IMPROVEMENTS IN. APPARATUS FOR TREATING FECAL AND OTHER REFUSE MATTER
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adalbert Baron von Podewils, of Munich, in the
Kingdom of Bavaria, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN. APPARATUS
FOR TREATING FECAL AND OTHER REFUSE MATTER.”
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Adalbert Baron von Podewils
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th May 1881.
ADALBERT BARON VON PODEWILS, of Munich, in the Kingdom of Bavaria,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TREATING FECAL AND OTHER REFUSE
MATTER."
This Invention relates to improved apparatus for the treatment of refuse, and
consists in the combination shown on the Drawings; in Sheet 1, Figures 1 and 2
elevation and plan, which is intended to serve for evaporating fluids with the least
possible expense of fuel, and to reduce the residue into coarse powder. At the
same time that the complete disinfection and deodorization of putrid solutions,
such as fecal matters, is effected by fumigation. In the reservoir A the matter is
collected and intermittently forwarded by its own weight into the lower vessel B.
When the latter is filled an acid is mixed with the contents in a manner described
hereafter. This acid binds the free ammonia and changes its carbonic combination
into a salt that will be stable under heat. The carbonic acid being liberated
presses the entire fluid into the fumigating apparatus C, afterwards described.
In this latter apparatus the heating gases which escape from the furnaces used are
forced or sucked through the fluid by means of the blast D. The disinfecting aud
deodorizing substances existing in the smoke are absorbed by the fluid, and at the
same time the perfect utilization of the heat still remaining in the gases is
secured.
The matters thus warmed and prepared are then carried to the evaporation
boiler E, which has a pressure less than the atmosphere. Partly thickened in this
boiler E the fecal matters pass in the tubular conduit r, r, r, which is provided
with corresponding cocks through three vacuum apparatus F₁, F., F.
The heating of the first vacuum chamber F, is effected by the steam produced in
the evaporator E and by the return steam of steam engine G. The first vacuum

page_text: chamber heats the second, and this the third one. When the substances are
reduced in F, into a thick paste they are forwarded by the pump H and the pipe
conduit T, Ta
into the rotary drying apparatus J₁, J., detailed hereafter, out of
which the residue is taken in the shape of a dry coarse powder. The heating of
the apparatus J, J, is effected from the exterior by the smoke-gases already
utilized in the fumigator C. These gases carry along from the fumigator a great
quantity of steam, which condenses on the outside of the drying apparatus, as this
latter has a lower temperature, and thus heat is given out.
Fresh air is carried by the ventilator K through the drying apparatus. For the
purpose of taking the air which issues from pipe L, as well as the smoke and
gases used in the fumigator C, and then in the drying apparatus J, J, in a
condition perfectly free from smell into the flue S they are obliged to pass through
the absorbing apparatus M, described hereafter.
Referring to the machine for lifting fecal matters and mixing them with sulphuric
acid: To bind both the free ammonia and the carbonate of ammonia it is necessary
to mix some acid with the fecal matters, and the best is sulphuric acid. The
reduction into sulphate of ammonia goes on with a considerable development of
carbonic acid. If the mixing is done in closed vessels the pressure of the carbonic
acid is sufficient to lift the fecal matters to a considerable height. The apparatus
used for this purpose, Sheet 1, Figures 3 and 4, being elevation and end view of
apparatus are,-
(a.) A cylinder A placed low enough to fill itself by pipe R communicating with
the reservoir.
(b.) The measuring vessel B.
(c.) The vessel C for the acid.
When the triple cocks h, and h, of the measuring vessel B are so adjusted that
there is a communication between the pipes with the acid vessel C the
vessel B fills with acid. By turning the cocks h₁, h, another way the vessel B
communicates by the pipes 7, 7, with cylinder A, and the contents of B are
emptied into A.
The carbonic acid thereby forming forces the contents of
cylinder A forward through pipe R which has a slide. For thoroughly inixing
the contents of the cylinder with the acid there is an apparatus for stirring D in
cylinder A. Referring to the apparatus for mixing the smoke-gases with the fluids
to be evaporated, or for the purpose of the absorption of gases in fluids, Sheet 2,
Figures and 2 being sectional elevations thereof. The fluid to be fumigated and
evaporated, or to be mixed with gases, is contained in pan A. On the bottom the
tube B is fixed, over which a bell C is hung. This bell is supplied with any
number of branch pipes R₁, R., bent downwards, and at their mouth bent
rectangularly in a direction opposite to the rotation of the bell C (Fig. 2). The
rotation of the bell C with its branches R₁, R₁, is effected from the outside by a
machine D, the construction of which is of a nature to allow by means of lever E
a vertical displacement of the bell while the machine is working. An overflow-
pipe F (Fig. 1) which can also be adjusted, allows the level of the fluid to be
changed. The gases which are to be mixed with the fluid are either forced by a
blast into tube B, and enter the fluid through the downward curved pipes R₁, R., or
the blast sucks them off the conduit G₁, G., by creating a volume of rarefied air in
the boiler A, whereby the pressure of the exterior air will force the gases out
through the rotating arms R₁, R, of the bell, or lastly, the rotation of bell C is
accelerated to a degree that it acts as an aspirator. This possibility of altering
during work the depth of immersion of bell C is particularly important in cases
when the gases to be absorbed vary in their composition like smoke-gases. In case
these latter are employed for fumigating fecal matters, the bell C must be plunged
at every fresh supply of fuel as deeply as possible, in order to promote the complete
utilization of the smoke forming at those moments. When gradually the com-
bustion has become more perfect, a smaller depth of plunge will be found sufficient
to absorb the few dry products of distillation. To retain small particles of fluid
that may have been carried on by the current, a separator H (Fig. 2) is used,

page_text: connected with a pipe G and through pipe r, the particles return into the boiler A.
The gases forced through escape by pipe G. Referring to the drying apparatus,
Sheet 2, Figs. 3 and 4, being longitudinal and cross sections thereof; this
apparatus is constructed with a view to utilize the heat of the escaping gases to
the greatest possible degree, and so that it can also be heated by direct steam. It
is furnished besides with simple machinery to knead and break the tenacious
masses formed in evaporating the fecal matters, and to reduce them into a con-
dition favorable for their complete drying. The apparatus (Sheet 2, Figures 3
and 4) consists of a rotating drum A placed in brickwork in such a way that the
heating gases can circulate freely round it. The drum is filled with the matter to
be dried, and a ventilator sucks the fresh air through it. When it is found
desirable to increase the effectiveness of the apparatus without increasing its size,
it is merely necessary to increase the outer surface, the inner one may remain
considerably smaller. To attain this object the drum A has to be provided with
corrugations or ribs a, a, a, (Figure 4). The heating gases are admitted by the
chamber C, through the openings d₁, da, da, d₁, ds; the escaping gases pass by the
upper chamber C, provided with corresponding openings de, d, da, da, do. Suitable
slides are fitted for closing the draught. The drum is turned from outside resting
with its shaft-ends B upon rollers Ď (Figure 3). To render the escape of gases
impossible, elastic plates e₁, e, e, e glide on the edges of the drum, which are
turned smooth. Some substances, as for instance, fecal matters, render the
process of drying difficult, because they soon reach a stage in which they
form into balls, offering therefore only a small surface to the action of the
heat in the drum, and to the drying effect of the ventilating air. To remedy
this the following apparatus is fitted inside the drum. Two cylinders v₁, v₂, crush
the balls as they form and push them upwards against the inner surface of the
drum (Figure 4). In this condition the mass comes under a scraper s consisting
of a number of obliquely set knives, which cut up the paste into strips and force
these strips to turn, then the mass comes again under the cylinders and is again
pushed upwards. The crushing cylinders are also provided with simple scrapers
tt to prevent the paste from sticking to the cylinders. For the purpose of
accelerating the process of drying, for instance, if it is wished to reduce the fecal
matters quickly into balls, the crushing-cylinders v₁, v., can be heated by steam, the
shaft F of drum A being made hollow for some length at its two ends, from whence
small pipes, lead to the heads of the crushing-cylinders. The steam enters by
the small pipes ₁, 7, and water leaves by 7, 14, coupled to the shaft with stuffing-
boxes. This combination of heating by gas and steam, and the adaptation of ribs
on the outside of the drum allow the drying process to be carried through in a
relatively very small apparatus at a low temperature. The scrapers s and the
crushing-cylinders v₁, v, within the drum likewise effect a formation of the material,
which is favorable for the drying, and ultimately reduce, by acting like a crushing-
mill, the matter into a powder. Referring to apparatus for absorption, shown on
Sheet 2, Figs. 5 and 6, being sectional elevation and end view, when strongly
smelling fluids are to be evaporated, for the deodorization of which fumigation
alone is not sufficient, then the gases forced through must be brought into close
contact with water or some other purifying liquid, for which purpose the apparatus
now described will serve. The drum A (Sheet 2, Figures 5 and 6) is half filled
with water or some other absorbing liquid. The pipe ?, gives a constant supply;
pipe maintains the level equal and serves for the discharge. The gases to be
purified enter by the mouth o, take their way through the upper part of the
apparatus, and leave it cleansed by mouth o₁. Within the drum A a reel H,
consisting of a number of vertical nets made of hemp or, according to the nature
of the fluid, of wire-work, is rotated, turned from outside (Figure 6). By this
rotation the nets are constantly moistened, offering to the gases an extensive
surface of humidity, and thereby promoting absorption. In the further course of
rotation the nets or the wire-work are washed in the fluid, rise steeped afresh to
pass through the space filled with gases.

page_text: Having described the nature of the Invention, and the mode of using the same,
I claim,
1. The combination and arrangement of fumigator C with drying drum J for the
purpose of fumigating and drying fluids (Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2).
2. The combination and arrangement of apparatus B for lifting liquid refuse
matters, with the fumigator C, the drying-drum J, and the apparatus for absorption M
(Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2).
3. The combination and arrangement of the fumigator C and the drying-drum J
with the evaporation-boiler E (Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2).
4. The combination and arrangement of fumigator C, drying-drum J, and
evaporation-boiler E, with the vacuum-chambers or pans F₁, F, F,, (Sheet 1,
Figs. 1 and 2).
5. The general combination and arrangement of apparatus, and arrangements
for disinfecting and evaporating fluids, particularly fecal matters, with the least
possible consumption of fuel (Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2).
6. The machinery for lifting fecal-matters by mixing them with acids, and by
using the pressure produced by the liberated carbonic acid (Sheet 1, Figs. 3 and 4).
7. The apparatus for mixing smoke-gases with the fluids to be evaporated for
the purpose of obtaining the absorption of gases in fluids, said apparatus allowing
of the regulation of the intensity of absorption by means of the adjustable bell C,
and the possibility of altering the level of the fluid (Sheet 2, Figs. 1 and 2).
8. The crushers and scrapers combined with a rotating drum for the purpose of
the quick, even, and perfect drying of matters, liable to form during drying a paste-
like mass in the shape of balls. The arrangements for heating the crushing-
cylinders by steam, allowing a combined use of heat-gases and steam.
application of ribs to the outside of the drying-drum for the purpose of reducing
the dimensions of the apparatus (Sheet 2, Figs. 3 and 4).
The
9. The apparatus for the absorption of gases in fluids without forcing the gases
through the fluid by means of a rotating reel composed of nets continually wetted
and washed in the fluid, whereby a large and wet surface is offered to the gases
passing over the fluid (Sheet 2, Fige. 5 and 6).
In witness whereof, I, the said Adalbert Baron von Podewils, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of May, A.D. 1881.