Liquids from Factories, Sewers, and the like.
Year: 1885

page_text: Liquids from Factories, Sewers, and the like..
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in
the County of Middlesex Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to separate from the effluent waters or liquids
of factories, sewers and the like, the solid suspended matter. The improved puri-
fication and decantation process is applicable to the effluent waters or liquids of
any factories as also to the system of sewerage for towns or for the treatment of
any other impure waste waters or other liquids, means being employed in the said
process whereby all strong or rapid currents of the liquid to be treated are avoided
so that, on the one hand by the slow ascending motion of the liquid, and on the
other hand by a uniform discharge or overflow of the same from the purifying tank
into the discharge passage or sewer, a liquid is obtained which is separated from
the solid impurities suspended therein, which may be either specifically lighter or
specifically heavier than liquid. The motion of the water is effected automatically
in the apparatus employed by producing and maintaining above the highest water
level a partial vacuum whereby a siphon like automatic discharge of the liquid
is obtained.
•
The arrangements of apparatus employed for this purpose are of two kinds, both
of which, however, operate according to the same principle of a slow movement of
the liquid in a vertical column, the said arrangements being applicable either
separately from each other or in combination. In the one system of such apparatus
which is termed the high-level apparatus, it is arranged above the ground line,
while in the second system, which is termed the low-level apparatus, it is arranged
below the ground line. These descriptions of apparatus are shewn in their several
modifications in the accompanying drawings..
Fig. 1 shews the high level apparatus with its central discharge and the separating
apparatus and the discharge apparatus for the deposited sludge; Figs. 2 to 6 shew

page_text: the vacuum valve to an enlarged scale; Fig. 8 shews a siphon-like arrangement as
a substitute for an air pump during working and the combination of a high level
apparatus with a low level apparatus; Fig. 9 shews a plan of Fig. 8; Fig. 10
shews the same arrangements as Fig. 1 with a pump and the combination of the
bigh level with the low level apparatus; Fig. 11 is a plan of Fig. 10; Figs. 12
to 21 shew the low level apparatus with the various arrangements for the separating
process; in Figs. 22, 23, 24 and 25 are shewn the general arrangements of the said
apparatus for clarifying liquids, shewing elevation and plan for large instalations
with four high level apparatus and four low level apparatus combined.
The high level apparatus is shown at Fig. 1 in sectional diagram, the liquid to
be treated by this apparatus may contain either only mechanical impurities or it
may also contain chemical impurities, in which case chemical substances may be
mixed therewith before entering the said apparatus whereby the impurities are
bound so as to produce a flocculent deposit thereof. The apparatus consists of a
bell or casing b which dips into the liquid in the reservoir a and is connected by
means of a pipe I with a pump so that a partial vacuum is produced and maintained
in the space above the liquid in the bell b, so that the pressure of the outer atmosphere
upon the level of the liquid in the reservoir a will raise the liquid in the bell to such
a height as to flow off through the pipe B. During the slow ascent of the liquid in
the bell a deposit of the mechanically mixed impurities will take place, which
deposit will collect in the reservoir as also in the lower part of the bell, from which
it is either removed by a dredging apparatus as shewn at Fig. 1 or by a pumping.
apparatus as shewn at Fig. 10, the discharge of the clarified liquid taking place at
the upper level. In order to perfectly clarify the discharged liquid as also to
ensure the perfect action of the whole apparatus, it is necessary in addition to the
very slow ascending motion of the liquid, so as to have time for discharging its
impurities, that the discharge of the liquid shall not produce a lateral current in
any one direction, as by such current, not only would a disturbance of the deposit
be effected, but the retention of a certain quantity of impurities in the liquid would
be likely to take place. In order to prevent such current, the discharge arrange-
ment at Fig. 1 shewn also in the sections III IV and V VI at Figs. 3 and 4, consists
of an annular trough A arranged against the side of the bell b which is connected
to a concentric trough B, arranged at the same height, by means of channels or
intermediate troughs C. The second trough B is on the other hand connected by
channels or passages D with the centrally arranged 'discharge pipe E the upper end
of which projects above the maximum level of the liquid, and bends off at some
distance below the level of the liquid to the side of the bell through which it passes
In order to discharge the liquid into the external conduits. The level of the liquid
is so arranged that, as a rule, it only reaches up to the edge of the above described
discharge arrangement, or at most slightly above the same, so that the liquid which
arrives in the upper part of the bell in a purified condition flows over into the
troughs A and B from which it passes through the channels or tubes C and D into
the central discharge pipe E, from which it is discharged.. By this means all lateral
Currents are avoided and thus the above mentioned difficulties cannot arise.
For the better distribution of the liquid flowing through the apparatus, there
may be arranged below the discharge contrivance a perforated plate F, and there
may be a similar perforated plate G, either at the bottom of the bell or at any
other point in the height thereof corresponding to the consistency of the deposited
sludge, which plates may be so perforated, as shewn in the section I II Fig. 2, that
the holes vary both in number and size in the direction from the centre to the
periphery or they may be provided with uniform perforations all over their
surface, according to the nature of the liquid treated, so as to ensure a uniform
distribution of the liquid throughout the apparatus.
In order to prevent the suction of the liquid by means of the air pump a liquid
separator is employed which is shewn at H Fig. 1. It consists of a vessel, with
the lower part of which the air pipe I from the bell 6 communicates. The upper
part of the vessel is connected by the pipe K with the air-pump so that any liquid

page_text: carried over by the pipe I will remain in the vessel H. The liquid separator also
has an air cock L and a blow-off cock M, and the pipe I is provided with a shut off
cock or valve Z in order that, should the level of the liquid in the liquid separator
rise too high, the cock Z may be closed and the liquid discharged from H.
In order to produce a uniform suction by the air pump, an air vessel is provided
on the pipe leading to the same; the vessel H may itself serve in some cases as
such air vessel. In employing this arrangement the air pump need only. be put in
action when the vacuum has sunk below a certain degree in order to maintain the
liquid in the vessel b at the required level. If, however, a continuous action of the
air pump is necessary, in particular with large apparatus that have but little super-
vision, the exhaust pipe I is provided with a vacuum valve N shewn to an enlarged
scale at Fig. 7. This vacuum. valve opens inwards and is acted upon by a spring
or lever in such manner that it is kept closed up to a certain maximum degree of
vacuum. Should this maximum be exceeded, then, on the continued action of the
air pump, air will be drawn in through this valve so that the pump can continue to
work without producing an excess of vacuum in the vessel b. The use of an air
pump during the operation of the apparatus may be entirely avoided if the arrange-
ment shewn at Fig. 8 is employed. This consists of a pipe O dipping below the
level of the liquid and which may be closed by means of a valve P. It is in com-
munication with the pipe Q which is also in communication with the air space of
the bell by means of a cock R. The branch leading from the cock R into the
pipe has a downwardly directed nozzle S inside the pipe Q, so that if a continuous
discharge is effected through the siphon-like arrangement O. Q, a simultaneous
suction of air is effected from the air space of the vessel b producing the requisite
vacuum which may be regulated by means of the cock R.
In order to bring this apparatus into action in the first instance, the lower end of
the pipe O is closed by a valve P and liquid is charged into the pipes OQ through
a funnel T provided with a cock U, the lower end of the. pipe Q being also closed
at the time by means of a valve V. The above described arrangement operates
as follows:-
=
The discharge pipe Q dips into the discharge compartment of the pipe E or into a
separate tank the water level in which is either at the same or at a somewhat
lower level than that of the compartment into which the pipe E discharges, the
pipe being made to dip deeper than the pipe E. Consequently, by the siphon-
like arrangement of the pipes O Q, of which the pipe O dips below the water level
in the vessel b, a discharge of liquid will take place from the vessel through the
pipe Q, whereby, at the same time, air will be drawn out of the air space of the
vessel through the cock R and nozzle S; thus continuously removing the air that
accumulates in the said air space. In order to remove also, the specifically lighter
impurities which collect on the upper surface of the purified water with as little
lateral current as possible, the vessel b is provided at such upper level with an
annular discharge trough W as shewn at Figs. 1 and 6, the sectional area of such
trough being reduced at the outlet branch X by means of a curved shield Y in
such manner that the velocity of flow is rendered approximately uniform in the
whole trough by means of this restricted area.
The above mentioned low level apparatus is shown at Figs. 12 and 13 it also
operates according to the above described method of producing a slow current of
the liquid and it effects the separation of the impurities by the employment of a
separating device. This low level apparatus consists of a large reservoir A of any
suitable section, and which may either be of metal or masonry, the bottom being
inclined towards a deposit B arranged at the side of the same while the upper end
is formed of trough shape, so that the liquid flowing over the entire circumference
of the edge C, collects in the trough D from which it flows off into the discharge
channel E.
At any convenient point near the reservoir is a tank F connected with the
supply pipe of the liquid and from which the liquid to be purified flows through a
pipe
into the decantation reservoir. The pipe g terminates in a funnel-shaped

page_text: mouth h of a configuration corresponding to that of the section of the tank, and
which forms the separating device, so that the incoming liquid in flowing, in the
direction of the arrows, has its velocity considerably retarded, and in moving
upwards at a very slow speed is made to deposit the specifically heavier suspended
matter on to the bottom of the tank from which it passes through the opening J
into the deposit tank B whence it is removed either continuously by a pumping
apparatus or the discharge may be effected intermittently by providing the
opening J with a moveable slide. For the effective action of the apparatus, a
small difference of level, z, varying according to the nature of. the liquid, must be
maintained between the levels of the incoming and out-flowing liquids such
difference of level being insured in constructing the apparatus by arranging the
overflow edge C of the trough D somewhat deeper than the adopted level of the
supply. In order to ensure this difference of level, the upper edge of the reservoir
may also be provided with moveable slides K by means of which the height x of
the difference of level may be regulated according to circumstances.
Fig. 14 shews a modification of the separating device shewn at Fig. 12.
In this case the pipe G is continued down to the lower edge of the trumpet
mouth and the latter is formed with louvre like sections h¹ h² h³ overlapping each
.other, so that the liquid discharged from the pipe G will find its way through the
openings between the sections at various points, as indicated by the arrows and
thus an effective distribution of the incoming liquid over the whole surface of the
reservoir will be effected, thus ensuring an effective separation of the specifically
heavy impurities. With the two above-described separating arrangements, it is
.mainly essential that the inlet pipe g should be perfectly central and that the
extreme edge of the trumpet mouth should correspond exactly in configuration
with the section of the reservoir, as by this means, in combination with the
uniform overflow over the upper edge into the trough D, any lateral current will
be avoided, as all the particles of liquid issuing from the edge of the central inlet
pipe will have to move through the same distance in order to arrive at the edge of
the overflow at top, thus ensuring a uniform ascensional motion of the liquid.
The same effect would also be produced, but to a somewhat less extent, if the
pipe g were itself terminated in a mouth corresponding in forin to that of the tank
or if, as shewn in Fig. 15, it enters directly into the trumpet mouth having a form
corresponding to the section of the reservoir. The conical mouth or shield h may
also be formed with perforations as shewn at Fig. 16 or a flat perforated shield
may be used as shewn at Fig. 17.
A further modification of this separating device is shewn at Figs. 8 and 10 as
also 20 and 21. In these cases the pipe g, through which the liquid to be purified
is delivered into the decantation reservoir a, terminates in a trumpet shaped
mouth through which the liquid flows into a funnel shaped pipe n into the
downwardly directed part o of which the coarser solid impurities are deposited
while the liquid with the remaining impurities passes upward from the mouth of
the pipe g through the perforations of the hood y in a perfectly distributed manner
into the decantation vessel a whence it rises up into the bell b to be further treated
as above described. The funnel shaped mouth n corresponds in configuration to
the cross section of the reservoir, whether this be round, rectangular, or of other
shape, in order to effect a uniform distribution of the incoming liquid. Figs. 18
and 19 shew a further modification of the separating device. In this case the
admission of the liquid into the reservoir is not effected centrally but is distributed
round the circumference thereof and the reversal of the motion of the liquid is
effected by the introduction of a second casing, the slow discharge of the purified
liquid being effected by an overflow arrangement within the second casing. The
supply is effected through the pipe or channel G which branches at G and G2
annularly round the reservoir and has a series of openings 01 02, in consequence of
which the liquid does not enter at one place only, but at several points round the
circumference of the reservoir. The latter contains a second casing C so that the
inflowing liquid passes in a downward direction through the annular space between

page_text: the sides of the inner casing of the reservoir from which space it ascends through
the inner casing where it meets the above described arrangement of louvre shaped
hood H or perforated or non-perforated distributing plates, by which means the
uniform distribution of the liquit is effected during the upward motion. The
distributing hood is carried by a central pipe R passing up above the level of the
liquid, through which the connecting rod of a pump may be passed for removing
the deposit. The inner casing C has an overflow arrangement at E into which the
clarified liquid flows and from which it passes away through the discharge pipe F,
which may either be arranged below the supply channel, as indicated, or in any
other convenient manner.
The described arrangements of the high level apparatus and of the low level
apparatus are both based on the same principle of action, and may also be combined
in certain cases, the high level apparatus being arranged immediately above the
low level apparatus. Such a combination of the apparatus is shewn at Figs. 8, 10,
22, 23, 24 and 25. In this combined apparatus I II III IV indicate the bell, E¹ E'
E3 E the discharge pipe for the clarified liquid J1 J2 J3 J4 the connection with the
air pump, A the lower decantation reservoir, Z the supply channel for the impure
liquid, the distribution channels for the supply, A K the discharge channel
for the clarified liquid, t the discharge channel for the specifically lighter solid
particles. In these cases there is shewn at Figs. 22, 23, 24 and 25 the combination
of four similar apparatus which arrangement is particularly suitable for operating
on large masses of liquid. In this case all the apparatus have one common supply
channel Z divided by the partitions 2 so as to conduct the supply to the several
apparatus I II III IV. The discharge channels E E E E from each apparatus
are also made to communicate with one main discharge channel A K and all four
apparatus may also be worked by means of one and the same air pump communi-
cating by means of the several pipes J1 J2 J3 J4, provided with shut off valves,
with each of the apparatus I II III IV.
Lastly, it is to be observed that this combination of the high level and low level
apparatus may be effected either in arranging both concentrically above or in the
reservoir, so that the deposit is withdrawn directly from the bell band from the
reservoir situated immediately below it, as shewn on Figs. 22 and 23 or the high
level apparatus may be arranged eccentrically relatively to the low level apparatus
in which case the removal of the deposit is effected either .from a lateral well or
from the reservoir itself as indicated at Figs. 8 and 9.
1005
1.

page_text: uying UHO
Liquids from Factories, Sewers, and the like.
от
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in
the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, 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 has for its object to separate from the effluent waters or liquids
of factories sewers and the like, the solid suspended matter. The improved purifi-
cation and decantation process is applicable to the effluent waters or liquids of any
factories as also to the system of sewage for towns, or for the treatment of any
other impure waste waters or other liquids, means being employed in the said
process whereby all strong or rapid currents of the liquid to be treated are avoided,
so that, on the one hand, by the slow ascending motion of the liquid and, on the
other hand, by a uniform discharge or overflow of the same from the purifying
tank into the discharge passage or sewer, a liquid is obtained which is separated
from the solid impurities suspended therein, which may be either specifically
lighter or specifically heavier than liquid. The motion of the water is effected
automatically in the apparatus employed by producing and maintaining, above the
highest water level, a partial vacuum whereby a siphon like automatic discharge of
the liquid is obtained.
The arrangements of apparatus employed for this purpose are of two kinds, both
of which, however, operate according to the same principle of a slow movement of
the liquid in the vertical column, the said arrangements being applicable either
separately from each other or in combination. In the one system of such apparatus,
which is termed the high level apparatus, it is arranged above the ground line,
while in the second system, which is termed the low level apparatus, it is arranged
below the ground line. These descriptions of apparatus are shewn in their several
modifications in the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.
Fig. 1 shews the high level apparatus with its central discharge and the
separating apparatus and the discharge apparatus for the deposited sludge; Figs. 2
to 6 shew horizontal sections I II, III IV, V VI, VII VIII and IX.X of Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 7 shews the vacuum valve to an enlarged scale; Fig. 8 shews a siphon like
arrangement as a substitute for an air pump during working and the combination
of a high level apparatus with a low level apparatus; Fig. 9 shews a plan of
Fig. 8; Fig. 10 shews the same arrangement as Fig. 1 with a pump and the com-
bination of the high level with the low level apparatus; Fig. 11 is a plan of
Fig. 10; Figs. 12 to 21 shew the low level apparatus with the various arrange-
ments for the separating process; in Figs. 22, 23, 24 and 25 are shewn the
general arrangements of the said apparatus for clarifying liquids, shewing elevation
and plan for large installations with four high level apparatus and four low level
apparatus combined.
-
The high level apparatus is shewn at Fig. 1 in sectional diagram. The liquids to
be treated by this apparatus may contain either only mechanical impurities or it

page_text: may also contain chemical impurities, in which case chemical substances may be
mixed therewith before entering the 'said apparatus whereby the impurities are
bound so as to produce a flocculent deposit thereof. The apparatus consists of a
bell or casing b which dips into the liquid in the reservoir a and is connected by
means of a pipe I with a pump so that a partial vacuum is produced and main-
tained in the space above the liquid in the bell b, so that the pressure of the outer
atmosphere upon the level of the liquid in the reservoir a will raise the liquid in
the bell to such a height as to flow off through the pipe E. During the slow ascent
of the liquid in the bell a deposit of the mechanically mixed impurities will take
place, which deposit will collect in the reservoir as also in the lower part of the
bell from which it is either removed by a dredgeng apparatus, as shewn at Fig. 1, or
by a pumping apparatus, as shewn at Fig. 10, the discharge of the clarified liquid
taking place at the upper level. In order to perfectly clarify the discharged liquid,
as also to ensure the perfect action of the whole apparatus, it is necessary, in
addition to the very slow ascending motion of the liquid so as to have time for
discharging its impurities, that the discharge of the liquid shall not produce a
lateral current in any one direction, as by such a current not only would a dis-
turbance of the deposit be effected but the retention of a certain quantity of
impurities in the liquid would be likely to take place. In order to prevent such
current, the discharge arrangement at Fig. 1, shewn also in the sections III IV
and V VI at Figs. 3 and 4, consists of an annular trough A arranged against the
side of the bell b which is connected to a concentric trough B arranged at the same
height by means of channels or intermediate troughs C. The second trough B is
on the other hand connected by channels or passages D with the centrally arranged
discharge pipe E, the upper end of which projects above the maximum level of the
liquid and bends off at some distance below the level of the liquid to the side of
the bell through which it passes in order to discharge the liquid into the external
conduits. The level of the liquid is so arranged that as a rule it only reaches up
to the edge of the above described discharge arrangement or, at most, slightly
above the same, so that the liquid which arrives in the upper part of the bell in a
purified condition flows over into the troughs A and B from which it passes
through the channels or tubes C and D into the central discharge pipe E from
which it is discharged. By this means all lateral currents are avoided and thus the
above mentioned difficulties cannot arise.
For the better distribution of the liquid flowing through the apparatus, there
may be arranged below the discharge contrivance a perforated plate F and there
may be a similar perforated plate G either at the bottom of the bell or at any
other point in the height thereof corresponding to the consistency of the deposited
sludge, which plates may be so perforated, as shewn in the section I II Fig. 2, that
the holes vary both in number and size in the direction from the centre to the
periphery, or they may be provided with uniform perforations all over their surface,
according to the nature of the liquid treated, so as to insure a uniform distribution
of the liquid throughout the apparatus.
In order to prevent the suction of the liquid by means of the air pump, a liquid
separator is employed which is shewn at H Fig. 1. It consists of a vessel with
the lower part of which the air pipe I from the bell b communicates. The upper
part of the vessel is connected by the pipe K with the air pump so that any liquid
carried over by the pipe I will remain in the vessel H. The liquid separator also
has an air cock L and a blow off cock M and the pipe I is provided with a shut
off cock or valve Z in order that, should the level of the liquid in the liquid
separator rise too high, the cock Z may be closed and the liquid discharged
from H.
In order to produce a uniform suction by the air pump, an air vessel is provided
on the pipe leading to the same; the vessel H may itself serve in some cases as
such air vessel. In employing this arrangement the air pump need only be put in
action when the vacuum has sunk below a certain degree, in order to maintain the
liquid in the vessel b at the required level. If, however, a continuous action of the

page_text: air pump is necessary, in particular with large apparatus that have but little
supervision, the exhaust pipe I is provided. with a vacuum valve N shewn to an
enlarged scale at Fig. 7. This vacuum valve opens inwards and is acted upon by a
spring or lever in such manner that it is kept closed up to a certain maximum
degree of vacuum. Should this maximum be exceeded then, on the continued
action of the air pump, air will be drawn in through this valve so that the pump
can continue to work without producing an excess of vacuum in the vessel b. The
use of an air pump during the operation of the apparatus may be entirely avoided
if the arrangement shewn at Fig. 8 is employed. This consists of a pipe O dipping
below the level of the liquid and which can be closed by means of a valve P. It
is in communication with the pipe Q which is also in communication with the air
space of the bell by means of a cock R. The branch leading from the cock R into
the pipe has a downwardly directed nozzle S inside the pipe Q so that if a
continuous discharge is effected through the siphon like arrangement OQ a
simultaneous suction of air is effected from the air space of the vessel b producing
the requisite vacuum which may be regulated by means of the cock R.
In order to bring this apparatus into action in the first instance the lower end of
the pipe is closed by a valve P and liquid is charged into the pipes OQ through
a funnel T provided with a cock U, the lower end of the pipe Q being also closed
at the time by means of a valve V. The above described arrangement operates as
follows:
The discharge pipe Q dips into the discharge compartment of the pipe E or into
a separate tank, the water level in which is either at the same or at a somewhat
lower level than that of the compartment into which the pipe E discharges, the
pipe being made to dip deeper than the pipe E. Consequently by the siphon
like arrangement of the pipes O Q, of which the pipe O dips below the water level
in the vessel b a discharge of liquid will take place from the vessel through the
pipe whereby at the same time air will be drawn out of the air space of the
vessel b through the cock R and nozzle S, thus continuously removing the air that
accumulates in the said air space. In order to remove also the specifically lighter
impurities which collect on the upper surface of the purified water with as little
lateral current as possible, the vessel bis provided at such upper level with an
annular discharge trough W as shewn at Figs. 1 and 6, the sectional area of such
trough being reduced at the outlet branch X by means of a curved shield Y in such
manner that the velocity of flow is rendered approximately uniform in the whole
trough by means of this restricted area.
The above mentioned low level apparatus is shewn at Figs. 12 and 13; it also
operates according to the above described method of producing a slow current of
the liquid and it effects the separation of the impurities by the employment of a
separating device. This low level apparatus consists of a large reservoir A of any
suitable section and which may either be of metal or masonry, the bottom being
inclined towards a deposit pit B arranged at the side of the same, while the upper
end is formed of a trough shape so that the liquid flowing over the entire
circumference of the edge C collects in the trough D from which it flows off into
the discharge channel E.
At any convenient point near the reservoir is a tank F connected with a supply
pipe of the liquid and from which the liquid to be purified flows through a pipe y
into the decantation reservoir. The pipe g terminates in a funnel shaped mouth h
of a configuration corresponding to that of the section of the tank and which forms
the separating device so that the incoming liquid in flowing in the direction of the
arrows has its velocity considerably retarded and in moving upwards at a very
slow speed is made to deposit the specifically heavier suspended matter on to the
bottom of the tank from which it passes through the opening J into the deposit
tank B whence it is removed either continuously by a pumping apparatus, or the
discharge may be effected intermittently by providing the opening J with a
movable slide. For the effective action of the apparatus a small difference of
level x varying according to the nature of the liquid must be maintained between
c"

page_text: the levels of the incoming and outflowing liquids, such difference of level being.
insured in constructing the apparatus by arranging the overflow edge C of the
trough D somewhat deeper than the adopted level of the supply. In order to
ensure this difference of level the upper edge of the reservoir may also be provided
with movable slides K by means of which the height x of the difference of level.
may be regulated according to circumstances.
Fig. 14 shews a modification of the separating device shewn at Fig. 12. In this
case the pipe G is continued down to the lower edge of the trumpet mouth and the
latter is formed with louvre like sections h¹.h² h³ overlapping each other so that
the liquid discharged from the pipe G will find its way through the openings
between the sections at various points as indicated by the arrows and thus an
effective distribution of the incoming liquid over the whole surface of the reservoir
will be effected, thus ensuring an effective separation of the specifically heavy
impurities. With the two above described separating arrangements it is mainly.
essential that the inlet pipe g should be perfectly central and that the extreme
edge of the trumpet mouth h should correspond exactly in configuration with the
section of the reservoir as by this means in combination with the uniform overflow
over the upper.edge into the trough D any lateral current will be avoided as all the.
particles of liquid issuing from the edge of the central inlet pipe will have to move
through the same distance in order to arrive at the edge of the overflow at top,
thus insuring a uniform ascensional motion of the liquid. The same effect would
also be produced, but to a somewhat less extent if the pipe g were itself terminated
in a mouth corresponding in form to that of the tank or if, as shewn at Fig. 15, it
enters directly into the trumpet mouth having a form corresponding to the section
of the reservoir. The conical mouth or shield h may also be formed with per-
forations as shewn at Fig. 16 or a flat perforated shield may be used as shewn at
Fig. 17.
:
A further modification of this separating device is shewn at Figs. 8 and 10 as
also 20 and 21. In these cases the pipe g through which the liquid to be purified
is delivered into the decantation reservoir a terminates in a trumped shaped
mouth through which the liquid flows into a funnel shaped pipe n into the
downwardly directed part o of which the coarser solid impurities are deposited
while the liquid with the remaining impurities passes upward from the mouth of
the pipe g through the perforations of the hood y in a perfectly distributed manner
into the decantation vessel a whence it rises up into the bell b to be further treated
as above described. The funnel shaped mouth n corresponds in configuration to
the cross section of the reservoir whether this be round, rectangular or of other
shape in order to effect a uniform distribution of the incoming liquid. Figs. 18
and 19 shew & further modification of the separating device. In this case the
admission of the liquid into the reservoir is not effected centrally but is distributed
round the circumference thereof and the reversal of the motion of the liquid is
effected by the introduction of a second casing, the slow discharge of the purified
liquid being effected by an overflow arrangement within the second casing. The
supply is effected through the pipe or channel G which branches at G¹ and G³
annularly round the reservoir and has a series of openings 0' 0³ in consequence of
which the liquid does not enter at one place only but at several points round the
circumference of the reservoir. The latter contains a second casing C so that the
inflowing liquid passes in a downward direction through the annular space between
the sides of the inner casing of the reservoir from which space it ascends through
the inner casing where it meets the above described arrangement of louvre shaped
hood H or perforated or non perforated distributing plates by which means a
uniform distribution of the liquid is effected during the upward motion. The
distributing hood is carried by a central pipe R passing up above the level of the
liquid through which the connecting rod of a pump may be passed for removing
the deposit. The inner casing C has an overflow arrangement at E into which the
clarified liquid flows and from which it passes away through the discharge pipe F

page_text: which may either be arranged below the supply channel as indicated or in any
other convenient manner.
The described arrangements of the high level apparatus and of the low level
apparatus are both based on the same principle of action and may also be combined
in certain cases, the high level apparatus being arranged immediately above the
low level apparatus. Such a combination of the apparatus is shewn at Figs. 8, 10,
22, 23, 24 and 25. In this combined apparatus I II, III IV indicate the bell,
E E E E the discharge pipe for the clarified liquid, J1 J2 J3 J the connection
with the air pump, A the lower decantation reservoir, Z the supply channel for the
impure liquid, zzzz the distribution channels for the supply; A K the discharge
channel for the clarified liquid, t the discharge, channel for the specifically lighter
solid particles. In these cases there is shewn at Figs. 22, 23, 24 and 25 the combi-
nation of four similar apparatus, which arrangement is particularly suitable for
operating on large masses of liquid. In this case all the apparatus have one
common supply channel Z divided by the partitions z so as to conduct the supply
to the seperal apparatus I II, III IV. The discharge channels E¹ E³ E³ E* from
each apparatus are also made to communicate with one main discharge channel A K
and all four apparatus may also be worked by means of one and the same air pump
communicating by means of the several pipes J1 J2 J3 J₁ provided with shut off
valves with each of the separate apparatus I II, III IV.
Lastly it is to be observed that this combination of the high level and low level
apparatus may be effected either in arranging both concentrically above or in the
reservoir so that the deposit is withdrawn directly from the bell b and from the
reservoir situated immediately below it as shewn on Figs. 22 and 23, or the high
level apparatus may be arranged eccentrically relatively to the low level apparatus
in which case the removal of the deposit is effected either from a lateral well or
from the reservoir itself as indicated at Figs. 8 and 9.
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, in respect of apparatus for separating solid matter from the effluent waters
or other liquids of towns factories and other localities, is :-
1. The combination, with the bell or vessel b, raised above the ordinary level of
the liquid to be treated, of the pipe J communicating with an air pump for the
purpose of raising the liquid in the bell to a higher level by means of exhaust of a
central discharge pipe E, and of concentric discharge channels or pipes A B commu-
nicating with each other and with the discharge pipe E by connecting channels CD,
substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings.
2. In combination with apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claim,
the use of screens of the same or different size arranged below the discharge device
as also at or within the lower part of the bell b, for the purpose of uniformly dis-
tributing the inflowing liquid, substantially as herein described with reference to
Figs. 1 and 2.
3. The construction of water separating apparatus H communicating at its lower
part with the exhaust pipe J of the bell b, and at its upper part with the pipe K
leading to the air pump, whereby the air exhausted by the pump will always be
free of moisture, the apparatus being employed either with or without a vacuum
valve N for enabling the air pump to work continuously substantially as herein
described with reference to Fig. 1.
4. The use in combination with the exhaust pipe leading from the bell b to the
air pump of an air vessel for neutralising the pulsations resulting from the strokes
of the pump, and preventing the consequent fluctuations of the water level in the
bell, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1.
5. The use in combination with the bell b of a siphon like apparatus consisting
of a pipe O dipping into the liquid in the bell, a pipe Q discharging at a lower
level than the discharge pipe E, with suitable valves P, V, a filling funnel T, and

page_text: a nozzle S in the pipe Q communicating with the air space of the bell through a
cock R, for the discharge of air from the bell during the working of the apparatus,
substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 8.
6. The use in combination with the bell b, of an overflow channel W situated at
the level where the specifically lighter particles of solid matter accumulate, in com-
bination with a plate Y for reducing the sectional area of the channel at the
discharge opening, and thus preventing lateral currents, substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 1 and 6.
7. The construction of low level apparatus for clarifying and decanting effluent
liquids, consisting of a reservoir or tank in which the direction of the inflowing
liquid is changed by a separating device on its way to a discharge channel D
situated below the level of the supply channel and into which it overflows in a
uniformly distributed manner over an adjustable wall C, substantially as herein
described with reference to Figs. 12 and 15.
8. The use of separating devices herein described with reference to Figs. 12
and 17, consisting in providing the supply pipe g with one or more hoods, mouths
or shields which may be conical or flat, with or without perforations, or arranged
in louvré form.
9. The use of separating devices herein described with reference to Figs. 8
and 10, 20 and 21, consisting in the central supply pipe g with trumpet mouth h
which discharges the liquid to be purified onto the funnel shaped pipe n, which
may or may not be provided at top with a perforated shield or other distributing
device.
.
10. The use of the separating device herein described with reference to Figs. 18
and 19, wherein the supply of liquid takes place at the circumference of the
reservoir the supply channel being provided with a number of discharge openings
through which the liquid enters the annular space between the walls of the
reservoir and an inner casing C, so that after descending, in the said space, the
liquid is made to ascend again within the casing C, being uniformly distributed by
the distributing hood.
11. The combination of low level and high level purifying apparatus, either con-
centrically one above the other or arranged eccentrically of each other, whereby
the more perfect purification of the effluent liquids is obtained by subjecting them
to a preliminary decantation process, substantially as herein described with refer-
ence to Figs. 22 to 25.