Improvements in the Purification of Sewage and other Waste Liquors Containing Organic Matters.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Dec., 1890-Accepted, 14th Feb., 1891
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Purification of Sewage and other Waste
Liquors Containing Organic Matters.
We, WALTER ERNEST ADENEY, Curator, Royal University, Dublin, of 20
Crosthwaite Park, E. Kingstown Co. Dublin and WILLIAM KAYE PARRY
M.A.C.E. and Architect of 6 Charlemont Terrace Kingstown Co. Dublin do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to this invention we keep the liquor to be treated under suitable
conditions for the rapid multiplication of micro-organisms. The germs of such
micro-organisms are generally contained in the liquor but they may be specially
bred and added to it.
The rapid development and multiplication of the said micro-organisms is attended
by the reduction of a soluble inorganic oxygen compound which we add to the
liquor and the conversion of the carbon of the organic matters in the sewage and
refuse liquors into carbon dioxide and consequently the destruction of the said
organic matters.
4
We proceed as follows:-The sewage or refuse liquor is allowed to flow into a
subsidence tank in which the heavier particles in suspension in the sewage or refuse
liquor may be deposited, the effluent from the subsidence tank is allowed to flow
into a second tank furnished with horizontal filters, and herein named the first filter
tank by which the lighter particles in suspension in the sewage or refuse liquor are
separated. The said horizontal filters are composed of sand, quartz, coke, lime-
stone, burnt clay or any other matter suitable for the purposes of a filter. The
effluent from the first tank may be treated in one of three ways as follows:-
(1.) The effluent may be passed into a mixing tank and if necessary any acidity
or alkalinity in it be neutralized by the addition of calcium carbonate, ammonical
bodies, acids, or any other bodies capable of neutralizing acidity or alkalinity.
It is then mixed with one or more soluble inorganic oxygen compounds, such as
for example a nitrate, a nitrite, a sulphate, a sulphite, a chlorate, a perchlorate, a
hypochlorite, a bromate an iodate &c. in quantity varying with the quantity of
organic matters in the said effluent. The said soluble inorganic oxygen compound
may be added to the mixing tank in the solid form, or it may be previously
dissolved in a portion of the effluent from the first filter tank and then added to the
contents of the mixing tank. The effluent from the last nained tank is allowed to
flow into another tank, herein called the "subsidence and incubation, tank" the
contents of which are maintained throughout the year at such a temperature as
will ensure the proper condition for the development and multiplication of the
micro-organisms and the tank is of large dimensions so that the effluent entering it
becomes diffused into the contents thereof and remains.in it some time before flowing
away into the succeeding second filter tank.
J
The object of the above treatment with a soluble inorganic oxygen compound,
accompanied by a raising, when necessary of the température of the partially purified
sewage or refuse liquor, is to ensure the rapid development and multiplications of
certain micro-organisms naturally contained in sewage and refuse liquids.
(2.) In the second of the three ways above referred to for treating the effluent
from the first filter tank, the said effluent is first thoroughly aerated by converting
it into a spray by means of currents of air, and is 'then mixed as above described
with one or more soluble inorganic oxygen compounds and afterwards allowed to
flow into the "subsidence and incubation tank".for the purpose and object above
described of developing and multiplying the micro-organisms in the sewage and
refuse liquors and destroying the organic matters in them..

page_text: (3.) The third method of treatment, consists of thoroughly aerating the effluent
from the first filter tank by converting it into a fine spray by means of an air
current and then allowing the aerated effluent to flow into the "subsidence and
incubation chamber" for the purpose and object above described of developing
and multiplying the inicro-organisms in the sewage and refuse liquors and destroying
the organic matter in them.
The effluent from the "subsidence and incubation tank," when the first or second
of the above methods of treatment is adopted, is non-putrefactive and the micro-
organisms in it rapidly lose all vitality and are powerless to inoculate any pure and
fresh water it may be discharged into.
The effluent from the "subsidence and incubation tank" when the third of the
above methods of treatment is adopted, is non-putrefactive, when the liquid is
maintained at a suitable temperature during all seasons, as we propose to do.
The effluent from the "subsidence and incubation tank" flows into the last tank
of the system, which is also provided, similarly to the first filter tank, with
horizontal filters, the material of the filters being sand, quartz, coke, limestone,
burnt clay, or any other matter suitable for the purposes of a filter.
The effluent from the last tank may be discharged into a river or water course
without any dangers of poisoning the water or in any way creating a nuisance, or
rendering offensive such river or water course.
.
To disinfect liquors or refuse matters other than sewage and trade refuse liquors,
the said liquors or refuse organic matters are treated with a soluble inorganic
oxygen compound as before described, either in the solid form or in solutions in
water, and at the same time exposed as freely as possible to the air.
Dated this 28th day of February 1890.
W. E. ADENEY.
W. KAYE PARRY.
Improvements in the Purification of Sewage and other Waste
Liquors Containing Organic Matters.
We, WALTER ERNEST ADENEY, Curator, Royal University Dublin, of 20
Crosthwaite Park, E. Kingstown Co. Dublin, and WILLIAM KAYE PARRY
M.A.C.E. and Architect, of 35 Dame Street Dublin, 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 :-
According to this invention we subject the liquor to be purified, after the
removal of suspended matters, to suitable conditions for the rapid development and
multiplication of certain micro-organisms, the germs of which are contained in the
liquor.
The rapid development and multiplication of the micro-organisms is attended
by the reduction of an inorganic oxygen compound or compounds, which we add to
the liquor and by the conversion of the carbon and nitrogen in the organic matters
into carbon dioxide and ammonia respectively. The rapid development and
multiplication of the micro-organisms is consequently attended by the destruction
of the organic matters.
The sewage or refuse liquor is in the first instance allowed to flow into a tank
hereinafter called the subsidence tank, wherein the heavier matters in suspension
may be deposited.
The effluent from this tank flows into a second tank hereinafter called the mixing
tank, wherein the liquor is mixed with one or more inorganic oxygen compounds
such for example as potassium or sodium nitrate, nitrite, manganate, permanganate;
calcium nitrate, manganate or permanganate, a chlorate, a perchlorate, a sulphate, a
peroxide etc., in quantity varying according to the nature of the liquor to be purified
and the degree of purification to be required.

page_text: Of these substances we prefer to use a mixture of sodium manganate and nitrate
in equal parts.
Thus if we desired to obtain a very pure effluent from ordinary town
sewage we should add five or six grains of the said mixture for each gallon of
sewage whilst two or three grains per gallon would be sufficient if only a moderate
degree of purification were desired.
The effluent from the "mixing tank" is conducted into a third tank, hereinafter
termed the heating and incubation tank, the dimensions of which should be com-
paratively large, so that the liquor entering it may become diffused into the contents
thereof and remain in it from two to twenty-four hours, according to the nature of the
liquor to be treated, and the degree of purification required, before flowing out of it.
In ordinary cases about 6 hours will give a sufficient degree of purification.
The temperature of the contents of the "heating and incubation tank" should he
maintained between 75° and 95° Fahrenheit, and it should not be allowed to fall
below or exceed these two limits; the temperature most favourable for the rapid
development and multiplication of the micro-organisms is 80° to 90° Fahrenheit.
If the temperature is raised much above 100° Fahr. the micro-organisms will be
killed.
The contents of the incubation tank may be heated by any convenient method:
for instance, by passing steam, hot air, or other heating media, through coils of tube
placed in the tank.
Under the conditions of the presence of suitable quantities of one or more
inorganic oxygen compounds and of the most favourable temperature, the said
micro-organisms develope and multiply with enormous rapidity in the contents of
the "heating and incubation tank." As a consequence the soluble organic matters
in the liquor become converted into harmless inorganic substances as carbon dioxide
and ammonia, and the liquor becomes so much purified that it will not suffer from
after putrefaction and the effluent from the "heating and incubation tank" may be
discharged into a river or other outfall without fear of creating a nuisance or
poisoning the water.
If the liquor to be purified contains sulphates, these will be rapidly reduced in
the "heating and incubation tank" to sulphides by the action of the said micro-
organisins, and free sulphuretted hydrogen may be formed. This body may be
separated from the liquor by adding suitable quantities of ferric or ferrous chloride
or other suitable body to the effluent from the "mixing tank" into the "heating
and incubation tank." The sulphuretted hydrogen will form an insoluble sulphide
with the iron, which will be deposited gradually at the bottom of the tank.
may
Instead of adding ferric or ferrous chloride as above described to absorb the free
sulphuretted hydrogen, the effluent from the "heating and incubation tank"
be allowed to flow through a shallow trough containing bog iron ore and gravel or
pieces of chalk or limestone, before being discharged into the outfall.
ore will absorb the sulphuretted hydrogen. When the ore becomes spent, it may be
The bog iron
taken out of the trough and exposed to the air for oxidation. After oxidation the
ore may be employed again for the absorption of sulphuretted hydrogen.
If free sulphuretted hydrogen be not formed in the "heating and incubation
tank," the effluent therefrom may be discharged into a river or other outfall without
further treatment.
The method of treatment hereinabove described is applicable for the purification
of sewage from residental towns or districts. The sewage from manufacturing
towns or districts may however be strongly acid or alkaline, in which case the
effluent from the "subsidence tank "before being allowed to flow into the "mixing
ank" is conducted into a small subsidiary tank wherein the liquor may be made
eutral by treatment with pieces of chalk, if acid, or if alkaline by treatment with
mineral acid, for example hydrochloric acid. When the liquor has been made
eutral or but slightly alkaline, it may be allowed to flow into the "heating and
ncubation tank" and the treatment proceeded with as above described.

page_text: The liquors may be filtered and aërated at any of the stages of the process but
this is not necessary.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
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1. The purification of sewage and other waste liquors containing organic matters
by adding to them an inorganic oxygen compound and maintaining them at a
temperature of from 75° to 95° Fahrenheit for a period of two hours or more
substantially as described.
2. The purification of acid or alkaline sewage and other waste liquors containing
organic matters by rendering them neutral or slightly alkaline, adding an inorganic
oxogen compound and maintaining them at a temperature of from 75° to 95° Fahrenheit
for a period of two hours or more substantially as described.
W. E. ADENEY.
W. KAYE PARRY..