IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL LIQUIDS AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1884

page_text: We, WILLIAM DONALDSON M.A. and M.I.O.E. and ISAAC SHONE, C.E and M.E and
EDWIN AULT, C.E and M.E. all of 4 Westminster Chambers, London, in the County
of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL LIQUIDS AND IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to certain improvements in the purification of sewage and
other foul liquids and to certain constructions of apparatus, or appliances which we
use in the system according to our Invention.
Our Invention consists in the purification of sewage and other foul liquids in the
following manner, by atmospheric oxygenation, the air used being either free atmo-
spheric air, or compressed air, or air which has been intermixed with a special
combination of gases, such as any gases that will destroy, or tend to destroy organic
matters contained in the foul liquids. For this purpose gases, such as sulphurous
acid gas, oxygen, chlorine, or other gases, or mixture of gases, having like purifying
properties may be used. The sewage, or other foul liquid (after mechanical clarifi-
cation) is according to our Invention formed into a spray, or sprays preferably by
passing it through plates perforated with very small holes through which the
sewage is passed, either upwards or downwards, or laterally simply by the force of
gravitation, or the foul liquid is forced either upwards, or downwards, or laterally
through the perforations in the plates by means of compressed air or gases, or by
ordinary pumping apparatus. The oxygenation of the foul liquid is effected either
by simply forming the jets of spray in the open air, or in closed chambers, through
which currents of pure air, or mixtures of air and special gases, or special gases
alone are forced in sufficient quantities by mechanical appliances. When closed
spray chambers are adopted, the air, or special gases, whether let out from a
reservoir at high tension, or simply driven into the chamber, or driven through it
by fans, or similar appliances, may advantageously be heated to a high temperature
to promote chemical combination. When compressed air is used to force the foul
liquid into spray the compressed air may be let into the bottom of an ejector, or
other machine for raising liquids by compressed air, so that the compressed air
itself will become intimately blended with the liquid before it is ejected through
CD 011

page_text: the spray forming orifices, into the atmosphere. When spray chambers are adopted,
the vapours arising from them and from the effluent gases from these chambers
may be collected and condensed and the products therefrom utilized. The closed
spray chamber consists of a vessel, the bottom, or top, or sides of which are per-
forated, or provided with perforated plates, or nozzle plates, through which.
perforations or nozzles the foul liquid is sprayed, either by gravity due to the head
of liquid, or by mechanical means. The interior of the chamber is provided with
baffle plates to direct the air, or gases into close contact with the sprays of foul
liquid, and one end of the chamber is open to a compressed air, or gas supply and
the other end of the chamber is provided with, a damper to regulate the pressure
of the air in the chamber and the chamber is provided with a trapped outlet for
the escape of the liquid after oxygenation. These closed chambers may be used
singly, or in series at different levels.
When treating foul liquids by free atmospheric air, the oxygenation is caused by
forcing foul liquid into a fountain spray open to the atmosphere, the fountain vessel
may be a circular dished vessel with an interior ring and outlets through which the
liquid after the first oxygenation is led to a second forcing apparatus and to a
second fountain, or if sufficiently purified to an outlet. In the case of cascading
the foul liquid by gravitation, the liquid flows onto a weir, the surface of which is
formed of a perforated plate through which the foul liquid sprays and falls to a
lower level, the oxygenation being caused by the falling of the spray of foul liquid
through the free atmospheric air. The cascading being repeated at different levels
until the liquid is sufficiently purified.
Dated this nineteenth day of Santamber 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
We WILLIAM DONALDSON M.A and M.I.C.E and ISAAC SHONE C.E and M.E and
EDWIN AULT C.E and M.E. all of 4 Westminster Chambers, London, in the County
of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL LIQUIDS AND IN APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREFOR and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
Our Invention relates to certain improvements in the purification of sewage and
other foul liquids and to certain constructions of apparatus, or appliances which we
use in the system according to our Invention.
Our Invention consists in the purification of sewage and other foul liquids in the
following manner; by atmospheric oxygenation, the air used being either free
atmospheric air, or compressed air, or air which has been intermixed with a special
combination of gases, such as any gases that will destroy, or tend to destroy organic
matters contained in the foul liquids. For this purpose gases, such as sulphurous
acid gas, oxygen, chlorine, or other gases, or mixture of gases, having like purifying
properties may be used. The sewage, or other foul liquid (after mechanical clarifi-
cation) is according to our Invention formed into a spray, or sprays, preferably by
passing it through plates perforated, with very small holes through which the
sewage is passed, either upwards or downwards, or laterally simply by the force of
gravitation, or the foul liquid is forced either upwards, or downwards, or laterally
through the perforations in the plates by means of compressed air, or gases or by
ordinary pumping apparatus. The oxygenation of the foul liquid is effected either
by simply forming the jets of spray in the open air, or in closed chambers, through
which currents of pure air, or mixtures of air and special gases, or special gases
alone are forced in sufficient quantities by mechanical appliances. When closed
spray chambers are adopted the air, or special gases, whether let out from a
reservoir at high tension, or simply driven into the chamber, or driven through it
by fans, or similar appliances, may advantageously be heated to a high temperature
to promote chemical combination. When compressed air is used to force the foul
liquid into spray the compressed air may be let into the bottom of an ejector, or
other machine for raising liquids by compressed air, so that the compressed air
itself will become intimately blended with the liquid before it is ejected through
the spray forming orifices, into the atmosphere. When spray chambers are adopted,
the vapours arising from them and from the effluent gases from these chambers
may be collected and condensed and the products therefrom utilized. The closed
spray chamber consists of a vessel the bottom, or top, or sides of which are per-
forated, or provided with perforated plates, or nozzle plates, through which
perforations or nozzles the foul liquid is sprayed, either by gravity due to the head
of liquid, or by mechanical means. The interior of the chamber is provided with
baffle plates to direct the air, or gases into close contact with the sprays of foul
liquid, and one end of the chamber is open to a compressed air, or gas supply and
the other end of the chamber is provided with a damper to regulate the pressure of
the air in the chamber and the chamber is provided with a trapped outlet for the
escape of the liquid after oxygenation. These closed chambers may be used singly
or in series at different levels,

page_text: When treating foul liquids by free atmospheric air, the oxygenation is caused by
forcing foul liquid into a fountain spray open to the atmosphere, the fountain
vessel may be a circular dished vessel with an interior ring and outlets through
which the liquid after the first oxygenation is led to a second forcing apparatus
and to a second fountain, or if sufficiently purified to an outlet. In the case of
cascading the foul liquid by gravitation the liquid flows onto a weir, the surface
of which is formed of a perforated plate through which the foul liquid sprays and
falls to a lower level, the oxygenation being caused by the falling of the spray of
foul liquid through the free atmospheric air. The cascading being repeated at
different levels until the liquid is sufficiently purified.
The beforegoing sets forth generally the object nature and purposes of our Inven-
tion but that the same may be more clearly defined we have hereunto attached two
sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof and making a part of this Specification.
The Drawings are marked with figures and letters of reference, like letters and
figures being used to denote like, or corresponding parts throughout the views.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of apparatus according to our Invention.
Figure 2 is a part sectional plan of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1-partly in section.
Figures 4 and 5 are details of the spray plate.
The above figures illustrate an apparatus according to our Invention, where we
employ mechanical means for moving the purifying gas, or gases, in which A is the
closed spray chamber above mentioned, which is supported by and fixed in a tank B
which is provided with a diaphragm wall B'. The bottom of the chamber A is
formed of a perforated plate a, having nozzles a¹. The interior of the chamber is
provided with the baffle plates b to direct the air, or gases into close contact with
the sprays of the liquid which rise through the nozzles a¹. One end of the
chamber A is open to the purifying gas supply pipe C and the opposite end is pro-
vided with a suitable regulating valve, or damper D. The liquid flows from the
chamber A down the trapped outlet E into a second tank B' which is provided
with identical apparatus to that just described. The chamber A is provided with
a plate F which together with the trapped outlet E form a dam to the upper, or first
tank B. It will be seen that this form of apparatus effects a multiple gravitating
method of purification; the number of tanks and number of times of submitting
the liquid to the purifying gases being regulated to the existing circumstances of
its application.
In operation the liquor to be purified flows from the tank B over the diaphragm B¹
and through the nozzles a¹ thus flowing in the chamber A in the form of sprays, or
jets. The gases pass over and round the liquid sprays thus depriving the liquid of
their foul, or impure properties.
The same effect is produced by the fountain and cascading modes of purifying in
the open atmosphere as above set forth and which are illustrated at Figures 6. 7. 8
and 9 in which
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a purifying fountain.
Figure 7 is a plan of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of the cascading apparatus, and
Figure 9 is a plan of Figure 8.
In reference to Figures 6 and 7 the liquid to be purified is forced by any suitable
forcing apparatus from the spray jet a which is fed by the supply pipe H. The
oxygenation is caused by the sprays coming in contact with the open atmosphere,
which burns or oxygenates the impurities of the liquid under treatment. The
fountain vessel B is provided with an interior ring I and an exterior ring I' which
form a duct K which conveys the purified or partially purified liquid to the well L
from whence it escapes by the pipe M.
The liquid thus treated may be taken to a second fountain and there treated in
like manner, or to any required number of fountains until the liquid is purified to
the required extent.

page_text: With reference to Figures 8 and 9 the foul liquid flows from the tank B onto the
the spray plate, or weir a and falls onto the lower level as shown. The oxygena-
tion in this case is caused by the passing of the spray through the open atmosphere
with which it comes in contact in its fall to the lower level. The cascading may
be repeated as many times as may be required for the extent of purification of the
foul liquids.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
First Exposing sewage and other foul liquids to the action of purifying gases by
artificial means as and for the purposes set forth.
Second Effecting the purification of sewage and other foul liquids by the appli-
cation of atmospheric air, or other purifying gases such as herein described either
the liquid, or the air, or both being artificially manipulated as set forth.
Third Purifying sewage and other foul liquids by passing atmospheric air, or
other purifying gases through a closed chamber, or chambers into which the liquid
issues in sprays, or small streams as set forth.
Fourth Purifying sewage and other foul liquids by passing such liquids in spray,
or fine streams through atmospheric air as set forth.
Fifth Exposing sewage and other foul liquids by causing such liquids to
ascend in spray, or fine streams through atmospheric air as and for the purposes set
forth.
Sixth Exposing sewage and other foul liquids by causing such liquids to
descend in spray, or fine streams through atmospheric air as and for the purposes
set forth.
Seventh The construction and arrangement of apparatus as set forth with
reference to Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 of the Drawings for the purposes described.
Eighth A closed chamber provided with a perforated bottom a and baffle plates b
as set forth for the purposes described with reference to Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 of
the Drawings.
Ninth The combination in a purifying apparatus of two, or more gravitating
tanks such as B and.purifying chambers such as A, as and for the purposes set
forth.
Tenth The construction and arrangement of apparatus as set forth with reference
to Figures 6 and 7 of the Drawings for the purposes described.
Eleventh The use of a perforated spray a for spreading sewage and other foul
liquids as set forth with reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the Drawings for the
purposes described.
Twelfth The use of a perforated open tray, or weir a for cascading sewage and
other foul liquids as set forth for the purposes described with reference to Figures
and 9 of the Drawings
Thirteenth The construction and arrangement of apparatus as set forth with
reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the Drawings for the purposes described.
Dated this nineteenth day of June 1885.
WILLIAM DONALDSON.
ISAAC SHONE.
EDWIN AULT.
By Cheesebrough & Royston,
Agents.