Improvements in Apparatus for Softening and Purifying Water.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 24th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Softening and Purifying Water.
ALFRED SMITH 6 Alderton Road Camberwell S.E. Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention has for its object the improved arrangement and construction of
apparatus for softening and purifying water by means of lime or other reagents in
a more rapid and simple manner than is the case with any other known method.
66
In order to attain the above advantages I use a "mixer," in which the hard
water and the reagent, either in a dry or liquid form, meet, and a softening
cistern" in which the process of softening takes place, both constructed as herein-
after described.
The "mixer" consists of a cistern of a suitable size and shape, divided into two
parts by an inclined division extending its whole length and fitted on the upper
surface with corrugated material in such a manner that the hard water and the
reagent being delivered on the highest part of the division, flow to the sides of the
mixer, pass through the channels formed by the corrugations and meet in a central
channel, becoming thoroughly mixed before passing out at the lower part of the
Under
division through an opening in end of "mixer to the "softening cistern."
the division gas jets, hot water or steam pipes are fitted for the purpose of raising
the temperature of the water passing over the division, in order to quicken the
chemical process of softening.
The "softening cistern" is constructed of a suitable size and shape, depending
upon the nature of the water and the quantity to be softened per hour, fitted in
the centre, with an upright hollow shaft or funnel to receive the water from the
"mixer," the top being level with top of "softening cistern" and extending to
within a few inches of the bottom, or it may be continued to the bottom and fitted
with pipes, perforated at suitable distances along their entire length, and extending
across the cistern near the bottom.
It is also fitted with a trough extending completely round the upper part for the
purpose of collecting the softened water and delivering it to outlet, or it may be
constructed with a solid division near the inlet side extending the entire length and
from the top to nearly the bottom, or extending to the bottom and fitted with a
series of pipes perforated at suitable distances along their entire length and
extending across the cistern near the bottom, and at the opposite or outlet side a
solid division or weir extending the entire length of cistern and from the bottom to
nearly the top.
"
By the first arrangement the water with which the reagent is mixed is received
in the "softening cistern " from "mixer" in the shaft or funnel, passes under the
bottom or through the perforated pipes into the body of cistern & rises until it
flows into the trough, & passes through the outlet softened and ready for use.
When the "softening cistern is fitted with divisions the mixture is received in
the small compartiment formed by the division near inlet side of cistern, passes
under the bottom of division or through the perforated pipes into the space
between the two divisions, and rises until the softened water flows over the weir
and passes through outlet.
The "softening cistern" may also be fitted with perforated plates laid horizontally
near the bottom on suitable supports.
During the passage of the water through the "softening cistern" the chemical
action is completed, and the matters previously held in solution are in suspension ;
but owing to the rate at which the water travels the particles in suspension are not

page_text: carried to the surface of the water, which passes into the trough, or over the weir,
softened and ready for use.
I do not confine myself to the use of one "softening cistern" only in any
particular apparatus, but may use two or more, arranged and connected in a suitable
manner.
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ALFRED SMITH.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Softening and Purifying Water.
ALFRED SMITH 6 Alderton Road Camberwell S.E. Engineer 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 the improved arrangement and construction of
apparatus for softening and purifying water by means of lime or other reagents
more rapid and simple manner than is the case with any other known
in a
method.
In order to attain the above advantages I use a "mixer" in which the hard
water and the reagent, either in a dry or liquid form, meet, and a "softening
cistern" in which the process of softening takes place, both constructed as
hereinafter described.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into practice I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 is a sketch of softening cistern constructed with collecting gutter
running round it, and inlet shaft :-a. a being the cistern, b. b the collecting gutter,
c the inlet shaft, and d the outlet.
Figure 2 is a sketch of softening cistern constructed with vertical divisions :-
a. a being the cistern, b. c the divisions and d the outlet.
C
Figures 3 and 4 are sketches of the mixer :-a a being the cistern and b. b shewing
how the corrugated material is fitted.
The arrows shew the direction in which the water flows.
The mixer consists of a cistern of a suitable size and shape (a. a) divided into
two parts by an inclined division extending its whole length and fitted on the upper
surface with corrugated material (b. b) in such a manner that the hard water and
the reagent being delivered on the highest part of the division flow to the sides of
the mixer, pass through the channels formed by the corrugations and meet in a
central channel, becoming thoroughly mixed before passing out at the lower part
of the division through an opening in end of mixer to the softening cistern. Under
the division gas jets, hot water or steam pipes are fitted for the purpose of raising
the temperature of the water passing over the division, in order to quicken the
chemical process of softening.
The softening cistern (Fig. 1) is constructed of a suitable size and shape,
depending upon the nature of the water and the quantity to be softened, fitted in
the centre with an upright hollow shaft or funnel (c) open top and bottom, to receive
the water from the mixer, the top being about level with top of cistern (a. a) and
extending to within a few inches of the bottom, or it may be continued to the
bottom and fitted with pipes perforated at suitable distances along their entire
length and extending across the cistern (a. a) near the bottom. The cistern is also
fitted with an open trough or gutter, (b. b), of any convenient shape and size and
fitted in any convenient manner the whole length of each side of cistern (a. a)
near the top in such a manner that the softened water flows into it in a thin sheet
and is conveyed to the outlet (d) provided; or the cistern may be constructed
(Fig. 2) with a solid division (6) near the inlet side and extending the entire length

page_text: and from the top to nearly the bottom, or extending to the bottom and fitted with
a series of pipes perforated at suitable distances along their entire length and
extending across the cistern near the bottom, and at the opposite or outlet side a
solid division or weir (c) extending the entire length of cistern (a. a) and from the
bottom to nearly the top; or in place of this division a trough or gutter may be
fixed near the top of cistern (a. a).
By the first arrangement (Fig. 1) the water with which the reagent is mixed is
received in the softening cistern from mixer in the shaft or funnel (c) passes under
the bottom of same, or through the perforated pipes, into the body of cistern (a. a)
and rises until it flows over the edge of trough or gutter (b. b), fixed near top
of cistern (a. a); and when softening cistern is fitted with divisions (Fig. 2) the
mixture is received in the small compartment formed by the division (6) near
the inlet side of cistern, passes under the bottom of division or through the
perforated pipes into the space (a. a) between the two divisions (b. c) and rises
until it flows over the top of division (c) near outlet side, and passes away
through outlet (d) softened and ready for use. The softening cistern may
also be fitted with perforated plates laid horizontally near the bottom on suitable
supports.
During the passage of the water through the softening cistern the chemical
process is completed and the matters previously held in solution are in suspension ;
but owing to the rate at which the water travels the particles in suspension are not
carried to the surface of the water, which passes into the trough (b. b. Fig. 1) or
over the division (c. Fig. 2) softened and clear.
I do not confine myself to the use of one softening cistern only in any particular
apparatus but may use two or more arranged and connected in a suitable
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The arrangement and construction of water softening apparatus substantially
in the manner hereinbefore described and represented in the drawings hereto
annexed.
2. The application of heat, otherwise than raising the water to boiling point, for
the purpose of quickening the chemical process of softening.
Dated this 29th day of January 1894.
ALFRED SMITH.