IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE SEPARATION OF SOLID BODIES FROM EACH OTHER OR FROM LIQUIDS, AND OF LIQUIDS FROM LIQUIDS
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Harry John Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th June 1881.
HARRY JOHN SMITH, Ph.D., of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE
SEPARATION OF SOLID BODIES FROM EACH OTHER OR FROM LIQUIDS, AND OF
LIQUIDS FROM LIQUIDS."
This Invention has for its object to effect the separation of solid bodies or
substances from each other, or from liquid or semi-liquid matters, and of liquids
from liquids by means of improved machinery or apparatus not hitherto used for
this purpose.
The improved machine is constructed so that two circular or other shaped vessels
provided with inlets and outlets, which may be protected by filtering apparatus,
rotate together about the same axis, and whose edges, flanged and so arranged as
to obtain close and perfect contact, are brought together or separated during
rotation according as desired.
In carrying out the Invention according to a modification adapted for the
separation of chemical precipitates from fluids, or of bodies or substances heavier
than water from water, or of heavy liquids from lighter liquids, the improved
machine which I employ comprises two vessels, by preference slightly domed or
saucer-like in shape, fitted the one over the other, or with the upper vessel as a
cover for the lower, with a rubber or other washer between them if necessary to
form a close water-tight joint. The lower vessel is fitted on a vertical rotating
shaft passing up through it, and on which the upper vessel is free to slide. The
liquid or semi-liquid substance to be treated is led into these vessels, and the
heavier solid particles separated from the lighter liquids by centrifugal action, as
hereinafter more particularly described. Within the space enclosed by the two
vessels round the axis of rotation is a cylindrical partition, fixed and fitted close to
the top vessel, and having a closed top and bottom. Ports or openings are
constructed underneath the partition, protected or not as found desirable by
filtering media leading to a pipe or outlet, which passes up through the bottom
and top of the cylindrical partition, and which may be fitted at the top or bottom
with check valves. From the sides of this pipe or outlet other outlets are placed
which lead to vessels without the machine. The mixture of liquids and solids to

page_text: be treated is led down to the circular vessels from a supply tank, which consists
of an open circular vessel whose centre is in the axis of rotation, and which has
two or more pipes in its bottom, and fixed on each side of the axis of rotation.
These pipes lead firstly down along lines parallel or nearly parallel with the axis
of rotation, and then at angles to these lines through the partition (within the
separating vessel) and its sides.
When the machine is set in motion and a certain velocity is attained, the mixed
solids and liquids are delivered into the circular inlet vessel or supply tank, and
pass thence through the inlet pipes into the space formed by the circular separating
vessels, and whose edges must now be in perfect contact. The solids pass in due
course of time to the point furthest from the centre of rotation, and the liquid
passes through the ports or openings underneath the bottom of the partition into
the discharge pipe, and thence finally into the vessel without the machine. As
soon as the solids arrange themselves around the sides of the partition, the delivery
of mixed solids and liquid is stopped, the flanged edges of the circular vessel are
separated without stopping the machine, and through the opening thus formed the
solids, as mud or sludge, are thrown from the machine by reason of centrifugal
force. When the discharging is completed the edges of the vessel are brought into
contact again, and the procedure described is repeated. The operation of separating
and bringing together or opening and closing of the two circular vessels containing
the substance under treatment is effected preferably by means of a lever or levers
acting on a sliding collar on the rotating shaft, to which collar there are jointed
a series of levers connected through the flange or rim of the lower vessel to the
upper vessel at a number of points round its circumference, so that the flanges of
the vessels may be brought into close contact or separated during rotation. This
operation may however be effected by means of a screw or screws, or other suitable
mechanical devices.
To facilitate the separation of the liquids from the solids, the circular vessels
may in some cases be formed with radial openings, into which are fitted perforated
plates covered with cloth or other filtering medium; and the mixture of solids
and liquids to be separated may generally with advantage be forced into the
circular containing vessels under pressure, or otherwise the liquid matter may bo
pumped out through a filtering medium.
When solids are to be separated from solids of different specific gravity, the
machine is so modified as to collect the lighter bodies near the axis of rotation.
For instance, if a mass of cinders, ashes, and small unburned coal are to be treated,
the upper vessel or cover is made open above, or formed with cross bars carrying
an outer lower rim, which is formed with ports or openings to allow the lighter
substances to be thrown out, and instead of the cylindrical partition being closed
at the top and fixed to the top circular vessel, there is an open vessel with a
perforated bottom fixed round the axis of rotation and also rotating, which vessel
can be raised to the ports in the rim, and lowered at will during rotation.
The machine is filled with water or other fluid, the mass under treatment is
thrown into the machine, the lighter bodies, that is, the unburned or partially
burned coal, move towards the centre of rotation, and by raising the vessel with
the perforated bottom are thrown by means of centrifugal force beyond the
machine. The edges of the vessel are then opened, and the cinders, and ashes, and
water are thrown likewise without the machine.