An Improved Automatic Separator and Purifier of Solids and Fluids.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Automatic Separator and Purifier of Solids and
Fluids.
I, PROSPER AUGUSTE MAIGNEN of 32 St. Mary at Hill, in the City of London,
Technical Director of Maignen's Filtre Rapide and Anti-Calcaire Company Limited,
do hereby declare the nature of tins invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to apparatus for the automatic and continuous separation and
treatment of solid matter from fluids in which it may he held in suspension, and is
designed by a series of automatic operations to treat and separate the said solid matter
to any extent that may be desirable, either without regard to the size and specific
weight of the particles, or separating the various particles of solid matter according
to their respective sizes or specific weights.
To carry this into practice, I employ essentially one or a series of vessels so arranged
as to their internal shape or divisions that the fluid carrying the solid matter in
suspension is caused to impinge through successive orifices upon successive opposing
plates or surfaces on which the first deposited sediment will collect, the lighter
particles passing over for successive action and thus thorough agitation is first secured.
Afterwards the fluid is caused to travel with an ever decreasing velocity of current,
which in conjunction with the action of plates ensures the separation and deposit of
the solid matter. A point of importance is that both the said receivers and plates are
readily removable from their surrounding vessel, so as to allow the sediment to fall to
the bottom of the vessel or be collected individually as may be desired. To carry my
invention into practice I effect agitation by the discharge of the fluid into successive
coned chambers which preferably taper downwards, thus discharging the. fluid to be
treated at a high velocity and impinging upon an opposing plate plain or perforated
or both, preferably dished or buckled, upon which the heavier solid matter is arrested
and kept in agitation, whilst the lighter particles either overflow with the fluid around
the edges of the plate, or through perforations therein into the next coned chamber.
This action is repeated by a series of such cones and plates until the requisite amount
of agitation has been effected.
Whilst this agitation is in operation, it may be advantageous to introduce to or
remove from the fluid that is being treated, certain fluids or gases, and this
can be readily effected by suitable openings and connections to one or more of the
coned hambers.

page_text: The aforesaid cones and plates are most conveniently fitted into a vessel coned
sufficiently to allow of their easy introduction or extraction and of their making a
sufficient joint with or without packing. They may be introduced or removed singly
or altogether by connecting rods or chains.
To effect the deposition and separation of the solid matter from the fluid, I
reverse the current of the fluid causing it to flow upwards and increase the
diameter of the coned chambers as the travel proceeds, to ensure a constantly
reducing speed of current, particularly at those points where the sediment is to be
caused to collect.
Suitable communications may be made as before described for the agitator, with
the spaces between the cones, to permit egress or ingress of air, gas or other fluid at
these points.
In the case of sewage or such fluid from which the deposited sediment is to be
collected without regard to its size or specific weight, the cones are presented
with the smaller opening upwards and the opposing plates with the hollow
dish downwards or in exactly the reverse position to that in the agitator.
Upon withdrawal of theso plates and cones upwards, singly or collectively, the
sediment slides off the surfaces of the cones and dishes downwards, and collects at the
bottom of the vessel or container.
When dealing with pulverised ore or other material in suspension in a fluid, which
it may be desired to collect in. its different sizes or specific weights, the cone and
opposing plates or dishes are placed in the same position as in the agitator, but as
before stated the current to effect settling or soparation is upwards.
The sediment collecting in the dished plates, as in the agitator, will be divided
in the respective dished plates in the order of their respective specific gravities
and weight. Where it is desired to separate the solid particles according to their size,
the passages for the water may be controlled by suitable orifices or perforations or
meshed material.
I may introduce between the successive chambers of my apparatus a material which
may be suited either to produce a chemical or purifying treatinent upon the fluid or to
further check the current.
It will be seen that my apparatus is particularly applicable with advantage to the
purification of sewage and water softening wherein chemical re-agents are first to be
added to the fluid to be treated. This may be effected by the proportional automatic
feed apparatus as already patented to me or by any other suitable apparatus, the
agitation as above described being very effective in determining thorough and rapid
chemical reaction.
Also it is applicable to any chemical operation where the combination of a
fluid with another fluid may be desirable during the first part of the treatment
under agitation and the subsequent separation of precipitated or crystallized products
is required.
My apparatus is equally applicable to the mixing and separation of solid matter
held in suspension by air or other gas, which may be driven as a blast through my
apparatus.
I may employ any suitable or various materials for the construction of my apparatus,
according to the fluid to be treated, such as brick, masonry or concrete for the con-
struction of the container, instead of wood, metal and earthenware which might be
used with advantage in smaller apparatus.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Automatic Separator and Purifier of Solids and
Fluids.
I, PROSPER AUGUSTE MAIGNEN, of 32 St. Mary at Hill, in the City of London.
Technical Director of Maignen's Filtre Rapide and Anti-Calcaire Company, Limited.
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 apparatus for the automatic and continuous treatment and
separation of solid matter from fluids in which it may be held in suspension, or in
solution, or vice versa, and is designed, by a series of automatic operations, to treat
and separate the said matters to any extent that may be desirable. The separation of the
solid mattor may be effected without regard to size and specific weight of the particles,
or may be arranged so as to separate the various particles of solid matter acccording
to their respective sizes or specific weights.
To carry this into practice, I employ apparatus as hereinafter more fully described,
so arranged in the first place as to produce an increasing current in the liquid
treated, and its constant agitation by its passing through successively contracted
orifices, impinging also upon successively opposing plates, conos, or divisions, so that
thorough agitation is secured.
Afterwards, if separation be required, by the employment of a further apparatus as
hereinafter more particularly described, I offor the greatest inducement for the
deposition of the suspended particles. This is done by causing the fluid to travel
with an intermittent and ever decreasing velocity of an ascending current, which, by
the form and action of the said apparatus, ensures the greatest amount of settling
surface possible being effectual for the settlement of the suspended matter. Eddies
are formed by the passing fluid throughout nearly the whole of the apparatus.
The effect of such eddies that a large amount of the flow of water is retained in
a dormant condition which allows the suspended matter to deposit with the least
possible hindrance.
At the same time the fluid, whilst in the first vessel for agitation may be treated
with gases or liquids, hot or cold, of any character required for the treatment to
produce any desired effect. The said gases or liquids mix directly with the descending
Huid, when in a state of greatest sub-division and agitation.
It is an important point that all the plates, cones, or divisions, as hereinafter
described in detail, are readily removable from their surrounding or containing
vessel, so that the whole of the parts can be readily overhauled and examined when
required.
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I now proceed to describe
the same in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed, reference being had to the
letters and figures marked thereon.

page_text: Figures 1; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show various modifications in form of my
improved agitator, they being all equivalent in operation.
Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 show various modifications of my
improved separator fitted in various ways, but equivalent in action.
In figure 1 the agitating coned chambers a a in the case A cither are allowed to
rest within the conical external case A at such points at which they may jamb or may
rest upon rings or ledges fitted therein to support them. The coned chambers are
arranged point downwards with flat bases and apertures through those flat bases as
also in the point of the cone for the admission passage of the fluid to be agitated.
The successive contraction of the flowing stream when passing through the orifice
in a point of the coned chamber and its dilatation as it strikes against the opposing
base of the cone and spreads thereon and the passage through the circumferential
holes causes thorough agitation.
In figure 2 the said conod chambers a a a are provided with dished bases so as to
retain within them solid particles carried in suspension in the fluid; the collections
of solid matter thus formed aro thoroughly subjected to constant washing by the
descending curront which may be of great importance where the material to be treated
is a metalliferous ore.
In figure 3 the coned case A containing the agitating coned chambers a is placed
within an outer vessel B by which a duplicated travel of the fluid is obtained within
the single vessel B, the fluid after passing through the internal coned chambers a
rising into the space between the outer vessel B and the inner case A till it issues at
the orifice b. The bottom of these respective cases may be cleansed or flushed when
desired by the cock b³.
In figure 4 show the agitating coned chambers a a provided with perforations
to ensure fine distribution, and these are enclosed in an inner conical case A made
of perforated material so that heat or any gas introduced through the external
case B through the inlet 3 (or other suitable inlet) will obtain direct contact with
the descending fluid while intimately divided, thus heating the same sufficiently to
obtain a distilled product which might pass through the exit pipe 6 or any other
suitable orifice (the vessel being closed by a cover C) or by which a descending
fluid may be intensely treated with other gas or fluid. The exit of the fluid aftor
treatment would issue from the bottom pipe and enter by the supply pipe D. In
figure 5 is an almost similar arrangement with the exception that the coned case A
is provided with a series of apertures. In both cases the coned chambers a a lave
their upper surfaces dished.
Figure 6 shows again a modified arrangement in which heat may be applied to a
descending fluid whilst in a state of high subdivision and agitation, the resulting
gaseous or distilled products being conveniently collected between oach coned chamber
by the pipes and carried to a collecting vessel G. It is found that the downward
current of the fluid will form a sufficient induction draught to draw gases or heat
through the said apertures into the interior of the chambers, or artificial draught
may be induced by fans or other suitable means.
In figures 7, 8 and 9 I show the adaptation of my coned vessels to an external
case provided with a series of joints, the chamber being introduced at each joint of
the case so as to be readily accessible in case of need. The only further peculiarities
of these arrangements is in the case of figure 7, the cones a a being placed base to
base, one closed as to the centre and provided with apertures round the periphery,
and the other with an aperture in the centre only, and are made of corrugated or
terraced material so as to form successive opposing angles for further agitation to the
passing fluid. I may provide inlets E and outlets E¹, as in figure 9, for the treatment
of the fluid by gas, heat, or other convenient substance in each of the different
sections, whilst the fluid passes in a state of agitation and subdivision.
Finally, as in figure 10, I may modify the construction of the coned chambers a a
by making their bases either flat or dished of perforated material, so as to produce
exceptional subdivision in a falling stream of fluid.
As illustrated in my improved separators, figure 11 shows the same coned

page_text: chambers a a in a coned containing vessel E, as in the case of figure 2, and others.
before described but with the current of the passing fluid directed upwards and thus
reversed.
In figure 12, the coned chambers a « are the same as those in figure 3,
but reversed with the points upwards and with the current reversed upwards through
them.
In figure 13, I modify the coned chambers a a by adding side apertures dd, by
which the sediment as it collects in the corners between the case and the coned
chambers may pass downwards or be readily washed downwards by a flush in
the opposite direction. The collected sediment may be withdrawn when desired
by a downward flush through the tap 64, or by the removal of the coned chambers
themselves.
In figures 14 and 15, the coned chambors a a have their nozzles y extended so as
to pass one within the other, the bottom nozzle being plugged; the ascending current
then passes through the side orifices, and through the space between the base of
each coned chamber and the nozzle g of the coned chamber above it which passes.
through it, the distinction in these two figures being that in figure 15 the internal
coned casing H is contained within an outer vessel L. The sediment in this case will
collect largely in the nozzles of the coned chambers, and can be flushed out at any
time by lifting the plug out of the lowest. The inlet of the fluid to be treated is at D
and the outlet at 6; in figure 15 a duplicated travel is given to the fluid within the
case L.
Figures 16 and 17 show the adaptation of these cones for separation to a case L'.
divided into successive sections, coned chambers being introduced at each joint.
These joints may be flanged and secured in any convenient way, or as in figure 17, inay
be socket and spigot joints.
In figures 18 and 19 I show the adaptation of the coned chamders a a as before
described in relation to figures 13 and 14, in a convenient manner within a brick or
masonry casing.
Where the solid matter is desired to be separated according to the size of the
particles in either an agitator or a separator, I arrange the openings in the base
of the coned chambers of suitable varied diameters to check the passing solid
particles, the smaller ones being carried on by the violence of the current, tho
speed of which may be regulated accordingly. This arrangement is particularly
applicable to figures 2, 10 and 11, and where suitable, these orifices may in the finer
degree consist of a mesh.
It is obvious that in all the preceding separating apparatus the apparatus is so
constructed as to produce decrease in the speed of an ascending current, and
constituting a very large part of the surface or space of the chambers as settling
surface or recesses by reason of the eddies formed thereover. These vessels may
be usod singly or in series or in various combinations together to effect important
operations of treating, washing, distillation or agitation of any fluid, and its
separation, treatment or purification, eithor independently or in combination, or
as a combined process, such processes being too numerous and varied to mention.
By the term "coned chamber" repeatedly used herein, I signify a conical
chamber, but of any outline of periphery of base, that is, either circular, square,
octagonal or polygonal, with or without extended nozzles, or of any shape; though
for clearness sake I have shown in some cases a few coned chambers, yet in practice I
prefer to employ a considerable number.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1st. One or a series of agitating chambers, provided with internal readily removable
coned chambers, and of any shape by which alternate distribution and contraction of
the descending fluid is obtained by which thorough acitation is ensured substantially

page_text: 2nd. Such an agitating vessel, provided with suitable inlets and outlets for the
admission or exit of gases hot, cold, or normal in temperature, or other suitable
material for the treatment of the passing fluid.
3rd. One or a series of separating vessels, provided with internal coned chambers,
to produce an intermittently decreasing speed of an ascending current, and by the
relative disposition of the orifices therein constituting the greater part of the settling
surface of the chambers by reason of the eddies formed thereover, substantially as
described.
4th. The combination of either such above described agitating or separating chamber
with an external case, leaving a space between the case and the internal chamber,
through which the fluid may be made to pass in an opposite direction to that in
which it passes through the said agitating or separating chamber, thus providing a
duplicated travel in each individual combined apparatus.
5th. In such an agitating or separating vessel, the coned chambers provided in the
base with openings of various specific sizes to separate the solid particles, according to
their respective bulk, substantially as described.
6th. The specific forms or construction of agitating apparatus as shown in
figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 herewith illustrated, or with equivalent modifi-
cations of design, substantially as described.
7th. The specific forms or construction of separating apparatus as shown in
figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 herewith illustrated or with equivalent
modifications of design, substantially as described.
Nated Uki. 512 L
1Q0Q
b day
December 1900
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.O.,
Agents for the Applicant.