An Improved Apparatus for Washing and Cleansing Sand and other like Granular Substances.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Washing and Cleansing Sand and other
like Granular Substances.
I, JOHN ARNOLD of The Nuneaton Sewage Works, Nuneaton, in the County of
Warwick, Sewage Works Manager, do bereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved apparatus for washing and cleansing sand
and other like granular substances; or in other words, for the separation of any
foreign matter from such substances, but is distinctly applicable in the purifica
tion of sand used in filters for the filtering of sewage or like contaminated
matter.
My improved apparatus is designed with a view to expediate the washing and
also to ensure the substance under treatment being more thoroughly cleansed than
hitherto.
The apparatus consists essentially of one, two, or any number of perforated
plates, grids, or sieves, constructed of iron, wood, earthenware, or other suitable
material, arranged and fitted crosswise within the hollow enterior of a vertically
or obliquely directed open-ended tube or hopper of any convenient length, in such
a manner that each plate or grid shall be underneath and some distance from each
other, and be there detachably fixed or supported upon outstanding lugs or ledges
directed from the inside of the tube or hopper.
This tube or hopper is made from wood, metal, earthenware, or other suitable
material, and conveniently mounted or supported, and also of any desired shape in
cross section, and is enlarged or expanded at its crown or top end to facilitate the
introduction of the substance to be washed, and has directed into it from its top
end a water supply issuing from a rose or pipe, and being concentrated onto the
first perforated plate or grid as described.
Located and fitted opposite to or at the lower end of the tube or hopper, with
its plates or grids as just described, and inclined obliquely to the same or in
an inclined position is a trough or channel equal in breadth to the lower part of
the tube or hopper, or of any other convenient size, and within this trough or
channel which is constructed of wood, metal, or other suitable material, I arrange
a number of vertically disposed perforated plates, grids, or sieves, at convenient
points in its length, and into this said trough at its highest or any suitable point
I arrange, if desired, a water supply adapted to play in the direction of the vertical
plates or grids as described.
This said trough or channel is suitably supported, and its lower end is directed
into a receiver or box into which the sand or other substance under washing is
deposited in a cleansed condition.
Thus I have throughout the bodies of the tube or hopper and the trough or
channel a system or series of perforated plates, grids, or sieves, spaced in such a
manner that each shall act successively upon or perform its work to the substance
under treatment.
The substance to be cleansed is first deposited in the upper end of the tube or
hopper and upon the first plate or grid, and the water, which has been previously
turned on, is caused to play with its full power on the said substance, causing the

page_text: same to be agitated, incorporated with the water, and forced through the perfora-
tions of the first plate or grid onto the second plate or grid and, the agitation of
the substance continuing through the pressure of water, the same is forced through
the second plate or grid, and so on through the whole of the plates or grids
arranged throughout the apparatus, the substance meeting, when it reaches the
trough or channel, another system of water which keeps up the agitation and thus
divides each particle of the substance to be washed or cleansed. On leaving the
last plate or grid of the apparatus the substance is carried into the receiver, as
before described, and settles on the bottom thereof, the used water running off
through an outlet or pipe carrying with it the matter separated from the
substance.
If necessary, a supply of water can be arranged between each and every
succeeding grid or plate, and the last named may be made to revolve or oscillate
if required, and also be detached for cleaning or other purposes.
I may also arrange to take off at any convenient point in the apparatus a
greater part of the contaminated water, so that the same shall not percolate
throughout the whole of the system, and I may, instead of using a hopper and a
trough, extend the length of either of them, duplicate the plates or grids, and use
them separately with the same result.
The material, in the case of using the trough separately, is inserted at the
highest point in its obliquity and just in front of the water supply.
Instead of the perforated plates being fitted to the tube or hopper and also.
to the trough, as described, I may arrange within the same a combination of
spikes or projecting parts which will operate upon the substance with a like
result.
Dated this 17th dor of March 1900
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 11, Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Agents for the Applicant.
OMPLETE SPE
CATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Washing and Cleansing Sand and other
like Granular Substances.
1, JOHN ARNOLD of The Nuneaton Sewage Works, Nuneaton, in the County
of Warwick, Sewage Works Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for washing and cleansing sand
and other like granular substances, or, in other words, for the separation of any
foreign matter from such substances, but is distinctly applicable in the purifica-
tion of sand used in filters for the filtering of sewage or like contaminated
matter.
My improved apparatus is designed with a view to expediate the washing and
also to ensure the substance under treatment being more thoroughly cleansed than
hitherto.
The apparatus consists essentially of one, two, or any number of perforated
plates, grids, or sieves, constructed of iron, wood, earthenware, or any other
suitable material, arranged and fitted crosswise within the hollow interior of a
vertically or obliquely directed open-ended tube and hopper of any convenient
length, in such a manner that each plate or grid shall be underneath or some
distance from each other, and be there detachably fixed or supported upou
outstanding lugs or ledges directed from the inside of the tube and hopper. This

page_text: tube and hopper is made from wood, metal, earthenware, or other suitable material,.
conveniently mounted or supported and of any desired shape in cross-section, and
a receiver is arranged at the crown or top end to facilitate the introduction of the
substance to be washed; a water supply from a rose or pipe being directed into it
and concentrated on to the first perforated plate or grid as described.
Located and fitted opposite to or at the lower end of the tube and hopper, with
its grids as just described, and inclined obliquely to the same, or in an inclined
position, is a trough or channel equal in breadth to the lower part of the tube and
hopper, or of any other convenient size, and within this trough or channel, which is
constructed of wood, metal, or other suitable material, is arranged a number of
vertically disposed perforated plates, grids, or sieves at convenient points in its
length, and into this said trough at its highest or any suitable point is arranged, if
desired, a water supply, adapted to play in the direction of the vertical plates or
grids as described.
To show how my invention is carried into effect a sheet of drawings forms part.
of this specification, Fig. 1 of which is a longitudinal vertical section, and represents-
my improved apparatus hereinbefore referred to. This view illustrates the tube-
and hopper vertically disposed and the grids or perforated plates thereof horizontal,
whilst the obliquely disposed channel or trough and its water supply, which is
connected at the lower part of the said tube with its grids or plates, is shown.
disposed vertically at different points in its length. Fig. 2 represents a horizontal
section through the tube or shaft upon the line X, showing one of the perforated
plates or grids resting upon its supporting ring, the said plate being shown
separately in plan and edge view at Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through
the trough upon the dotted line X, Fig. 1, setting forth one of the grids or plates,.
the same being shown separately in Fig. 5.
The apparatus consists of a vertical or upright portion a, and an obliquely
disposed part b, the first-named part consisting of a tube or shaft a', surmounted by
a hopper or receiver a³, and, the last-named part, a trough or channel b', the said
parts a and being connected by an elbow c. The tube or hopper a, as aforesaid,
which is made of metal and open ended, is provided with internally attached
supporting rings a, a, a, and a², upon and by which the grids or perforated plates.
are carried, two plates 9, 9, only being shown in position, and at the junction of
the tube or shaft a², with the receiver or hopper a³, a circular ledge a³ is formed, to
receive and carry a metallic or other basket d, capable of being lifted out of the
receiver when required, handles d being provided for the purpose. This basket
also carries a perforated plate or grid d identical in construction with the other
plates 9, 9, and upon this the substance or sand to be washed is first thrown; a
water supply w being directed into the hopper or receiver at a point above its
mouth. An angle iron skirting m is fixedly connected to the rigid parts a, a, of
the portion a, and upright stays m³, one only of which is shown, connected
therewith to support the vertical portion as aforesaid. The perforations or holes
in the plates d, g, and g³, are respectively marked d, g, and 9, and that part of
the tube adjacent to the plate 9 fits within a socket part, of the elbow c, and
rests upon an angle sectioned ring c; suitable packing being provided at of to.
connect rigidly the one part to the other.
Disposed underneath the elbow c, as aforesaid, and connected rigidly thereto by
parts c, and e, is the trough or channel 6, (made, preferably, of metal) a water-
supply being directed thereinto at the most convenient point, but always in front.
of the first plate or grid. This obliquely disposed trough or channel is suitably
supported and stayed at n, n, n³, and is fitted at intermediate points in its length
with perforated plates or grids 6, 6, 6, 6, and b', held in grooves h, formed on
opposite sides of the trough 63, by means of cheek plates, 1, shown clearly in
the section Fig. 4. The perforations or holes in the plates or grids 63, 64, 66, 6º,.
and 67, are marked s, and through the said holes in these plates, and also those in
the plates d, g, and g', the sand or other substance under treatment is forced by
the action of the water.

page_text: Thus is arranged throughout the tube or shaft and the trough or channel a
system or series of perforated plates, grids, or sieves, spaced in such a manner that
each shall act successively upon the substance under treatment and effectively
perform its work.
The substance to be cleansed is first deposited within the receiver and on to the
plate d³, the water from the supply we causing the same to be agitated and gradually
forced through the holes in the said plate, and to fall onto the plate g, and from
thence through the perforations onto the plate g, through the perforations of this
plate into the trough or channel, where the substance or material meets with a
fresh water supply w³, and the action of forcing the said substance through the
plates b, and 67 continues untill finally the cleansed material is deposited in
a box z placed to receive it. In this manner the sand or other substance is washed
and cleansed, the grids acting as baffle plates so that the granular material shall be
forced through the perforations with the water.
The substance to be washed is fed into the hopper by hand or otherwise, and if
necessary a water supply could be provided between each and every grid, and
provision made for taking off at any suitable part in the system a large quantity
of the contaminated water, so as to prevent its percolation to the end of the
system.
The grids or perforated plates are capable of being easily lifted from their
seatings to be cleansed, and if necessary they may be arranged to slightly osscilate
or revolve, and may be constructed of a spiked or grating form. The vertical
portion a and the oblique part b may be used independently with the same result,
if extended or lengthened and fitted with extra water supplies; the material in the
case of the trough being placed into it at the highest point in its obliquety and
directly in front of the water supply.
The number of perforated plates used and also the size of their holes would
be governed by the class of the material or substance to be washed, and
those within the tube or shaft are made in two parts, to allow of their easy
introduction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1.declare that what
I claim is:
First. An apparatus for washing and cleansing sand and like granular
substances, consisting of a system or series of perforated plates, grids, sieves, or
their equivalent arranged within a partly or semi-enclosed casing, shaft, or
channel substantially as described and set forth.
Second. The combination of a water supply or supplies, a partly enclosed casing
shaft or channel, and perforated plates, grids, sieves, or their equivalents substan-
tially as and for the purpose described and set forth.
Third. The apparatus herein described and set forth consisting of an upright
tubular portion a, fitted with a water supply w, removable grids or perforated
plates d', g and g³, and an oblique trough part 6 also fitted with a water supply w
and removable perforated plates or grids 6, 6, 6, be and b.
Fourth. The general construction and arrangement of the primary parts and
their supporting means as set forth.
Dated this 17th day of December 1896
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
11 Burlington Chambers, New Street, Birmingham,
Agents for Applicant.