Improvements in or connected with the Purification of Sewage and analogous Foul or Impure Liquids.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 27th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Purification of Sewage and
analogous Foul or Impure Liquids.
We, JAMES JONES MELDRUM and THOMAS FREDERICK MELDRUM, both of
Atlantic Works, City Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers,
to hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to the purification of sewage or other foul or impure
liquids by oxidation and aeration, and treatment of same, in the manner and by the
meaus hereinafter specified.
According to this invention, sewage or other foul liquid is divided or broken up
into small portions or spray or rain, and is passed in that condition through
atmospheric air. The projection of the liquid in this form of spray or rain, may be
done in different ways.
According to one mode or means under this invention, its projection as spray or
rain is effected by applying centrifugal force to the liquid. The sewage or liquid
to be treated is supplied or forced under suitable pressure to nozzles or discharge
pipes (preferably tapered, being smaller at the outlet), which are provided with
internal twisted blades or screws having one or more deep threads, or are rifled, or
equivalently formed, by which the liquid is given a circular or gyratory movement,
as well as a forward motion, causing it after leaving the nozzle or discharge pipe,
to fall apart or be distributed or broken up in the form of drops or fine spray.
The size of the drops depends largely upon the quantity of centrifugal force
imparted to the liquid, a sufficiency producing the finest or impalpable spray.
According to another mode of breaking or spraying the liquid centrifugally, it is
forced tangentially into a cylinder or vessel at the side, which at one side may take
the form of a hollow cone, the tangential inlet being inclined in the direction of the
axis of the cone.
According to another modification, two or more separate jets of sewage (or foul
liquid) are discharged at an angle, say an acute angle, towards each other, in such a
manner that a combined jet is obtained, which receives a twisting motion, and the
liquid is broken up or falls into the form of rain or spray. In this case (and in
others where suitable), a guiding device such as a cone or cylinder may be provided
over or after the ends of the several nozzles or pipes to receive the revolving jet.
In a further modification the liquid is discharged against or onto a screw, vane,
or equivalent device, adapted to revolve or move, and so arranged in relation to the
jet, such as concentrically therewith, that the liquid, as it is discharged against it,
is thrown or broken into the form of rain, spray, or mist.
There may be used in combination with any of the devices or means herein
described, for discharging the liquid, a trumpet shaped device by which the air is
guided in the direction of the jet of spray or rain, and whereby said spray or rain
is caused or enabled to rise or travel further through the air with a given initial
liquid pressure, than otherwise.
According to another modification, the sewage or liquid is discharged under
pressure against a fixed cone, the point of which is concentric with the jet of liquid ;
whilst in a further modification the liquid is forced through a nozzle inclined at an
acute angle in relation to a plate, whereby the liquid is broken up into spray or
fine rain.
The degree of purification or oxidation required will depend upon the quality
and state of the sewage or other foul liquid, and upon the previous treatment (if
any) it has received. In some cases, the whole of the liquid may be divided into a

page_text: coarse state of division; or, a part only of the liquid may be broken up into fine
spray, and afterwards mixed with the bulk of the sewage or other foul liquid. In
other cases the sewage or other foul liquid may be treated to an aerating and
oxidating process more than once.
According to another modification, the sewage or other liquid is treated with
sulphur dioxide, whilst in a finely divided state. In one case, the sewage or other
foul liquid is discharged and broken up or sprayed in a jet, and this jet introduces
the sulphurous acid gas (which may be produced in a sulphur or pyrites burner, or
other source of supply), and these are then mixed together. These operations may
be effected in and by a suitable exhauster of the jet type. Or, the exhauster may
force the sulphurous acid vapours into a washer or scrubber where the sulphurous
acid gas is absorbed by the liquid. In other cases, the liquid spray exhauster may
be used to force the sulphurous acid vapours from the burner or other supply, into
the liquid sewage or other foul liquid, through a perforated pipe or equivalent
means of distribution in the sewage or other liquid, or underneath inclined plates
whereby a large surface contact may be obtained.
After the treatments, or any of them above specified, we, in some cases, pass the
sewage or foul liquid slowly through a filter or filters having a large surface, and
preferably loosely packed. These filters are in some cases exposed to the air on all
sides (including the bottom), and so arranged, that the air has free access through
the filtering material. Where such an arrangement is not convenient, however,
we so construct or arrange the filters that they may be shut off from the sewage or
liquid, and then we cause fresh air to be blown or forced through the filtering
mass.
In some cases, the treatment of the sewage as above described may be combined
with one or more other processes; as for instance, it may be treated with iron salts,
or other substances, or materials, for precipitation. Also it is to be understood the
means or apparatus for carrying out this invention are not strictly confined to those
above specified or referred to, since these may be modified or constructed in
different forms, or equivalents thereof used, without departing from the controlling
features of the invention.
Deted this 95th day of Mayah 1802
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.
Improvements in or connected with the Purification of Sewage and
analogous Foul or Impure Liquids.
We, JAMES JONES MELDRUM and THOMAS FREDERICK MELDRUM, both of
Atlantic Works, City Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
he performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention has reference to the purification of sewage or other foul or impure
liquids by oxidation and aeration, and treatment of same, in the manner and by the
means hereinafter specified.
According to this invention, sewage or other foul liquid is divided or broken up
Into small portions of spray or rain, and is passed in that condition through
atmospheric air. The projection of the liquid in this form of spray or rain, may
be done in different ways.
According to one mode or means under this invention, its
rain is effected by applying centrifugal force to the liquid.
to be treated is supplied or forced under suitable pressure to
projection by spray or
The sewage or liquid
nozzles or discharge

page_text: pipes (preferably tapered, being smaller at the outlet), which are provided with
internal twisted blades or screws having one or more deep threads, or are rifled, or
equivalently formed, by which the liquid is given a circular or gyratory movement,
as well as a forward motion, causing it after leaving the nozzle or discharge pipe, to
fall apart or be distributed or broken up in the form of drops or fine spray. The
size of the drops depends largely upon the quantity of centrifugal force imparted to
the liquid, a sufficiency producing the finest or impalpable spray.
According to another mode of breaking or spraying the liquid centrifugally, it is
forced tangentially into a cylinder or vessel at the side, the cylinder may terminate
in the form of the frustum of a hollow cone, or the tangential inlet may be at the
base of the frustum, the tangential inlet being inclined in the direction of the axis
of the same.
According to another modification, two or more separate jets of sewage (or foul
liquid) are discharged at an angle, say an acute angle, towards each other, in such a
manner that a combined jet is obtained, which receives a twisting motion, and the
liquid is broken up or falls in the form of rain or spray.
In this case (and in others where suitable) a guiding device such as a cone or
cylinder may be provided over or after the ends of the several nozzles or pipes to
receive the revolving jet.
In a further modification, the liquid is discharged against or onto a screw,
vanes, or equivalent device, adapted to revolve, and so arranged in relation to
the jet, such as concentrically thereto, that the liquid, as it is discharged against it,
is thrown or broken into the form of rain, spray, or mist.
There may be used in connection with any of the devices or means herein
described, for discharging the liquid, a trumpet shaped device by which the air is
guided in the direction of the jet or spray or rain, and whereby said spray or rain
is caused or enabled to rise or travel further through the air with a given initial
liquid pressure, than otherwise.
According to another modification, the sewage or liquid is discharged under
pressure against a fixed cone, the point of which is concentric with the jet of
liquid; whilst in a further modification the liquid is forced through a nozzle
inclined at an acute angle in relation to the plate, whereby, the liquid is broken up
into spray or fine rain.
The degree of purification or oxidation required will depend upon the quality
and state of the sewage or other foul liquid, and upon the previous treatment
(if any) it has received. In some cases, the whole of the liquid may be divided
into a coarse state of division; or, a part only of the liquid may be broken up
into fine spray, and afterwards mixed with the bulk of the sewage or other foul
liquid. In other cases the sewage or other foul liquid may be treated to an
aerating and oxidating process more than once.
According to another modification, the sewage or other liquid is treated with
sulphur dioxide, whilst in a finely divided state. In one case, the sewage or other
foul liquid, with the sulphur dioxide, is discharged as a jet and broken up or
sprayed, the jet of liquid introducing the sulphurous acid gas (which may be
produced in a sulphur or pyrites burner, or other source of supply); the liquid &
the gas being thereby mixed together. These operations may be effected in and
by a suitable exhauster of the jet type. Or, the exhauster may discharge the
sulphurous acid vapours and liquid into a washer or scrubber where the sulphurous
acid gas is absorbed by the liquid. In other cases, the liquid jet exhauster may be
used to force the sulphurous acid vapours from the burner or other supply, into the
liquid sewage or other foul liquid, through a perforated pipe or equivalent means of
distribution in the sewage or other liquid, or underneath inclined plates, whereby a
arge surface contact may be obtained.
After the treatments, or any of them above specified, we, in some cases, pass the
ewage or foul liquid slowly through a filter or filters having a large surface, and
preferably loosely packed. These filters are in some cases exposed to the air on all
ides (including the bottom), and so arranged, that the air has free access through

page_text: the filtering material. Where such an arrangement is not convenient, however, we
so construct or arrange the filters that they may be shut off from the sewage
or liquid, and then we cause fresh air to be blown or forced through the filtering
mass.
In some cases the treatment of the sewage as above described may be combined
with one or more other processes; as for instance, it may be treated with iron salts,
or other substances, or materials, for precipitation. Also it is to be understood the
means or apparatus for carrying out this invention are not strictly confined to those
above specified or referred to, since they may be modified or constructed in different
forms, or equivalents thereof used, without departing from the controlling features
of the invention.
Examples of parts of apparatus adapted to effect some of the operations and
treatments above specified are shewn in the accompanying drawings. In the
drawings the same or equivalent parts are marked with the same letters and figures
of reference.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 is an end view, of a nozzle
provided with inclined provisions to give the sewage ejected from it rotary motion,
and effect its breaking up into fine rain or spray by the centrifugal force thereof.
Figure 3 shews a modified construction of the nozzle.
In these figures a designates generally the nozzle and are the inclined parts
which impart rotary motion to the liquid. In Figures 1 and 2 these parts & consist
of ribs in the form of riflings; whilst in the construction shewn in Figure 3 the ribs
are carried across the mouth of the nozzle, but in other respects are similar to those
shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 4 and 5 shew an arrangement wherein three plain nozzles a are arranged
at an acute angle towards each other, and also in such a manner as to deliver the
jets so that they meet tangentially whereby they give a combined jet, with a
gyratory action, the centrifugal force of which breaks the jet up into spray or rain.
Figure 6 is a plan and Figure 7 an end view shewing the means of breaking a jet
of sewage or foul liquid into spray wherein a screw, external to the jet nozzle, is
employed. In this arrangement c designates generally the screw, of which c¹ are
the blades. This screw is adapted to revolve on the axle c² which will be suitably
supported in bearings. The screw is disposed axially in line with the nozzle a.
In action, by the force of the jet discharged from the nozzle a, the screw c is
revolved, and the liquid is thrown off by the blades c' and broken up into spray or
rain, by the centrifugal action of the device.
In Figure 8 a similar arrangement to that shewn in Figures 6 and 7 is employed
for the purpose of breaking up the liquid, but consisting of a fixed cone c, such
cone being on the same axis as that of the nozzle a. The liquid discharged
under suitable pressure from the nozzle a strikes the apex of the cone c and is
driven outwards over the surface and discharge from its base in an annular stream as
spray or rain.
In any of the cases herein described, where the jet of sewage is discharged
from a nozzle into the air, trumpet shaped or coned devices, as those marked d
shewn in Figure 1, may be provided. By these the spray or jet is enabled to rise
or travel further through the air with a given initial pressure than otherwise.
Figure 9 illustrates a part of apparatus used under that part of this invention
wherein it is proposed to introduce sulphurous acid or sulphur dioxide with sewage
or other foul liquids, a jet of the liquid itself being employed to introduce into itself
the sulphur dioxide. In this, e designates generally the liquid-jet exhauster, of
which is the pipe by which the liquid sewage under pressure is introduced into the
body of the apparatus, e being the nozzle thereof; whilst is the branch by which
the sulphur dioxide is conveyed from the sulphur burner,f-which is of any suitable
kind to the body of the apparatus; and e¹ is the discharge conduit.
The liquid
jet causes the sulphur dioxide to enter the injector e, and in passing into and through it,
it becomes mixed with the liquid and discharged from it from the discharge nozzle or
device which may be of any of the kinds herein described.
In some cases this

page_text: may be ejected into the air and broken up into spray or rain as above described.
In another case the mixture may be conveyed by suitable conduits into perforated
pipes submerged in the sewage or other liquid, or under inclined plates, as set forth
in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 2846 of 1891 granted to A. McDougall
and J. J. Meldrum, to which invention this part of this invention has reference to.
Figures 10 and 11 shew in sectional elevation and plan the mode of breaking up
or spraying the liquid centrifugally, wherein it is forced tangentially into a vessel,
the tangential inlet being inclined in the direction of the axis of same.
In these figures, a' is the base of the vessel which is in the form of a frustum of
a hollow cone having the inlet pipe a², which is inclined in the direction of the axis
of same, and disposed tangentially as shewn. By the action of this apparatus, the
liquid discharged through the nozzle a will have imparted to it a rotary or spirally
revolving action, the centrifugal force of which will cause the jet to be broken into
spray, mist, or rain.
Having now particularly described and 'ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The herein described improvement connected with the purification of sewage
and analogous foul or impure liquids, consisting in forcing such sewage into and
through the air by or from means so operating and constructed and adapted as to
break up, substantially as described, such sewage or other liquid into fine spray
or rain.
2. The herein described improvement connected with the purification of sewage
or analogous foul or impure liquids consisting in treating said sewage or liquid
with sulphur dioxide by introducing the same into an exhaust injector by a jet of
such sewage or liquid, and subsequently treating it as herein set forth.
3. In the treatment for the purification of sewage or other foul liquid, the special
construction or application of the different means or apparatus particularly as set
forth with reference to the respective figures or sets of figures of the drawings
operating as described for the purposes specified.
Dated this 26th day of January 1894.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.