IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF VESSELS, TANKS, RESERVOIRS, AND AREAS, AND MATERIALS USED FOR THE PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER POLLUTED WATERS."
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Rydill, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of “IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING
OF VESSELS, TANKS, RESERVOIRS, AND AREAS, AND MATERIALS USED FOR THE
PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER POLLUTED WATERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Rydill at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 14th January 1875.
I, GEORGE RYDILL, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
AND WORKING OF VESSELS, TANKS, RESERVOIRS, AND AREAS, AND MATERIALS USED
FOR THE PURIFICATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER POLLUTED WATERS," to be as
follows:-

page_text: streams by the construction of improved filter vessels, tanks, reservoirs,
and areas, with chambers for the purpose of filtering polluted waters by
forming a vacuum in the chamber on the under side or the top side of
the filter vessel with an air pump or engine, and the atmospheric air is
made to press on the polluted waters to force them through the filter
beds or beds, or to form a vacuum with steam by forcing out the air in
the chamber and allowing the same to become condensed, or to filter
the sewage and dye waters and polluted streams under hydraulic
pressure, or compressed air acting on the polluted waters in a closed
vessel or vessels, these improvements being for constructing and working
the aforesaid vessels, tanks, reservoirs, and areas, so that any required
quantity of sewage and polluted waters may be quickly, effectually,
and economically treated.
In order to describe clearly these improvements so that they may bo
understood I construct a vessel or vessels of iron or of other metal, or 1
of wood, stone, brick, or any other suitable material any required height,
width, or length, in which I fix iron or wood beams across, supported by
pillars underneath, to form a chamber in the bottom part of the vessel to
support cross pieces of iron or wood to form a floor, on which rest per-
forated iron plates or other metal plates or lattice work of wood which I 2
cover with clinker or coarse ashes, and thou with a coating or layer of
sieved, ground, or crushed ashes; or the pierced openings may be covered
with small stones or pebbles, and then with a coating of sieved, ground,
or crushed coal fire ashes, or other porous substances, and I connect an
air pump or engine by means of pipes and valves with the chamber or 2
chambers for the purpose of pumping out the air to form a vacuum, SO
that any required quantity of polluted waters may be purified and pressed
through the filter bed.

page_text: the chamber to the height of the vessel, so that on the air valve being
opened in the small pipe the air rushes into the chamber and allows the
water to run out through the outlet pipe. When the chamber is
emptied the valve in the outlet pipe is closed, also the valve in the air
pipe, and the air pump or engine is again set to work to pump out
the air, so that the chamber may be again filled and emptied as
before.
If a largo stream of sewage water or a polluted stream or river has to
be treated I construct a kind of reservoir or reservoirs, canal, or canal-
like channels, with a chamber any required length or width, along the ·
side of the river bank, leaving sufficient strength of embankment or
support between the two. I prefer to construct the reservoir or canal-
like channel near to a weir or falling ground, where the outlet could be
got below the inlet to prevent the purified waters from being lifted or
forced from the chamber by a pump. But to make it clearly understood
I will describe the construction of this reservoir or channel as made
along the side of a polluted river bank, and the whole of the purified
waters requiring to bo pumped from the chamber :-I excavato a reservoir
or canal-like channel the depth or below the bed of the river, and I
prefer to invert the bottom, or flag or pave the bottom, and wall the
sides and ends any required height for a chamber area. I then construct
walls across, forming arched passages, at suitable distances apart from
each other along the entire length. I then turn pierced arches of brick
or stone, suitably chosen and prepared, from one arched wall to the
other, leaving alternate openings over the whole of the arches, forming
passages to the chamber underneath, being as small and numerous as
can be done with safety to the arches, structure, and successful working.
Between the springing and crown of the arches I construct ribs to
strengthen them, and to cause all surface possible of the pierced arches
to present itself; or I construct pillars on which rest iron girders, and
I turn arches, perforated or pierced, from one iron girder to another, or
girders, joists, and pierced metal plates may be placed over them to form
a perforated chamber covering, but I prefer to construct arches with brick
or stone or any other suitable material.
In order to give some dimensions to make it clearly understood I will
name this reservoir or canal-like channel as being 40 yards in length
and 10 yards wide. The top and bottom ends or side are connected with
the polluted river or stream by constructing substantial masonry of brick

page_text: or stone, or tubes may be used so as to connect the same to the river or
stream, at each end of which I place a threshold or sill for fixing sluice
or sluices, worked with suitable machinery, for supplying the reservoir or
canal-like channel with polluted waters, the sluices of which I firmly
secure in masonry, and I build up the sides of the reservoir or channel
above the pierced arch chamber and the openings or channel sides at
each end leading to the sluices with brick or stone, and I connect suitable
pumps and pipes to the chamber. I then place broken stones over the
chamber arches' pierced openings, then a layer of coarso clinker ashes,
and then cover the same with any required thickness with sieved ground
or crushed ashes.
If desirable I lay perforated plates loosely over the top of the ashes
to prevent the polluted waters in passing over the surface from washing
up the filter bed, and to form a bottom to enable the sewage and refuse
resting on the surface of the filter bed being readily removed openings
with suitable doors are placed in the side walls for the removal of the
sewage and refuse when a suitable fall can be obtained. I connect an
air pump or engine and pipe to the chamber, so as to pump out the air
to form a vacuum to facilitate the filteration of polluted waters, and I
erect a pump or pumps of any required lifting or forcing power with the
chamber to raise the filtered waters from the chamber underneath the
filter bed. When the same is completed as described I open or raise
the sluice or valve at one or both ends, so that a small quantity of the
polluted waters will flow through until the chamber underneath the
filter bed is filled with filtered water, and the water in the reservoir or
channel becomes level with the river or stream. I then open the
sluices or valves with suitable appliances without fear of injuring
tho filter bed, and as the pump or pumps raises the filtered waters
from the chamber other filtered water supplies its place under part
vacuum.
When the filtered water in the chamber required to be raised a
reasonable height within the limits of atmospheric pressure I erect large
cast or wrought iron air-tight chambers or vessels above the reservoir
or channel, and the said metal air-tight chambers or vessels are connected
by means of pipes and valves to the chamber under the filter bed. On
the top of the air-tight metal chambers or vessels valves are fixed. In
order to explain their working I close the valve in the pipe connecting
the elevated metal air-tight vessel with the chamber under the filter bed,

page_text: and I open the air valve on the top of the vessel. Conncoted to this
elevated air-tight chamber or vessel is a steam pipe from a steam boiler.
I open the valve in the steam pipe and the steam forces the air out
through the valve on the top of the clevated air-tight metal vessel.
I then close the air valve on the top of the said vessel and open the valve
in the pipe leading to the chamber under the filter bed. The steam
becomes condensed and a vacuum is formed which causes the atmo-
spheric air to press upon the polluted waters in the reservoir or channel,
and pressing also with force upon the filtered waters in the chamber
below forces them up into the elevated air-tight metal chamber or vessel
The valve is then closed in the pipe leading to the chamber under the
filter bed. On opening the air valve on the top of the air-tight metal
chamber or vessel the raised filtered water is run through a valve in the
olevated metal chamber or vessel to any required place. This method of
raising the filtered waters may bo worked to any required extent, or I
pump out the air in the elevated metal air-tight chamber with an air
pump or engine to form a vacuum and raise the filtered waters from the
chamber under the filter bed by opening and closing the required valves
when a vacuum is formed. By the aforesaid arrangement of cast or
wrought iron air-tight vessels any number of such vessels may be used
to form a vacuum in the chamber or chambers. The sluices are pro-
tected with suitable iron grating to prevent large floating substances
from passing into the reservoir or channel.
Access for the removal of the accumulated sewage or refuse, and for
the removal and renewal of the filter beds is at all times practicable
when the sluices are closed and the filtered waters pumped out of the
chamber.
I will further describe a vessel, tank, or area for the treatment of
sewage and polluted waters constructed at small cost, which may bo
made of any dimensions, which I will describo as 20 yards long and 10
yards wide. I first construct a number of drains lengthways and cross-
ways, several feet apart from each other, which may be built on a flagged
or paved floor or on the ground. The sides of the drains are constructed
with small openings, and the tops of the drains are covered over. I build
a wall round the area with-brick or stoue any required height. I then
place rough stones or clinker ashes between the drains and a thin
coating over them: I then spread sieved, ground, or crushed ashes one,
two, or more feet in thickness, and I convey the sewage and polluted

page_text: waters on to the top of the same. If such be constructed for villages
where the filter bed would serve for a long period ridges may be formed
on which to produce kitchen garden produce, and the sewage and
polluted waters pass between the ridges for the purpose of irrigation.
The drains being all connected, should the sewage and polluted waters |
cover the surface of the porous filter bed I pump the air out of the drains
with an air pump or engine fixed for that purpose, when the atmospheric
air acts upon the polluted waters and filters the same, when the filtered
waters are run off through valves or sluices.
If the quantity of sewage is but small the ashes being light and porous 1
may filter the same as supplied, and the filtered waters run off from
openings at the side or end of the area; or where large quantities of
sewage and polluted waters require treating, larger areas may be
constructed.
When a vacuum is formed on the ton side of the filter bed for unward 1
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Rydill in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 14th July 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
RYDILL, of 8, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Rydill, Her special licence,
that I, the said George Rydill, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said George Rydill, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the

page_text: Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF VESSELS,
TANKS, RESERVOIES, AND AREAS, AND MATERIALS USED FOR THE PURIFICATION OF
SEWAGE AND OTHER POLLUTED WATERS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said George Rydill, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after tho date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Rydill, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
This Invention of improvements is for the treatment of sewage and
dye waters, and purifying and preventing the pollution of rivers and
streams by the construction of improved filter vessels, tanks, reservoirs,
and areas, with chambers for the purpose of filtering polluted waters by
forming a vacuum in the chamber on the under side or the top side of
the filter vessel with an air pump or engine, and the atmospheric air is
made to press on the polluted waters to force them through the filter
beds or beds, or to form a vacuum with steam by forcing out the air in
the chamber and allowing the same to become condensed, or to filter the
sewage and dye waters and polluted streams under hydraulic pressure or
compressed air acting on the polluted waters in a closed vessel or vessels,
these improvements boing for constructing and working the aforesaid
vessels, tanks, reservoirs, and areas, so that any required quantity of
sewage and polluted waters may be quickly, effectually, and economically
treated.
In order to describe clearly these improvements so that they may be
understood, I construct a vessel or vessels of iron or of other metal or of
wood, stone, brick, or any other suitable material, any required height,
width, or length, in which I fix iron or wood beams across, supported by
pillars underneath, to form a chamber in the bottom part of the vessel to
support cross pieces of iron or wood to form a floor on which rest
perforated iron plates or other metal plates or latticework of wood, which

page_text: I cover with clinker or coarse ashes, and then with a coating or layer of
sieved, ground, or crushed ashes, or the pierced openings may be covered
with small stones or pebbles and then with a coating of sieved, ground, or
crushed coal, fire ashes, or other porous substances, and I connect an air
pump or engine by means of pipes and valves with the chamber or
chambers for the purpose of 'pumping out the air to form a vacuum, so
that any required quantity of polluted waters may be purified and passed
through the filter bed.
I further construct a vessel of cast or wrought iron, or any other
suitable material, containing a chamber noar its bottom, and the outlet :
from the chamber is through a pipe and valve, which valve can be
closed at pleasure so that on the sewage dye and polluted waters not
passing through the filter beds in required quantity the valve is closed
and the air is pumped out of the chamber with an air pump or engine
to form a vacuum, and when the chamber is filled with water forced 1
through the filter bed by the pressure of the atmosphere the valve in the
outlet pipe is opened; also a valvo fixed in a small air pipe which leads
from the chamber to the height of the vessel, so that on the air valve
being opened in the small pipe the air rushes into the chamber and
allows the water to run out through the outlet pipe. When the a
chamber is emptied the valve in the outlet pipe is closed, also tho
valvo in the air pipe, and the air pump or engine is again set to work
to pump out the air, so that the chamber may be again filled and emptied
as before.
If a large stream of sewage water or a polluted stream or river has
to be treated I construct a kind of reservoir or reservoirs, canal or
canal-like channels with a chamber any required length or width along
the side of the river bank leaving sufficient strength of embankment or
support between the two. I prefer to construct the reservoir or canal-
like channel near to a weir or falling ground, where the outlet could be
got below the inlet to prevent the purified waters from being lifted or
forced from the chamber by a pump. But to make it clearly understood
I will describe the construction of this reservoir or channel as made
along the side of a polluted river bank, and the whole of the purified
waters requiring to be pumped from the chamber, I excavate a reservoir
or canal-like channel the depth or below the bed of the river, and I
prefer to invert the bottom or flag or pave the bottom, and wall the sides
and ends any required height for a chamber area. I then construct

page_text: walls across, forming arched passages at suitable distances apart from
each other along the entire length. I then turn pierced arches of brick or
stone suitably chosen and prepared from one arched wall to the other,
leaving alternate openings over the whole of the arches, forming passages
to the chamber underneath, being as small and numerous as can be done
with safety to the arches' structure and successful working. Between
the springing and crown of the arches I construct ribs to strengthen
them, and to cause all surface possible of the pierced arches to present
itself, or I construct pillars on which rest iron girders, and I turn arches
▸ perforated or pierced from one iron girder to another, or girders, joists,
and pierced metal plates may be placed over them to form a perforated
chamber covering, but I prefer to construct arches with brick or stone
or any other suitable material.
In order to give some dimensions to make it clearly understood, I will
name this reservoir or canal-like channel as being 40 yards in length and
10 yards wide. The top and bottom ends or side are connected with the
polluted river or stream by constructing substantial masonry of brick or
stone, or tubes may be used so as to connect the same to the river or
stream, at each end of which I place a threshold or sill for fixing sluice
or sluices worked with suitable machinery for supplying the reservoir or
canal-like channel with polluted waters, the sluices of which I firmly
secure in masonry, and I build up the sides of the reservoir or channel
above the pierced arch chamber, and the openings or channel sides at
each end leading to the sluices with brick or stone, and I connect
suitable pumps and pipes to the chamber; I then place broken stones
over the chamber arches' pierced openings, then a layer of coarse clinkor
ashes, and then cover the same with any required thickness with sieved,
ground, or crushed ashes.

page_text: chamber to raise the filtered waters from the chamber underneath the
filter bed. When the same is completed as described I open or raise tho
sluice or valve at one or both ends so that a small quantity of the
polluted waters will flow through until the chamber underneath the
filter bed is filled with filtered water and the water in the reservoir or
channel becomes level with the river or stream; I then open the sluices
or valves with suitable appliances without fear of injuring the filter bed,
and as the pump or pumps raises the filtered waters from the chamber
other filtered water supplies its placo under part vacuum.
On
When the filtered water in the chamber requires to be raised a
reasonable height within the limits of atmospheric pressure I crect large
cast or wrought iron air-tight chambers or vessels above the reservoir or
channel, and the said metal air-tight chambers or vessels are connected
by means of pipes and valves to the chamber under the filter bed.
the top of the air-tight metal chambers or vessels valves are fixed. In
order to explain their working I close the valvo in the pipe connecting
the elevated metal air-tight vessel with the chamber under the filter bed,
and I open the air valve on the top of the vessel. Connected to this
elevated air-tight chamber or vessel is a steam pipe from a steam boiler.
I open the valve in the steam pipe, and tho steam forces the air out
through the valve on the top of the clevated air-tight metal vessel. I
then close the air valve on the top of the said vessel and open the valve
in the pipe leading to the chamber under the filter bed. The steam
becomes condensed and a vacuum is formed which causes the atmospheric
air to press upon the polluted waters in the reservoir or channel, and
pressing also with force upon the filtered waters in the chamber below
forces them up into the elevated air-tight metal chamber or vessel. The
valvo is then closed in the pipe leading to the chamber under the filter
bed. On opening the air valve on the top of the air-tight metal
chamber or vessel the raised filtered water is run through a valve in the
elevated metal chamber or vessel to any required place. This method of
raising the filtered waters may be worked to any required extent, or I
pump out the air in the elevated metal air-tight chamber with an air
pump or engine to form a vacuum and raise the filtered waters from the
chamber under the filter bed by opening and closing the required valves
when a vacuum is formed. By the aforesaid arrangement of cast or
wrought iron air-tight vessels any number of such vessels may be used
to form a vacuum in the chamber or chambers. The sluices aro

page_text: protected with suitable iron grating to prevent large floating substances
from passing into the reservoir or channel.
Access for the removal of the accumulated sewage or refuse, and for
the removal and renewal of the filter beds is at all times practicablo
when the sluices are closed and the filtered waters pumped out of tho
chamber.
I will further describe a vessel, tank, or area for the treatment of
sewage and polluted waters constructed at small cost, which may be
made of any dimensions, which I will describe as 20 yards long and 10
yards wide. I first construct a number of drains lengthways and
crossways, several feet apart from each other, which may be built on a
flagged or paved floor or on the ground. The sides of the drains aro
constructed with small openings, and the tops of the drains are covered
over. I build a wall round the area with brick or stone any required
height. I then place rough stones or clinker ashes between the drains
and a thin coating over them. I then spread sieved, ground, or crushed
ashes one, two, or more feet in thickness, and I convey the sewage and
polluted waters on to the top of the same. If such be constructed for
villages where the filter bed would serve for a long period, ridges may be
formed on which to produce kitchen. garden produce, and the sewage
and polluted waters pass between the ridges for the purposo of
irrigation.
The drains being all connected, should the sewage and polluted waters
cover the surface of the porous filter bed I pump the air out of the
drains with an air pump or engine fixed for that purpose, when the
atmospheric air acts upon the polluted waters and filters the same, when
the filtered waters are run off through valves or sluices.
If the quantity of sewago is but small the ashes being light and
porous may filter the same as supplied, and the filtered waters run off
from openings at the side or end of the arca, or where large quantities
of sewage and polluted waters require treating larger areas may be
constructed.
When a vacuum is formed on the top side of the filter bed for
upward filteration then I arch over the top of the reservoir to form a
chamber.

page_text: manner in which the same is carried out, what I claim as my Invention
of improvements for treating polluted waters is,—
First. The novel mode or methods herein described of constructing or
forming and combining and joining together pierced arches resting on
arched walls or pillars for the purpose of forming a chamber underneath
tanks or reservoirs, over which is-placed a filter bed so that a vacuum
may be formed underneath with an air pump or steam either on the top
or under sides.
Second. The formation of cast or wrought iron air-tight chambers
or vessels for forming a vacuum and removing water from underneath
the filter bed.
Third. The construction of irrigation area as fully set forth, and
filtering the water through sieved or crushed ashics.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Rydill, havo hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourteenth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.