Improvements in and Apparatus for Softening Water.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 4th Jan., 1893--Accepted, 13th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Softening Water.
I, LEONARD HUGH BRISTOWE, of The Cliffe, Nantwich, in the County of
Chester, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Edward H. Riddell, Engineer, and
Leonard Watson, Attorney at Law, both of 1017 Unity Building, Chicago, State
of Illinois, in the United States of America) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved process of and apparatus for softening
water, and has for its object to provide increased efficiency combined with simplicity
and cheapness. The improvement in the process consists primarily in continuously
introducing milk of lime, or other suitable reagent into the water to be purified;
and then, in a suitable precipitating tank or the like, centralizing the resultant
solids by continuously and positively carrying the intimately mingled reagent and
water in a circular path by mechanical means.
In addition to these primary steps of the process a settling of the water from the
precipitating or centralizing tank and a subsequent filtration can be effected, if
either or both of these steps are deemed necessary.
I will now proceed to describe the novel features of the apparatus constructed or
arranged according to this invention.
A tank is provided wherein the milk of lime, or other reagent, is stored or made.
The apparatus may be adapted for continuously producing and supplying the milk
of lime, consisting of an agitator, arranged within the tank, and comprising a longi-
tudinal reciprocating rod, carrying within the tank a number of transverse screens
or apertured diaphragms. This rod receives its motion from the pump rod or it
may be actuated in any other suitable manner. The suction pipe of the pump is
connected to the lime tank by a delivery pipe while a supply pipe controlled by a
float valve leads from the delivery pipe of the pump to the lime tank.
the
A centralizing and precipitating tank is provided into which the delivery pipe of
pump extends terminating therein in a nozzle. The bottom of this tank is conical
diminishing in diameter downward and terminating in a discharge outlet controlled
by a valve. In the centralizing and precipitating tank some distance below its top
and on a level with the nozzle is a horizontal centralizing wheel carried by a
vertical shaft mounted in suitable transverse supports. The shaft is preferably
polygonal in cross section. The wheel is composed of radial spokes and a rim
provided with a series of floats or cups closed at their tops and sides and open on
their under sides.
There may also be provided a settling tank connected with the centralizing and
precipitating tank by a pipe opening into the last named tank near the top thereof.
This settling tank has also a conical bottom, provided with a discharge outlet con-
trolled by a valve. The water discharge pipe of this settling tank is connected
with a rubber pipe or other flexible hose, having at its upper end apertured inlet
pipes maintained a slight distance below the level of the water within the said tank
by means of a float. This discharge pipe branches and leads to two or more
filters of any suitable construction, the pipe and its branches, being controlled by
valves. From the filters the purified water is carried in any desired manner to the
point or points, where it is to be used.
The apparatus described operates to carry out the improved process according
to this invention in the following manner. For purposes of illustration I will
presume that milk of lime is used as the reagent.
Lime introduced into the lime tank from time to time as required becomes slaked
and mixed with the water owing to the continuous action of the agitator and the
resulting milk of lime is fed into the suction pipe of the pump through the pipe

page_text: leading thereto from the lime tank water being automatically supplied to the end
tank as needed through the pipe from the delivery of the pump.
The milk of lime is thus mingled with the water in the suction pipe of the pump,
the mixture becoming more intimate in passing through the pump cylinder and
through the discharge pipe thereof.
This mixture issuing forcibly from the aforesaid nozzle impinges on the floats or
buckets of the wheel in the centralizing and precipitating tank and causes the said
wheel to revolve. The floats being open on their under sides the resultant
downward discharge facilitates the precipitation of the solids formed by the
mixture of the milk of lime with the water. This action is further aided by the
agitation and centralization caused by the rotation of the wheel in the tank which
positively carries around the milk of lime while in contact with the water to be
purified. If the shaft of the said wheel has a polygonal shape this further assists
in this agitation and centralization.
The solids are thus precipitated to the bottom of the tank whence they may be.
withdrawn as will be obvious while the softened and purified water rises to the top
of the tank and is thence withdrawn through a pipe into the settling tank. Here
all but the very lightest of the solids in suspension deposit and are withdrawn at
will, while the water is withdrawn from the top (where it is purest) by means of
the floating outlet which insures a supply of purified water even if the supply to the
settling tank should from any cause be temporarily checked. The settling tank
thus acts also as a reservoir.
The water from the settling tank is passed through one of the filtering tanks of
which two or more are preferably provided so that one may be used for filtration
while the other or others is or are being cleaned thus insuring the continuity of the
process in case it be deemed advisable to resort to filtration.
The water thus treated is soft and free from scale-forming ingredients and
therefore fit for boiler use or other purposes requiring a water supply of this
character.
Pipes and valves are arranged so that the passages to and from the several tanks
and to the discharge can be opened and closed as desired.
The process is a continuous one, not requiring interruption of the supply for
cleaning, and the efficiency is very great, owing to the intimate admixture of the
milk of lime and water. It will be understood of course, that the particular
apparatus described is not essential to the successful carrying out of the process,
and that this latter may be varied in many respects without departing from the
nature of this invention. For instance the milk of lime may be introduced at any
point before the centralizing and precipitating tank is reached, and in any suitable
manner. Under some circumstances the filters, and even the settling tank may be
dispensed with. I therefore do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the
precise details herein before set forth for instance there may be used in place of
the lime mixing device described any other device which will give the requisite
mixing effect and in place of the centralizing wheel described there may be used
any other device (such as for instance, a rotating series of nozzles) which will give
the required vortex or swirl of the water and milk of lime. The filter or filters may
be provided with coke as the filtering medium and be so arranged that the coke can
be readily removed and replaced.
It will be understood, of course, that I have described a process employing milk
of lime as the reagent solely for purposes of illustration, this being the particular
reagent required when the presence of carbonate of lime in the water is the cause
of its hardness. In case the hardening substance be sulphate of lime, soda should
be employed as the reagent, but it is obvious that I may employ a reagent suited to
the requirements of the particular water to be treated.
Dated this 14th day of December 1892.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Softening Water.
I, LEONARD HUGH BRISTOWE of the Cliffe Nantwich in the County of Chester,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication from
Edward H. Riddell, Engineer, and Leonard Watson, Attorney at Law, both of
1017, Unity Building, Chicago, State of Illinois in the United States of America)
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 an improved process of and apparatus for softening
water and has for its object to provide increased efficiency combined with simplicity
and cheapness. The improvement in the process consists primarily in continuously
introducing milk of lime or other suitable reagent into the water to be purified, and
then, in a suitable precipitating tank or the like, centralizing the resultant solids
by continuously and positively carrying the intimately mingled reagent and water
in a circular path by mechanical means.
In addition to these primary steps of the process a settling of the water from the
precipitating or centralizing tauk and a subsequent filtration can be effected if
either or both of these steps are deemed necessary.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings the
novel features of the apparatus constructed or arranged according to this invention.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus constructed and arranged for
carrying out the process of softening water according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan of the centralizing tank shewing the centralizing
wheel in plan.
Figure 4 is a transverse section thereof taken on the line 4-4 in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 in Figure 6, Figure 6
being a longitudinal sectional view of the agitator.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are drawn to a larger scale than that to which Figures 1
and 2 are drawn.
The drawings represent a form of the apparatus adapted for continuously
producing and supplying the milk of lime or other suitable reagent to the water to
be treated. A represents a tank wherein the milk of lime or other reagent is
stored or made. Within this tank A. is an agitator comprising a longitudinal
reciprocating rod a carrying within the tank a number of transverse screens or
apertured diaphragms a¹. This agitator may receive its motion from a pump rod
in the manner shewn in Figures 1 and 2 or it may be actuated in any other suitable
manner. B is a pump the suction pipe B' of which communicates with the reagent
tank A, by a delivery pipe a² while a supply pipe a³ controlled by a float valve a*
leads from the delivery pipe B2 of the pump to the reagent tank A.
C
C is a centralizing and precipitating tank into which the delivery pipe B2 of the
pump B extends terminating therein in a nozzle b. The bottom of this tank is
conical as shewn diminishing in diameter downward and terminating in a discharge
outlet e controlled by a cock or valve c'. In the tank C some distance below its
top and on a level with the nozzle b is a horizontal centralizing wheel D carried by
a vertical shaft D' mounted in transverse supports C¹. The shaft D' is preferably
polygonal in cross section. The periphery of the wheel D is provided with a series
of floats or cups d² closed at their bottoms and tops and one of their vertical sides
and open on their other vertical side as shewn clearly in Figures 3 and 4.
E is a settling tank connected with the tank C by a pipe C2 opening into the
tank C near the top thereof. This tank E has also a conical bottom provided with
a discharge outlet e controlled by a valve e'. The water discharge pipe E' of this
settling tank is connected with a rubber or other flexible pipe or hose E' having at
its upper end apertured inlet pipes E³ maintained below the level of the water

page_text: within the tank E by means of a float E. Branch pipes lead from the discharge
pipe E to two or more filters F F¹ of any suitable construction the passage of
the water through the pipe E¹ and its branches being controlled by means of
valves ff¹.
From the filters F F¹ the purified water may be conducted by the pipes F2 or by
any other suitable means to the place or places where it is to be used.
The apparatus operates to carry out the improved process according to this
invention in the following manner, it being assumed for the purpose of illustration
that milk of lime is the reagent employed.
Lime introduced into the tank A from time to time as required becomes slaked
and mixed with the water owing to the continuous action of the agitator a a¹ and the
resulting milk of lime is drawn into the suction pipe B₁ of the pump B.through
the pipe a water being automatically supplied to the tank A. as required through
the pipe a controlled by the cock or valve a'. as a are cocks for regulating the
passage of water to and from the reagent tank as required.
The milk of lime thus mingled with the water in the suction pipe B' of the pump
becomes more intimately mixed in passing through the pump cylinder and through
the discharge pipe B².
This mixture, issuing forcibly from the nozzle (see Figure 3) impinges on the
floats or cups of the wheel D and causes the said wheel to revolve. The floats or
cups being open on one of their sides receive the incoming liquid from the nozzle
to distribute the milk of lime charged water as rapidly and completely as possible
in the tank C as well as to cause a swirl in the liquid in the said tank to throw the
suspended particles of lime together and by increasing their bulk and specific
gravity obtain quick precipitation. If the valve c² be opened the bulk of the
precipitants is discharged rapidly to the sewer or to waste. The polygonal shape
of the shaft D' serves to further assist in agitation and centralization.
The solid or insoluble particles of the reagent are precipitated to the bottom of
the tank C while the softened and purified water rises in the tank C and flows
thence through the pipe C² into the settling tank E. Here all but the very lightest
of the solids in suspension deposit, while the water is withdrawn from the top
(where it is purest) by means of the floating outlet E³ which insures a supply of
purified water even if the supply to the tank E should from any cause, be
temporarily checked. The tank E thus acts also as a reservoir.
The water from the tank E is passed through one of the filtering tanks F F' of
which two or more may be provided so that one may be used for filtration while
the other or others is or are being cleaned, thus insuring the continuity of the
process in case it be deemed advisable to resort to filtration.
The water thus treated is soft and free from scale-forming ingredients and
therefore fit for boiler use or other purposes requiring a water supply of this.
character.
The tank C may be cleansed from deposit when required by opening the cock or
valve c' in the pipe e fitted to the lower end of the conical bottom of the said tank.
The tank E may also be cleaned out by opening the valve or cock e¹ in the
discharge pipe e.
Pipes and valves may be arranged so that the passage of the water to and from
the several tanks to the discharge may be diverted as required. In Figure 2 of
the drawings there is shewn by dotted lines an arrangement for the purpose
although any other convenient arrangement can be used. From the delivery
pipe B2 of the pump B is a branch pipe B³ connected at its opposite end to the
pipe E leading to the filters, the said pipe B³ also communicating by branches b² 63
respectively with the delivery pipe C2 from the centralizing tank C and with the
settling tank E. At the junction of the pipe B3 with the delivery pipe B2 of the
pump is a three way cock or valve B by means of which the water from the pump
inay be directed either into the tank C or into the pipe B³, and thence either into
the tank E through the branch 63 or by means of a suitable three way valve *,
provided at the junction of the branch 63 with the pipe B³, the water
be

page_text: directed into the pipe El leading to the filters F F. The branch pipe 62 is fitted
with a valve b for the purpose of opening and closing as required the com-
munication between the pipe B³ and the tank C. The communication between the
tanks C and E may be opened and closed as required by means of the valve C³ in
the connecting pipe C. When the tank C requires to be cleansed the com-
munication between the said tank and the tank E may be closed by means of the
valve C³ the communication between the said tank C and the pipe B³ being also
cut off by means of the valve 6. The valve B4 may then be turned so as to direct
the water from the pump B into the pipe B³ and the valve 6 at the junction of the
branch with the pipe B³ be turned so as to direct the water from the pipe B³
into the tank E. The valve c¹ in the discharge pipe c may now be opened so as to
discharge the contents of the tank, and water may be caused to flow through the
tank for the purpose of cleansing it from deposit.
To cleanse the tank E the communication between the tanks C and E should be
closed by means of the valve C³ and the communication between the tank C and
the pipe B³ opened by means of the valve 65. The communication between the
tank E and the filters F F¹ may then be closed by means of the valve f, and the
valve 6 turned, so as to close the communication between the tank E and the pipe 13³,
and open the communication between the said pipe B³ and the pipe E' leading to
the filters. The valve B may then be turned so as to cut off the communication
between the delivery pipe B2 of the pump and the pipe B³, and direct the water
from the pump into the tank C whence it flows by the pipe C² and branch 62 into
the pipe B³ and thence to one or other of the filters F or F' by the pipe E¹. The
tank E is thus cut out of the course of the water and may be cleaned out by
opening the valve e' in the discharge pipe e on the bottom of the tank.
The process is a continuous one not requiring interruption of the supply for
cleaning and the efficiency is very great owing to the intimate admixture of the
milk of lime and water. It will be understood of course, that the particular
apparatus shewn in the drawings is not essential to the successful carrying out of
the process and that this latter may be varied in many respects without departing
from the nature of this invention. For instance the milk of lime may be introduced
at any point before the centralizing and precipitating tank is reached, and in any
suitable manner. Centralizing and settling tanks may be provided in duplicate so
that one set may be in use while the other set is being cleaned and in some cases
the filters and even the settling tanks may be dispensed with. I therefore do not
wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise details hereinbefore set
forth and shewn in the drawings.
For instance there may be used in place of the lime mixing device described any
other device which will give the requisite mixing effect and in place of the
centralizing wheel described there may be used any other device (such as, for
instance, a rotating series of nozzles) which will give the required vortex or
swirl of the water and milk of lime. The filter or filters may be provided with
coke as the filtering medium and be so arranged that the coke can be readily
removed and replaced.
It will be understood, of course, that I have described a process employing milk
of lime as the reagent solely for purposes of illustration, this being the particular
reagent required when the presence of carbonate of lime in the water is the cause
of its hardness. In case the hardening substance be sulphate of lime, soda should
be employed as the reagent, but it is obvious that I may employ a reagent suited to
the requirements of the particular water to be treated."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described process of softening water, which consists in
continuously introducing milk of lime or other suitable reagent into the water to
be purified, and then centralizing the resultant solids by continuously and positively

page_text: carrying the intimately mingled reagent and water in a circular path by mechanical
means with or without the subsequent removal of solids by sedimentation and
filtration or either of these operations substantially as hereinbefore described.
2. In an apparatus for softening water, the combination, with a centralizing tank,
and an inlet pipe adapted to supply the water to be purified under pressure and
mingled with a suitable reagent of a centralizing wheel adapted to be acted upon
by the discharge from the inlet pipe and to be rotated thereby substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3. In an apparatus for softening water the combination, with a centralizing tank,
and an inlet pipe adapted to supply the water to be purified under pressure and
mingled with a suitable reagent of a centralizing wheel mounted in the tank, and
provided with peripheral buckets cups or floats, and adapted to be acted upon by
the discharge from the inlet pipe, substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In an apparatus for softening water, the combination with a centralizer of a
pump having its discharge pipe connected with the centralizer and its suction pipe
connected with a source of supply of water and an agitator comprising a tank
containing screens or their equivalents actuated from the pump rod or other moving
part, an automatically controlled water connection with the discharge pipe of the
pump, and a connection with the suction pipe of the pump by which the reagent is
continuously introduced into the said suction pipe, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
5. In an apparatus for softening water, the combination with centralizing and
settling tanks, and a water supply, of an agitator, connected with the water supply,
and adapted to produce a continuous supply of the reagent, substantially as herein-
before described.
6. In an apparatus for softening water, the combination with a water supply, and
means for introducing a suitable reagent, of a centralizing, and precipitating tank,
and a settling tank connected therewith and provided with a floating surface outlet
whereby a continuous discharge is secured, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. In an apparatus for softening water, the combination, with the settling tank
and its discharge pipe, of the flexible pipe E2 connected therewith at one end and
having the apertured inlet pipes E3 at its other end, and a float E' for sustaining the
said inlet pipes, substantially as herein before described.
8. In an apparatus for softening water, the combination, with a water supply, and
means for continuously introducing a suitable reagent, of a precipitating tank
provided with centralizing devices a settling tank provided with a floating surface
outlet, and two or more filters, each adapted to be connected with the settling tank
outlet, substantially as hereinbefore described.
9. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting water softening
apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 4th day of Januar 1802
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
Agents.