A Process and Apparatus for Sterilising Water.
Year: 1892

page_text: te of Application, 30th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Process and Apparatus for Sterilising Water.
We Dr. VICTOR BABES of 9 Strada Braucanaria, Director of the Institute of
Pathology and Bacteriology, and Dr. AUREL BABES, of 14 Strada Silfidilor,
Professor of Chemistry & Director of the Chemical Laboratory of the Inst. of
Pathology & Bacteriology, both of Bucarest, Roumania, 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 freeing of water from germs by filtration is not to be depended on in respect
of results, and is relatively expensive.
This invention relates to an inexpensive process for sterilising water without
filtering, which consists essentially in dissolving finely crystallised pure alum and
thus distributing it in the water to be treated, and then allowing it to stand at
rest for 10 to 12 hours. During this time the alum separates from the water
carrying with it all the existing germs down to the bottom of the vessel, so that
above the bottom layer there remains water free from germs which can be drawn
off when required. In a closely covered vessel the water remains free from germs for
several days. The alum is applied in the proportion of 1 to 2 grammes to 10 litres
of water.
For effecting the above process advantageously, apparatus is applicable such
as is shewn in two slightly differing forms partly in section and partly in
elevation on the accompanying drawings. It consists, as shewn, of a vessel a
having the form of a truncated cone extending up from a cylindrical lower part,
so that the subsiding matter cannot adhere to the overhanging side.
The vessel can be entirely or partially enclosed in a jacket al giving an annular
space for reception of ice or other cooling medium. A cover b (Fig. 2) extending
over the jacket serves to close the vessel.
For carrying out the process, the cover is removed, the vessel is filled from
the top with water, and the agitator c is suspended therein.
The axis c¹ of
this agitator, which can be turned by the handle c², carries perforated wings as
shewn, and has its bearings in a double cover b₁ which is set on the cylindrical
mouth of the vessel a. To the upper part of the agitator is attached a small
cup d, the upper edge of which is slightly above the water level. This cup is
filled with the required quantity of alum from a measure e suspended at the
outside of the vessel, before the agitator is introduced, and then, on turning the
handle, the water is thrown into violent agitation and the alum powder is thrown
out of the cup. According to the temperature of the water 70 to 100 revolutions
suffice to effect the necessary mixture of the contents of the vessel. The agitator
can then, if desired, be removed and the vessel closed by the cover b.
After 10 to 12 hours, the alum, along with all the germs which were in the water,
is precipitated, and the sterilised water can then be drawn off as required by an
outlet pipe provided with a cock. This pipe can stand vertically, as shewn
in Fig. 1, in which case it must be closed at the top to prevent entrance of the
subsiding matter, there being a lateral aperture for admitting the water; or, as
shewn in Fig. 2, it may be arranged horizontally, passing through the wall of
the vessel close to the bottom, and bending up vertically above the middle of
the vessel with its open end bent to the side so as to prevent the subsiding
matter from entering the outlet pipe. This pipe is of small bore, 4 to 5 milli-
meters, and its lateral aperture is above the level to which the sediment can reach.
Larger dimension of the outlet pipe must be avoided, in order that, in drawing
off water, there may be no such agitation as can disturb the sediment.
When all the sterilised water is drawn off, the sediment is run off by a pipe

page_text: with screw cap arranged at the lowest part of the vessel, and the vessel is cleaned,
preferably with sterilised water.
The outlet serves to run off the water from the annular space intended for
reception of ice.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The process for sterilising water without heating or filtering, by thoroughly
mixing the water with alum to form a precipitate which carries with it the
germs contained in the water and separates as a sediment, above which stands
the sterilised water.
2. For effecting the process referred to in the first claim, apparatus consisting of
a vessel a diminishing upwards, with a removable cover 6' forming a bearing for the
axis c¹ of a revolving agitator c, to which is attached a cup d for holding the alum,
having its edge above the water level, an outlet pipe f passing through or over the
bottom of the vessel with an aperture in its side or in a lateral bend, above the level
of the sediment, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of December 1892.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.