Improvements in the Treatment of Sewage, and in the Obtention of Valuable Products.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 1st Sept., 1896-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment of Sewage, and in the Obtention of
Valuable Products.
I, JAMES HARGREAVES, of Farnworth-in- Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
=
This invention relates to a process of treating sewage in conjunction with a
process for electrolytically decomposing chlorides, with a view to obtaining soda,
potash and like marketable products, and utilising the chlorine yielded in the
chlorination and disinfection of sewage or other putrescent, matter. By electro-
lytically treating chloride and applying the chlorine yielded in the treatment of
sewage, the process as a whole may be carried out with the economy necessary for
permitting such a material as sewage to be practically dealt with.
In carrying out my invention, I erect the necessary plant for the electrolytic
decomposition of chlorides preferably in the immediate neighbourhood of a main
outfall sewer, and I allow the chlorine yielded to flow direct into the sewer,
where, owing to its comparatively high specific gravity, it spreads itself in
contact with the surface of the sewage water and rapidly becomes absorbed.
Instead of allowing the free chlorine to pass into the sewer itself, the sewage
may be passed through suitable absorbing chambers and there exposed to the
action of the chlorine, agitators being employed, if necessary, to assist or expedite
the process of absorption. Or water, or a portion of the sewage, may be caused
to absorb an excess of chlorine and be then added to the bulk of the sewage. In
some instances, lime or other suitable alkali may be added to the chlorinated
sewage or water.
Further economy results from the employment of this method of working where
the current required for the process of electrolysis is derived from an electric-
lighting plant; such plant being thus rendered serviceable during the day-time
for the production of chlorine for application to the sewage direct, or for the
preparation of highly chlorinated liquor for subsequent admixture with the sewage
whilst the electric-lighting plant is required for its primary duty.
Dated the 2nd day of December 1895.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Treatment of Sewage, and in the Obtention of
Valuable Products.
I, JAMES HARGREAVES, of Farnworth-in-Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this 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 relates to a process for electrolytically decomposing chlorides,

page_text: with a view to obtaining soda, potash and like marketable products, and utilising
the chlorine yielded in the chlorination and disinfection of sewage or other
putrescent matter. By electrolytically treating chlorides and applying the
chlorine yielded in the treatment of sewage, the process as a whole may be
carried out with the economy necessary for permitting such a material as sewage
to be practically dealt with.
In carrying out my invention, I erect the necessary plant for the electrolytic
decomposition of chlorides preferably in the immediate neighbourhood of a main
outfall sewer, and I allow the chlorine yielded to flow direct into the sewer, where,
owing to its comparatively high specific gravity, it spreads itself in contact with
the surface of the sewage water and rapidly becomes absorbed. If it be desired
to confine the chlorine gas to a particular section of the sewer, a curtain or
curtains, extending from the crown and dipping below the surface of the
liquid, may be employed. Such curtains may be made fixtures or rendered
adjustable.
Instead of allowing the free chlorine to flow into the sewer itself, the sewage
may be passed through suitable absorbing chambers and there exposed to the
action of the chlorine, agitators being employed, if necessary, to assist or expedite
the process of absorption. Or water, or a portion of the sewage, may be caused
to absorb an excess of chlorine and be then added to the bulk of the sewage.
some instances, lime or other suitable alkali may be added to the chlorinated
sewage or water.
;
In
Further economy results from the employment of this method of working where
the current required for the process of electrolysis is derived from an electric-
lighting plant such plant being thus rendered serviceable during the day-time for
the production (in addition to potash, soda and the like) of chlorine for application
to the sewage direct, or for the preparation of highly chlorinated liquor for
subsequent admixture with the sewage during the night, or at such times as the
electric-lighting plant is required for its primary duty.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved method of chlorinating and disinfecting sewage, substantially
as herein described, and consisting in electrolytically decomposing chlorides and
applying the chlorine yielded to the sewage either directly, whilst the latter is
exposed in the sewer, or in a scrubber, or indirectly by chlorinating water and
mixing the same with the sewage.
2. The combination of an electric-lighting plant with an electrolytic plant for
the decomposition of chlorides, and means for applying the chlorine evolved in
the chlorination of sewage, substantially as herein described, and whereby the
disinfection of large volumes of sewage with the requisite economy is rendered
possible.
Dated thie 1st dar of Sentember 1806