Improvements in the Purification of Sewage and other like Waste Liquids, and in Apparatus employed therein.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 25th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Purification of Sewage and other like Waste
Liquids, and in Apparatus employed therein.
We, WALTER ERNEST ADENEY, Curator, Royal University of Ireland,
Dublin, of 1 Eaton Place, Monkstown Co. Dublin, and WILLIAM KAYE
PARRY, M.A. C.E. and Architect of 6 Charlemont Terrace Kingstown
Co. Dublin, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
We have described in our Specification No. 3312 in the year 1890 and one of us
(W. E. Adeney) has further described in his Specifications No. 18983 in the
year 189, and No. 10929 in the year 1891, improved processes for the treatment
of sewage and like waste liquids, and for the treatment of sewage sludge. Now we
have since made improvements in these processes, we have also designed tanks
and certain mechanical appliances of suitable construction, and we have devised
and designed new and novel mechanical arrangements, for carrying out the said
improved processes.
According to this invention we pass the sewage into the first (tank No. 1) of a
series of four deep tanks all similar in construction. The sewage passes down the
centre of the tank by a wooden trunk, at the bottom of which are spreading arms,
or plates fixed horizontally so as to secure as equal a distribution of the upward
flow as possible. In this tank all the heavier matters in suspension in the sewage
are deposited by natural subsidence in the sump hole in the bottom of the tank,
thence to be drawn up through the sludge pipe as described afterwards the partially
clarified sewage on rising to the top of the tank flows away through a pipe in the
side, and is then treated with manganate of soda by the automatic feeding machine
described afterwards. This has the effect of oxidizing the more readily oxidizable
organic matters in the partially clarified sewage, and removing all offensive odours,
while the manganese, in combination with the manganate, as the latter is
decomposed by the organic matters in the sewage settles out of solution as oxy-
hydrate of manganese. The treated sewage, with the manganese oxyhydrate and
undecomposed manganate, is then led into the second tank (tank 2) precisely
similar in construction to the first tank. Nearly the whole of the manganese,
added to the sewage as manganate of soda, is deposited, as manganese oxyhydrate,
in the sump hole in the bottom of this tank No. 2 and it is drawn up through the
sludge pipe, to be described afterwards, and recovered. From this tank the
partially purified sewage passes to the third (tank 3) also similar in construction to
tank 1; before entering tank 3 however it is mixed with a solution of sulphate of
alumina fed by the automatic feeding machine afterwards described. This
precipitates some organic matters and any remaining oxyhydrate of manganese;
these matters and practically the whole of the alumina, added as sulphate, which
separates out of solution as the hydrate and basic sulphate, are deposited in the
sump hole in the bottom of the tank and drawn up and recovered in a similar
manner to that employed in tank 2. The effluent from tank 3 is treated with a
solution of nitrate of soda, fed by the automatic feeding machine described after-
wards, and then passes into the fourth and final tank (tank 4). In this tank any
remaining suspended matter is deposited and is drawn up just as in the case of the
other tanks, and the healthy bacterial activity which is necessary to indirectly
oxidize the organic matters which still remain in the partially purified sewage and
to complete the process of purification, is established. The germs, which develope
and multiply in tank 4 are naturally present in the air and on the surfaces of

page_text: surrounding bodies and also in fresh sewage. The deposits of sewage sludge, of
oxyhydrate of manganese, and of hydrate and basic sulphate of alumina, in
tanks 1, 2 and 3, respectively, are drawn up by sludge pipes which communicate,
each with an iron cylinder, in which partial vacua are created, the deposits being
thereby drawn up, each into a separate cylinder, whence they are removed for
draining or pressing.
The oxyhydrate of manganese, recovered in tank 2, is dried, ignited and
reconverted into manganate of soda and employed to oxidize fresh quantities of
sewage in tank. 2. Some of the recovered oxyhydrate while still wet may also be
mixed with the sewage deposit from tank 1, to prevent putrefaction therein during
the process of air drying them.
The hydrate and basic sulphate of alumina recovered from tank 3 are dried
ignited and reconverted into the soluble sulphate of alumina again, by digesting
with sulphuric acid at a suitable temperature. The reconverted sulphate may be
employed again for treatment of fresh portions of partially purified sewage in
tank 3, the same alumina being thus used over and over again for the similar purpose
in tank 3.
After a time the hydrate and basic sulphate of alumina recovered from tank 3,
becomes very rich in manganese, it is then fused with caustic soda and nitrate of
soda, instead of being digested with sulphuric acid, and converted into manganate
and aluminate of soda, and employed for oxidizing the sewage matters in tank 2,
similarly to the reconverted oxyhydrate of manganese recovered from tank 2.
We find that ordinary town sewage requires no chemical treatment previous to
the treatment with manganate of soda after passing from tank 1, as above described.
Should however the sewage be decidedly acid or alkaline from admixture with
trade waste liquids, then it must, before treatment with manganate of soda be
neutralized with chalk, or a mineral acid, or other suitable substance, as the state
of the sewage may demand.
The automatic feeding machine is constructed as follows:-Figure 1 shows a
section, and Figure 2 a side elevation of the machine as used for feeding dry
powders.
A hopper a of any convenient size is fixed into the delivery chamber A which
has a small opening d in its side at or near the bottom. This opening is covered
outside by a plate b which is pivoted on a hinge at p. On the outer face of the
plate is a rod c, on which slides a weight w, which can be fixed at any point on
the rod c.
A shaft is driven either by the action of the sewage or liquid to be treated, on
a small waterwheel, or by any convenient motor, which can be controlled auto-
matically by the flow of sewage. On the shaft is a cam k, which may have one or
more points as convenient or necessary. This cam raises and lets fall a rod h which
passes through a guide i, and a projection j on the delivery chamber A. On the
upper end of the rod h are screwed two nuts m n, the lower of which strikes on the
projection when the rod falls. The blow thus given causes the valve b to fly
open, and some of the powder drops through the mouth d and into the water
vessel e.
The amount of powder thus delivered depends on the position of the
weight u on the rod and on the amount of drop given to the rod h. This latter
can be varied by altering the position of the nuts m n.
The capacity of the machine is regulated, primarily by the size of the mouth d,
and then by the adjustments described. The powder delivered from d, falls as
stated into the vessel e, which is supplied with water by the inlet and the solution
of the powder passes off at the overflow 9. For feeding solutions, the machine is
altered by substituting the valve or delivery chamber A' Figure 3 for that shown in
the other figures. The liquid to be fed, is delivered from a tank into the hopper a,
and maintained at a constant level by a ball and valve, or any convenient method,
and is delivered out of A' through a circular valve of the ordinary type, which is
kept closed by a right angled lever v and the weight u. The valve is opened by
the shock of the rod h falling on j, as in the dry feed machine.

page_text: The vessel e must be of suitable shape to receive the delivery from the valve v
and of course does not require a water supply, as is necessary for the powder.
Dated this Fourth day of July 1893.
W. E. ADENEY.
W. KAYE PARRY.
Improvements in the Purification of Sewage and other like Waste
Liquids, and in Apparatus employed therein.
We, WALTER ERNEST ADENEY, Curator, Royal University of Ireland,
Dublin, of 1 Eaton Place, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, and WILLIAM KAYE
PARRY, M.A., C.E. and Architect of 6 Charlemont Terrace, Kingstown,
Co. Dublin, 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 :-
We have described in our Specification No. 3312 in the year 1890 and one of
us (W. E. Adeney) has further described in his Specifications No. 18983 in the
year 1890, and No. 10929 in the year 1891 improved processes for the treatment
of sewage and like waste liquids, and for the treatment of sewage sludge. Now
we have since made improvements in these processes, we have also designed tanks
and certain mechanical appliances of suitable construction, and we have devised
and designed new and novel mechanical arrangements, for carrying out the said
improved processes.
According to this invention we pass the sewage into the first (tank No. 1) of a
series of four deep tanks all similar in construction. The sewage passes down the
centre of the tank by a wooden trunk, at the bottom of which are spreading arms,
or plates fixed horizontally so as to secure as equal a distribution of the upward
flow as possible. In this tank all the heavier matters in suspension in the sewage
are deposited by natural subsidence in the sump hole in the bottom of the tank,
thence to be drawn up through the sludge pipe as described afterwards. The
partially clarified sewage on rising to the top of the tank flows away through a
pipe in the side, and is then treated with manganate of soda, usually in the
proportion of from two to five grains to the gallon. This has the effect of
oxidizing the more readily oxidizable organic matters in the partially clarified
sewage, and removing all offensive odours, while the manganese, in combination
with the manganate as the latter is decomposed by the organic matters in the
sewage settles out of solution as oxhydrate of manganese. The treated sewage,
with the manganese oxybydrate and undecomposed manganate, is then led into
the second tank (tank 2) precisely similar in construction to the first tank. Nearly
the whole of the manganese, added to the sewage as manganate of soda, is
deposited, as manganese oxyhydrate, in the sump hole in the bottom of this
tank No. 2 and it is drawn up through the sludge pipe, to be described afterwards,
and recovered. From this tank the partially purified sewage passes to the third
(tank 3) also similar in construction to tank 1; before entering tank 3 however
it is mixed with a solution of sulphate of alumina in the proportion say of
seven grains to the gallon. This precipitates some organic matters and any
remaining oxyhydrate of manganese; these matters and practically the whole of
the alumina, added as sulphate which separates out of solution as the hydrate and
basic sulphate, are deposited in the sump hole in the bottom of the tank and drawn
up and recovered in a similar manner to that employed in tank 2. The effluent
from tank 3 is treated with a solution of nitrate of soda, in the proportion say of

page_text: two to three grains to the gallon and then passes into the fourth and final tank
(tank 4). In this tank any remaining suspended matter is deposited and is drawn
up just as in the case of the other tanks, and the healthy bacterial activity which
is necessary to indirectly oxidize the organic matters which still remain in the
partially purified sewage and to complete the process of purification, is established.
The germs, which develope, and multiply in tank 4 are naturally present in the
air and on the surfaces of surrounding bodies and also in fresh sewage. The
deposits of sewage sludge, of oxyhydrate of manganese, and of hydrate and basic
sulphate of alumina, in tanks 1, 2 and 3 respectively, are drawn up by sludge pipes
which communicate each with an iron cylinder, in which partial vacua are created,
the deposits being thereby drawn up, each into a separate cylinder, whence they
are removed for draining or pressing.
The oxyhydrate of manganese, recovered in tank 2, is dried, ignited and recon-
verted into manganate of soda and employed to oxidize fresh quantities of sewage
in tank 2. Some of the recovered oxyhydrate while still wet may also be mixed
with the sewage deposits from tank 1, to prevent putrefaction therein during the
process of air drying them.
The hydrate and basic sulphate of alumina recovered from tank 3 are pressed
and if necessary, dried ignited, and reconverted into the soluble sulphate of
alumina again, by digesting with sulphuric acid at a suitable temperature. The
reconverted sulphate may be employed again for treatment of fresh portions of
partially purified sewage in tank 3, the same alumina being thus used over and over
again for the similar purpose in tank 3.
After a time the hydrate and basic sulphate of alumina recovered from tank 3,
becomes very rich in manganese, it is then fused with caustic soda and nitrate of
soda, instead of being digested with sulphuric acid, and converted into manganate
and aluminate of soda, and employed for oxidizing the sewage matters in tank 2,
similarly to the reconverted oxyhydrate of manganese recovered from tank 2.
We have found that the sulphates of iron and manganese, which may be obtained
by treating manganiferous iron ores with sulphuric acid, may be substituted, in
similar quantities, for the sulphate of alumina in the process of sewage treatment
hereinabove described, and employed for the same purpose with similar results;
and we have further found that the basic sulphates and hydrates and possibly
carbonates of iron and manganese which are recovered, when the said sulphates of
iron and manganese are so substituted, may be reconverted to sulphates in a
manner similar to that hereinabove described, for the reconversion of the recovered
hydrate and basic sulphate of alumina, or the recovered hydrates and basic
sulphates of iron and manganese may be mixed with the deposits from the
tank No. 1, to prevent putrefaction therein during the process of air drying them.
We find that ordinary town sewage requires no chemical treatment previous
to the treatment with inanganate of soda after passing from tank 1, as above
described. Should however the sewage be decidedly acid or alkaline from
admixture with trade waste liquids, then it must, before treatment with manganate
of soda be neutralized with chalk, or a mineral acid, or other suitable substance,
as the state of the sewage may demand.
When the sewage or waste liquid contains large quantities of organic matters in
suspension or in solution, more especially when the organic matters are of a highly
carbonaceous character, we have found that it is advantageous to reverse the order
of treatment with manganate of soda and sulphate of alumina or sulphates of
iron and manganese, as hereinabove described, and to add the sulphate of alumina,
or the sulphates of iron and manganese, to the sewage as it flows into tank 2 and
the manganate of soda to the partially purified sewage as it flows into tank 3. In
all other respects the details of the process remain similar, with the exception that
the quantity of sulphate of alumina, or of sulphates of iron and manganese, must be
increased to 10 or 20 grains per gallon, according to the foulness of the sewage or
liquid to be treated.

page_text: Figure 1 of the annexed drawings is a plan illustrating the arrangement of the
tanks, and apparatus. Parts only of the two intermediate tanks are drawn.
Figure 2 is a section on the line A. B. in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section on the line C. D. in Figure 1.
a is the pipe which brings in the sewage. b is a strainer through which it passes.
e is the deep tank into which the sewage is received it passes down nearly to the
bottom by the trunk c¹. c² c² are radial arms fixed upon the trunk, they serve to
ensure a lateral diffusion of the sewage, when it reaches the bottom of the trunk,
this they do by checking local up-flows which if the arms c² were removed would
be liable to occur.
c³ is the receptacle for the sludge at the bottom of the tank.
d is the over-flow from the tank and e, is a mixing race along which the liquid
flows and where the solution of manganate of soda is run in. is the second tank
which receives the manganated sewage. f¹ is the third tank, as the sewage enters
it, the addition of sulphate of alumina is made. 9 is the fourth tank, it contains
sewage which has received the further addition of nitre. The tanks are all similar
and overflow from one to another. h. h are cylindrical vessels which can be
exhausted by an air pump i. k. k. are pipes passing from the vessels / to the
bottom of the tanks cff and g. and through which on opening cocks, the sludge
can be sucked up in the vessels. From the vessel h. the sludge is delivered into
sacks applied beneath a mouth or opening at the bottom of the vessel. The sludge
can afterwards be spread to dry on the floors l' and m. m', the floors are for
the raw sewage sludge, and the floors m. m¹ for the manganese sludge, n is a boiler
generating steain which can as required be blown into the tank f.
The automatic feeding machine to supply the chemicals in pre-arranged
proportions is shewn by the Figures 4 and 5 and Figure 6 shows a modification.
Figure 4 is a section and Figure 5 is a side elevation of the machine as used for
feeding dry powders.
A hopper A of any convenient size is fixed into the delivery chamber A¹ which
has a small opening D in its side at or near the bottom. This opening is covered
outside by a plate B. which is pivotted on a hinge at P. On the outer face of the
plate is a rod C. on which slides a weight W, which can be fixed at any point on
the rod C.
A shaft L is driven either by the action of the sewage or liquid to be treated on
a small water wheel, or by any convenient motor, which can be controlled
automatically by the flow of sewage. On the shaft is a cam K which may have
one or more points as convenient or necessary. This cam raises and lets fall a
rod H which passes through a guide I and a projection J. on the delivery
chamber A. On the upper end of the rod H are screwed two nuts, M. N. the
lower of which strikes on the projection J, when the rod falls. The blow thus
given causes the valve B to fly open and some of the powder drops through the
mouth D, and into the water vessel E. The amount of powder thus delivered
depends on the position of the weight W on the rod C, and on the amount of drop
given to the rod H. This latter can be varied by altering the position of the
nuts M. N.
The capacity of the machine is regulated primarily by the size of the mouth D,
and then by the adjustments described. The powder delivered from D. falls as
stated into the vessel E which is supplied with water by the inlet F, and the
solution of the powder passes off at the over-flow G. For feeding solutions the
machine is altered by substituting the valve or delivery chamber A³ Figure 6 for
that shewn in the other figures. The liquid to be fed is delivered from a tank into
the hopper A, and maintained at a constant level by a ball and valve or any
convenient method, and is delivered out of A2 through a circular valve of the
ordinary type, which is kept closed by a right angled lever V and the weight W.
The valve is opened by the shock of the rod H falling on J. as in the dry feed
machine.
The vessel E must be of suitable shape to receive the delivery from the valve V,
and of course does not require a water supply, as is necessary for the powder.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The purification of sewage and like waste waters substantially as described by
successive treatments with manganate of soda, sulphate of alumina, iron or
manganese, and an inorganic oxygen containing substance such as nitrate of soda,
capable of reduction by micro-organisms.
2. The purification of sewage and like waste waters substantially as described
by successive treatment with sulphate of alumina, iron or manganese, manganate
of soda and an inorganic oxygen containing substance such as nitrate of soda
capable of reduction by micro-organisms.
3. In the purification of sewage and like waste waters substantially as described,
the use of tanks constructed as herein set forth with a central entrance trunk and
spreading arms and a sump hole where the sludge can accumulate and whence it
may be withdrawn by a sludge pipe.
4. Apparatus for the automatic delivery in regulated quantity, of chemicals for
the treatment of sewage and like waste waters, in which apparatus a blow caused
to be struck from time to time by a motor controlled by the flow of liquid
momentarily opens a valve or trap as herein set forth.
Dated this Third day of April 1894
Witness to the signature of W. E. Adeney-
JAMES MCCONNELL.
Witness to the signature of W. Kaye Parry-
JAMES F. RITCHIE.
W. E. ADENEY.
W. KAYE PARRY.