IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUALLY DEODORIZING AND PURIFYING HUMAN EXCRETA
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Nicholls of 2 Purbrook Road Victoria Road
Hendon in the County of Middlesex Electrical Cloth Manufacturer, for
an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MEANS AND
APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUALLY DEODORIZING AND PURIFYING HUMAN EXCRETA
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Nicholls at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th August 1882. .
RICHARD NICHOLLS of 2 Purbrook Villas Victoria Road Hendon in the County
of Middlesex Electrical Cloth Manufacturer. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF
AND MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUALLY DEODORIZING AND PURIFYING
HUMAN EXCRETA AND RENDERING SAME SPECIALLY VALUABLE FOR MANURIAL
AND FERTILIZING PURPOSES
My said invention is designed to enable the inhabitants of dwelling Houses to
deodorize and purify their own sewage or foecal matter almost immediately after
the passage of the same from the body; and afterwards to convert same into a
manure rich in fertilizing properties.
In carrying my said invention into practical effect, I construct an apparatus in
2 (preferably) or more parts as follows
1 The top part or lid of the apparatus I construct of a conical form (altho I may
if desired make it of any other form) and on one side thereof is a pipe or tube
which is led or connected by any suitable means to the discharge orifice of the
Water Closet so as to convey the matter contained in the pan thereof to the
2nd part of my apparatus hereinafter described. On the opposite side of this top
part or lid I place another pipe tube, or "shoot" for the purpose to be presently
described. The centre of this part of my apparatus is formed cylindrically and
extends vertically upwards between the above mentioned tubes a sufficient height
and is provided at its top with a lid or cover made to fit very tightly and at its
[Price 621

page_text: lower end is separated from the receiver by a piece of perforated metal so as to be
capable of containing one, or all, or any of the deodorizing Agents employed as
hereafter mentioned
2nd. The second part of my apparatus is the receiver into which the focal matter
is conveyed by the pipe or tube leading from the Water Closet and is constructed
so as to accurately and closely fit or receive the top part (N° 1) or lid and to
prevent the escape of effluvia from the focal matter contained therein it may be
made of any suitable dimensions and of any form. This receiver is supported by
any suitable means and is made capable of being revolved or tilted over so as to
allow of contents thereof being discharged when necessary. Underneath the
receiver I place a small furnace or fireplace which is in connection with a flue for
facilitating the generation of heat and carrying off the products of combustion
This furnace is employed for evaporating moisture from the focal and other matter
contained in the receiver and thereby rendering same inodorous as described below.
Into the tube or cylinder that projects from the top or lid of my apparatus
I place a deodorizing Agent such as Soot, Vegetable or Animal Carbon or any
other material capable of deodorizing the volatile matters discharged during the
drying or evaporating process. The above mentioned apparatus is fitted in any
suitable position and the following is the method and means employed for
converting the impure matter into valuable manure.
Upon an individual using a Water Closet the matter contained therein is
conveyed by the above mentioned tube into the recptacle or receiver, and by
means of the tube or aperature on the opposite side thereof the deposited matter is
. covered over with Cinders or Ashes preferably but other materials may be employed
for the purpose such as Burnt Ballas-Lime-Slacked or otherwise dry Earth
Vegetable or Animal Carbon, Sand Crushed Granite dust Carbolic Acid or any
other earthly substance or Chemical deemed necessary.
The matter is allowed to collect in this manner until the receiver is approaching
fulness or it is desired to obtain manure therefrom the tube leading from the Water
Closet to the receptacle is then disconnected from the Water Closet by any suitable
means and a screw cap or other appliance is placed on the end of the pipe connected
with the lid of my apparatus so as to prevent escape of the vapour during
evaporation.
For this purpose a fire is lighted in the furnace and the contents of
the receiver heated until by evaporation of moisture therefrom it is rendered
sufficiently dry to be perfectly inodorous. The vapour driven off passes up thro
the soot or other material contained in the cylindrical casing above mentioned and
is thereby deodorized and the ammoniacal or other salts contained in the matter
under treatment congregate in a chrystalized form on the internal surface of the
lid These salts may be removed and advantageously utilized for various purposes.
The focal matter having been thus subjected to heat in a closed vessel is completely
dried, the top part or lid of the apparatus is then removed and the receiver is tilted
or partially revolved and the material removed which will be found to be a perfectly
inodorous mixture highly purified and extremely rich in fertilizing properties and of
the utmost value as a Manure.
The apparatus is then fitted together and is again ready for the purpose of
purifying the sewage Matter of a Household or other place.
It is obvious that I may construct my apparatus of any material or combination
of materials that I may find best suited therefor and that it may be made of any
required size either for use in private or public houses Camps Hotels and other
places or for use as a deodorizer of the sewage of Towns Villiages Hospitals and
the like.
The advantages gained by the use of my invention are numerous but notably
1. Its extreme smallness and consequent cheapness and facility of application
and portability
2. Its perfect deodorization of all facculent household matter by simple means—i.e.
by the employment of the refuse of the household that are now wasted i.c. Cinder Ash

page_text: Soot and the like for the purpose of deodorizing the impure matter and converting
same into a valuable and saleable product and thereby giving every householder a
source of revenue from the hitherto wasted products of his house and at the same
time rendering the abode more conducive to health by the immediate deodorization
of excreted matter and thereby preventing the entrance of Sewer Gas into the
house the injurious effects of which are well known.
may if desired or found necessary provide the furnace with a drawer or tray
or other appliance for drying ballast or other material employed for covering the
matter deposited in the receiver as above described.
may also in some cases have more than one pipe in connection with several
Water Closets leading to my above described apparatus or I may have several
pipes from houses or closets leading into one pipe and discharging its contents
into the receiver-as also I provide (if necessary) any suitable means for
automatically causing a supply of earth ash or other material to be thrown in
simultaneously with the deposition of the focal matter into the receiver.
I also if desired or found expedient surround the receiver with an outer casing
of metal or other suitable material into which heated water may be conveyed say
from the kitchen Boiler-as an alternative for heating the matter contained in the
Receiver by the direct action of the fire in the described furnace.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Nicholls in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th February
1883.
RICHARD NICHOLLS of 2 Purbrook Villa, Victoria Road Hendon in the County
of Middlesex Electrical Cloth Manufacturer " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF
AND MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUALLY DEODORIZING AND PURIFYING
HUMAN EXCRETA AND RENDERING SAME SPECIALLY VALUABLE FOR MANURIAL
AND FERTILIZING PURPOSES
""
My said Invention is designed to enable the inhabitants of dwelling-houses to
deodorize and purify their own sewage or foecal matter almost immediately after
the passage of the same from the body, and afterwards to convert same into a
manure rich in fertilizing properties.
In carrying my said invention into practical effect I construct an apparatus as
represented in the annexed Drawing in two (preferably) or more parts as
follows. The Drawing shews partly an elevation and partly a section of the
apparatus.
1st. The top part or lid a of the apparatus I construct of a conical form (although
I may if desired make it of any other form) and on one side thereof is a pipe or
tube b which is led or connected by any suitable means to the discharge orifice of
the water closet so as to convey the matter contained in the pan thereof to the
second part of my apparatus herein-after described. On the opposite side of this
top part or lid I place another pipe, tube, or "shoot " c for the purpose to be presently
described. The centre of this part of my apparatus marked d is formed cylindrically
and extends vertically upwards between the above mentioned tubes a sufficient
height and is provided at its top with a lid or cover e made to fit very tightly
and at its lower end is separated from the receiver by a piece of perforated metal f
so as to be capable of containing one or all, or any of the deodorizing agents
employed as hereinafter mentioned.
2nd The second part of my apparatus. g is the receiver into which the focal
matter is conveyed by the pipe or tube leading from the water closet and is
constructed so as to accurately and closely fit or receive the top part (N° 1) or
lid a and to prevent the escape of effluvia from the focal matter contained therein
it may be made of any suitable dimensions and of any form. This receiver is
supported by any suitable means and may be made capable of being revolved or
tilted over so as to allow of contents thereof being discharged when necessary.
Underneath the receiver I place a small furnace or fire place h, which is in
connection with a flue for facilitating the generation of heat and carrying off the
products of combustion. This furnace is employed for evaporating moisture from
the focal and other matter contained in the receiver and thereby rendering same
inodorous as described below. Into the tube or cylinder d that projects from the
top or lid of my apparatus I place a deodorizing agent such as soot vegetable or
animal carbon or any other material capable of deodorizing the volatile matters
discharged during the drying or evaporating process. The above mentioned
apparatus is fitted in any suitable position and the following is the method and
means employed for converting the impure matter into valuable manure.
Upon an individual using a water closet the matter contained therein is
conveyed by the above mentioned tube into the receptacle or receiver and by
means of the tube or aperture on the opposite side thereof the deposited matter
is covered over with cinders or ashes preferably but other materials may be
employed for the purpose such as burnt ballast lime slaked or otherwise dry earth

page_text: vegetable or animal carbon, sand, crushed granite dust, carbolic acid, or any other
earthy substance or chemical deemed necessary. The inatter is allowed to collect
in this manner until the receiver is approaching fulness or it is desired to obtain
manure therefrom the tube leading from the water closet to the receptacle is then
disconnected from the water closet by any suitable means and a screw cap or other
appliance is placed on the end of the pipe connected with the lid of my apparatus
so as to prevent any escape of the vapour during evaporation.
For this purpose a fire is lighted in the furnace and the contents of the receiver
heated until by evaporation of moisture therefrom it is rendered sufficiently dry to
be perfectly inordorous. The vapour driven off passes up through the soot or other
material contained in the cylindrical casing above mentioned and is thereby
deodorized and the ammonical or other salts contained in the matter under
treatment congregate in a crystallized form on the internal surface of the lid.
These salts may be removed and advantageously utilized for various purposes.
The fecal matter having been thus subjected to heat in a closed vessel is
completely dried, the top part or lid of the apparatus is then removed and the
vessel will be found to contain a perfectly inodorous mixture highly purified and
extremely rich in fertilizing properties and of the utmost value as a manure.
The apparatus is then fitted together and is again ready for the purpose of
purifying the sewage matter of a household or other place.
It is obvious that I may construct my apparatus of any material or combination
of materials that I may find best suited therefor and that it may be made of any
required size either for use in private or public houses, camps, hotels and other
places or for use as a deodorizer of the sewage of towns, villages, hospitals and the
like.
The advantages gained by the use of my invention are numerous but notably: :-
1. Its extreme smallness and consequent cheapness and facility of application
and portability.
2. Its perfect deodorization of all fæculent household matter by simple means i.e
by the employment of the refuse of the household that are now wasted i.e. cinder,
ash, soot and the like for the purpose of deodorizing the impure matter and
converting same into a valuable and marketable product and thereby giving every
householder a source of revenue from the hitherto wasted products of his house,
and at the same time rendering the abode more conducive to health by the
immediate deodorization of excreted matter and thereby preventing the entrance of
sewer gas into the house the injurious effects of which are well known.
I may if desired or found necessary provide the furnace with a drawer or tray or
other appliance for drying ballast or other material employed for covering the
matter deposited in the receiver as above described.
I may also in some cases have more than one pipe in connection with several
water closets leading to my above described apparatus or I may have several pipes
from houses or closets leading into one pipe and discharging its contents into the
receiver also I provide (if necessary) any suitable means for automatically causing
a supply of earth ash or other material to be thrown in simultaneously with the
deposition of the focal matter into the receiver.
I also if desired or found expedient surround the receiver with an outer casing of
metal or other suitable material into which heated water may be conveyed say from
the kitchen boiler as an alternative for heating the matter contained in the receiver
by the direct action of the fire in the described furnace.
Having thus described the nature of my said invention and the manner of
performing the same. I would have it understood that I claim :-
First. My improved apparatus for effectually deodorizing and purifying human
excreta and rendering the same specially valuable for manurial and fertilizing
purposes.
Second. The improved method of and means for effectually deodorizing and
purifying human excreta and rendering the same specially valuable for manurial
and fertilizing purposes: such method and means consisting in accumulating the

page_text: excreta as produced together with cinders, ashes, or like absorbent material in a
vessel which when charged is heated externally, the ammonia and moisture being
thereby driven off through a bed of soot or like deodorant into a receiver where
the ammonia crystalizes whilst the aqueous vapour escapes.
In witness whereof I the said Richard Nicholls have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Tenth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
RICHARD. NICHOLLS (L.S.)