AN IMPROVED METHOD OF FILTERING SEWAGE, OBTAINING A USEFUL DEPOSIT THEREFROM, AND RENDERING HARMLESS THE EFFLUENT WATER
Year: 1884

page_text: IIRIUNAU
DIECIFICATION,
I, CHARLES WAITE of Kings Road in the Borough of Reading in the County of
Berks Builder do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for AN IMPROVED
METHOD OF FILTERING SEWAGE, OBTAINING A USEFUL DEPOSIT THEREFROM, AND
RENDERING HARMLESS THE EFFLUENT WATER to be as follows:-
The construction of sets of three tanks-each tank rising above the level of the
next below it three or more feet according to situation, and filtering the liquid as it
passes out through the side of each tank into the next below it--each tank to be
provided with a separate filter four feet wide extending the whole length of the
tank, and also two additional upright filters to each tank.
When and so often as the tanks are filled with sewage deposit-fresh lime is to
be applied to prepare it for removal and distribution.
The effluent water after passing through the filters connected with the tanks,
flows on to the top of a filter five feet deep down through this filter then rises up
through another filter three feet deep to the surface of an adjoining cistern from
which it flows away, in a barmless condition.
Dated this Eighth day of May One thousand eight hundred and eighty four
'
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page_text: 1
I CHARLES WAITE of The Laurels, Kings Road, in the Borough of Reading, in
the County of Berks, Builder do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF FILTERING SEWAGE OBTAINING A USEFUL DEPOSIT
THEREFROM AND RENDERING HARMLESS THE EFFLUENT WATER and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The nature of my Invention is to deal with all sewage in a liquid state-
receiving it at any point where it can be delivered into a tank or tanks, constructed
in accordance with the plans deposited herewith, or dealing with it in tanks
already constructed and in operation; when so received, the fluid will become
separated from the more solid matter therein, which through being allowed.to rest
and assisted with lime, would settle downwards, and will flow upwards to water
level through filtering beds constructed around and against the sides of the tanks
into gutters or passages and pass along into a second tank or reservoir connected
therewith and be again filtered upwards through a more dense filtering bed, into a
third tank.
In the second tank, when required, any chemicals that may be thought desirable
to use could be added, but this forms no, essential part of the plan for clearing the
liquid under ordinary circumstances.
In the third tank, the fluid now cleared of all sewage and impurities, has to pass
downwards through a filtering bed-constructed at the side of the tank nearest to
the inflow as deep as may be necessary-five feet or less-and then passing below
a barrier would rise through a filter of fine materials which would clarify the
fluid, and discharge it from the top surface into a culvert or water carrier,
connected with the receptacle or stream which would convey it away in a harmless
condition.
By the several arrangements I get
1. All sewage received at any time as convenient.
2. All liquid separated from solid matter.
3. All fluid filtered and delivered harmless.
The annexed Drawings shew the full operation of my Invention for filtration
of sewage.
1
Let the delivery from the outfall drain be at the point marked A..and from this
point the sewage flows over the barrier into the tank -B. which is the depositing
tank for the heavier-portion of the liquid. A screen to collect all light and floating
substances, fat, &c. that might swim on the top of the tank, and that otherwise
might clog the filters-marked C. is fixed in the tank and D. is a partition half
way iron, and half way rood flake, to keep back the sewage from the filters E.
The whole of the effluent water is filtered upwards through filters fixed at the sides
of the tank (which may be duplicated, or quadrupled, as required) until the bank
is filled up with solid deposit within two feet of the top, then the filters act
sideways, and the water flows off into a second tank I
and where desired a third tank L} receiving and filtering in a
similar manner with a finer combination of filtering material contained in
a circular rotary (
or a square fixed cage F. All the effluent water is again filtered upwards in a
cistern or reservoir marked H. This filter could be adapted as a water-works
filtering process for drinking purposes, and far superior to the present system of
filtering downwards as in filtering the water downwards it has to pass through

page_text: the deposit or settlings on the surface of the filters, which therefore continually
chokes up the filters-but in filtering upwards, the deposit or settlings falls to the
bottom of the tanks, and only the clear water is allowed to pass. The filters can
be easily cleaned by loosening the materials and pouring water on the top,
without taking out the materials. G. is a slush doorway at either end of the
tank to admit a small trolley on rails which passes through the tank for
cleaning out the solid deposit after being stiffened with fresh lime, so that it
could be shovelled into the trolley that would take it away to where it is required
for utilization-or the tanks could be so constructed as to draw off the solid deposit
into carts. The tank B. will be sufficiently large to take the sewage from a town
of 50,000 inhabitants for twelve months without requiring to be emptied. A third
tank L. for again clearing the water could be provided after it has passed through
filters E. and F.
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-
The separation of liquid from solid sewage matter-by upward and side filtration,
and the delivery of the effluent water in a harmless condition, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described and set forth.
Dated this Ninth day of May 1884
CHARLES WAITE.