Improvements in Machinery for Effecting the Softening of Water and for the Clarification of the Softened Water.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Effecting the Softening of Water
and for the Clarification of the Softened Water.
CHARLES EDWARD GITTINS Water Softening & Purification Engineer of
St. Georges House 6 & 8 Eastcheap in the City of London 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 :-
At the present time, lime or lime-water or other solution is commonly added
to hard waters to soften them.
The object of my invention is to effect, by automatic machinery, the softening of
hard-water as it is supplied to a tank, cistern, or reservoir, in which the precipitate
is allowed to subside; if space be an object, I propose to use a subsidence filter of
coke or other substance, in order to clarify it from any precipitate in a more rapid
manner.
For this purpose cause the water, as it issues in a stream from the inlet, to
actuate a water wheel or turbine, which wheel or turbine drives a pump, (or elevator
with buckets), which pumps or raises the proper proportion of whatever solution is
being used for effecting the softening, and delivers it into the tail water running
from the wheel, or turbine, so that it is intimately mixed with it.
Two forms of machines for effecting this object are shewn on Sheet I of the
accompanying drawings.
Fig. I is an elevation of one form.
Fig. II is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. III is a part sectional elevation of the other form.
Figs. I and II. A is the inlet through which comes the supply of water, from
whence it flows in a stream over the wheel W, which has a slotted disc D attached to
the axle B. In the slot S is fixed a driving pin P, which works the connecting rod C,
actuating the pump E which pumps the proper proportion of solution from a con-
venient receptacle, and delivers the same by the outlet O, so that it mixes with the
tail water running from the wheel. To adjust the quantity of solution required to
soften the water, the pin P is placed in such a position in the slot S as to give the
pump the correct length of stroke, it is then fixed by a nut or other suitable
contrivance.
Fig. III. The wheel W is actuated in a similar manner to that in Figs. I & II,
but instead of driving a pump, the small wheel F is fixed to the axle, driving the
elevator chain G, to which the buckets H. H. H. are attached these enter the tank T,
dip up the solution, and deliver it into the trough I, from whence it flows by the
pipe to mix with the tail water running from the wheel W. This machine is
intended more for thick solutions like milk of lime &c. To provide for their being
kept in suspension, I provide a rocking bottom K hung by rods or chains L. L. which
is kept in motion when the machine is working, by the connecting rod M; this rod
is attached to the guide wheel N and is driven by it, the wheel being kept in
motion by the elevator chain G.
The adjustment of this machine to suit various waters is accomplished by varying
the number of buckets attached to the elevator chain, and also by mixing a greater
or less quantity of the suitable softening ingredients with a given quantity of water
in the tank.
So that the buckets may discharge all their contents into the trough 1, I place
them in a slanting position upon the chain G.
Sheet II Fig. IV is a sectional elevation of a subsidence filter to clarify the water
from the precipitate after softening, Q is the inlet, R is a receptacle for containing the
coke or other substance U, which rests upon the perforated false bottom V. The

page_text: outlet X is arranged in such a manner that the medium is always submerged, by
this means the precipitate which has collected upon the upper surfaces of the coke or
other material is not disturbed.
Fig. V is an elevation of the filter showing a mud hole Y with cover, arranged for
the easy removal of the medium when necessary.
This filter is not intended to act as a strainer, or sieve, but by the water slowly
passing downwards through a coarse medium the precipitate subsides upon the upper
surfaces of the medium and in the interstices of the same.
I do not bind myself to the exact details as herein described, but may vary any
of the parts, such for instance as the shape and description of pumps used, or the
means employed for conveying motion to them from the wheel, &c.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The means employed for automatically supplying and mixing softening solutions
in proper proportions with hard water substantially as described.
2. The arrangement substantially as described and shown in Figs. I and II.
3. The arrangement substantially as described and shown in Fig. III.
4. The use of coke, or other coarse medium, in a subsidence filter, for clarifying
the softened water substantially as described.
5. The arrangement substantially as described and shown in Figs. IV and V.
Dated this 11th day of Amonst 1890
CHARLES EDWARD GITTINS.