Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Treating Sewage.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Treating Sewage.
I, PETER SHARP HYSLOP, of 5, Clarence Villas, Walmer, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows,
that is to say:-
My said invention has for its object to improve the construction of apparatus
for treating sewage and to arrange and combine the parts of such apparatus in
a manner to form a complete system workable on any scale with efficiency and
economy.
In carrying out my present invention I employ as part of the combined apparatus
or system, disinfecting or sterilising apparatus of substantially the kind described
in my Patent Specification No. 6182 of 1896, heat being applied therein, and my
present improvements have to some extent to do with heat exchanging apparatus
by means of which the heat employed is economised.
My improved apparatus is designed to destroy in the sewage as completely
as possible all forms of organic life or sources of disease and also to extract and
destroy the malodorous gases contained in or evolved from the sewage.
The
apparatus comprises a steam boiler, a collecting tank, cooling and heat exchanging
apparatus, one or more disinfecting or sterilising vessels, with sundry pipes, valves,
connections, and gearing. The sewage or foul liquid is led into a primary receiv-
ing tank, and from it passes through heat exchanging casings in which it cools
and is itself heated by liquid previously operated on, and thence proceeds to the
disinfectors or sterilisers in which it is sterilised by the action of heat. From
the sterilisers the liquid passes into a central receiving tank whence it flows through
separate spaces or passages in the heat exchanging casings in which it gives up
a large part of its heat to the fresh sewage or liquid passing through the other
spaces or passages of the casings. The liquid next passes through passages' under a
studge drying platform into a settling tank and thence through filters, being
finally discharged in a sterilised, deodorised, and clarified condition, in which it
may be used for street watering, fire extinction the flushing of domestic drains,
and various industrial purposes thereby economising the ordinary water supply.
The primary receiving tank, when only one is used, is preferably circular in
plan, but when an extensive area is required, such area may be occupied by a
number of tanks of a rectangular or other convenient form. The tank is roofed
in with a light covering of zinc or other suitable material, in a manner to be
gas-tight and germ-tight, there being a downward extension from the eaves
dipping into a channel formed round the tank walls, the channel being kept filled
with water supplied in suitable quantity, and which passes on into the tank, there
being no outward flow which might carry germs or impurities to the outside. The
bottom of the dipping part is serrated to admit air when the sewage is withdrawn
from the tank, or when from any cause there is a reduced pressure inside. The
floor of the tank is divided into ridges and valleys, the ridges being radial in the
case of a circular tank and inclined upwards from the centre to the encircling

page_text: wall. The solid matter in the sewage settles in the valleys, whence it is drained
through pipes preferably of pear-like section, and having holes on their under
sides through which the sludge is sucked along with some liquid. These pipes
converge to a bell-shaped outlet at the centre, from which a pipe leads to the
heat exchangers, entrance to which is controlled by suitable valves.
The heat exchangers consist of a set of combined vessels or casings, in which
separate spaces or passages are formed for the ingoing fresh sewage and for the
outgoing treated sewage or liquid, the heat of the latter being to a large extent
transferred to the cold ingoing sewage, and thereby diminishing the quantity of
heat that has to be applied thereto. Each heat exchanger is preferably constructed
of castiron plates and is of rectangular form; and the part separating the ingoing
and outgoing streams of liquid is of thin metal, preferably sheet copper, which
is a good heat conductor, and which is disposed in a zigzag form. The zigzag
folds are preferably vertical and the hot liquid passes through the under spaces,
whilst the cold liquid passes through the upper spaces, the two liquids entering
at opposite ends of the casing and proceeding in opposite directions. The folded
zigzag metal sheet is attached to the bottom of the casing in a manner to allow
of its expansion and contraction by changes of temperature taking place without
straining it. The metal sheet may be made with corrugations, projections, or
indentations, to cause agitation of the liquids flowing in contact with it. The
outside of the casing may be covered or coated with nonconducting material to
prevent loss of heat by radiation. Provision is made for quickly cleaning the
interior of the heat exchangers, overhead travelling lifting apparatus being
arranged for raising the covers of the casings; and rotatory or other suitable
brushing apparatus is provided for operating on the metal sheet or other parts.
The inlets and outlets for the liquids are of a bottle-neck form, and have within
them guide flanges to distribute the ingoing liquid, and collect the outgoing liquid
in a uniform manner to and from all the passages in the casing. The heat ex-
changers communicate with the disinfectors or sterilisers by pipes fitted with
stuffing-box joints to allow of expansion and contraction.
From the disinfectors or sterilisers pipes lead the heated liquid to a common
closed distributing tank, from which branch pipes with stop valves lead the liquid
as required to any one or more of the heat exchangers. The liquid passing from
the heat exchangers being still somewhat heated is next passed through channels
under castiron plates which form the platform on which the sludge is to be dried,
the plates being made with ribs which dip into the channels and which are corru-
gated to cause agitation of the flowing liquid and promote the transfer of its heat to
the plates.
Foul gases or vapors arising in the receiving tank or tanks and in other parts
of the apparatus, are drawn off through pipes communicating with the several parts
and are passed through apparatus for absorbing and as far as possible, utilising
them. These gases and vapors contain sulphureted hydrogen, ammonia, and
chlorine, and the sulphur is recovered by passing the gases through a chamber
in which hydrated ferric oxide is spread upon trays. The gases and vapors
next pass through a condenser to condense any residual steam, and the resultant
water is passed into a vessel in which it is heated to expel ammonia or
chlorine. The ammonia is afterwards absorbed by dilute sulphuric acid
and utilised as sulphate; and the remaining gases are passed into
chamber containing gaseous sulphurous acid, the chlorine forming sul-
phur monochloride which is a marketable product. The sulphurous acid is
formed by roasting the ferrous hydrate which is converted into ferric oxide which
can be used again to absorb sulphur from the gases. Any remaining gases are
finally passed into the ashpit of the steam boiler furnace.
a
The disinfectors or sterilisers described in my earlier Specification No. 6182
of 1896, and hereinbefore referred to, are adapted for treating successive separate
charges of liquid and each charge can be kept in one of them for a sufficient time
to act effectually on any particular germs that have to be dealt with. In some

page_text: cases however the liquid will contain only germs which can be sterilised with
comparative rapidity, and in such cases a form of disinfector or steriliser may be
used which can act continuously. In a modification of steriliser for thus acting.
continuously the vessel is of a vertical cylindrical form and has within it a helical
partition. The liquid is entered at the bottom of the vessel and by the action of
the steam jet or jets which heat and propel it is made to rise through the helical
passage formed by the partition its course being elongated thereby. At the top
of the helical passage the liquid enters a space in the upper part of the vessel from
which there is a lateral outlet having a loaded valve. There is at the top of the
vessel an outlet for gases and vapors, provided with a balanced valve controlled
by a float. By suitably loading the liquid outlet valve the internal pressure and
with it. the heat can be controlled or adjusted to what may be found suitable. On
the internal pressure increasing sufficiently to partially open the liquid outlet valve
the consequent lowering of the water level causes the descent of the float and the
opening of the valve for the escape of gases or vapors. The liquid may be propelled
into the continuous steriliser and at the same time heated by means of jets of
steam (preferably of high pressure so that the quantity required may be small)
entering the supply pipe through inclined nozzles arranged as described in my
Patent Specification No. 6182 of 1896, to impart rotatory motion to the liquid.
And in addition to such steam jets, or in some cases instead of them, I may apply
a central longitudinal steam jet issuing from one end of a torpedo-like body placed
axially in the pipe, the pipe being enlarged round the central body and converging
again beyond it.
In some cases the primary receiving tank or tanks may be dispensed with, the
sewage being led into a suitably sized casing, provided with a manhole for cleaning
purposes, also with an inclined grating having comparatively large spaces between
the bars, also with a sump or pit into which articles fall that do not pass through the
grating, and also with a second grating, having smaller spaces through which
the sewage passes after passing through the inclined grating; the liquid proceed-
ing onwards directly to the steriliser.
Dated this Twelfth day of January 1897
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Treating Sewage.
I, PETER SHARP HYSLOP, of 5, Clarence Villas, Walmer, in the County of Kent,
Civil 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:-that is to say:
-
My said invention has for its object to improve the construction of apparatus
for treating sewage, and to arrange and combine the parts of such apparatus in
a manner to form a complete system workable on any scale with efficiency and
economy.
In carrying out my present invention I employ as part of the combined apparatus
or system, disinfecting or sterilising apparatus of substantially the kind described
in my Patent Specification No. 6182 of 1896, heat being applied therein, and my
present improvements have to some extent to do with heat exchanging apparatus
by means of which the heat employed is economised.
My improved apparatus is designed to destroy in the sewage, as completely
as possible, all ferms of organic life or sources of disease and also to extract and

page_text: The
destroy the malodorous gases contained in or evolved from the sewage.
apparatus comprises a steam boiler, a collecting tank, cooling and heat-exchanging
apparatus, one or more disinfecting or sterilising vessels, with sundry pipes, valves,
connections and gearing. The sewage or foul liquid is led into a primary receiv
ing tank, and from it passes through heat-exchanging casings in which it cools,
and is itself heated by liquid previously operated on, and thence proceeds to the
disinfectors or sterilisers in which it is sterilised by the action of heat. From
the sterilisers the liquid passes into a central receiving tank whence it flows through
separate spaces or passages in the heat-exchanging casings in which it gives up
a large part of its heat to the fresh sewage or liquid passing through the other
spaces or passages of the casings. The liquid next passes through passages under a
sludge drying platform into a settling tank and thence through filters, being
finally discharged in a sterilised, deodorised, and clarified condition.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append four sheets of explanatory drawings,
to be hereinafter referred to, and showing my improved apparatus.
Figures, 1, and 2, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings are respectively a horizontal
section, and a vertical section of a part of one modification of the primary receiving
tank, Figures, 3, and 4, being vertical sections of other separate parts of the
same. Figure, 5, is a vertical section of a part of a second modification of
the primary receiving tank; and Figure, 6, is a horizontal section of a detail of the
same. Figures, 7, and 8, on Sheet, 2, are respectively a longitudinal section, and
a horizontal section of part of one heat exchanger. Figure, 9, is a transverse
vertical section of part of one heat exchanger, as drawn to a larger scale. Figure, 10,
on Sheet, 3, is a longitudinal vertical section of part of one heat exchanger, as
drawn to a larger scale. Figure, 11 is a horizontal section of part of a detail in
connection with the heat exchangers. Figure, 12, is a vertical section of part of
an intermediate receiving tank. Figure, 13, is a plan of a part of a sludge
platform combined with several tanks. Figures, 14, and 15, are respectively a
horizontal section and a vertical section of a detail in connection with the sludge
platform. Figures, 16, and 17, are respectively a longitudinal vertical section,
and a transverse vertical section of controlling gear. Figure, 18, on Sheet, 4, is
a vertical section of an improved disinfector or steriliser, and Figure, 19, is a ver-
tical section of an improved steam injector. In these drawings the same reference
letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are
repeated.
The primary receiving tank, A, when only one is used, is preferably circular
in plan (as shown in Figures, 1, and 2) but when an extensive area is required,
such area may be occupied by a number of tanks of rectangular or other convenient
form each tank being divided into a number of chambers which are subdivided
into a number of cells. The tank, A, is roofed in with a light
covering, A1, of zinc or other suitable material, in al manner to be
gas-tight and germ tight, there being a downward extension, A.2, from the
eaves dipping into a channel, A3, formed round the tank walls, the channel being
kept filled with water supplied in suitable quantity by means of a pipe, A 5, and
which passes on into the tank, there being no outward flow which might carry
germs or impurities to the outside. The bottom of the dipping part, A2, is
serrated to admit air when the sewage is withdrawn from the tank, A, or when
from any cause there is a reduced pressure inside. Instead of the water-seal
passage, A3, being arranged to encircle the tank, A, water-seal passages may be
arranged at 'intervals for the admission of air, and the remainder of the joint
between the roof, A 1, and the tank walls, may be made germ-tight and gas-tight
in any other suitable known way. The floor of the tank, A, is divided into
ridges, A. 6, and valleys, A 7, the ridges being radial, in the case of a circular tank,
and inclined upwards from the centre to the encircling wall; or the tank may be
divided into any convenient number of sectors (six for example) by one set of
ridges, so as to have the main drains radial, while other ridges in each sector,

page_text: parallel to one radial ridge, from- auxiliary drains leading to the main drain to
which they are not parallel. The solid matter in the sewage settles in the
valleys, A. 7, whence it is drained through pipes, A 8, preferably of pear-like section,
and having holes, A 9, on their under sides through which the sludge is sucked
along with some liquid. These pipes, A 8, converge to an outlet, B, at the centre
protected by a cap, F6, from which a pipe, B1, leads to the heat exchangers,
entrance to which is controlled by suitable valves. The sectional areas of the
pipes, A8, increase from their outer ends towards their inner ends.
The rectangular tank, A, which is formed of concrete or other suitable material
is of any convenient size, and may for example be constructed in four parallel sections
each comprising four chambers one of which is shown in Figure, 5. Each
chamber is divided into five cells (or it might be a larger or smaller number) by
means of four ridges, A 6, which are extended upwards by thin walls, B2. A bed
is made between the ridges, A G, in which is formed an auxiliary channel, B3, of
rectangular section to drain the cell, of sludge into a main channel or drain, B4,
in the centre of the chamber, the auxiliary channels sloping to.ards the main
channels and being wider where they enter the main channels than at their other
extremities. The auxiliary drains, B3, are partly covered in by ridge blocks, B 5,
having their ridges at right angles to the ridges, A 6. Between the ridge blocks, B5,
smaller ridge blocks, B6, are placed. The slopes of the main ridges, A 6, and the
ridge blocks, B5, and B6, may be worked in fine cement rubbed smooth with any
suitable tool, or they may be of glazed earthenware; and their use is to collect all
sludge deposited from the sewage into the spaces on either side of the smaller
ridge blocks, B 6, from which it is led into the cell drains, B3, by small openings, F 8,
formed partly in the bed of the cells and partly in the smaller ridge blocks. The
cell drains, B3, deliver into the main drain, B4, which is at right angles to them
and the main drain passes under the ridges, A 6, where it is covered by slabs, B7,
of concrete. Under the valleys, A 7, the main drain, B4, is covered by special ridge
blocks, B 8, the ends of which are carried down vertically, and by removing these
blocks any part of the main drain can be got at, while by removing the other
ridge blocks, B 5, and B 6, the auxiliary drains, B3, can be uncovered. To this end
all ridge blocks, B5, and B6, are bedded in plastic clay. The outlet, B9, of the
main drain, B4, is a vertical passage formed within the wall between two adjoining.
chambers, the bottom of this passage being formed with a central 'pinnacle, D9,
to lessen liability of the sediment to deposit at that part. A valve box, C, is placed
above the outlet passages, B9, with its valves, C2, coinciding with the passages.
The valve box is connected by a pipe, C1, to a main sludge siphon, C9, which rests
upon the wall between the chambers, two of which it serves to drain; and the
valves, C2, of the valve box are connected to and operated from a sludge pressing
chamber by rods, F', links, C3, and bellcranks, C4, similar to those used for operating
railway switches. Gas generated within the siphon is drawn off into an air
vessel, C5, in which it can be displaced by water, a pull wire, C6, being connected
by links, C7, and levers, F 1, to valves, C8, for controlling simultaneously the
admission and emission of the air and water. Each cell is divided by a baffle, D,
the upper half (or thereby) of which is movable being hinged to the lower. In
its normal position the hinged part of cach baffle, 1), is inclined across the cell
until it nearly reaches the opposite side thereof, from which point it projects
upward a suitable distance, and by pulling over the hinged part towards its body
part access can be had to the cell. For aerating the sewage a perforated pipe, D 1,
is suspended horizontally in each cell within the narrow space between the lower
part of the baffle, D, and the cell partition, B2, and extends the full width of the
chamber. Each pipe, D 1, is connected to a vertical pipe, D2, and both are supported
by a float, F2, by means of which their submergence in the sewage can be adjusted.
Each vertical pipe, D2, is connected by flexible pipes, D3, to another branch
pipe, D4, which communicates with the main air-supply pipe, D5. The air is
forced into the pipe, D5, by one or more suitable blowers.
The sewage enters the chambers of the primary receiving tank through

page_text: openings, D6, (one only being shown) on a level with the top of the cell parti-
tions, B2, and by its velocity combined with the force of the air which it encounters,
is subjected to convective movements in the spaces above the inclined parts of
the baffles, D, and it is repeatedly aerated before passing down through the narrow
passages between the baffles and the cell partition, B2. The liquid passes over
the partitions, B2, in succession into each cell of a chamber, in each of which
the aeration process is repeated, and it is then led to the heat exchangers. The
slow movement of the liquid between the cell partitions, B2, and the concave sides
of the baffles, D, permits the insoluble matters to deposit on the bottoms of the
cells as sludge, from which they escape to the main drain, B4, as hereinbefore
described.
The heat exchangers consist of a set of combined vessels or casings, a part of
one of which is shown in Figures, 7, 8, 9, and 10, the remainder (which is not
shown) being similar. In these casings separate spaces or passages are formed
for the ingoing fresh sewage and for the outgoing treated sewage or liquid, the
heat of the latter being to a large extent transferred to the cold ingoing sewage
and thereby diminishing the quantity of heat that has to be applied thereto. Each
heat exchanger is preferably constructed of castiron plates, E, and is of rectangular
form; and the part, E1, separating the ingoing and outgoing streams of liquid
is of thin metal, preferably sheet copper, which is a good heat conductor, and which.
is disposed in a zigzag or serpentine form. The zigzag folds are preferably vertical
and the hot liquid passes through the under spaces, E2, whilst the cold liquid
passes through the upper spaces, E3, the two liquids entering at opposite ends
of the casing and proceeding in opposite directions. The folded zigzag metal
sheet, E1, is attached to the bottom of the casing in a manner to allow of its ex-
pansion and contraction by changes of temperature taking place without straining
it. The open ends of the zigzag metal sheet, E1, communicating with the bottom
spaces, E2, are each closed by being fixed to a piece, E3, of cutwater section, this
piece having a flange, E4, for fixing it to the casing bottom plate, E, pieces of
rubber, D7, (Figure, 10) being interposed between this flange and a rib, E9, on
the casing bottom plate to prevent accumulation of sewage. The metal sheet, E1,
is made with indentations and projections, 18, (as shown in Figure, 11) or it
might be corrugations to cause agitation of the liquid flowing in contact with it.
The outside of the casing may be covered or coated with nonconducting material, E5,
such as felt or silicate cotton to prevent loss of heat by radiation: and it is
further covered with quilted felt or canvas, F 3, or other suitable material to prevent
loss of heat by convection. Provision is made for quickly cleaning the interior
of the heat exchangers, overhead travelling lifting apparatus, E6, being arranged
for raising the covers of the casings; and rotatory or other suitable brushing
apparatus is provided for operating on the metal sheet or other parts. The inlets
and outlets for the liquids are of a bottle-neck form, and have within them guide
flanges, E7, to distribute the ingoing liquid, and collect the outgoing liquid in a
uniform manner to and from all the passages in the casing.
The heat exchangers
communicate with the disinfectors or sterilisers (not shown) by pipes, E 8, fitted with
stuffing-box joints to allow of expansion and contraction.
From the disinfectors or sterilisers pipes lead the heated liquid to a closed dis-
tributing tank, G, (Figure, 12) from which branch pipes with stop valves (not
shown) lead the liquid as required to any one or more of the heat exchangers.
On entering the tank, G, the liquids are delivered against a bottle-shaped baffle, G 1,
which distributes them round the sides of the tank and downwards in a manner
to cause them to carry solid matters well down into the body of liquid within the
tank. In this way when the liquid in the tank overflows into the discharge
pipe, G2, the solid matters are deposited on the bottom of the tank, and they are
drained thence by a pipe, G3, into a sludge pressing chamber (not shown). It is
necessary at times to expel the air from the under side of the zigzag metal sheet, E 1,
and for this purpose steam is admitted to the space, E2, by a valve provided for
the purpose and when the air has been driven out by the steam, a flushing valve, G4,

page_text: on the pipe, G 2, is opened and the contents of the tank, G, rapidly discharged
into heat-exchangers, filling up the pocket-like spaces below the metal sheet.
The liquid passing from the heat exchangers being still somewhat hot is next
passed through channels, J, (Figures, 13, 14, and 15) under castiron plates, J 1,
which form the platform on which the sludge is dried, the plates being made
with ribs J2, which dip into the channels and which are corrugated to cause
agitation of the flowing liquid and promote the transfer of its heat to the plates.
The channel partition, J3, may also be corrugated or ribbed to assist in trans-
ferring the heat to the plates.
From the channels, J, the liquid passes into a settling tank, K, and thence
through filters, K1, being finally discharged in a sterilised, deodorised, and clarified
condition in which it may be used for watering streets, fire extinction and other
various industrial purposes.
The action of the disinfectors or sterilisers is intermittent and to render them
automatic controlling gear shown in Figures, 16 and 17, is provided. The gear
comprises a number of cams, L, one for each valve controlling the movements
of the liquid at particular parts of its journey through the apparatus, these cams
being fixed on a shaft, M, made to rotate by wormwheel gearing, M 1, once during
the completion of a cycle of operations of the apparatus. Each cam, L, by raised
and depressed parts (not shown) on it causes a lever, L1, to move a longitudinal
rod, L2, against the action of a helical spring, L3, this spring being provided
to keep a pin, L4, in the lever, in contact with the cam. Each rod, L2, has on it
a forked lever, L5, which is connected to a clutch, L 6, on a shaft, L7, carried in
suitable bearings, L 8, in a framing, L9. Loose on the shaft, L 7, which is driven
at a predetermined rate of speed by gearing from the engines or other source of
power, there are for each valve requiring to be controlled, two bevil wheels, N,
with which each clutch may come in contact, and each pair of bevil wheels gears
with a separate bevil wheel, N 1, on a shaft, N 2, by means of which the valve is
opened or closed. When a valve is to be opened or closed the particular clutch
required is moved into contact with the proper bevil wheel, N, and the other bevil
wheel, N1, is moved as required.
The disinfectors or sterilisers described in my earlier Specification No. 6182 of
1896, and hereinbefore referred to, are adapted for treating successive separate
charges of liquid and each charge can be kept in one of them for a sufficient time
to act effectually on any particular germs that have to be dealt with. In some
cases however the liquid will contain only germs which can be sterilised with com-
parative rapidity, and in such cases a form of disinfector or steriliser (shown in
Figure, 18) is used which can act continuously. In this case the vessel, P, is
of a vertical cylindrical form and has within it a helical partition, P1, consisting
of a metal plate wound helically round a central vertical tube, P 2, closed at both
ends and supported on a transverse bracket, P3. The helical partition, P 1, is also
supported on angle irons, N 4, riveted to the side of the vessel, and is forced
against the angle irons by eccentrics, N5, fast on spindles projecting through
the vessel's sides so as to be worked externally. The liquid is entered at the bottom
of the vessel, P, through an opening, P4, and, by the action of the steam jet or
jets which heat and propel it, is made to rise through the helical passage formed
by the partition, P 1, its course being elongated thereby. At the top of the helical
passage the liquid enters a space, Q, in the upper part of the vessel from which
there is a lateral outlet, QI, communicating with the tank, G, aforementioned
through a loaded valve (not shown). There is at the top of the vessel an outlet,
R, for gases and vapors, provided with a balanced valve, R 1, controlled by a
float, R2. By suitably loading the valve of the liquid outlet, Q1, the internal
pressure and with it the heat can be controlled or adjusted to what may be found
suitable. On the internal pressure increasing sufficiently to partially open the
valve of the liquid outlet, Q1, the consequent lowering of the water level causes
the descent of the float, R 2, and the opening of the valve for the escape of gas or

page_text: vapors. The sterilising vessel, P, is made with a conical bottom, and it is drained
when required by means of the valve, P 6.
The liquid may be propelled into the continuous steriliser, and at the same time
-heated, by means of jets of steam (which may be of high pressure or which may
be exhaust steam) entering the supply pipe through inclined nozzles, S, (one only
being shown) arranged as described in my Patent Specification No. 6182 of 1896
to impart rotatory motion to the liquid. And in addition to such jets or in some
cases instead of them I may apply a central longitudinal jet or jets issuing from
one end of a torpedo-like body, T, (shown in Figure, 19) placed axially in the
sewage pipe, the pipe being enlarged round the central body and converging again
beyond it. Sliding centrally in the body, T, is a horizontal spindle, T 1, which
is moved to and fro' by a vertical spindle, T2, the lower end of which passes
through it and turns in a bearing, T3, its upper end projecting through the pipe
and having fast on it a worm quadrant, T 4, worked by means of a worm, T 5. The
part, T 6, of the spindle, T2, passing through the horizontal spindle, T 1, works in
a bush, T7, therein (which is capable of a slight lateral movement) and is formed
eccentrically to the journals or bearing parts of the spindle; consequently therefore
when the vertical spindle, T2, is turned, the horizontal spindle, T 1, is moved to and
fro' in a manner to close a lateral port, T8, communicating with a longitudinal
passage, T9, formed in the spindle, T 1, from which the central jet, V, issues. The
bearing, T 3, is held in place by a nut, V 1. The body, T, and other internal parts
are made cutwater-shape on the up-stream side. The horizontal spindle, T 1, has
fixed on it a valve-like piece, V 2, closing against a seat, and when this is opened
a central tubular jet of steam issues from the opening. The steam used for the
central jets is preferably of high pressure, and to assist in balancing the parts a
piston, V 3, is fitted on the horizontal spindle, T 1, this spindle working in a hori-
zontal cylindrical recess, V 4, formed in the body, T. The horizontal spindle, T 1,
may however be without the balance piston, V 3. When the continuously-working
disinfector is used it will be found most convenient to place the heat exchangers
in a position inverted from that shown in the drawings, the various pipe connections
and passages being modified to suit. The intermittent and continuously-working
disinfectors or sterilisers may be advantageously combined in one sewage installa-
tion.
Foul gases or vapors arising in the tanks or other parts of the apparatus, are
drawn off through suitable conduits and pipes (not shown) and are destroyed by
being passed through the boiler furnace.
The ammonia and other gases expelled from the liquid during sterilization
are collected and led through a saturator (not shown) in which the ammonia is
absorbed by dilute sulphuric acid, the residual gases being passed into the foul gas
conduit. The saturated sulphuric acid is conveyed to the evaporating chamber
where it is exposed in shallow trays to the evaporative influence of a current of
air, which has been dried by passing through boiler and heat-exchanger sheds
and which is by suitable screens drawn over the surface of the liquids, and thence
passed through the foul gas conduit into the furnaces.
The platform on which these trays rest is constructed and heated similarly to
that on which the sludge is dried.
Oxidising of the sewage may be effected in the primary receiving tank, by the
admission of chemical substances yielding oxygen instead of by aeration.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The combination and arrangement of the various parts constituting as a
whole the improved apparatus for treating sewage substantially as herein before
described.
2. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage, a primary receiving
tank having its roof made gas-tight and germ-tight by a downward serrated ex-

page_text: tension from the eaves dipping into a channel round the tank walls holding water
and draining inwardly, substantially as herein before described with reference to
Figures, 1, 2, 3, and 5, of the accompanying drawings.
3. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage a primary receiving
tank having its floor or bottom made with ridges and valleys from the latter of
which the sludge drains through pipes or otherwise into a main outlet or channel
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures, 1, 2, 4, 5,
and G, of the accompanying drawings.
4. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage a heat-exchanging
vessel in which separate passages are formed for the ingoing fresh sewage, and the
outgoing treated sewage, by a partition consisting of a thin metal sheet disposed
in a zigzag or serpentine form, and made with indentations or corrugations, the
ingoing and outgoing streams of sewage entering the vessel at opposite ends
between distributing guide flanges substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figures, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, of the accompanying drawings.
5. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage, the combination and
arrangement of parts constituting the improved automatic controlling gear sub-
stantially as herein before described with reference to Figures, 16, and 17, of the
accompanying drawings.
6. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage, a continuous-action
vertical cylindrical disinfecting or sterilising vessel, into which the sewage is
forced by jets of steam, and which is made with a helical passage for the course
of the sewage which enters the vessel by an opening near the bottom, and leaves
by an opening near the top controlled by a loaded valve, the vessel being also
provided with an outlet for gases regulated by a balanced valve controlled by a
float substantially as and for the purposes herein before described with reference
to Figure, 18, of the accompanying drawings.
7. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage applying in the pipe
feeding sewage to the disinfectors or sterilisers, central longitudinal jets of steam
issuing from one end of a torpedo-like body placed axially in the pipe, the steam
openings for the jets being controlled by means external to the pipe substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure, 19, of the accompanying draw-
ings.
8. In and connected with apparatus for treating sewage, passing the treated
and heated sewage through tortuous channels, the roof or roofs of which form plat-
forms for drying the sewage sludge substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures, 13, 14, and 15, of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Eleventh day of October 1897.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.