Improved Apparatus for Decanting and Regulating the Flow of Liquids.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Decanting and Regulating the Flow of
Liquids.
I, ALFRED JAMES, of 56, New Broad Street, in the City of London, Mining and
Metallurgical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
-
My invention relates to an arrangement for equalising the flow of liquids, such
for instance as solutions in wet methods of extracting metals, whereby a con-
tinuous and steady discharge may be maintained in spite of considerable varia-
tions in the inflow. This arrangement also permits the sand or other suspended
matter to subside to the bottom of the vessel, the clear supernatant liquid being
automatically decanted.
.
According to my invention I provide a vat or vessel of convenient size made
of wood, iron, steel or other suitable material. About half way up the side of
the vessel or in such other suitable position as may be found desirable I attach a
decanting apparatus which has a float suspended beyond the orifice of the
decanting pipe. By this arrangement should a sudden flow of solution fill the
vat the orifice of the decanting pipe rises with the level of the solution but the
top of the pipe will be at a slightly greater depth beneath the surface of the solu-
tion the higher the solution level rises. Should however the supply of solution
cease the orifice of the pipe appears at the surface until, at or near the bottom
it is suspended by the ball above the surface of the liquid, which thus is no longer
decanted until a fresh supply arrives, and the pipe is prevented by the float
from sinking to the sand, slimes, or other settled deposit. Unless the float is
placed beyond or in front of the orifice of the decanting pipe, automatic decanta-
tion of the solution cannot so well take place, as otherwise the higher the level
the solution attains, so much the more is the orifice of the pipe raised above
the level of the solution and decantation becomes impossible. In carrying out
the invention I prefer to arrange for the float to be adjustable so that the
position of the orifice in respect to the level of the solution may be regulated
at will.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will now describe
same by the aid of the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section, and Fig. 2 a plan view of the end of the decanting
pipe and the float.
A is a vessel containing a solution of which the level is B and the entrance
at C. The suspended matter sinks to the bottom D of the vessel A. E is a
decanting pipe with a flattened entrance orifice at F and a discharge at G. The
point of discharge is preferably above the level of the intake at C. H is the
flange by which the pipe is bolted to the side of the tank and I is a swivel joint
which permits the pipe to travel for the height of the vat in a vertical plane.
K is a float attached to the pipe E preferably by the collar L the rod M and
the bolts N N1 N2. The collar L is movable along pipe E and may be placed

page_text: at any convenient position along such pipe and kept in position by tightening
the bolts. The joint N at the float I permits of the float being turned or drawn
back over the pipe E should this be necessary for any special purpose, and it
also permits of the orifice of the pipe being kept at such a distance above the
bottom of the tank as shall prevent the decantation of the precipitated matter
through the solution exit. The precipitate or sludge may be collected in buckets
or allowed to flow through a separate exit as often as is found desirable. In
carrying out the invention I do not bind myself to any particular form of or
material for the construction of the float or of the other parts which may be
varied to suit requirements and the solutions dealt with.
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:-
1. A decanting apparatus consisting in a pipe working on a swivel joint with
a float extending beyond the orifice of the pipe substantially as described.
2. A decanting apparatus consisting in a pipe working on a swivel joint with
a float extending beyond the orifice of the pipe and provided with adjustable
joints, substantially as described.
3. The equalising of the flow of solution from a vat or vessel by means of a
decanting apparatus working on a swivel joint substantially as described.
4. The separation in a vat or vessel of clear solution from suspended matter
by the operation of a decanting apparatus provided with a float, substantially
as described.
5. The equalising of the flow of solution from a vat or vessel and the separation
of suspended matter from such solution by means of the decanting apparatus,
substantially as described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of November 1898.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.