Foul Waters, and Obtaining a Useful Product therefrom.
Year: 1885

page_text: Foul Waters, and Obtaining a Useful Product therefrom.
I FARNHAM MAXWELL LYTE of Cotford, Oakhill Road, Putney, in the County
of Surrey, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PURIFYING AND DEODORISING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL
WATERS, AND OBTAINING A USEFUL PRODUCT THEREFROM "
to be as follows:-
It has long since been proposed, in order to purify sewage and other foul waters,
to add thereto aluminium sulphate or chloride, and (unless the water contaius
a sufficient amount of some basic substance capable of precipitating the aluminiumn
hydroxide) enough milk of lime or chalk to saturate the acid therein and set free
the hydroxide in the body of the liquor.
My Invention consists in the substitution (for this sulphate or chloride) of sodium.
aluminate for the same purpose, added alone if the water or sewage contains the
proper quantity of acid exactly to throw down all the aluminiumi as hydroxide but
if not with the addition of some acid or of sulphate or chloride of aluminium or
of some acid salt in the right proportion for the exact neutralization of all the
sodium the aluminate contains. Also in case the sewage is neutral, the addition of
an aluminium salt together with the aluminate in the proportion of one atom
of the former to three atoms of the latter, thus-
(al₂ (SO), 18 H₂O) + 3 (Na Al₂ O₂)
=
3 (Na, SO) + 4 (al₂ (HO) 2 H₂O).
If it be desired to further deodorize and purify the foul water or sewage, some
charcoal of seaweed, peat, or shale may be added together with the aluminate and
will be found mixed with the aluminium hydroxide in the precipitate. Or the
precipitate being collected as much as possible of the water expressed, and then
dried and carbonised in a close vessel, constitutes in effect a kind of animal black
and may be applied to all the uses for which bone charcoal is employed, of
decolorization or disinfection, as well as that of being added with the aluminate,
Dated this 21st day of January 1885

page_text: Foul Waters, and Obtaining a Useful Product therefrom.
I FARNHAM MAXWELL LYTE of Cotford Oakhill Road, Putney, in the County of
Surrey, Analytical Chemist do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PURIFYING AND DEODORISING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL
WATERS AND OBTAINING A USEFUL PRODUCT THEREFROM" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
It has long since been proposed, in order to purify sewage and other foul waters,
to add thereto aluminium sulphate or chloride and (unless the water contains
a sufficient amount of some basic substance capable of precipitating the aluminium
hydroxide) enough milk of lime or chalk to saturate their acid and set free their
hydroxide in the body of the liquor.
My Invention consists in the employment (in lieu of this sulphate or chloride)
of a soluble aluminate (preferably sodium aluminate) for the same purpose, added
alone if the water or sewage contains the proper quantity of acid exactly to throw
down all the aluminium as bydroxide, but if not, with the addition of some acid
(such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acid) or of sulphate or chloride of aluminium,
or of some other acid salt (such as the acid sulphate of sodium or potassium, or
even a bicarbonate) in sufficient quantity for the neutralisation of the base the
aluminate contains. Thus, in case the sewage be neutral I add an aluminium salt
--for example, aluminium sulphate-together with the aluminate preferably in the
proportion of one atom of the former to three atoms of the latter (providing we
accept Roscoe's formula) and filter or allow to settle. Adopting still the nomen-
clature of Roscoe, the following equation represents the reaction:-
Al, (SO), 18 H₂O + 3 (Na Al₂ 0) = 3 (Na, SO) + 4 Al, (HO), + 6 H. O.
It will be at once evident from the above formula that the reaction would take
place equally well with any aluminate other than that specified, i.e. sodium
aluminate. In practice, however, none other than a soluble aluminate could be
employed. The soluble aluminates known to science are, besides sodium aluminate,
those of potassium, barium, strontium and lithium, but these not being known in
commerce, are not at present available for the purposes of this Invention. I am
practically then restricted to the sodium aluminate and I recommend the use of a
specially prepared aluminate of which Messrs Steinkopff & Co, 2 East India Avenue,
London, E.C. are the sole vendors in this kingdom.
I have hitherto often found it preferable to use the aluminate, not in solution
but finely powdered, as in some cases the precipitate formed when a solution is
used is apparently so finely divided as not to settle readily, but, on the contrary,
passes through ordinary filtering media.
The proportions in which the salts should be used vary according to the compo-
sition of the liquid requiring purification. Generally and for sewage, from
6 to 7 grains each of the crude sodium aluminate of commerce and of aluminium
sulphate, will be found sufficient (per gallon).

page_text: If it be desired to further deodorise and purify the foul water or sewage, some
charcoal of seaweed, peat or shale may be added together with the aluminate and
will be found mixed with the aluminium hydroxide in the precipitate. The
precipitate may be collected, as much as possible of the water expressed, and then
dried and carbonised in a close vessel so as to constitute in effect a kind of animal
black which may be applied to all the uses for which bone charcoal is employed of
decolorization or disinfection as well as that of being added with the aluminate for
the purpose of more effectually purifying the foul water, as last referred to.
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 what
I claim is
1st The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the production in the liquid of aluminium
hydroxide from a soluble aluminate by the neutralization of the base of the
aluminate either by an acid or the acid of an acid salt already contained in the
liquid, or by an acid or acid salt added for the purpose, substantially as specified.
2nd The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the addition to the liquid of the sodium
aluminate together with an aluminium salt in sufficient quantity to neutralise tho
base contained in the aluminate and produce a precipitate of aluminium hydroxide,
substantially as specified.
3rd The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the addition to the liquid of the sodium
aluminate together with some acid (such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acid) in
sufficient quantity to neutralise the base contained in the aluminate and produce
a precipitate of aluminium hydroxide, substantially as specified.
4th The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the addition to the liquid of the sodium
aluminate together with an acid salt such as the acid sulphate of sodium or
potassium (or a bicarbonate) in sufficient quantity to neutralise the base contained
in the aluminate and produce a precipitate of aluminium hydroxide substantially
as specified.
5th The treatment, substantially as described, of the sludge or precipitate
resulting from the purification of sewage and other foul waters by means of
aluminium hydroxide, and the production of a useful product therefrom as
specified.

page_text: I FARNHAM MAXWELL LYTE of Cotford, Oakhill Road, Putney in the County of
Surrey, Analytical Chemist seek leave to amend the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 900 of 1885 as shown in red ink in the copy of the original specification
hereunto annexed viz at page 2 line 14 by striking out the word "exactly" after
"acid" and inserting it after the word "contains." At line 16 of same page by
inserting within the bracket the words "but not phosphoric acid," after the word
'acid," at line 18 of same page by inserting within the bracket the words "but
"not acid phosphates of lime and magnesia nor hypochlorite of magnesia
"
At line 20 of same page by striking out the words "for example" and inserting
the word "preferably
At page 3 line 15 by inserting after the first word "acid" the words "other
"than phosphoric acid" and by inserting in the same line after the word "salt"
the words in brackets ("other than the acid phosphates of lime and magnesia and
hypochlorite of magnesia") and after the bracket, the word "whether
<
«
At line 16 of same page by striking out the words "by an acid or acid salt"
At line 24 of same page by inserting within the bracket after the word "acid "
at the end of the line the words "but not phosphoric acid"
At line 30 of same page by striking out the brackets and inserting after the
word "bicarbonate" the words "but not acid phosphates of lime and magnesia
nor bypochlorite of magnesia
"
My reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-That the terms of
the Specification are wide enough to include reagents which it is not desirable
to employ.
To the Comptroller,
Patent Office, 25, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London, W.C.
F. MAXWELL LYTE.

page_text: In the Matter of an Application by Farnham Maxwell Lyte for leave to amend
the Specification of Letters Patent N° 900 dated the 21st of January 1885:
DECISION.

page_text: Foul Waters, and Obtaining a Useful Product therefrom.
I FARNHAM MAXWELL LYTE of Cotford, Oakhill Road, Putney, in the County
of Surrey, Analytical Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PURIFYING AND DEODORISING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL
WATERS, AND OBTAINING A USEFUL PRODUCT THEREFROM" to be as follows:-
It has long since been proposed, in order to purify sewage and other foul waters,
to add thereto aluminium sulphate or chloride, and (unless the water contains
a sufficient amount of some basic substance capable of precipitating the aluminium
hydroxide) enough milk of lime or chalk to saturate the acid therein and set free
the hydroxide in the body of the liquor.
My Invention consists in the substitution (for this sulphate or chloride) of sodium
aluminate for the same purpose, added alone if the water or sewage contains the
proper quantity of acid exactly to throw down all the aluminium as hydroxide but
if not with the addition of some acid or of sulphate or chloride of aluminium or
of some acid salt in the right proportion for the exact neutralization of all the
sodium the aluminate contains. Also in case the sewage is neutral, the addition of
an aluminium salt together with the aluminate in the proportion of one atom
of the former to three atoms of the latter, thus―
(al, (SO), 18 H₂ O) + 3 (Na, Al, O₂) = 3 (Na₂ S O₁) + 4 (al₂ (H 0) 2 H¿ O).
If it be desired to further deodorize and purify the foul water or sewage, some
charcoal of seaweed, peat, or shale may be added together with the aluminate and
will be found mixed with the aluminium hydroxide in the precipitate. Or the
precipitate being collected as much as possible of the water expressed, and then
dried and carbonised in a close vessel, constitutes in effect a kind of animal black
and may be applied to all the uses for which bone charcoal is employed, of
decolorization or disinfection, as well as that of being added with the aluminate.
Dated thie 21st day of January 1885.

page_text: Foul Waters, and Obtaining a Useful Product therefrom.
I FARNHAM MAXWELL LYTE of Cotford Oakhill Road, Putney, in the County
of Surrey, Analytical Chemist do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PURIFYING AND DEODORISING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL
WATERS AND OBTAINING A USEFUL PRODUCT THEREFROM" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
It has long since been proposed, in order to purify sewage and other foul waters,
to add thereto aluminium sulphate or chloride and (unless the water contains
a sufficient amount of some basic substance capable of precipitating the aluminium
hydroxide) enough milk of lime or chalk to saturate their acid and set free their
hydroxide in the body of the liquor.
My Invention consists in the employment (in lieu of this sulphate or chloride)
of a soluble aluminate (preferably sodium aluminate) for the same purpose, added
alone if the water or sewage contains exactly the proper quantity of acid exactly
to throw down all the aluminium as hydroxide, but if not, with the addition of
some acid (such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acid but not phosphoric acid) or
of sulphate or chloride of aluminium, or of some other acid salt (such as the acid
sulphate of sodium or potassium, or even a bicarbonate but not acid phosphates of
lime, and magnesia, nor hypochlorite of magnesia) in sufficient quantity for the
neutralisation of the base the aluminate contains. Thus, in case the sewage be
neutral I add an aluminium salt-for example, preferably aluminium sulphate-
together with the aluminate preferably in the proportion of one atom of the former
to three atoms of the latter (providing we accept Roscoe's formula) and filter or
allow to settle. Adopting still the nomenclature of Roscoe, the following equation
represents the reaction:-
Al, (SO), 18 H₂ O + 3 (Na, Al, O₁) = 3 (Na, S O₁) + 4 Al, (HO), + 6 H₂ O.
It will be at once evident from the above formula that the reaction would take
place equally well with any aluminate other than that specified, i.e. sodium
aluminate. In practice, however, none other than a soluble aluminate could be
employed. The soluble aluminates known to science are, besides sodium aluminate,
those of potassium, barium, strontium and lithium, but these not being known in
commerce, are not at present available for the purposes of this Invention. I am
practically then restricted to the sodium aluminate and I recommend the use of a
specially prepared aluminate of which Messrs Steinkopff & Cª, 2 East India Avenue,
London, E.C. are the sole vendors in this kingdom.
I have hitherto often found it preferable to use the aluminate, not in solution
but finely powdered, as in some cases the precipitate formed when a solution is
used is apparently so finely divided as not to settle readily, but, on the contrary,
passes through ordinary filtering media.

page_text: The proportions in which the salts should be used vary according to the com-
position of the liquid requiring purification. Generally and for sewage, from
6 to 7 grains each of the crude sodium aluminate of commerce and of aluminium
sulphate, will be found sufficient (per gallon).
If it be desired to further deodorise and purify the foul water or sewage, some
charcoal of seaweed, peat or shale may be added together with the aluminate and
will be found mixed with the aluminium hydroxide in the precipitate. The
precipitate may be collected, as much as possible of the water expressed, and then
dried and carbonised in a close vessel so as to constitute in effect a kind of animal
black which may be applied to all the uses for which bone charcoal is employed of
decolorization or disinfection as well as that of being added with the aluminate for
the purpose of more effectually purifying the foul water, as last referred to.
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 what
I claim is :-
1st The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the production in the liquid of aluminium
hydroxide from a soluble aluminate by the neutralization of the base of the
aluminate either by an acid other than phosphoric acid or the acid of an acid
salt (other than the acid phosphates of lime and magnesia, and hypochlorite of
magnesia) whether already contained in the liquid, or by-an-acid-or-acid-salt added
for the purpose, substantially as specified.
2nd The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the addition to the liquid of the sodium
aluminate together with an aluminium salt in sufficient quantity to neutralise the
base contained in the aluminate and produce a precipitate of aluminium hydroxide,
substantially as specified.
3rd The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the addition to the liquid of the sodium
aluminate together with some acid (such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acid but
not phosphoric acid) in sufficient quantity to neutralise the base contained in
the aluminate and produce a precipitate of aluminium hydroxide, substantially as
specified.
4th The herein described process of purifying and deodorising sewage and other
foul waters, which process consists in the addition to the liquid of the sodium
aluminate together with an acid salt such as the acid sulphate of sodium or
potassium for a bicarbonate but not acid phosphates of lime, and magnesia, nor
hypochlorite of magnesia in sufficient quantity to neutralise the base contained in
the aluminate and produce a precipitate of aluminium bydroxide substantially as
specified.
5th The treatment, substantially as described, of the sludge or precipitate
resulting from the purification of sewage and other foul waters by means of
aluminium hydroxide, and the production of a useful product therefrom as
specified
Dated this 1st day of September 1885.
F. MAXWELL LYTE.
By A. M. & W- Clark,
Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.