Such valves 17; 18,-
are connected with a lever or levers 20 controlled by a float 21 hung in ca
chamber 22 connected freely with the tideway, so that the level. of water therein
will rise and fall with the tide. The float will thereby be caused to rise or fall,
and as it is connected to a lever 26 mounted on the same shaft 27 as, the lever 20
carrying the valves 17, 18, the latter will be actuated and so control the supply
of sewage to the different filters or sets of filters. When the tide is low and
it is desired to feed the lowest set of filters, the float 21 will be in its lowest
position, and the valve 17 supplying the lowest set of filters through pipe 23
will be open, and the other valve 18 closed. When the tide rises in the chamber 22,
the float 21 will also rise, closing valve 17 and opening valve 18, so as to supply
another set of filters through pipe 24. Conversely when the tide falls, the supply
will be diverted from a higher to a lower set of filters.
It will be readily understood that if desired three or more distributing valves

page_text: might be employed, same being so situated that they would be actuated by the
means described at different times, and so control the supply to three or more
filters or sets of filters, the latter being arranged if desired at different levels.
The distribution to the individual filters of a set may be controlled by an
automatic alternating apparatus similar in construction to that described in the
Specification of Patent No. 3003 dated 10th February 1896.
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 method of introducing air into sewage or sewage effluent consisting in
passing the latter through a chamber into which water or wholly or partially
purified sewage is showered or otherwise suitably passed, substantially as specified.
2. The method of introducing air into sewage or sewage effluent consisting in
passing the latter through perforated partitions, and showering or otherwise
suitably passing water or wholly or partially purified sewage into same, substan-
tially as specified.
3. The method of introducing air into sewage or sewage effluent consisting in
passing the latter through or over suitable material, into which water or wholly
or partially purified sewage is showered, and among which the air carried down
by such water or wholly or partially purified sewage is entangled, substantially
as specified.
4. The improved form of junction between the branch distributing channels
of a filter and the main distributor, consisting in forming the main distributor
with a socket in the bottom of its upper portion in which socket the branch
channel fits, substantially as specified.
5. The improved form of junction between the branch distributing channels
of a filter and the main distributor, consisting in forming the main distributor
with a socket in the bottom of its upper portion in which socket the branch
channels fits, grooves being provided in such socket for the insertion of a slide
or hatch to cut off the supply to such branch channel, substantially as specified.
6. The means for the collection of the effluent from filters consisting in
inverted channels of semi-circular or horseshoe section resting on the floor of
the filter, substantially as specified.
7. An improved system of collectors for filtered effluent consisting of inverted
channels of semicircular or horseshoe section resting on the filter floor and com-
municating with a main collecting channel of similar section having lateral
openings to receive the ends of the branch collectors, substantially as specified.
8. The means for the collection of the effluent from filters consisting in inverted
channels of semi-circular or horseshoe section resting of the floor of the filter
and communicating with depressions formed in such floor and which constitute
the main collector, substantially as specified.
9. The means for controlling the supply to different filters or sets of filters
consisting in mounting the valves which open and close the passages to the
latter on a levér or levers connected with a float operated by the rise and fall
of the liquid in the chamber in which such float is arranged, so that the filling
of the filters or sets of filters will be controlled thereby, substantially as specified.
Dated this 10th down of Ontahan 1800
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.