Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Ventilation and, in some cases, the Disinfection of Sewers, Mines, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th June, 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Ventilation and, in some
cases, the Disinfection of Sewers, Mines, and the like.
We, MICHAEL JAMES DEMPSEY of Darlington, near Sydney, in the Colony of
New South Wales, Sewerage Ventilation Inspector, and DAVID WILSON of
Goulburn, in the said Colony, Contractor, 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 has been specially devised in order that large volumes of vitiated
air or gases may be inexpensively and if desired be continuously removed or
extracted from sewers mines enclosures passages &c. and at the same time the
escaping volumes of offensive gases and odours may be rapidly oxidized by contact
with supplied air while in some cases the contained germs in the escaping gases may
be destroyed or disinfected.
This improved method for the ventilation and in some cases the disinfection of
sewers mines &c. has as an essential feature the combination and arrangement with
cewers and with shafts or closed passages and in the same of sprays or jets from
which water steam or compressed air or other fluids preferably at high pressure is
discharged to cause a current of air therein towards discharge shaft or opening
which moving air causes the oxidization of germs and prevent fermentation therein.
Where practicable we use the "head" of the sewage as where a subsidiary sewer
is superposed relatively to a main sewer and we cause the sewerage to fall through
a conical discharge and so become a spray in the down pipe or manhole connection
and this spray causes the necessary current of air and the oxidation of contents.
We may place sprays or jets in one or more chambers constructed of metal brick
concrete or other materials communicating with the compartments to be emptied
diluted or charged and this apparatus may be used horizontally or vertically
separately or auxiliary to existing systems of ventilation and is so constructed that
its action is reversible and thus any shaft may be used as an exhauster or an air-
induct.
In the disinfection of the sewers the jets of high pressure fluid are connected with
a reservoir of fluid disinfectant and act as ejectors to distribute said fluid disinfectant
in the sewer &c. or in other cases the escaping volumes of air and gas are caused to
pass through diaphragms or gratings or in contact with breaking up surfaces which
hold the disinfectant.
But in order that this invention may be clearly understood reference will now be
made to the drawings herewith.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an underground sewer and ventilating shaft
to which this invention is applied by means of an induct cowl and a jet of high
pressure fluid.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of an underground (subsidiary) sewer with air
(induct) connection to which this invention is applied by means of a spray of
sewerage matter or fluid from a branch sewer.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of a manhole shaft to a sewer and a ventilating
shaft to which this invention is applied by means of a jet of water from a high
pressure main.
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a modification of the apparatus shewn in
Figure 3 in which the ventilating shaft is dispensed with and a supply of liquid
disinfectant is arranged for.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of an underground sewer and ventilating shaft
with duplex exhaust connection.

page_text: Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a ventilating shaft with duplex exhaust
connection and a ❝ scrubber or in connection with a disinfectant reservoir.
33
Figure 7 is a sectional plan of same.
Figure 8 is a section of a regulating jet for the water steam or compressed air to
cause the ventilating current and
Figure 9 is partial section of a modification of same to form the jet and an ejector
for fluid disinfectant.
tr
"
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation of a reverser or apparatus for insertion in
a sewer &c. or air supply connection by means of which the air current in the
sewer &c. may be changed from one direction to the opposite.
Figures 11 and 12 are cross sections of same on lines № x and y y respectively in
Figure 10.
32
Referring to Figure 1. A is the main sewer A¹ is a manhole passage or shaft
with door or cover A². The ventilating shaft B with cowl B¹ makes connection
with the sewer A by means of passage or shaft B in brickwork or other base B³
and a series of pipes B to various manhole shafts. Air is drawn in through cowl B¹
(assisted by the force of the wind when an "induct cowl is used) by a jet of water
steam or compressed air at a high pressure issuing downwards through nozzle C¹ of
pipe C from the main pipe C the pressure of said jet being regulated by stop
cock C³. This induced draught passes down passage or shaft B' through pipes B
to the manhole shaft A' and thence to the main sewer A carrying all noxious gases
thus diluted along the sewer to a convenient discharge or opening or exhaust
shaft.
:
In this method as well as in the modifications thereof hereinafter described educt
or discharge openings in connection with the main sewer are provided at appropriate
distances there along where convenient these may be at the surface of the ground
and in other places take the form of a ventilating shaft either with or without a jet
or spray current inducer in the connection thereto. The distance between the
induct and educt is determined as well understood by the sectional area of the
passages and the force of the induced current.
In the modification illustrated in Figure 2 the manhole shaft A¹ connects
the sewer A to pipe B from a ventilating shaft with cowl as shown in Figure 1.
The current is induced in the manhole shaft and the ventilating pipe by a circular
ejector consisting of a cone D in a trumpet shaped mouth D2 of tube or
funnel D³ fixed to the discharge end of a small or branch sewer D. The
sewerage matter and fluid from branch D empties into tube D³ and is ejected
in the form of a circular spray from between the funnel mouth D² and the
cone D¹ into the manhole shaft A' and causes a strong draught or current of
air towards and in the sewer A to a discharge opening or shaft. The cone D'
is connected by rods and chains D to balance weights D' said chains taking
over pulleys D secured on tube D³ as in an ordinary gasalier. This arrangement
allows the cone to adjust itself so that any extra thickness of sewage matter
will not choke but will pass between the cone and the funnel.
In Figure 3 an educt or updraught is caused from the sewer up manhole
shaft A by a jet from nozzle C¹ of pipe C2 from main C. The current of air
passes from shaft A' along pipe B₁ passage B2 to ventilating shaft B with
cowl B. The water or condensed steam issuing through nozzle C¹ into pipes B¹
is drained therefrom by pipes B× and carried down to the main sewer so that
pipe B and manhole shaft A' are kept dry. By causing the jet to be injected
at the other end of pipes B as shown by dotted lines this might be turned into
an air induct ventilating shaft the draught being then in the opposite direction.
In the modification shown in Figure 4 the various parts are marked similarly
to those in Figure 3 and have similar functions but there is in conjunction with
the nozzle a pipe E from a tank E' containing a supply of soluble disinfectant
material say permanganate of potash to which Huid is supplied through a ball
The jet of water steam or compressed air issuing from said nozzle induces
the disinfecting fluid to pass up pipe E and to be discharged as a spray which
cock.

page_text: intermingling with the jet from nozzle C' disinfects the air and gases in the pipe B*.
The current of air and gases thus disinfected may be discharged through grating F
into the atmosphere free from injurious germs and odours.
Referring to the duplex exhaust connection as shown in Figure 5' each of the
pipes B may connect with manhole shafts as shown in the drawing or one of them
may connect directly with the main sewer A. an updraught being caused in each
pipe B by similar apparatus in each said pipe to that shown in the left hand
pipe B namely pipe C² from main C having a nozzle C₁ for a jet of water &c.
The current meeting at bottom of uptake B2 finds its way into that uptake and
the ventilating shaft. The injected water is drained from pipes B by pipe B** and
pipe B connected to the main sewer and thus the pipes B and manhole shaft A¹
are kept dry.
In the duplex exhaust ventilating shaft as shown in Figures 6 and 7 the bottom
of uptake shaft B' is enlarged to form the chamber B just above the conjunction
of pipes B
A door or an aperture (not shown in the drawings) being formed in
the brickwork B3 by which the diaphragms G (or other disinfectant holders) may
be passed to and from the interior of chamber B. The disinfectant holders are
partially absorbent material arranged with passages not continuous but connected
and are preferably diaphragms consisting of rings preferably of wood across which
open scrim or strands of twine wire or such like material are drawn to form a
species of sieve a number of which are placed within chamber B' one above the
other. The cowl B₁ is of peculiar construction having a well or reservoir 6 formed
therein in which is placed soluble disinfectant material say permanganate of potash
to which the water is fed by pipe the feed being regulated by stop cock 63 or
by a ball cock as well understood. The disinfecting fluid thus made is drawn by
syphonic action through pipe 3 and issues in a jet through nozzle & falling upon
the diaphragms G in chamber B. The air and gases to be discharged are forced
by the draught through said diaphragms which are damp with disinfectant and
they are thereby "scrubbed" or purified before they can pass to the atmosphere
through shaft B and ventilating shaft and cowl B.
The jet faucet shown in Figures 8 and 9 consists in a body or butt c having a
curved through-way c¹ the nozzle c³ having a turned recess or socket to receive a
rifled or gauge screwed piece c'. The nozzle or mouth piece c³ is screwed on end c²
of the butt and the actuating spindle c with plug end c is screwed through the
butt c and has a gland and stuffing box c making a water or steam tight joint.
The socket co is provided on end of supply port or through-way c¹ for attachment
to supply pipe. When the plug c is opened or moved away from the orifice c³ the
water steam or compressed air as the case may be rushes through the rifled piece c
and thus is caused to have a revolving tendency so that as the jet issues from the
orifice it spreads into a shower of considerable force causing a draught within
the space it occupies. In the modified construction of jet shown in Figure 9 the
end of pipe d from a tank or reservoir of disinfecting fluid is inserted in the mouth
of the nozzle so that the force of fluid passing through the orifice c³ causes a flow
of disinfecting fluid through pipe d which mingling with the jet sprays into a
shower therewith and disinfects the air and gases as before described.
In Figures 10, 11, and 12, H is an outside cylinder or casing being reduced at
each end H' to take the ends of pipes or shafts or sewer ends. Jis a smaller
concentric cylinder secured between the dividing or compartment plates H³ which
in conjunction with smaller cylinder J longitudinally divide cylinder H into two
compartments or form independent passages H' and H' while webs or ribs H' form
ends to said cylinder compartments or passages. In the periphery of the smaller
cylinder J are cut apertures J' and J³ at the one end of said cylinder and J' and J*
in the other end or as in the position shown at top and bottom respectively by which
communication is made between compartment H³ and the interior of cylinder J
byways J' and J' and between compartment H* and the interior byways J³ and J.
Over said apertures are placed sliding doors or shutters K to close the apertures
and so open or cut off communication between the shafts or flues and the interior

page_text: of cylinder J at either end respectively so as to cause an up or down draught as
desired. The doors K upon each side of cylinder J are connected by rods K
which are operated oppositely by a double ended lever K2 pivotted on spindle K
and worked by cords or chains on ends of lever K* or by other devices. These
doors K are so connected that when aperture J¹ is open J2 is closed and at the
same time J will be closed and J' open and vice versa when lever K2 is reversed.
The top end of cylinder J is reduced in size about a nozzle L through which water
steam or compressed air passes from pipe L' and is sprayed within said cylinder J
so causing a current therein while at the bottom is a well K' to catch the water and
convey it by pipe K to the exterior of cylinder H to waste. When the doors K
are in the position shown in the drawings the doorways J' J³ being open and JJ
closed the water jet from nozzle L will cause current from the sewer through flue
or shaft H and compartment H passing through aperture J³ down the interior of
cylinder J through aperture J' up compartment H and shaft H to where directed
say to the atmosphere through a cowl at top of a ventilating shaft. When the
position of the doors are reversed by operating lever K the apertures J2 J3 are
then closed and J J opened a down current say from the atmosphere through
shaft He is induced and entering through aperture J' to the interior of cylinder J
and thence through aperture J and by shaft H' to where directed say to and along
a pipe or sewer to a convenient exit.
It is to be understood that the various parts of the apparatus described other
than the particular combinations hereinafter specifically claimed are of ordinary
construction and preferably the best of their several descriptions as well understood
by those skilled in the arts to which this invention relates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improved method for the ventilation of sewers mines &c. consisting
essentially of the use of sprays or jets of water or other fluid under pressure in
shafts and closed passages between air inlets openings or shafts and gas exit
openings or shafts so that such sprays or jets will cause a flow or current of air
and gas from induct to educt substantially as herein described and explained.
Second. The improved method for the ventilation of sewers mines &c. consisting
essentially of the use of a vertical sprayer or circular ejector in a shaft through
which fluid or sewage matter passes and is discharged as a spray so as to cause a
flow or current of air and gas from an induct down said shaft and through a sewer
or passage to an educt substantially as herein described and explained.
Third. The improved method for the ventilation and disinfection of sewers
mines &c. consisting essentially of the ejection of disinfecting fluid from a reservoir
in and with a spray or jet of water or other fluid under pressure in a shaft sewer or
passage so as to cause a current of air and gas commingled with disinfectant
substantially as herein described and explained.
Fourth. The improved method for the ventilation and disinfection of sewers
mines &c. consisting essentially of the passing of the escaping air and gases through
a scrubber or partially absorbent material either porous or arranged with non-
continuous but connected interstices to which material disinfecting fluid is supplied
substantially as herein described and explained.
Fifth. In apparatus for the ventilation of sewers mines &c. the combination and
arrangement with a sewer such as A uptake or manhole shaft such as A¹ and exit
aperture or opening for air and gas of pipe or connection such as 13 uptake such
as B ventilating shaft such as B with cowl such as B' and water jet such as C¹ on
pipe such as C² with cock such as C3 substantially as herein described and explained
and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.
Sixth. In apparatus for the ventilation of sewers mines &c. the combination and
arrangement with a sewer such as A an uptake or manhole shaft such as A¹ a
branch sewer such as D an inlet air connection such as B and an exit opening for

page_text: air and gas of a cone such as D₁ a trumpet mouth such as D2 and pipe or funnel
such as D and preferably with rods and chains such as D* pulleys such as DⓇ and
counterbalances such as Ds substantially as herein described and explained and as
illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.
Seventh. In apparatus for the ventilation of sewers mines &c. the combination
and arrangement with a sewer such as A an uptake or manhole shaft snch as A¹
and an educt ventilating shaft such as B with cowl such as B' of a pipe connection
such as B and a jet or spray such as C' and waste water pipe such as B* sub-
stantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the
drawings.
Eighth. In apparatus for the ventilation and disinfection of sewers mines &c. the
combination and arrangement with a sewer an uptake such as A' and discharge
such as F of a pipe connection such as B a jet such as C³ a disinfecting fluid
reservoir such as E' and distributing pipe such as E with nozzle co-terminous with
said jet such as C₁ substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated
in Figure 4 of the drawings.
Ninth. In apparatus for the ventilation of sewers mines &c. the combination and
arrangement with a sewer such as A an uptake or manhole shaft such as A' and a
ventilating uptake such as 13 of duplex connecting pipes such as B* jet or spray
such as C in each said connecting pipe and waste water pipes such as B* and B**
substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Figure 5 of the
drawings.
Tenth. In apparatus for the ventilation and disinfection of sewers mines &c. the
combination and arrangement with an educt ventilating shaft such as B2 of a
scrubber or diaphragms or other devices of partially absorbent material such as G
reservoir such as with supply pipe such as 6' and syphon discharge pipe such as b³
substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in Figure 6 and 7
of the drawings.
Eleventh. The particular combination and arrangement of parts forming an
ejector or jet regulator substantially as herein described and explained and as
illustrated in Figure 8 and as modified in Figure 9 of the drawings.
Twelfth. The particular combination and arrangement of parts forming a current
reverser substantially as herein described and explained and as illustrated in
Figures 10, 11, and 12, of the drawings.
Dated this Fifteenth day of May One thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.
M. J. PEMIDE,
DAVID WILSON,
By G. F. Redfern & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents.