Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Purifying Water or other Liquids.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Purifying Water or
other Liquids.
I, LOUIS GATHMANN, of No. 2010, Wyoming Avenue, Northwest, Washington, in
the District of Columbia, United States of America 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 relates to a system of purifying water and comprehends a treat-
ment, or succession of treatments, whereby all solid impurities, whether organic or
inorganic, are completely separated and removed from the liquid, and whereby
also germs, microbes or bacilli are destroyed and the water thoroughly sterilized.
My invention consists in a series of treatments, the separate steps of which,
as well as the apparatus for carrying them out are novel and are hereinafter
separately claimed, but for its more effective working the use of the several steps
hereinafter described in the order recited is preferred, and the improved apparatus
shown in the drawing and hereinafter claimed is also preferred.
My invention is capable of being applied to the purification of water in large or
small bodies, and may be adapted to the simple operation of purifying a supply of
water for individual or domestic use, or to the larger and more comprehensive
operations of purifying water of a complete water system for supplying cities
or towns.
My invention is furthermore applicable to the purification of water as it passes
through the mains employed in a system of water distribution and without inter-
ruption of the supply or substantial diminution of the pressure, and the operations
hereinafter described, or at least the principal ones, are carried out by the aid of
the distributing pressure, thus rendering the system easily applied and very
economical.
More particularly stated, my invention in its most comprehensive form includes
the following treatments.
First. The mechanical separation of the solid impurities having a specific gravity
varying from the specific gravity of the liquid under treatment, which operation
is performed by generating within a body of water centrifugal motion, which may
be imparted to the body by passing it under pressure through a separating chamber
having curved walls, the water being delivered tangentially into said chamber
under static or other pressure, and the impurities being separated out and removed
at one exit, while the purified wated escapes at a separate exit.
Second. In a treatment of the water so purified from solid impurities held in sus- .
pension by means of an electrical current whereby germs, microbes or bacilli are
killed and the water effectually sterilized, which operation will also be performed
without interrupting the flow of the water through the mains, and
Third. In a subsequent treatment, or treatments, of the water for the removal
of any remaining impurities which may have escaped the first purification, and
which also preferably consists in imparting to the body of water a rotary motion
whereby centrifugal force is developed and the solid impurities varying in specific
gravity from that of the liquid are separated out and removed.
In carrying out my invention I preferably make use of the apparatus shown

page_text: in the accompanying drawings and consisting of the separating chamber having
curved walls provided with a tangential inlet for the water, axial outlets for the
impurities, and as peripheral outlet for the purified water. Such an apparatus
may be connected to the main, the inlet being connected to the pressure side and
the outlet to the delivery side of such main. For the purpose of convenience of
application and repair, such centrifugal purifier may be located within a branch
or by-pass provided with valves so that the purifier may be cut off from the main,
or connected therewith at pleasure.
The apparatus for electrically treating the water consists essentially of clec-
trodes located within the water passage and surrounded by the flowing stream, the
approximate ends of the electrodes being separated so that the current passes
through the body of water, and the latter being a poor conductor, offers such
resistance, that all animal life contained therein is destroyed and the water
thoroughly sterilized.
The final operation is preferably performed with an apparatus such as above
described for use in carrying out the first treatment, but differently arranged so as to
produce a modified action, as hereinafter more particularly described.
In the drawings.―
Figure 1 is a plan view of a complete apparatus for subjecting the water to the
three treatments above described.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the chamber in which the primary
separation is effected.
Figure 4 is a plan view of two centrifugal separating chambers connected to the
supply and delivery, the electrical apparatus being dispensed with.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the same, and
Figure 6 is a transverse sectional elevation of the chamber in which the secon-
dary separation is performed.
I will first describe the apparatus and then its method of operation.
The primary treatment is carried out in a chamber preferably consisting of two
similar vessels, 15, 16, each of which may be cast integral or in, sections. Each
of said vessels has a cylindrical body portion, 17, with a frustro-conical side, 18,
terminating at its apex in a discharge orifice, 19. In the cylindrical wall of the
primary separating vessel is a tangential inlet indicated at 20, which as shown in
Figures 1 and 2 is connected to the lowermost vessel, 16, the vessel being placed in
such position that its axis is vertical. The vessel, 15, has a peripheral discharge 21.
To the axial discharge outlet, 19, of the vessel 15 is connected a valve-controlled
discharge pipe, 22, the valve being marked 23, and to the lower discharge
outlet, 19, is connected a similar discharge pipe 24, provided with a valve at 25.
The discharge outlet, 21, is connected to a chamber or vessel composed of a cylin-
drical pipe, 26, forming a water way having a discharge pipe, 27. The inlet and
outlet to this chamber are preferably arranged at right angles to its axis, affording
means at the ends of said chamber for mounting electrodes, 28, 29. These elec-
trodes are preferably of some metal which will not readily decompose, and which
will not be injuriously affected by the salts of the liquid-say iron. The
electrodes are preferably passed through stuffing boxes, 30, applied to the end walls
of the chamber, 26, and adjustably held therein. The material of' said chamber,
or the lining thereof at least, should be such as to insulate it from the electrodes.
A convenient method of manufacture is to cast this body in sections of iron and
then enamel its surfaces, both interior and exterior, the enamelling furnishing
the necessary insulation and at the same time protecting the metal against corro-
sion. Where, by reason of the size, the enamelling of these surfaces is incon-
venient or impracticable, other methods of insulating may be resorted to, and I
have contemplated the application of sulphur to such surfaces.
An electrical generator is indicated at 32, its poles being joined to the elec-
trodes, 28, 29 by the wires 33, 34.
The outlet from the chamber 20 is connected by a pipe, 27, with a second centri-

page_text: fugal chamber wherein the secondary separation is effected. This secondary
chamber is constructed identically like the primary separating chamber or vessel,
but is differently arranged, that is to say, the positions of the vessels 15 and 16 are
reversed, and to indicate such reversal I have indicated them by the same reference
numeral, but have marked the inlet and outlet with new reference
numerals. The tangential inlet in the case of the secondary apparatus is
marked 37, and is connected to the cylindrical body wall of the upper vessel 16,
as shown at the left of the view Figure 2, while the outlet pipe marked 38 is con-
nected to the cylindrical body wall of the lower section of the vessel marked 15
and is provided with a controlling valve, 39. Axial outlets for the separated im-
purities are applied in the same positions and having the same connections as
in the primary separator.
The purpose of constructing separators as above described is to facilitate their
reversal and avoid cost. It will be seen by reference to Figures 3 and 6 that the
vessels 15, 10, are identical in construction, but are merely reversed as to
position.
I will first describe the operation of the complete apparatus as shown in
Figures 1 and 2.
Assuming that the inlet 20, which is provided with a valve, 40, is connected to
a water main or to a branch or by-pass thereof, and that water is being forced
through said main either by pumps or by static pressure, the water on entering
through the tangential inlet pipe 20 will be delivered against the cylindrical
portion of the vessel 16, and will form into a rotary current, whose speed will be
proportional to the pressure and the rate of consumption. Water being a dense and
practically inelastic body, with a specific gravity higher than the impurities carried
thereby, when delivered under pressure into a chamber of the form described will
form a dense and practically impenetrable moving mass against the peripheral
wall of such chamber. The suspended impurities, whether organic or inorganic,
and such as pebbles, sand, silt, or other clayey or earthy material, or vegetable or
animal remains will tend toward the zone of least resistance. The heavier impuri-
ties, such as sand, pebbles or other earthy or mineral matters, will, obeying the
law of gravity, seek the lower portion of the separator and will find exit through
the bottom discharge orifice. Other impurities having a less specific gravity than
water and partaking of the rotary motion of the mass, will also seek the interior
of the whirling body, being the zone of least resistance, but will pursue an upward
trend and find escape through the upper discharge orifice. The purified water is
preferably removed or allowed to escape at a peripheral outlet, such as 21, arranged
at a distant point in the wall of the separator from the inlet and at a higher level.
As shown at the right of the views Figures 1 and 2, the outlet is arranged at a
point approximately diametrically opposite the inlet and in a plane parallel to
but above the outlet. By reason of this arrangement the current of liquid will
perform one or more complete revolutions within the separator before reaching
the outlet, and will issue therefrom purified of all the heavier impurities and in
such condition as would commonly be considered potable.
According to present standards, however, all water collected from the earth's
surface, or taken from lakes or rivers, is considered impure since it is liable to
contain forms of animal life such as bacteria or other disease germs which cannot
be removed by filtration or mechanical separation. To destroy these impurities
I next subject the water to the electrical treatment by passing it through a steri-
lizing chamber and subjecting it therein to an electrical current, which may
be either direct or alternating, and of suitable strength. I prefer to employ
an alternating current of high voltage and of a volume corresponding to the quan-
tity of liquid under treatment. The electrolytic action is well known and
numerous methods of producing it have been proposed, although I am not informed
that any of them have been successful when applied practically and upon a large
scale.
I call attention in passing to the fact that my electrocuting apparatus consists

page_text: of a chamber whose longest axis is vertical with the electrodes protruded through
the end walls of said chamber and axially thereof, such clectrodes being adjustably
mounted and so disposed as not to interfere with the flow of water, and also so as
to permit of the deposition of any impurities which would tend to interfere with
the action of the electrical current at a point below the inter-space, which is
filled or bridged by the water so that the establishment of a short circuit, or a solid
conductor for the electrical current, is avoided. This construction and arrange-
ment therefore obviates the lodgment of any material which is a better conductor
than water at any point contiguous to the inter-space of the electrodes, and which
deposit would cause the apparatus to become ineffective after a short use.
It may be that some of the impurities, and particularly the lighter ones, carried
by the water will not be separated by the primary treatment; and it may also be
that some of the impurities will temporarily be separated out by gravity in the
electric separator chamber. To remove all such impurities I preferably treat the
current of water to a final centrifugal action in the second centrifugal separator,
which, as before described is connected to the outlet of the electrocutor 26. The
current enters the second chamber tangentially and preferably in the upper
portion thereof, being withdrawn at a lower level. As the impurities reaching
this chamber will probably be of a light, flocculent nature, they will readily pass
out through the upper exit in close proximity to the point of inlet. Any heavy
particles having a normal specific gravity greater than water will seek the lower
portion of the separator and find exit through the bottom outlet. Among the
particles which may thus find exit at the lower outlet of the secondary separator
would probably be the minute particles of metal worn away from the electrodes.
The now thoroughly sterilized and-purified water will issue from the lower
side connection 38, and may be delivered into the distributing main if the system
be applied to a large plant or if to a smaller plant may be drawn, off directly for
consumption.
I will now call attention to and emphasize some of the features of my invention
which have only been referred to incidentally.
may
In the first place I may remark that my system is intended to operate in con-
junction with a flowing current of water, the movement of which may be produced
by pressure or by suction. When operating by pressure the latter
duced by pumps, or it may be static pressure.
be pro-
When the static pressure is low
it may be supplemented by pumps to either force or suck the water through the
separators.
I may further remark that the pressures necessary to produce a proper distri-
bution of the water will be adequate to the operation of my system, which will
not materially lower such pressure. The only diminution of pressure will be due
to the lengthening of the path of the current of water and to the small loss occa-
sioned by drawing off the impurities. The pipes through which the impurities
are withdrawn are provided with valves, and I contemplate leaving these discharge
pipes open so as to permit of the constant escape of a small stream of water so as to
carry off the impurities. This loss will not be excessive, and will depend as to
volume upon the quantity of impurities to be carried away. Instead of the open
discharge for the impurities, sediment or settling chambers may be used connected
to the discharge outlets, and the sediment removed periodically without wasting
water or diminishing pressure.
My system, it will be observed, is a closed pressure system and is to be distin-
guished from those methods such as filtration, in which gravity alone is operative.
"In my system the elemental action of centrifugal force is the essential and leading
characteristic, and this force is or may be developed by the distributing pressure
alone and without the use of apparatus having movable parts, and also with the
simplest form of apparatus, eschewing deflectors, shelves, agitators or other
mechanism appliances, save only a modification of the form and connection of the
developing centrifugal force. My apparatus constitutes practically an integral
water passages sufficient to produce a rotary or gyratory movement of the water,

page_text: developing centrifugal force. My apparatus constitutes practically an integral
or continuous part of a water main, is automatically operated as an apparatus,
requiring only to be supplied with extraneously furnished power to the extent of
furnishing the electric current and requiring but very slight supervision or
attendance.
I have, described my system in its complete form as comprising the use of a
primary centrifugal separator, an electrical purifier and a secondary centrifugal
separator. Obviously the primary separator might be used alone; or the primary
and secondary separators might be used together and the secondary separator
omitted; and the water may be electrolyzed first and then treated by one or more
centrifugal separations.
Obviously, also, where the water is impregnated with a large percentage of sus-
pended impurities, or contains a large percentage of animal organisms, the opera-
tions of centrifugal separation and electrocution, either or both, may be repeated.
The form, materials of construction, and arrangement and combinations of
parts are therefore capable of almost indefinite variations to adapt them to the
multitude of situations in which the invention may be applied. The apparatus
is capable of great variation as to size and material and operates upon the same
principle whether applied to a service pipe at the end of a system of water dis-
tribution or to the main at the inlet of such system.
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 is:-
1. The herein described treatment of water for removing suspended impurities
therefrom, which consists in passing a body of water through a closed chamber,
whereby a vertical action is developed therein, and the impurities separated there-
from, and drawing off the separated impurities from the axis of the vortex while
the purified water escapes from the periphery thereof, substantially as described.
2. The herein described treatment of water for the removal of solid impurities
therefrom, which consists in imparting to the mass of water a rotary movement
whereby centrifugal action is developed and the impurities are separated, and
drawing off the impurities and the purified water from separate outlets, substan-
tially as described.
3. The herein described treatment of water, which consists in passing the same
under pressure through a vessel having curved walls, and in a plane tangential to
its axis, whereby solid impurities carried in suspension are separated from the
liquid, and drawing off the purified liquid and the separated impurities from said
vessel at separate outlets, substantially as described.
4. The herein described treatment of water for the separation of suspended im-
purities, which consists in delivering the same tangentially under pressure into a
vessel having circular side walls and tapering end walls, provided with axial outlets
for the separated impurities and a peripheral outlet for the purified water, sub-
stantially as described.
5. The herein described treatment of water, which consists in imparting to a
body of water a rotatory movement in a closed vessel and centrifugally separating
therefrom its suspended impurities, and then passing said water between the
poles of an electric circuit, whereby to sterilize the same, substantially as described.
6. The herein described method of purifying water from suspended impurities
and bacteria, which consists in centrifugally separating the solid impurities and
then electrically treating the water, substantially as described.
7. The herein described improvement in the purification of water, which con-
sists in subjecting it to centrifugal action in a primary separating chamber and
subsequently subjecting it to centrifugal action in a secondary separator, sub-
stantially as described.
8. The herein described improvement in purifying water, which consists in sub-
jecting it to a primary treatment wherein the solid impurities are centrifugally

page_text: separated, then passing through the water an electrical current whereby it is
sterilized, and finally subjecting the water to further centrifugal treatment for the
removal of the remaining impurities, substantially as described.
9. The herein described apparatus for purifying water, comprising a separating
chamber having curved side walls, a tangential inlet, a peripheral outlet for the
purified water, and an axial outlet for the separated impurities, substantially as
described.
10. An apparatus for purifying water, comprising a separating chamber having
curved side wall and tapered top and bottom walls, a tangential inlet for the water
to be purified, a peripheral outlet for the purified water, and axial outlets for the
separated impurities, substantially as described.
11. An apparatus for purifying water, consisting of a separating chamber having
a circular side wall provided with a tangential inlet and a peripheral outlet, the
inlet and outlet being arranged in different planes, and axial outlets for the
separated impurities, substantially as described.
12. A water purifier, comprising essentially of a separating chamber composed
of two similarly constructed sections, each having a circular form and provided with
a peripheral opening and with an aperture located approximately in the axis of
said section, substantially as described.
13. A water purifier, consisting of a separating chamber composed of two similar
sections, each having a cylindrical side wall and a tapering end wall, and each
of said sections being provided in its cylindrical portion with a tangentially
arranged opening and with an outlet in its tapering portion, substantially as
described.
14. An apparatus for purifying water, comprising in combination a separating
chamber to which the water is delivered under pressure and centrifugally treated,
and a chamber connected with the outlet of said vessel, said chamber having
electrodes projecting into the water space, and means for passing a current of
electricity from one electrode to the other through the body of water, substantially
as described.
15. An apparatus for purifying and sterilizing water, comprising in combina-
tion a primary separating chamber, a sterilizing chamber and a secondary separat-
ing chamber, said several chambers being interconnected and the body of water
being passed therethrough substantially as described. .
Dated this 26th day of October 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
'Agents for the Applicant.