Improvement in Purification Processes for Treating Sewage and other Liquids.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 9th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Purification Processes for Treating Sewage and
other Liquids.
I, JOHN JEROME DEERY, of 1110, Betz Building, Philadelphia, in the County
of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Architect
and 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification:
This invention relates to the purification of water and other liquids with especial
reference, as hereinafter described, to the purification and disposal of sewage, its
object being to provide at a convenient point a pumping station connected to
the sewers and to which all the sewage to be treated is conducted. The sewage
is at this point filtered and oxygenized and aerated, and the solid water is separated
from the liquid, which latter is then conducted to a filtering plant preferably
situated at a point where the liquid may be conveniently disposed of after passing
through the filters, the clarified effluent being practically pure and in a condition
in which it may be continuously discharged into a running stream or may be con-
ducted to fields for irrigation or otherwise.
The water or liquid by this (process). is purified in its percolation by gravity
through these filter beds either in upper or lower level so as to destroy disease
bearing germs by the action of hardy micro-organisms maintained therein, and
to afford free passage for the air to keep alive and to induce the growth of healthy
bacilli and micro-organisms for purification purposes and exposing the liquid
and disease bearing germs to the purifying action of light, air and electrical
influences, with the consequent purification of the water or liquids, and the removal
of all animal and vegetable matter detrimental to health.
:-
In the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is a general diagram illustrating the arrangement of the receiving reser-
voirs or chambers and pumping station;
Fig. 2, is a transverse sectional elevation on the line a-a, Fig. 1 of one of
the receiving reservoirs ;
Fig. 3, is a sectional plan view on the line bb, Fig. 2;
Fig. 4, is a partial sectional plan view on the line cc, Fig. 2.
Fig. 5, is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the grease oven, on the line d-d,
Fig. 1;
Fig. 6, is a transverse sectional elevation of the same on the line e—e, Fig. 1;
Fig. 7, is a plan view of a portion of the filtering plant;
Fig. 8, is a partial transverse section of the same on the line f-f, Fig. 7;
Fig. 9, is a partial longitudinal section of the same on the line gg, Fig. 7;
Fig. 10, is a sectional plan view, on a smaller scale, on the line h—h, Fig. 9,
and
Figs. 11, 12 and 13, are perspective view of details of construction more particu-
larly referred to hereinafter.
Referring first to the receiving and pumping station illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5

page_text: inclusive, 1 represents a sewer of sufficient size to deliver the sewage to be purified.
From the main sewer extend transverse sewers or pipes, 2-2, which lead respect-
ively to the receiving chambers or reservoirs, 3-3, each chamber being of suf-
ficient capacity to receive the entire amount to be operated upon, so that one
receiver only should be in use at a time, and to that end a series of valves, 4,
are provided in the sewer, 1, and ducts 2, to direct and control the flow of the
sewage to the reservoirs, making it possible to operate separately or jointly, each
reservoir, being thereby provided with means to make changes or renewals of
filtering materials, or for repairs, and for a thorough aeration while in readiness
for immediate use.
The mouths of the pipes or ducts, 2, enter the reservoirs, 3, some distance above
the bottom of the latter and are received by a distributor" extending across and
over the centre of screening floors, being an open top sheet iron vessel, 5, semi-cir-
cular in cross section and having its edges extended vertically to height of
then turned over to form a lip over which the sewage may fall in a thin, even, regu-
lar stream, the coarse and heavy particles of matter being retained in the distributor
and being removed from time to time as may be necessary.
sewer,
During the treatment of the liquid the doors and passages leading to and from
the reservoirs are preferably hermetically sealed so as to prevent the escape of
foul air and to prevent any interference with the currents of fresh air which
are introduced to carry off such foul air and aerate the liquid.
The distributor, 5, is provided with a number of metal shoes or blocks, 8, which
rest on a screening floor, 9, on to which the sewage falls from the distributor,
the purpose of dividing it into a thin stream being to thoroughly aerate the
sewage and to expose and destroy the organic or oxidable matter which it contains.
In the bottom of the distributor, 5, are a number of openings closed by removable
plugs or valves, 29, for draining the distributor when the flow of liquid is stopped.
The screening floor, 9, is arranged at some distance above the bottom of the
reservoir, and comprises two wrought iron sectional screens, 10 and 11, the lower
screen, 11, permanently resting upon a series of girders, 12, which extends into
the walls of the reservoirs, while the upper screen is removable.
Adjacent to the two reservoirs is a chimney having a central flue, 14, for
the escape of the products of combustion from the boiler of the plant, and an
annular flue, 15, which extends from the bottom to the top of the stack and in
which is created an upward current owing to the heat radiating surfaces of the
central flue by the escaping products of combustion within it.
At a point immediately below the screening floor, 9, each reservoir has a fresh
air duct, 16, leading from the outer air and a vent flue, 17, located about dia-
metrically opposite and on the same level as the fresh air duct, 16, the vent com-
municating with the annular flue, 15, and thus creating a constant circulation
of fresh air in the reservoir below the screening floor and thoroughly aerating
the filtering liquid as it passes through the screening floor and falls to the bottom
of the reservoir, the oxidable matter uniting with the oxygen of the air and being
consumed, while at the same time a portion of the air passes up through the
screening floor aiding the oxidation process of the contained filtering material,
and escapes through a vent flue, 18, also leading to the annular flue, 15.
In the wall of the reservoir above the screening floor is a second fresh air
duct, 19, which is about diametrically opposite the escape vent, 18, the two air
ducts and two vents supplying a constant circulation and extremely large volume
of fresh air to the reservoirs (and thoroughly aerating) the sewage as it falls in
a thin stream from the sides or edges of the distributor to the screening floor, 9,
and again while passing through the screening or filtering material and falling
from the lower screen to the bottom of the reservoir.
The material used as a filter is preferably coke, charcoal, or similar substance,
which after being used several times becomes broken into small particles and
may be used as a fuel under the boilers after its usefulness as a filtering medium
has been destroyed, or, the material may be spongy iron, or furnace slag. These

page_text: articles retain all grease and some of the matter in suspension in the sewage and
can be used for a long time before they become so clogged as to prevent the passage
of the sewage, at which time the flow of sewage is directed to the opposite reser-
voir and the upper screening floor is removed and the coke or filtering material
hoisted to the several grease ovens, hereinafter described, where by the application
of heat the coke or other material yields up the grease which it may have absorbed
and is thoroughly dried until it is again in condition for use as a filter.
At the rear of the reservoirs is a pipe, 20, provided with suitable gate valves, 21,
to govern the flow of the sewage after it passes through the screening floor and
on its way to the pump suction chamber into which dip the suction pipes, 23,
of one or more pumps, 24, having delivery pipes, 25, through which the partially
purified sewage is pumped to filtering beds generally located at some distance
from the receiving and pumping station, and situated at some point where its
final distribution may be more readily accomplished.
The filtering station should be situated on or near the bank of a stream into
which the thoroughly purified sewage may be finally discharged or by irrigation
over fields, or otherwise. As a matter of convenience, the receiving and pumping
station should be situated somewhat nearer the centre and low point of the locality
to be sewered, but it will be understood that this is always a question of topo-
graphy, and in many instances the receiving and pumping stations may be
together and even the use of a pump be avoided so that the liquid may flow by
gravity to the filtering station from the sewers or settling basins.
At the top of the reservoir is a skylight 26, for admitting, during the daytime,
a steady and constant light from without to assist in the purification through the
medium of the rays, around the lower portion of which skylight is hung a
rail, 27, carrying a crane or chain hoist of any suitable, construction which may
be called into use in hoisting the distributor and the various sections of the grating
and when it becomes necessary to hoist or lower the filtering material.
the distributor is to be cleansed it may be connected to hoist and raise, and pre-
ferably suspended under the floor of the bridge, 31, or in section may temporarily
be slid into the sewer.
When
After the distributor is removed, the various sections, 10, of the screening floor
may be lifted, the sludge and heavy matters precipitated on the floor being first
shovelled into buckets and disposed of, and the coke or other material is hoisted
in tilting buckets to the level of the grease oven door and then dumped into the
grease oven, 32, through either one of the doors, 33, each of which opens into one
of the receiving reservoirs (see Figs. 5 and 6.)
The grease oven comprises a brick chamber entirely enclosed and provided
with a series of doors, 33, for the entrance of the coke or filtering material to be
acted upon; 34 is a series of doors for the discharge of the coke, and 35 for the
ventilation of the oven, and the discharge of gases which arise from the coke
during the heating thereof. The door, 35, is at the lower end of a hood-shaped
pipe, 36, leading directly to the annular flue, 15, and is normally held closed by
gravity, a metal cord or chain, 37, extending through the front wall of the oven
being provided for its opening. Within the chamber, extending around the walls
thereof, is a series of pipes, 38, forming a cradle for the reception of the coke or
filtering material, the bottom row of pipes extending across the oven and forming
a false floor, or bottom, on which rests a wire netting or wrought iron slat
screen, 39, forming a support for the coke or other material, but permitting the
screen, the grease col-
passage of the grease as it is melted and falls through the
lecting at the bottom of the oven and being tapped off from time to time through
cocks, 41, into barrels, or other suitable receptacles. The coke or other material
is subjected to the action of the steam pipes until it is thoroughly dried and is
then shovelled out through the doors, 34, to be again used as a filtering medium,
or to be sent to the boilers for use as a fuel.
The filtering and acrated sewage after falling through the screening floors is
collected in pump suction chambers, and is then pumped to the filtering beds as

page_text: hereinafter described. The effluent is pumped or flows through the pipe 25,
from the receiving and pumping station to the filtering station illustrated in
Figs. 7 to 13 inclusive.
44 represents a series of equi-distant posts, preferably formed of cast metal,
or may be piers of masonry and, each having a concrete, or other foundation, 45.
On the upper ends of these posts is supported an elevated filter bed, 46, formed
of layers of various sizes of broken stone, slag, or pebbles, and on top of it clean,
fine sand, through which the liquid from the pipe, 25, and distributing pipes, 55,
percolates and falls in drops to a lower filter bed, 47, formed around the various
supporting posts and form the lower portion, the then thoroughly purified liquid
is finally discharged.
The superstructure forming the elevated filter bed comprises a series of girders, 48,
on which rest cross beams, 49, these in turn supporting a filter support, 50, formed
of a large number of small iron pipes placed closely together, or, if desired, these
may be formed of wooden slats, or of wrought iron grating, or otherwise, so
arranged as to support the fine sand which forms a filtering medium. Secured
to the outer rods or posts is a deep girder, 51, or may be of masonry which ex-
tends entirely around the filter and forms the side support for the sand and in
practice a series of these girders or walls extend crosswise of the structure dividing
the filter into a number of compartments each forming a separate filter provided
with separate liquid supplies which may be stopped at intervals to permit the
cleansing of the filter and the renewal of the sand. In Fig. 8 is shown one of
these girders extending centrally throughout the entire length of the filter
dividing the same into large compartments, and, at the same time, affording a
support for the liquid supply pipe, 25, while a number of transversely arranged
girders divide the filter into a series of compartments each of a convenient size
to be cleaned and renewed when necessary.
On the filtering support is packed sand, or other suitable filtering medium,
and on top of the sand are placed a series of bars forming a grating, 52, of wood,
or metal as described. At suitable intervals throughout the length of the filter
are placed transverse I beams, 53, on which are supported by suitable clamps, 54,
(shown Fig. 12) a series of distributing pipes, 55, one end of each of the distributing
pipes being connected to the main supply pipe, 25, and the opposite end of such
pipe being provided with a removable cap or cover, 56, which may be removed
when the pipe needs cleansing. Each pipe, 55, is provided with a series of open
top troughs, 57, of a construction shown more clearly in Fig. 11, the troughs
being arranged at equi-distant intervals along the length of the pipe and the
outer end of each trough being closed so that the liquid supplied to the troughs
through the pipes, 25 and 55, will first fill such troughs and then flow in thin,
thin, even, regular film like streams over the edges of the trough and be evenly
and regularly distributed throughout the entire surface of the filter bed, and at
the same time, being finely broken up and falling through the air will absorb
oxygen and become more thoroughly purified.
•
The discharge pipes, 55, at the ends of each compartment have a series of troughs
on one side only, while those placed intermediate of the compartment are provided
with troughs on both sides so that each compartment will be separate and distinct
and the supply of liquid be stopped by means of suitable valves, 58, whenever
it becomes necessary to clean one of the compartments, or to renew the sand
required.
For convenience in gaining access to the various portions of the superstructure
a platform, 59, extends entirely around the filter and on the liquid supply pipe 25,
are arranged a series of brackets carrying a platform, 60, extending for the full
length of the filter and communicating by suitable stairways, 61, with the plat-
form, 59.
Extending entirely around the inner side of the outer row of posts is a plate, 62,
supported by cross beams, 63, and forming the outer support or boundary for the
lower filter bed, 47, or it may be of masonry, on to which the liquid percolating

page_text: through the filter, 46, falls in drops to thoroughly oxydize the same and is again
and finally filtered through the lower bed before its discharge.
This filter comprises a lower layer of various sizes of broken stone, slag or pebbles
of about six inches depth, on which is placed an intermediate thick layer of very
coarse sand and the top layer being formed of clean gravel or broken stones, the
upper and lower layers serving to hold the sand in place and to permit the free
movement of the liquid and of the air through the filter. Around the whole
structure are built a series of discharging gutters, 64, communicating with a series
of transverse drains, 65, each formed of a split terra cotta or metal
pipe, or of brick, or concrete, all being provided with perforated covers, 66,
which serve to keep out the filtering material but permits the entrance to the
draining pipe of the filtered liquid and the free circulation of air through the
filtering material.
Each of the pipes, 65, has its highest point at the centre of the filter or at one
side of the same and extends transversely from side to side thereof, its lower and
discharge ends communicating directly with the gutters, 64, and at the centre
or end of each drain pipe is a vertical pipe, 67, having an open top provided with
a protecting hood or shield, 68, to prevent the entrance of water and the exit
of air. The open top of the vertical pipe, 67, extends above the level of the filter
bed and affords a free discharge for air which will enter at the lower gutter end
of the drain pipe and pass through the same in a direction opposite to the direction
of flow of discharging water so that the surface of the water is again exposed to
the oxydizing action of the air, and further aerated and purified, and at the same
time providing abundant supply of air to the hardy bacilli maintained therein.
Each of the transverse drain pipes, 65, is in communication with smaller longi-
tudinal pipes, 69, having their highest portion midway of the distance between
two adjoining pipes, 65, as shown more clearly on Fig. 9 and at such point being
provided with a vertical stand pipe, 70, having a protecting shield, 71, and so
arranged that the flow of the water through these pipes will be met by a counter-
current of air passing from the transverse pipes, 65, up through the pipes, 69,
and escaping through the pipe 70, thereby aerating the water and supplying air
to the active and healthy micro-organisms within the filtering material.
The general arrangement of supporting posts, transverse pipes, 65, gutters, 64,
longitudinal pipes, 69, and their various discharging points and vertical venti-
lating pipes are more clearly shown in the general diagram Fig. 10.
In operation the liquid entering through the pipe, 25, is discharged into the
pipes, 55, and then flows into the various troughs, 57, flowing over the edges of
the latter in a thin, even stream to the bed of the filter, 46, being exposed to the
oxidizing action of the air during the time it is falling from the troughs to the
surface of the filter, and as the filter bed is exposed on both of its surfaces to
the air, there will naturally be more or less air enter and pass through the filter
to further oxydize the liquid and organic matter, and to support the growth of
such germs and micro-organisms purposely cultivated and maintained therein
The liquid after
to purify the liquid, with which it is brought into contact.
passing through the upper filter bed falls in drops or in small streams through
an air space several feet high to the lower filter bed and in so doing each particle
of the liquid is surrounded by air and any oxydizable matter which may remain
therein will be effectually destroyed, while the concussion from dropping of water
on to the lower filter bed will further purify it by the electricity thereby generated
and the liquid after striking and passing through the lower filter bed wherein
the micro-organisms and circulating air are at work as in upper bed and after
meeting the final currents of air in the drain pipe, 65, issues from the discharging
gutter 64, in a chemically and bacteriologically pure condition and may be dis-
charged into a stream from which a drinking supply is taken without injuring
the water in any manner.
It is clear that where the nature of the liquid being treated makes it desirable

page_text: that time should be given for sedimentation, that settling tanks of any ordinary
construction may be provided between the pumping station and the filtering beds.
It is also clear that, if desired, either the upper or the lower filter beds may be
employed singly.
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. A purification system comprising a main receiving station, receptacles for
the matter to be treated, devices for separating the matter held in suspension and
solid matters from the liquid, and for aerating said liquid, a filtering station in
communication with the receiving station and beds of filtering material for passage
of said liquid and for providing for the aeration of said liquids.
2. A purification system comprising a main receiving station, receptacles for
the matter to be treated deviced for separating the matter held in suspension and
solid matters from the liquid, and for aerating said liquid, a filtering station in
communication with the receiving station and oxygenizing beds of filtering
material for the habitation and cultivation of healthy, active bacilli or micro-
organisms so that they may properly destroy or remove all organic matters and
disease germs or microbes from the liquid which is contact thereby producing a
chemical and bacteriological purification.
3. That improvement in the art or process of purifying liquids which consists
in first aerating and oxygenizing and then filtering said liquid.
4. The herein described process of purifying liquids, said process consisting in
first, aerating said liquids, second, filtering the same; third, again aerating said
liquids, and subjecting them to a second filtration.
5. In combination with a filtering bed, a distributor comprising a vessel having
its edges arranged above said filter bed, the liquid to be filtered pouring down over
the sides of the distributor in a thin, even regular stream and being oxygenized
in its passage.
6. In a filtration plant, an elevated filter bed, a second lower filter bed, there
being between the two beds an open air space through which the liquid must fall
in passing from the upper to the lower filter.
7. A double filter bed comprising two bodies of filtering material arranged one
above the other in such manner as to form an intervening air space.
8. In combination, a filter bed, a pipe leading thereto, and a series of open top
troughs extending over and above the filtering bed to provide for the even and
regular distribution of the liquid to be filtered.
9. The combination in an enclosed structure, of the reservoir, a screening floor
therein, a supply pipe or sewer leading to said reservoirs at a point above the
level of the screening floor, and a distributor in communication with said pipe
or sewer and forming a sedimentation trough for the collection of the heavier
solid matters in the sewage.
10. The combination of the reservoir, a screening floor therein, a pipe or sewer
leading to the reservoir and communicating therewith at a point above the screen-
ing floor, a liquid distributor comprising an open top receptacle in communication
with and adapted to receive the sewage, said distributor having curved top edges
over which the liquid portion of the sewage may flow to the screening floor, sub-
stantially as specified.
11. The combination of the reservoir, a series of supporting girders therein, a
screening floor carried by said girders, a fresh air duct and an air vent formed in
the walls of the reservoir for inducing the flow of a current of air through and
across the reservoir in the path of the falling sewage.
12. The combination of a receiving reservoir, a screening floor therein, a liquid
supply pipe communicating with the reservoir at a point above the screening
floor and a distributing trough in communication with the liquid pipe, substan-
tially as specified.

page_text: 13. The combination of the reservoir, a screening floor therein, a liquid supply
pipe communicating with the reservoir at a point above the screening floor, a dis-
tributor in communication with the liquid supply, fresh air ducts provided at
points above and below the screening floor, and foul air vents provided at points
above and below the screening floor for inducing the flow of currents of air through
and across the reservoir and through the screening floor, substantially as specified.
14. The combination of the reservoir, a series of cross girders arranged therein,
and a screening floor supported upon said girders, said screening floor comprising
upper and lower gratings and an intermediate layer of filtering material between
said gratings, a distributor above the screening floor, and a liquid supply pipe in
communication with said distributor, substantially as specified.
15. The combination in an enclosed structure, of the reservoir, a skylight for
admitting the rays for purification purposes, a screening floor formed of upper
and lower gratings, and an intermediate layer of filtering material provided in
said reservoir, a liquid supply pipe in communication with the reservoir at a point
above the screening floor, a distributor adapted to receive the liquid and to dis-
charge the same in an even and regular manner on the screening floor, fresh and
foul air ducts formed in the walls of the reservoir at points above and below the
screening floor, for the induction of currents of fresh air, substantially as specified.
16. The combination of the reservoir, a grating supported therein, a filtering
material supported by said grating, a removable screen or cover on said filtering
material, and adapted to receive the liquid to be filtered.
17. The combination of the reservoir, a grating supported therein, a filtering
material provided upon said grating, a sectional screening floor, 10, covering said
filtering material, and an open top distributor provided above said sectional screen
for the purpose of receiving and distributing the liquid to be filtered, substan-
tially as specified.
18. The herein described process which consists in passing a body of liquid to
be purified through a mass of coke or other material, permitting such coke, or
material to absorb and retard the passage of grease or oily matters in the liquid,
removing said coke or material and subjecting the same to the action of heat for
the purpose of extracting the grease from the coke, substantially as specified.
19. The combination in an oven for the treatment of coke or similar material,
of a receiving basket formed of a series of steam pipes in which the coke is placed,
a wire netting or grating forming a false bottom in said oven for the retention
of the coke, and to permit the passage of and the accumulation of the extracted
grease from the bottom of the oven.
20. The combination in a grease oven, of the outer walls having supply and
discharge doors, a false bottom formed of wire netting or grating, and steam pipes
provided within said oven to supply the heat necessary for the extraction of the
grease from the material being treated, substantially as specified.
21. The combination in a grease oven of the outer walls having supply and dis-
charge doors, a foul air vent, a screening floor forming a false bottom for the
support of the material under treatment, a series of steam pipes provided within
the oven for the supply of the heat necessary for the extraction of the grease, and
a cock or tap at the bottom of the oven for withdrawal of the extracted grease,
substantially as specified.
22. The combination with a filter bed elevated above the surface of the ground,
of a supply pipe and a series of distributing troughs leading from said supply pipe
and extending over the surface of the filter bed for the even regular distribution
to such bed of the liquid to be purified.
23. In combination a filter bed elevated above the surface of the ground, a liquid
supply pipe provided above the filter bed, a series of troughs each having an open
top and a closed end in communication with said supply pipe, said troughs being
placed at equi-distant intervals above the surface of the filter bed and adapted
to distribute in an even and regular manner to such filter bed the liquid to be
filtered.

page_text: 24. A distributor for a filtering bed, comprising a supply pipe having an open
end normally closed by a removable cap or cover, and a series of equi-distant
distributing troughs carried by and in communication with said distributing
pipe, each of said troughs having an open top and a closed end.
25. The combination in an elevated bed, of the supporting girders, a series of
parallel pipes or supports carried by said girders, and forming a lower support
for the filtering medium, a filtering medium carried by said supports and upper
screening floor situate on top of the filtering medium, and a liquid supply above
the screening floor, substantially as specified.
26. In a filtering system, the combination with a liquid supply pipe, of a series
of separate beds of filtering material, a series of pipes extending from the main
supply pipe over such separate beds of filtering material, and valves on said pipes
for governing the flow of liquid to each separate bed of filtering material sub-
stantially as specified.
27. In a filter, the combination of a series of open pipes, having foraminous tops
arranged to form a drainage system, air outlets provided at the highest point of
said pipes and a bed of filtering material provided above said pipes, substantially
as specified.
28. In a filter, a series of drainage pipes inclined from the centre of the filter
bed to the discharge end, vertical vent pipes provided at the highest points of said
drainage pipes, and a bed of filtering material provided above said drainage pipes,
substantially as specified.
29. A purification system comprising a main receiving station, a reservoir, a
screening floor, therein, a distributor arranged above the screening floor and
adapted to receive and distribute the matter to be treated, a filtering plant in
communication with said receiving station, with upper and lower filter beds having
an intervening air space, and distributing trough arranged above the upper filter
bed and adapted to distribute the liquid in an even and regular manner.
30. The combination of the receiving reservoir, a screening floor therein, a dis-
tributor in communication with the supply pipe or sewer, a lower screening bed
having effluent drains, an elevated screening floor arranged above the lower filter
bed, a distributor, and the reservoir.
Tatad 1 041 d...
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1000