IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR DRYING EXCRETA, URINE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES AND FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE VAPOUR AND GASES GIVEN OFF DURING OPERATION "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Maule Sutton MD: of Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Member of the Royal College of Physicians London for an
Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR DRYING EXCRETA,
URINE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES AND FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE VAPOUR
AND GASES GIVEN OFF DURING OPERATION
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Maule Sutton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1883.
JOHN MAULE SUTTON M.D. of Manchester in the County of Lancaster,
Member of the Royal College of Physicians, London. IMPROVED APPARATUS OR
MACHINERY FOR DRYING EXCRETA URINE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES AND FOR
THE TREATMENT OF THE VAPOUR AND GASES GIVEN OFF DURING OPERATION."
This Invention of improved machinery for drying excreta urine and other
substances and for the treatment of the Vapour and Gases given off during the
operation, comprises an arrangement of machinery to which is applied worm
scrapers attached to revolving shafts within two Horizontal Iron Cylinders for
keeping the internal surface of the cylinder clean and free from accumulations of
drying excreta urine and other substances. The special advantage of these
scrapers is that they scrape and remove the drying material with a minimum
amount of power and offer a surface to the gases which heat and dry the
material.
The first horizontal Iron Cylinder in which the material is first charged has a
revolving horizontal shaft passing through and projecting at the ends to allow for
bearings and suitable driving power, this shaft is also made of Iron preferably cast
metal, with a projecting rim imitating a screw between the end plates, the
projecting ends are turned true to fit the bearings and glands, which prevent the
material coming out. Attached to this rim are about eight arms which carry a
continuous iron worm or screw scraper coming in contact with the circular surface
of the Cylinder.

page_text: At one end under the machine a furnace is used for creating the heat and hot
gases for carrying on the process, and the flues are arranged that these gases shall
pass under the machine to the opposite end, they either come in direct contact with
the iron forming the cylinder or pass underneath a second plate according to the
state of material under treatment. After leaving the opposite end of the furnace
they are directed on the material inside the machine and against the rim of the
shaft and surface of the worm scraper (which is a special feature in my Patent)
(the object being to get a great quantity of heat applied to the material and
continual scraping by a simple method.
The gases on leaving the machine pass either direct into condensors or throngh
the second Cylinder where they are further utilized by a similar action before being
condensed
The second cylinder is wholly jacketed round the circular part and partly at the
ends and heat is maintained in this jacket at a less temperature than the first
Cylinder the object being not to drive off the material any of the valuable
properties after losing the greater part of its moisture.
The vapour and gases given off during operation in the Cylinders are drawn or
blown through by a "Blower or Fan" that no pressure but sometimes a partial
vacuum is obtained while being passed through condensors.
After taking out the moist vapour from the gases by condensation they are
carried to a "Generator or combustion chamber" arranged that the waste
uncondensable gases mix or meet with highly inflammable gases or Hydro-carbon
Vapour in a combustion chamber They may either accumulate in a "Gas Holder"
or directly pass into pipes to the "Generator" or "combustion chamber." After
meeting they are arranged to supply the heat for a steam boiler, or light up the
Works by using jets. This mode of treating the gases preventing a nuisance.
The material to be operated upon is introduced into the first cylinder through an
opening in the end plate The scraper is then made to turn agitating and scraping
while the heat is passed as before described until it loses part of its moisture. The
material then in a pasty condition, is passed by the action of the worm scraper into
the second cylinder where it is further treated under a milder temperature, the
scrapers in the second being moved similar to the former ones in first cylinder.
When the material has been dried sufficiently, or ground into powder it is
discharged through an opening in the end of the second cylinder, which is kept
closed during the process of drying.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said John Maule Sutton in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th October 1883.
JOHN MAULE SUTTON, M.D. of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
Member of the Royal College of Physicians London "IMPROVED APPARATUS OR
MACHINERY FOR DRYING EXCRETA, URINE AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, AND FOR
THE TREATMENT OF THE VAPOUR AND GASES GIVEN OFF DURING OPERATION
"
This invention of improved machinery for drying excreta, urine and other
substances, and for the treatment of the vapour and gases given off during
operation, comprises an arrangement of machinery to which is applied worm
scrapers attached to revolving shafts within two horizontal iron cylinders for
keeping the internal surface of the cylinder clean and free from accumulations of
drying excreta, urine, and other substances. The special advantage of these
scrapers is they scrape and remove the drying material with a minimum amount of
power and offer a surface to the gases which heat and dry the material.
The first horizontal iron cylinder in which the material is first charged has a
revolving horizontal shaft passing through and projecting at the ends to allow for
bearings and suitable driving power. This shaft is also made of iron preferably
cast iron, with a projecting rim imitating a screw between the end plates. The
projecting ends are turned true to fit the bearings and glands, which prevent the
material coming out. Attached to this rim are about eight arms which carry a
continuous iron worm or screw scraper coming in contact with the circular surface
of the cylinder
At one end under the machine, a furnace is used for creating the heat and hot
gases for carrying on the process, and the flues are arranged that these gases shall
pass under the machine to the opposite end; they either come in direct contact
with the iron forming the cylinder or pass underneath a second plate, according to
the state of material under treatment. After leaving the opposite end of the
furnace, they are directed on the material inside the machine and against the rim
of the shaft and surface of the worm scraper, the object being to get a great
quantity of heat applied to the material and continual scraping by a simple
method.
The gases on leaving the machine, pass either direct into condensors or through
the second cylinder where they are further utilized by a similar action before
being condensed. The second cylinder is wholly jacketed round the circular part
and partly at the ends, and heat is maintained in this jacket at a less tempe-
rature than the first cylinder, the object being not to drive off the material
any of the valuable properties after losing the greater part of its moisture.
The vapour and gases given off during operation in the cylinders are drawn or
blown through by a blower or fan that no pressure, but sometimes a partial
vacuum is obtained while being passed through condensora.
After taking out the moist vapour from the gases by condensation, they are
carried to a generator or combustion chamber arranged that the waste, uncon-
densable gases mix or meet with highly inflammable gases or hydro-carbon vapour
in a combustion chamber. They may either accumulate in a gas holder or directly
pass into pipes to the generator or combustion chamber. After meeting they are
arranged to supply the heat for a steam boiler or light up the works by using jets.
This mode of treating the gases preventing a nusance.
The material to be operated upon is introduced into the first cylinder through an
opening in the end plate. The scraper is then made to turn, agitating and
scraping while the heat is passed as before described until it loses part of its

page_text: moisture. The material then in a pasty condition is passed by the action of the
worm scraper into the second cylinder, where it is further treated under milde
temperature, the scrapers in the second being moved similar to the former ones in
first cylinder. When the material has been dried sufficiently or ground into
powder it is discharged through an opening in the end of the second cylinder
which is kept closed during the process of drying.
And in order that this my said invention may be the more readily understood
and carried into practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings
illustrative of my improvements and will now proceed to describe the same with
the assistance of the various Figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
Fig 1 is a side sectional view and Fig 2 a plan of my improved combination of
cylinder and other machinery and apparatus for drying excreta, urine, and other
substances and for treating the vapours arising therefrom.
The first horizontal iron cylinder into which the excreta urine and other
substances are first introduced has a single iron casing with an iron plate attached
to the bottom forming part of an annular cavity from end to end for the admission
of hot air or gases. At one end near the top of the casing and driving gear I have an
aperture for the admission of the substances requiring treatment and which aperture
is also the outlet for the vapours given off during operation. At the other end near
the bottom of the cylinder is another aperture with a sluice or valve for passing the
material when in a thick condition to the second cylinder. Each of the ends are
secured to the cylinder with bolts they have also stuffing boxes to prevent the
material and noxious gases escaping through the ends where the worm shaft
projects. The horizontal hollow iron shaft passing through the stuffing boxes and
projecting at the ends is made to revolve by gearing or other motive power; a
projecting rim imitating a screw is cast upon or attached to the shaft between the
ends for securing several arms which carry a wrought iron or steel worm or screw
scraper coming in contact with the inner circular surface of the cylinder and
continuing from end to end. At one end under the machine a furnace is used
for creating the heat and hot gases for carrying on the process: these hot gases
may pass through the circular casing or be directed underneath the iron plate
attached to the bottom by means of a damper. By this latter direction of the
current I obtain a milder heat when required. After leaving either of the flues
the hot gases are directed inside the machine or cylinder and on the material
which is under treatment also on the surface of the worm scraper and on the rim
and arms from the shaft, these acquire a great quantity of heat for drying the
material. The hot gases on leaving the cylinders having become charged with
moisture from the drying material pass by means of adjusting valves through
underground flues and tanks of liquid excrementitious matter about to be treated.
Thereby I utilize the heat for drying the partly finished mauure over the flues and
with passing the hot gases in pipes through a tank containing crude excreta. I
further utilize the heat by evaporating and preparing the crude material before
reaching the horizontal cylinders by this method I gain another important
advantage in reducing the volume and temperature of offensive gases while doing
useful work before passing them into the condenser After taking out the greater
part of remaining moist vapour from the gases by condensation they are directed
to a Generator or combustion chamber where the waste uncondensable gases mix
or meet with highly inflammable gases, or hydro-carbon vapour, thereby supplying
heat for generating steam They may also be directed into a gas holder and there
stored until required for this or other heating and lighting purposes. By this 5
mode of accumulation the gases may be made use of in lighting up the works.
The highly inflammable gases may be produced in an ordinary coal gas generator
and directed into a second gas holder ready to be mixed and used afterwards, or
passed direct from the generator to the combustion furnace By mixing or meeting
of any inflammable gas with the gas and vapour cooled during the treatment of 5
excreta, urine and other substances I create combustion of the mixed gases and
utilize the products for heating lighting and generating purposes which is a feature

page_text: in my invention. This mode of treating the gases preventing pollution of the
atmosphere and a nusance to the neighbourhood. The second cylinder is wholly
jacketed round the circular casing made to permit a pressure of steam or hot air
if required, the object being to finish the material into a manure at a milder
temperature thereby preventing the escape of the fertilizing properties from the
material when in a thick condition. The hollow shaft is made part similar to the
one in the first cylinder, but the worm rim may be made half left and half right
hand so that the material is moved by its revolving action towards the centre its
own substance carrying it back again towards the ends. This cylinder may also
have a furnace with tight furnace doors and damper so that when I require the
surplus heat from the larger cylinder it can be utilized without affecting the
current of the gases. The gases evolved in the second cylinder may be utilized
similar to those from the first cylinder, or pass direct through the condensor and
exhauster when they lose the greater part of the moisture taken up during their
stay in the cylinder they are afterwards directed into the gas holder for offensive
gases and vapour or passed direct into the combustion chamber and treated as
before described for the first cylinder. The material is further dried and may be
finished into powder manure in this part of the apparatus.
When it is emptied
through the opening at the gearing end near the bottom of the cylinder into a
barrow it is then in condition for placing into bags and casks for transporting to
any distance without creating a nusance. Having described the action of the
apparatus when in operation, I now with the help of accompanying drawings and
letters further describe the parts and manner of performing my invention.
In Figs 1 and 2 A is the first cylinder and A¹ the second cylinder. A in the
first cylinder is the driving wheel. B the horizontal hollow shaft with rim
imitating a worm made true at the ends projecting through stuffing box bearings B¹.
C the pipe for directing the gases and vapour from the cylinder. C3, C³, are flues
and C a tank for drying manure and evaporating crude liquid excreta before
entering the cylinders. D is the opening for introducing the material. E the
cavity for admitting air and hot gases. F draw damper for regulating the
direction of hot gases into cavity E or flue H. G furnace for producing the
necessary heat to carry on the process in the first cylinder. H the flue for
conveying heat when the material requires a milder temperature. I condensor
for condensation of watery vapour when mixed with the gases. J pipe for passing
water to feed condensor. K outlet for water and condensed vapour. L pipes for
conveying the offensive gases to the combustion chamber or gas holder and boiler
flues or inlet for introducing the excreta, urine, and other substances, and outlet
for gases and vapour. b the iron casing of cylinder which conducts the heat to
the material under treatment. c the worm scraper attached by bolts to arms for
scraping and cleaning the casing and drying the material by meeting hot gases
inside the machine. a sluce for emptying the material into the second cylinder
when in thick pasty condition. The casing may be built in brick work or have
iron supports. In the second cylinder A-A³. is the driving wheel, B¹ the
hollow horizontal shaft with rim for attaching arms by bolts to carry the worm
scraper to clean and scrape the inner casing of this second cylinder. C' pipes for
directing the gases and vapour to the condensor I. underground flues, excreta tank
and exhauster M'.-D¹ pipe to introduce the material if required without treatment
in the first cylinder. G³ furnace for producing hot air and gases H¹ flue for
conveying hot air and gases to the interior of the second cylinder. d' discharge
opening. Fig 3 represents a transverse section of the second cylinder in which
fff are arms for attaching scrapers to revolving shaft. cc scraper b b inner
casing of cylinder, ee cavity between casing and jeckets for steam hot air or
other heating medium which receives the gases and maintains a draught to the
fires. g pipes for directing the gases from first to second cylinder. All gases will
pass through condensors when they will lose all their watery vapour and the
remaining gases (which will be of small volume) will pass into and mix with a
flamable one where they will burn together either forming heat for boiler power

page_text: or supplying light for the works. V boiler for generating steam. M M exhausters
for exhausting and directing the gases during operation. R pipo directing them to
gas holder Z pipe for drawing in atmospheric air as required. 00 pipes for
gases leading them to the combustion chamber P of steam boiler V. where the
waste uncondensable gases mix or meet with highly inflammable gases, or hydro-
carbon vapour thereby supplying heat for generating steam. W flues for passing
surplus heat in flues underground and communicating with the chimney X.
Having thus particularly described the nature of this my said invention
together with the best methods with which I am acquainted for carrying the samo
into practical effect I wish it to be understood that I make no claim to the use of
revolving spiral scrapers but what I do claim is
1 The combination and arrangement of mechanism and apparatus substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.
2nd The improved construction of cylinders and mode of heating and feeding
the same substantially as and for the purposes hereinbeforo described and
illustrated on the accompanying drawing
3rd Treating and utilizing the gases emanating from drying excreta urine and
other similar substances by mixing the same with hydro-carbon or other gases
substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof I the said John Maule Sutton have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Fourth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight
hundred and Eighty three.
JOHN MAULE SUTTON
(L.S.)