Improvements in Methods for the Purification of Waste Liquors from Manufacturing Processes, such as Distilling, Brewing, or any others Containing Organic Matters in Solution or Suspension.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 17th Mar., 1900
Improvements in Methods for the Purification of Waste Liquors from
Manufacturing Processes, such as Distilling, Brewing, or any others
Containing Organic Matters in Solution or Suspension.
I, WILLIAM NAYLOR, of 16, Walton's Parade, Preston, Chemical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Improvements in methods for the purification of waste liquors from manufac
turing processes such as distilling, brewing, or any others containing organic
matters in solution or suspension.
My invention consists firstly in eliminating from such liquids any suspended
matter that will settle out quickly by ordinary means of subsidence in a quies-
cent or continuous flow precipitation tank, with or without precipitants.
Secondly in delivering the clarified liquid into a tank charged with decom-
posing or putrid matter, such decomposition proceeding by the action of bacteria
or other organisms largely non-acid producing, by which means putrefaction is
set up in the liquid in question with the minimum production of acid.
Thirdly the conversion of the putrid liquid to inert and inoffensive matter by
means of a bacteriological filter.
Fourthly improvements in the methods of bacteriologically filtering such liquids.
The production of carbonic acid I do not include here as acid fermentation.
The distillery, brewery or starch works waste I will hereafter speak of as
trades waste.'
In carrying the first part of my invention into effect I pass the waste con-
taining the suspended matter into a suitable tank or receptacle, allowing it either
to flow through so slowly as to cause the subsidence of the suspended matter or
I allow it to remain absolutely quiescent in which case also the subsidence of the
suspended matter is effected. I propose to abstract the sludge at any convenient
time and to allow the supernatant liquor drawn off to pass into a well or recep-
tacle from which I afterwards convey it to the tanks referred to in the second
part of this invention.
The second part of my invention relates to the discharge of the clarified liquid
into a tank or receptacle with or without a covering charged largely with non-
acid producing organisms. To carry out this portion of my invention I first
charge the second tank, hereafter called the decomposing tank, with ordinary
sewage of a strong character and permit it to remain until quite putrid. I then
feed the tank daily for a period of about a week or more if thought necessary
with sewage in small quantities to promote the development and multiplication
of these organisms. I then pass the clarified liquid through the decomposing
tanks with or without sewage or animal excretal matter as may be found necessary
when putrefaction sets in without so great a production of lactic, acetic or other
acids as would be the case in the absence of the bacteria developed and multiplied
in sewage. I convey the waste to the decomposing tanks as fresh as possible and
before acid fermentation has commenced. I provide the decomposing tanks in

page_text: duplicate and abstract the sludge at any time either by dredging or after the
removal of the supernatant liquor.
The third part of my invention consists in passing the liquid from the decom-
posing tanks on to a bacteriological filter. If it is not alkaline I render it so and
preferably warm it to the extent of five or even more degrees F. above the tem-
perature of the atmosphere. I prepare the filter for its reception by first feeding
it for about a month with sewage. By this means I charge the filter with a
supply of nitrifying organisms and cause them to develop and multiply. I con-
struct the filter of coke, coal, brick bats or other similar material broken to a
suitable size preferably to pass through a 2 inch ring and fill up the filter
uniformly to a depth about nine feet but it may be more or less. The filter
casing may be of brickwork and masonry, or scaffolds and lattice work or piles
and lattice work.
The fourth part of my invention consists of an improved method of distri-
buting the liquid to be filtered. To carry out this part of my invention I deliver
the liquid from the decomposing tanks into a receptacle placed over the filter
providing such a receptacle with a syphon automatically discharging its contents
when they amount to any fixed volume. This receptacle I provide in duplicate
and each one is supplied with a float shutting off connection with the feed trough
while it is discharging and preventing access of fresh liquid until the alternate
receptacle is filled. I connect both receptacles with the same feed trough from
the decomposing tanks. I propose to pass a discharge from the receptacle over
the filter through a network of perforated pipes placed over the filter and by this
means I obtain an intermittent discharge thoroughly aerated and distributed
before its passage into the filter.
Improvements in Methods for the Purification of Waste Liquors from
Manufacturing Processes, such as Distilling, Brewing, or any others
Containing Organic Matters in Solution or Suspension.
1, WILLIAM NAYLOR, of 16, Walton's Parade, Preston, Chemical 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:-
My invention consists firstly in eliminating from such liquids any suspended
matter that will settle out quickly by ordinary means of subsidence in a quiescent
or continuous flow precipitation tank, with or without precipitants.
Secondly an improved means for the prevention of souring by delivering the
clarified liquid into a tank, previously charged with decomposing or putrid nitro-
genous organic matter, such decomposition proceeding through the action of
bacteria or other organisms largely non-acid producing, by which means putre-
faction is set up in the liquid in question unaccompanied by the usual production
of acid.
Thirdly the conversion of the putrid liquid to inert and inoffensive matter by
means of a bacteriological filter.
Fourthly improvements in the methods of bacteriologically filtering such liquids.
The production of carbonic acid I do not include here as acid fermentation.

page_text: The distillery, brewery or starch works waste I will hereafter speak of as
"trades waste.
In carrying the first part of my invention into effect I pass the waste containing
the suspended matter into a suitable tank or receptacle, allowing it either to flow
through so slowly as to cause the subsidence of the suspended matter or I allow
it to remain absolutely quiescent in which case also the subsidence of the sus-
pended matter is effected. I propose to abstract the sludge at any convenient
time and to allow the supernatent liquor drawn off to pass into a well or recep-
tacle from which I afterwards convey it to the tanks referred to in the second
part of this invention.
i
The second part of my invention relates to the discharge of the clarified liquid
into a tank or receptacle with or without a covering charged largely with non-
acid producing organisms. To carry out this portion of my invention I first
charge the second tank, hereafter called the decomposing tank, with ordinary
domestic sewage of a strong character and permit it to remain until quite putrid.
I then feed the tank daily for a period of about a week or more if thought
necessary with sewage in small quantities to promote the development and mul-
tiplication of these organisms. I then pass the clarified liquid through the
decomposing tank, with or without sewage or animal excretal matter as may be
found necessary, when putrefaction sets in without so great a production of lactic,
acetic, or other acids as would be the case in the absence of the bacteria
developed and multiplied in sewage. I convey the waste to the decomposing
tanks as fresh as possible, and if possible before fermentation has commenced
in it. I provide the decomposing fanks in duplicate and abstract the sludge at
any time either by dredging or after the removal of the supernatent liquor.
The third part of my invention consists in passing the liquid from the decom-
posing tanks on to a bacteriological filter. If it is not alkaline I render it so and
preferably warm it to the extent of five or even more degrees F. above the tem-
perature of the atmosphere, though this is not essential. I prepare the filter for
its reception by first feeding it for about a month with ordinary sewage. By
this means I charge the filter with a supply of nitrifying organisms and cause
them to develop and multiply. I construct the filter of coke, coal, brick bats,
gravel or similar material broken to a suitable size preferably to pass through a
24 inch ring and fill up the filter uniformly to a depth of about nine feet but it
may be more or less according to convenience of levels. The filter casing may
be of brickwork and masonry, or scaffolds and lattice work or piles and lattice
work.
The fourth part of my invention consists of an improved method of distribut-
ing the liquid to be filtered. To carry out this part of my invention I deliver
the liquid from the decomposing tanks into a receptacle shown at A in accom-
panying drawing placed over the filter providing such a receptacle with a syphon
marked B automatically discharging its contents when they amount to any fixed
volume.
This receptacle I provide in duplicate, A and A', and each is supplied with a
Boat C and C. As the receptacle A 1 is filling the float C₁ rises, being so balanced
against the push spring N that the valve P1 becomes closed by the time the
receptacle A1 is filled. In case the receptacle is not sufficiently full to start the
syphon, the necessary quantity enters through the aperture K, in the valve P₁ to
ensure its discharge. During the period of discharge the receptacle A is filled in
like manner, the flow to the trough D being so regulated that the period of time
taken to fill one of the receptacles is greater than the time required for the
discharge of the syphon. When the level of the water in either of the receptacles
during discharge has fallen sufficiently low to leave the float C₁ or C uncovered,
the float will fall, opening valves P and P1 alternately.
I connect both receptacles with same feed trough, marked D, from the decom-
posing tanks. I propose to pass the discharge from the receptacle over the filter
through a network of perforated pipes, marked E, placed over the filter, F, either

page_text: stationary, or in motion on a bearing G, and by this means I obtain an inter-
mittent discharge thoroughly aerated and distributed before its passage into the
filter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I
claim :-
(1) Arrangements substantially as hereinbefore described for use in producing
putrefaction or decomposition of organic matters dissolved or suspended in
brewery, distillery or other like waste liquors from factories, unaccompanied by
the usual production of acid.
(2) The combination of above arrangements in Claim (1) with a filter charged
with aerobic bacteria or nitrifying organisms.
(3) The combination of arrangements in Claims (1) and (2) with receptacles
placed over the filter, provided with automatic intermittent discharging syphons,
controlled by floats, the discharge from such receptacles being through a network
of perforated pipes, placed over the filter, either stationary or in motion.
Dated this 18th day of December 1899.
WILLIAM NAYLUR.