CLARIFYING SEWAGE AND FILTERING WATER
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 12th Nov., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 25th Mar., 1887
THOMAS REID Civil Engineer and Surveyor The Grove, Normanton Yorks do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for CLARIFYING SEWAGE AND FILTERING
WATER to be as follows:-
An upper and lower area if practicable, or, a single area when the lower area is not
available. Deep Tanks of special construction and a series of compartments-more or
less, as circumstances demand-for the removal of grosser matter, and for the
solidification of sludge or mud deposit.
Hydraulic apparatus and Inspection Chambers, Shallow Tanks and special Filtering
Area with carriers &c. for completing the process.
In combination with the general arrangement there will be chambers and sluices
for upward filtration; and carriers.
Apparatus for separating liquid from solid when cleaning out compartments of
deep Tanks.
The adjustment of the filtering medium and the formation of the bottom of the
shallow-Tanks is as follows,-A horizontal bed of variable thickness placed upon
an impervious foundation-natural or otherwise the surface of which bed is divided
into higher and lower levels; the higher level being porous on the surface for filtering,
the lower level impervious and hard for the convenient removal of precipitated cr
settled matter, provision is made to control all flocculent and feculent matter and to
guard the filters from contact therewith; a special feature being the reservation of
the final medium for the interception of the most minute and subtle impurities only.
The depth of the shallow Tanks and the thickness of the horizontal bed vary
according to the quantity to be treated and other local circumstances.
In addition to the horizontal bed above described there are vertical filters and
conduits associated with sub-distributors so that the operation may be continuous (up

page_text: to a given capacity) when percolation through the porous material on the horizontal
area, or bed, above referred to becomes suspended in consequence of the coating over
or sealing of the pores by the intercepted matter and downward action ceases pending
the removal of the deposit or the cleansing of the filtering medium.
The vertical filters are so constructed and placed that they may be charged,
renewed, or cleansed without stopping the process of filtration.
Arrangement of gathering pipes and conductors.
Constant motion and free ventilation to insure the most perfect oxidation.
The Tanks and areas are in duplicate; and provision is made for four sets of
filtering areas, each working independently, so that the intermittent principle may be 1
adopted.

page_text: Volumes of Water.
THOMAS REID Civil Engineer and Surveyor The Grove, Normanton, Yorks, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for CLARIFYING SEWAGE AND FILTERING
WATER and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
Sluice Chambers for regulating the flow of Sewage or Water.
Series of Tanks-"D," on plan-six in number or an indefinitely extended series
whilst ono only may be used, each being furnished with a Sluice, a Filtering
Chamber, and a Trough for efficient upward filtration, also, two or more Valves, and a
sludge screen, and conductors for running the tank dry when required for the
removal of Sludge or otherwise, without pump or the expensive arrangement of
floating valves.
Sluice and Conducting Pipes in middle walls of tanks to connect one set of three,
1. 2. 3 on Plan, with the second set 4. 5. 6, or otherwise.
Sluice and Conducting Pipes in Walls of Tanks and otherwise to direct the flow the
Sewage or water over the filtering area, the course the Sewage is conducted is
indicated by arrows on plan.
Special Filtering Areas (otherwise high level areas) "H." "H" on plan comprising
carriers and distributors I. I. on plan for conducting the water or sewage over the
surface, the highest part of which to insure an active current must be 9 inches below
the edge or rim of the Trough near "E" on plan of Tank "D1" on plan.
Vertical Filters "N" on plan built in the side walls of conductor "K" on plan, the
tops of which are fixed six or eight inches below the rim of the trough of Tank "D1"
on plan but some inches higher than the edge of the conductor "I" on plan so that
the water or sewage may not flow over the top but pass through the filters.
Sunk Areas, M." "M." on plan on each side of the conductors K for sludge
deposit and to give depth to vertical filters "N" on plan, this depth will vary in
accordance with the quantity of sewage or water to be treated; by deepening this
area, and the introduction of deep tray-like filters, upward filtration may be secured.
Areas of porous material for downward filtration "H." "H" on plan.
Branch Distributors, these are detached or fixed troughs or pipes to direct the
sowage at will should the diversion of it be desired for any special purpose.
Main and branch subsoil drains "J" on plan, the course of which is indicated by
dotted lines on plan, the main drain being about four feet deep and is laid
immediately under the conductor "K" on plan, with a fall of 1 in 100 towards the
chamber “O” and discharging thereinto.
"
"

page_text: The Chamber "O" on plan, which receives the high level water conducted through
or along the conductor K on plan, and the low level drainage water last above
described; this chamber when so desired is convertible for the Automatic Apparatus
to work therein.
Ventilating Shaft at the extremity of K and opposite "0" on plan to admit of a
free current of air through sub-soil drains &c. and to promote oxidation.
tr
The Hydraulic Apparatus "O." "O" on detailed plan to receive the high level
water from the conductor K and with a fall of from 3 to 4 feet give it automatic
action for mixing chemicals when so desired. Valves and Sluices are provided so as to
control the water or sewage in every stage of its treatment, notably at "B." "C."
"R." "S" "V" "y" "V""y" y "y" "U." "U." "U.” “U.” “U." "U."
"O." "P." "F" "F" "F" and one between each Tank and at the inlet of "D4"
from the middle wall of Tanks and at each junction of carriers and at "Q." "L." &c.
Arrangements are made to divide the two special filtering areas ("H" "H" on
plan) when so desired for intermittent purposes into four each division working
independently, this is effected by forming a clay or other impervious barrier beneath
the conductor "K" on plan and traversing the entire length from the Chamber "0"
to the ventilating shaft, a double line of main drains being laid nstead of a single
drain each discharging into the chamber "O."
Lower filtering Area, "X" on plan, the surface level of which is regulated to
receive water or sewage discharged from the bottom of the Tanks and from special or
high level filtering areas, practically it is of little or no consequence whether this
lower area is at considerable distance from or close to the Tanks or special or high
level filtering areas; this will be determined by the circumstances of the case.
The receiver conduit, "W" on plan, is an elongated tank the sectional area of
which is regulated by the condition of the sewage or water to be clarified, in this
Tank when chemicals are used precipitation will take place, and any escape of sediment
from the Tanks or otherwise, will be retained therein, arrangements are made for
emptying and cleansing this receiver conduit through the lower sluice "Z" on plan
and when necessary a Sludge Tank is added similar to those connected with the
Sewage Tanks "T." "T." on plan; and an area at a still lower level may be brought
into use, it being characteristic of this mode of treatment that its continuity can be
preserved until the highest degree of perfection is attained.
The water, or Sewage effluent, when caused to flow over the sides of the conduit
(which is regulated by a valve at "Q") passes over the surface of the area at X on
plan and percolates through the soil and is then carried through or along the subsoil
drains bright and clear into the water course, the water level of which is from 3 to 6
feet below the surface of this area the depth being suited to the circumstances of
each case.
The General filtering Area "G" on plan is used for the treatment of Sewage only,
this generally is the same as has been constructed by me previously, and is now
associated with the other portions of the invention to meet the local circumstances of
every case, the system of high and low level areas being applicable to the general as
well as to the special areas; and also to make the tanks &c. of unrestricted application
for treating economically any quantity of sewage of the worst description.
This general filtering area is divided into sections of any length and from 40 to 60
feet in width, the main and branch carriers "I." "I" on plan form the divisions, and
these are raised about a foot above the level of the general areas, and by means of
sluices each section can be flooded separately; the soil must be naturally free and
pervious, or be rendered so artifically i.e. when the principal of deep land filtration is
adopted which circumstances will determine; the surface of each section must be
level longitudinally and transversely, so that the sewage inay flow equally over the
surface and uni-percolation be maintained; the under drains indicated by the dotted
lines J on plan and placed five or six feet below the surface and into these the effluent
after percolation and filtration through the soil passes, and is then carried off by them
and discharged into a water course either natural or artificial,

page_text: Each section can be worked separately and intermittent treatment is thereby
secured.
The Sludge Tanks "T." "T" on plan, are constructed alongside each set of
3 Tanks, so that the sludge deposited in each of these tanks may be emptied into the
Sludge Tanks direct, they are formed 3 feet 6 inches in depth.
The moisture is drained off through the filter screens "U." "U." "U." and when
sufficiently dried by this means, assisted by natural evaporation it may be carted.
away or otherwise removed.
When so desired these Tanks will be roofed over and the bottoms formed like malt
kiln floors, and the drying process facilitated after draining, by the application of heat.
The necessity for the latter provision will be determined by the character of the
Sewage and the local circumstances.
DETAILS PARTICULARIZED.
The Tank Filters "E" on plan and section consist of the water-tight partition from
top of Tanks extending about half way down and across each Tank, a perforated iron
or otherwise porons bottom; and a trough the upper edge of which regulates the
depth of Sewage or water in the Tanks, the chamber for containing the filtering
medium being 18 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet; or, about one sixth the area of Tanks.
The Sluices which regulate the flow of the sewage between each Tank.
The irons Screens, and valve chambers V on plan and section, these are "V" shaped,
the front portion being perforated, the sides plain, the back before being fixed, open;
the sides when built into the wall inclose the valves, two or more in number, these.
being worked with handles, the top is open for access to the valves &c.
The sunk or dished portion of the special or high level area "M" on plan and
Section.
The Conductors "K" on plan and section are formed of half pipes, or otherwise of
any required dimensions bedded solidly in concrete.
The ledge or footing space a. a on section on either side of K on plan, and section
is formed to give ready access to Filters from the back, upon the ledges when the
works are on a large scale a tram rail is laid, and a truck suitably constructed is
provided to run thereon.
The Filter Cases "N" on plan and section are built into the side walls at intervals
and are made square oblong, or tray shaped of cast iron or other material. The
square and oblong cases are made with a moveable stop, three moveable partitions,
two when in position being vertical and one at an angle of about 60 degrees making
the front at the top to project beyond the bottom V shaped like the Tank screens to
facilitate mechanical precipitation, the current being directed upwards, the moveable
partitions expedite the changing of the filtering medium and make this operation easy
and almost instantaneous, a spare blank partition is inserted into the front grooves in
the place of the perforated one whilst this operation is being performed.
The Tray shaped Filters "N." "N" Section like the Tank screens have a perforated
or otherwise porous bottom and a cavity beneath into which a loose sludge tray "a
on detailed plan is placed, this cavity is watertight and the sewage or water
admitted by opening the valve "" on detailed plan the water when adinitted passes
upwards by gravitation through the filtering medium to the top and through the cover
which is corrugated "C" on detailed section the ridge portion being perforated, the
water passing uniformly through these perforations flows along the hollow troughs
between the ridges (the direction being parallel with the conductor K) discharge the
water into a trough "d" on Section "N." "N" formed at right angles to the troughs,
and through a sluice or valve into the conductor K on plan. For changing the
filtering medium the valve "b" is closed, the top removed, the tray raised bodily on
its hinges the contents discharged into the attendants truck or other vessel the loose
sludge tray "a" is then removed, emptied and replaced, and the filter tray is also
returned to its place and recharged, the valve "" re-opened and the operation
5 resumed.

page_text: The hydraulic Apparatus "O." "O." on detailed plan and section, is a breast water-
wheel which receives the effluent discharged from the conductor "K" at "0" on
plan, a simple arrangement being made to discharge the water therefrom on to the
buckets of the water-wheel, the automatic motive power is communicated to a shaft "a"
on detailed section by cogwheels "" this shaft is carried forward to a mixing house
erected at a convenient distance where mixing machinery regulating the proportionate
quantity of chemicals required is fixed.
The sewage or water enters from the Town Sewer or water conduit "A" on plan,
through the sluice "B" and flows along the conduit "e" through Sluice into
Tank D 1," or "D 4."
"
Following the course of the Sewage when adnitted into 1 1 it passes thence
upwards through filter E over the lip or rim of an iron or wood trough indicated by
arrow on section, through sluice into "D 2," repeating this into "D3," thence into
conducting pipe in middle wall of Tanks, and along this pipe into "D4" and
successively through "D 4" 5 and 6 the same as 1, 2, 3, thence the effluent passes
over the lip of the last trough (which is at a lower level than the trough of "D1")
through a clough or sluice into the conductors or carriers. At "F 1," F 2," "F3
are Sluices to direct the flow of the effluent on to the general area G" on plan, or
into either of the special areas "H," "H," of the former; sluice "F2" is opened and
the effluent conducted on to any one of the sections divided by the carriers "I;" the
surface of each of these sections is level and the effluent passes evenly over the
surface, and percolates through the soil (specially prepared when necessary) as a
filtering medium, and when thus clarified it gravitates into and escapes along the
subsoil drains marked "J," indicated by dotted lines on plan, thence into the water
course, or Reservoir as the case may be.
To direct the sewage on to either of the special or upper areas
$6 H."
""H." the
sluice "F 2" or "F 3" is opened ("F 1" being closed) the sewage then passes along
carriers "I." "I." in the direction of the arrows, the sides or upper edges of which
when reaching the Areas "H." "H." are level from end to end; it (the sewage) then
in a thin stream flows over the side of the carrier; the surface of the area from "I"
to "L" slopes uniformly and is composed of sand, gravel, burnt clay, charcoal, or
other suitably porous medium (4 to 5 feet deep).
Between the single lines "L." "L" and the double lines on the side of "K,"
at "M." longitudinally this surface is level, and also level transversely-see "M" on
section and not less than six inches lower than the lowest part of the surface "I"
to "L" and is formed of impervious material (concrete faced with cement flagstones
or other suitable material,) the depth of the water or effluent on the surface of these
areas between "K" and "I" will vary from 3 inches at "I" to 18 inches at "L"
when on the smaller scale, but of any greater depth to suit the quantity to be treated.
The effluent percolates downwards and gravitates into and escapes along the under or
subsoil drains indicated by dotted lines J on plan, which are from four to five feet
deep; also horizontally through the filters "N" on plan and section into con-
ductors "K" thence to "O," at which point there is a confluence of the effluent or
water filtered downwards and discharged from the subsoil drains "J" and that
passing through the filters "N" on plan and along the conductor "K," in this
chamber "O" the automatic apparatus is fixed when so required.
The effluent or water passes thence to the manhole P and thence to "Q" along a
water-tight tube. At "R" on plan a sluice valve is fixed to admit the crude Sewage
if need be into the carriers without passing into and through the Tanks, it can be
conducted thence on to "G" or "H." "H."-At "S." "S" sluice valves are also
placed to conduct the crude sewage into Sludge Tanks "T." "T." on plan. When
not otherwise in use provision is made for the use of chemicals with the Sewage

page_text: admitted into these Tanks when so desired, on the smaller scale they hold about
10,000 gallons each. After precipitation herein the effluent is strained off through
the strainers or Tank screens "
U." "U." "U." it then passes along tubes to P; the
effluent from all the points, above described and from each of the strainers "V" in
the sewage Tanks has its confluence at "P" it flows thence to the chamber "Q" and
regulated by a valve or valves it is admitted into the receiver conduit "W" which
when filled to overflowing distributes the water or effluent in a thin stream over the
lower filtering area "X" on plan.
By means of carriers, and by regulating the hight of the side walls of the conduit
this area may be divided into sections and by raising or lowering the surface corre-
spondingly these surfaces are formed at different levels, the highest level taking the
flow over the side walls, and the lowest the "wash out" from the conduit, in every
case the sewage or effluent percolates through the porous soil and is carried off
clarified via the manhole "Y" into the water course.
When it is desired that the effluent shall not pass over the lower filtering area it is
made to flow out from the Receiver conduit through the sluice chamber Z on plau,
and thence into the water-course, this will be the case when the treatment by means
of the special filtering area is deemed sufficient. Crude sewage may be made to
pass from either of the sewage Tanks "D1" &c. on to the lower filtering area the
sluice valves and conducting pipes provided, being adapted for this purpose. The
Sluice Chamber "B" near to "A" is a storm overflow, crude sewage may also pass
from thence to "Z" at the lower filtering area and over this area direct, by these
arrangements the intermittent principle is carried to its greatest perfection, each
section can be worked to its greatest capacity and be relieved at pleasure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I leclare that what I claim is-
The Apparatus for, and mode of clarifying sewage and filtering large volumes of
water viz.
(1) A series of Tanks usually 6-D 1," "D 2," "D3," "D 4," "D 5,” “D 6”
on plan but not limited in number or capacity, arranged in sets of three or more, or
less, for intermittent purposes.
(2) The filter to each Tank "E" on plan and section.
(3) The trough to each Filter indicated by arrow (near the letter "E") bent over
the edge on Section.
(4) The pipe and Sluice in middle wall of Tanks conducting the sewage from
Tank "D 3" to "D 4."
(5) The Sludge Screen to each Tank "V" on plan and Section in which is
inclosed an upper and lower valve a."
.""." on section " V."
<<
(6) The Sludge Tanks "T." "T." which are also adapted for precipitation.
(7) The Screens "U." "U." "U" on plan inclosing one or more valves, these are
similar to the screens V" and sluice valves "a" on section.
"
(8) The special Filtering area "H." "H" on plan and "I." "H." "L." “M.” “K”
on section.
(9) The center conduit "K" on plan and section with side walls.
(10) The Filter cases "N" and "N. N." on plan and section.
(11) The subsoil Drains indicated by dotted lines on plan.
(12) The chamber for automatic arrangement “0” and “0.” “0” on plan
and section.
(13) The ventilating shaft opposite "O" at the end of "K" and the inlets at the
ends of subsoil drains.

page_text: (14) The lower Filtering area
graduated levels.
"X" on plan, and surface arrangements a
(15) The Receiver conduit "W
29
on plan.
(16) The Manholes Y on plan for inspecting subsoil drains and for ventilation..
(17) The under drains indicated by dotted lines with outlet into water course.
(18) The sluice valve and chamber "Z" on plan.
(19) The General Filtering area "G” on plan.
(20) The Manhole "P" on plan.
(21) The main and branch carriers "I." "1" on plan.
(22) The underdrains indicated by dotted lines "J" on plan.
(23) The arrangement of Sluices "F." "F." "F" on plan, and at each of th
junctions of main and branch carriers; and at each chaniber and Manhole "O."-" P.
Q." ""R." "S." on plan.
"6
(24) The arrangement of areas one succeeding the other, the level of the secon
area or series of areas being below the first, and so arranged that the sewage from th
first gravitates on to the second, and so on successively.
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