An Improved Process for Softening and Purifying Water.
Year: 1888

page_text: An Improved Process for Softening and Purifying Water.
1, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS of 70 Chancery Lane, in the Parish of Saint
Andrews Holborn in the county of Middlesex. Member of the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been communi-
cated to me from abroad by Francis Strudwick Harwood, now residing at Carcavellos
in Portugal, Electrician, to he as follows:-
:-
The objects of this invention are to soften and to purify water for drinking
purposes, and for use in the arts, by precipitating the lime, earthy, and organic matter
held in suspension. I attain these objects by ozonizing and oxidizing the water, by
causing it to pass over suitable non-oxidisable electrical conductors, discharging positive
electricity in any suitable or convenient manner.
The electricity may be furnished from any suitable source, preferably from dynamos
delivering continuous currents.
When positive electricity is discharged into the water it evolves from it ozone or
ozonized oxygen, which effects the precipitation of the lime and other earthy matter
contained in it, as well as any organic matter.
The equivalent hydrogen gas produced I collect in suitable receivers, and utilize
the same for heating or lighting purposes, or for fuel for the motors required for
driving the dynamos. When practicable I also utilize the flow, fall, or head of water,
either before or after it has been treated, for driving the dynamo, either directly or
indirectly.
In 1
1000
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for Softening and Purifying Water.
I, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS of 70 Chancery Lane, in the Parish of Saint
Andrews, Holborn, in the county of Middlesex, Member of the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been communi-
cated to me from abroad by Francis Strudwick Harwood, now residing at Carcavellos
in Portugal, Electrician, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The objects of this invention are to soften and to purify water for drinking
purposes, and for use in the arts, by precipitating the lime, earthy and organic
matter held in suspension. I attain these objects by ozonizing and oxidizing the
water by causing it to pass over suitable non-oxidable electrical conductors,
discbarging positive electricity in any suitable or convenient manner.
The electricity may be furnished from any suitable source, but preferably from
dynamos delivering continuous currents.
When positive electricity is discharged into the water, it evolves from it ozone or
ozonized oxygen, which effects the precipitation of the lime and other earthy matter
contained in it, as well as any organic matter.
The equivalent hydrogen gas produced, I collect in suitable receivers, and utilize
the same for heating or lighting purposes, or for fuel for the motors required for
driving the dynamos. When practicable I also use the flow, fall, or head of water,
either before or after it has been treated, for driving the dynamos, either directly,
or indirectly.
The accompanying diagram illustrates a convenient manner of carrying my inven-
tion into practical effect.
I place near the outlet & bottom of a suitable tank A one or more plates B of non-
oxydable metal forming electrical conductors. These plates are connected to the
positive pole (+) of a dynamo or any other convenient source of electricity suitable
to the quantity of water to be dealt with. The corresponding negative pole (-) of
the dynamo or other source of electricity is connected to one or more plates C placed
near the surface of the water. The plate or plates C are covered with an inverted
open-mouthed chamber D which being partly immersed forms an air tight collector
to receive the hydrogen gas evolved at the negative pole. A suitable pipe or tube d
is provided to carry or load away the hydrogen gas, for use for heating or lighting
purposes. By thus carrying away the gas evolved at the negative pole without
allowing it to mix either with the gas evolved at the opposite pole, or with
the atmospheric air, all danger of explosion from the mixture of the gases is
avoided.
I do not limit myself to the exact details hereinabove described for carrying my
invention into practical effect, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes as
fairly fall within the spirit and
scope of my invention.

page_text: I am aware that electric currents have already been used for the purpose of softening
and purifying water, and I therefore do not broadly claim the use thereof for this
purpose, but 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 :-
1. Softening and purifying water in the manner as hereinabove specifically set
forth.
2. The use of ozonized oxygen generated from a positive non-oxidable electrode,
for precipitating the lime or other earthy matter contained in water, as set forth.
3. In a process for softening and purifying water by discharging into it positive
electricity, collecting the gas evolved at the negative electrode, in the manner and for
the purpose set forth.
4. In a process for purifying water by discharging into it positive electricity; the
use of the oxygen, and hydrogen gases for the separate and independent purposes
specified, as set forth.
Dated this 21st day of December 1888.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.