IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING IMPURE LIQUIDS AND IN SEPARATING OR REMOVING SOLIDS AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THESE PURPOSES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Rodger, of Bridgelands, Selkirk, and Adam Lees
Cochrane, of Kingsknowes, Galashiels, both in the County of Selkirk, North
Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING IMPURE LIQUIDS
AND IN SEPARATING OR REMOVING SOLIDS AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND
IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THESE PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Rodger and Adam
Lees Cochrane at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th
January 1880.
WILLIAM RODGER, of Bridgelands, Selkirk, and ADAM LEES COCHRANE, of
Kingsknowes, Galashiels, both in the County of Selkirk, North Britain.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING IMPURE LIQUIDS AND IN SEPARATING OR REMOVING
SOLIDS AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR
THESE PURPOSES."
This Invention bas for its object improvements in treating impure liquids and in
separating or removing solids and impurities therefrom, and in apparatus to be
employed for these purposes.
The improvements relate to the use of centrifugal force for effecting these
purposes in a speedy, effective, and self acting manner.
To allow of solid matters heavier than the liquid in which they are contained
being separated from such liquid, we use a revolving cylinder or chamber into
which the impure liquid is admitted, and we provide exit openings at the outer
circumference of the chamber through which the heavier solid matters which
congregate at the circumference are allowed to escape either continuously, whilst
the drum is revolving, or intermittently. In many cases also we form the outer
circumference of the chamber in such a manner that it shall converge outwards
towards the exit openings, so that the heavy solid matters may the more readily
pass to these openings. In cases where it is required not only to separate heavy
solid matters from the impure liquid, but also to separate from it solids which are
lighter than the liquid, we also make provision for allowing the escape of these
lighter solids from near the central axis or inner circumference of the chamber, and
also if the liquid is required to be filtered through filtering material or chemical
substances, or be otherwise treated in the centrifugal chamber, we in some cases
divide such chamber into separate stories or compartments one above the other, and

page_text: cause the liquid to pass in succession through the several stories or compartments,
so that it may in them be subjected to a series of consecutive operations, as
hereinafter more fully explained.
As various degrees of purity may be wanted (for instance it might only be
desired to eliminate the heavier impurities, and to retain in the liquid as much as
possible the lighter, such as soapy or coloring matter, or vice versa, whilst in a
third case the liquid might be wanted as pure as possible from all foreign substances)
it is obvious various portions of the following scheme might not always be required,
or on the other hand one or more portions might be repeated again and again or
various combinations made.
Further, the examples hereinafter described are not meant to embrace the only
modes by which this object could be obtained, but are given only as specimens.
The centrifugal drum may consist of five stories or compartments one on the
first where the heaviest portions are separated, the second where the lightest
impurities are dischared, the third where chemical liquids or compounds could bo
applied either to purify the liquid from color or from other ingredients; the fourth
compartment is filled with cinders, charcoal, or other good filtering or chemical
substances, and the fifth, like the first, is for cleansing the liquid still further from
solid impurities left in it or parts of the filtering substances brought with it. In
this last, or in all the compartments or in the tubes leading the liquid thereto,
air or chemical gases could be introduced to mix with the liquid.
Provision can be made if necessary for the escape of gases or air.
It is not requisite or essential that these compartments or modes of procedure
should follow one another as described above, or indeed that these results should be
obtained by different compartments, as they might be done in one, or that the
compartment where the liquid is first treated should be uppermost and the pure
liquid run away from the lowest storey. It would work equally the reverse way,
or by having separate centrifugal drums or machines for each or any portion.
To further describe these stories or compartments and to give a general idea of
the plan,
Surrounding and revolving with the driving spindle which is down through the
centre of the drum or machine (but centrifugal apparatus without this spindle
would still apply, and the tubes could be by themselves in the centre) we have four
or more tubes; the one nearest the spindle might be for air to conduct it to the
lowest storey, No. 5, or other stories.
The next tube is to lead cinders, ashes, charcoal, or other good filtering or
purifying solid substances to compartment No. 4.
The next tube takes any chemical compounds, such as lime and water, and
discharges the liquids and these compound liquids into No. 3 compartment, whilst
the outermost tube conducts the liquid to be treated into the top of No. 1 compart-
ment and discharges it there, either in a circle or at given points nearer the
circumference of. the drum than the bottom aperture for discharge of the lighter
fluid afterwards alluded to. The supply of the liquid may be continuous or
intermittent. With the rapid revolutions of the drum centrifugal force is brought
to bear on the liquid, and the heaviest portions are driven to the circumference, 4
where holes or apertures properly proportioned, or which can be regulated, allow
only the heavier portions of the liquid to be discharged. This heavier portion when
the apertures are opened is driven out and runs away outside the centrifugal
machine into tanks or settling ponds, and if wanted the most liquid portion can be
drained or run off to the centrifugal machine to No. 3 or 5 compartment; or if
sewage is the impure liquid which is being operated upon, all this beavier portion
may be mixed with the solid town ashes or street sweepings, which would absorb
so much of the moisture and make one valuable compound manure, or it might be
treated chemically or otherwise and different substances extracted therefrom. In
the meanwhile the lightest liquids are driven in towards the centre, and when the 5
compartment is sufficiently full escape by an opening at the bottom nearer the
spindle to No. 2 compartment.

page_text: There, as in No. 1, it is again discharged some distance in from the spindle, and
through the centrifugal force again exerted here there is a fresh separation of
specific gravities, and the lightest liquid with impurities or foreign substances
escape when compartment filled by an aperture at the bottom of No. 2 storey
nearest the spindle, and, like the heavy discharge from No. 1 compartment, runs
away altogether from the centrifugal machine, and can be treated the same way as
discharge already described. The heaviest portion of liquid escapes from a door or
doors, valves, or apertures, the size or sizes of which can be regulated, opened and
shut at will at the bottom circumference of No. 2, when it is led nearer the spindle
and discharged into No. 3 compartment, or may be previously collected in a
receiving tank and be passed from that into No. 3 compartment.
There it can be mixed with lime and water or other compounds by a jet or spray
brought down by tube already mentioned or introduced by other mechanical means
and flows on to No. 4 compartment.
This is filled with ashes or other good filtering substance or substances brought
down by one of the tubes surrounding spindle as described already, and advantage
is taken of the centrifugal action to fill this compartment or compartments with
ashes, &c., from the tube, and when these ashes or other filtering substances get
dirty or require renewing these ashes, through doors at the circumference of this
compartment, are discharged outside of centrifugal machine by means of the
centrifugal force. The liquid flowing on through No. 3 compartment is let in by
means of gratings, and by centrifugal force is sent through the filtering beds of
No. 4 compartment, whence it escapes at the bottom through perforated holes into
No. 5 compartment, where the same process goes on as in No. 1 already described.
The liquid thus cleansed from solids or impurities can either be run away from
the centre at the bottom of this compartment and discharged at this elevation from
the centrifugal machine, or taken by means of a pipe revolving with the drum and
discharged near the top or so far up the machine and let away, or utilized if thought
necessary or convenient, either at the base or from the top to drive a turbine or
water wheel to help to get power to drive the machine itself.
The drum containing these compartments or compartment may either be circular,
oval, or cylindrical, and in one or divided into perpendicular sections radiating from
the spindle; these sections would give more strength and balancing power to the
machine.
If divided into sections the outer circumference of each section may be formed
like a gothic arch, and have an opening at the point of the arch to allow the solid
matter to escape, or be otherwise formed so that the outer circumference shall
converge both horizontally and perpendicularly to the exit openings, whether the
chamber be divided into sections or not. This shape would specially suit No. 1
and 5 compartments described, whilst the best form for No. 4 with the filtering
substances in it would be for it to be divided by horizontal plates alternately
solidly attached to spindle or inner circumference and to the outer circumference.
This shape might also suit for compartments Nos. 1, 2, and 5.
Before the apertures or holes, or some of them, bracket like shapes of iron might
be fixed, the straight edge next the aperture and the curved edge on the side away
from the aperture.
These brackets to prevent currents forming straight opposite the apertures, and
to allow only the heaviest portions to escape through apertures for heaviest, and
the lightest through apertures for lightest..
Full advantage might be taken of the centrifugal force to elevate pendulum like
pendants hanging to circumference perpendicular whilst at rest, and at or almost
at right angles when the machine has attained and running at a certain speed, to
open the exit apertures, or other mechanical means might be employed to control
the opening of these apertures.
In simple cases where only the heaviest impurities are wanted eliminated only
one or more machines like No. 1 compartment already described would be required.

page_text: The spindle in this case would not require so many tubes surrounding it; the
mode of egress of the lightest water might be at the top near the centre, the drum
in this case only having the top covered so far towards the centre, leaving a free
space for the liquid to escape there and for the atmospheric air to get at the
liquid in the revolving drum. The apertures at the circumference would take off
the heaviest portions, and these apertures could be opened intermittently or be
shut till speed was up, as described above, or uncovered and always open, depending
upon the liquid and the nature of the work to be done.
In some cases also we make the revolving chamber of an annular form with a
large central vacant space which may be open to the air; in this case the wall of
the inner side of the chamber when it has openings formed through it for the
discharge of the lighter matters may be made to slope or converge both horizontally
and vertically to the exit openings.
Sewage and polluted waters from dye and other works can advantageously be
treated in the manner herein before described. Supporting and guide rollers and
wheels may also be used for supporting the revolving chamber and keeping it in
position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Rodger and Adam Lees Cochrane in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th July 1880.
WILLIAM RODGER, of Bridgelands, Selkirk, and ADAM LEES COCHRANE, of
Kingsknowes, Galashiels, both in the County of Selkirk, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATING IMPURE LIQUIDS AND IN SEPARATING OR REMOVING
SOLIDS AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED FOR
THESE PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in treating impure liquids and in
separating or removing solids and impurities therefrom, and in apparatus to be
employed for these purposes.
The improvements relate to the use of centrifugal force for effecting these
purposes in a speedy, effective, and self acting manner.
To allow of solid matters heavier than the liquid in which they are contained
being separated from such liquid we use a revolving cylinder or chamber into
which the impure liquid is admitted, and we provide exit openings at the outer
circumference of the chamber through which the heavier solid matters which
congregate at the circumference are allowed to escape either continuously, whilst
the drum is revolving, or intermittently. We also form the outer circumference of
the chamber in such a manner that it shall converge outwards both horizontally
and perpendicularly towards the exit openings so that the heavy solid matters may
the more readily pass to these openings. In cases where it is required not only to
separate heavy solid matters from the impure liquid, but also to separate from it
solids which are lighter than the liquid, we also make provision for allowing the
escape of these lighter solids from near the central axis or inner circumference of
the chamber.
The drum may be divided into perpendicular sections radiating from the spindle;
these sections would give more strength and balancing power to the machine.
If divided into sections the outer circumference of each section may be formed
like a gothic arch, and have an opening at the point of the arch to allow the solid
matter to escape, or be otherwise formed so that the outer circumference shall
converge both horizontally and perpendicularly to the exit openings whether the
chamber be divided into sections or not.
Egress for the lighter water is made at the top near the centre, the drum only
having the top covered so far towards the centre, leaving there a free space for the
liquid to escape.
In some cases also we make the revolving chamber of an annular form with a
large central vacant space which may be open to the air; in this case the wall of the
inner side of the chamber may have openings formed through it for the discharge
of the lighter matters, and may be made to slope or converge both horizontally and
vertically to the exit openings.
Sewage and polluted waters from dye and other works can advantageously be
treated in the manner herein before described. Supporting and guide rollers and
wheels may also be used for supporting the revolving chamber and keeping it in
position.
Figure 1 shews a vertical section, and Figure 2 a plan view partly in section of
centrifugal apparatus constructed in the manner above described. A is an annular
revolving chamber supported upon a central pivot B; it may be caused to revolve
by an endless driving band working over a band pulley C at the bottom of the
chamber, or may be driven in other convenient manner; D is a fixed circular
casing by which the revolving chamber is enclosed. The impure liquid to be
treated is supplied by any suitable inlet E to the central space which is surrounded
by the annular chamber, and as the chamber is revolved enters the chamber at the

page_text: bottom through an opening F; G, G, are radial partitions by which the interior of
the annular chamber may if desired be divided into compartments; H, H, are
openings through the outer shell of the chamber by which the heavier solids are to
be allowed to escape, one of these openings is provided in each compartment; I, I,
are blocks of wood secured to the outer shell of the chamber. The inner face of
the blocks in each compartment is made, as shewn, to incline towards the exit
opening of that compartment, thereby making the inner face of the outer wall of
the annular chamber into a number of pyramidal shaped recesses with an outlet
opening through the outer shell of the chamber at the apex of each recess; J, J, are
slides which can be moved upwards or downwards in front of the outlet openings H.
In each of these slides are several holes of different sizes, so that the passage for the
escape of the heavier solid matters may be adjusted to the size required according
to the nature of the liquid which is being treated. The slides may either be
adjusted by hand whilst the revolving chamber is at rest, or by suitable mechanical
contrivances might be raised or lowered without stopping the revolution of the
chamber. One way in which this could be effected would be to form each slide
with a projection against which as the chamber revolves an adjustable cam path or
inclined planes carried by the outer casing could be brought to act. K, K, is an
opening by which the liquid which has had the heavier solid matters separated
from it may escape and be received on to a fixed tray L, from which they may
flow away by a channel M; or if the liquid under treatment contains not only solid
matters heavier than the liquid, but also lighter solid matters, then outlets may be
made for the liquid at N, and the liquid be allowed to escape onto a fixed tray O,
whilst the lighter solid matters are allowed to pass off by the opening K into the
tray L; P is a small manhole opening in the outer fixed casing D by which the
revolving chamber is enclosed to give access to the interior of the casing and allow
of the slides J, J, being adjusted by hand when the revolving chamber is at rest;
R is an outlet for the escape of mud from the bottom of the casing D.
It will be seen that the wall of the inner side of the annular chamber might
have outlet openings formed through it to admit of the escape from the chamber of
solid matters lighter than the liquid, and that the face of such wall might be made
to converge towards such openings so that the lighter solids shall be directed
towards their outlets, just in the same way as the heavier solids are directed to
their outlets. The lighter solids might then be received into an annular trough
and be conveyed away from this trough in any suitable manner.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention and the manner of performing
the same, we would have it understood that we claim,-
First. The construction of the revolving chamber of centrifugal apparatus to be
used for separating solid matters and impurities from liquids with outlet openings
through the outer or inner, or both outer and inner, wall or walls of the revolving
chamber, and with the inner face of such wall or walls made to slope both hori-
zontally and vertically towards the several openings in them, substantially as
herein before described.
Second. The construction of centrifugal apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Rodger and Adam Lees Cochrane,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighth day of July, in the year
hundred and night