IMPROVEMENTS IN AND SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND FILTERING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL LIQUIDS, GASES, AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS; ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER FILTERING PURPOSES." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Wild, of Littleborough, in the County of Lancaster,
and Henry Ledger, of Leek, in the County of Stafford, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND
FILTERING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL LIQUIDS, GASES, AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS;
ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER FILTERING PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Wild and Henry
Ledger at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd October
1879.
ROBERT WILD, of Littleborough, in the County of Lancaster, and HENRY LEDGER,
of Leek, in the County of Stafford. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN AND SELF-ACTING
APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND FILTERING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL LIQUIDS,
GASES, AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS; ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER FILTERING PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to a novel method of and apparatus for treating sewage
and other foul liquids, gases, and noxious vapours so as to filter or purify the
same; and consists in mixing such liquids with suitable precipitates, and then
passing the mixture through suitable settling and filtering beds or chambers, and
finally through a cellular filtering apparatus, as hereinafter described. In carrying
out our Invention for the purification of liquids we pass the liquid requiring to be
filtered into a mixing chamber, hereinafter called No. 1 chamber, in which it
becomes mixed with lime and alum, either in the solid form or in solution, or with
chalk, pipeclay, or other suitable precipitating material. In this chamber there is
placed one or more beaters or agitators, suitably arranged to be driven by
mechanical power, also an intercepting grid or grate, and a regulating or shut-off valve
or sluice. From this agitating or No. 1 chamber the mixed liquid so treated flows
through the grating and regulating valve or sluice and passes into and descends to
No. 2 chamber, which is provided with gratings or grids fixed in suitable positions,
the space between the gratings or grids being filled with suitable filtering material,
by preference carbon, gravel, or river sand, combined or separately. At the bottom
of this chamber and underneath the bottom or lowest grate provision is made for a
settling chamber, in the bottom of which one or more openings are provided fitted

page_text: with clacks or valves for the flushing out of any sediment or solid matter that may
happen to settle or subside into a flushing chamber arranged underneath, such
sediment being pumped up again out of the flushing chamber and delivered into
No. 1 chamber to be repurified, the valves being capable of opening singly or
altogether simultaneously by being geared with a worm working into a worin shaft.
The liquid after passing downwards through the filtering material in chamber No. 2
passes through an opening at the bottom and enters No. 3 chamber, and ascends
upwards in this chamber and passes on into No. 4 chamber, which contains suitable
filtering material. The bottom of this chamber has a flushing arrangement similar
to that provided in No. 2 chainber. The liquid then passes along and through the
filtering material in No. 4 chamber and enters and passes along through No. 5 chamber
into No. 6 chamber, and then enters and descends into No. 7 chamber, and passes out
through an opening provided at the bottom into No. 8 chamber, and ascends upwards
through the filtering material contained in it, this chamber being also fitted with
grates, as arranged and provided for in No. 2 chamber. The liquid then passes out of
No. 8 chamber and enters No. 9 chamber, which is divided into two portions or com-
partments by having a vertical grating running across the middle, one compartment
being filled with any suitable filtering material, and the other portion containing one or
more agitators set vertically, and arranged to be driven by any suitable mechanical
power. The liquid and sediment passing through this compartment are thus
Agitated, and the sediment or solid matter is carried along with the running stream
or current into chamber No. 10, passing through a regulating valve or sluice. In
this No. 10 chamber there is fixed a water moter, by preference a turbine, whereby
motive power is obtained to drive the various appliances herein before and herein-
after described, but if other motive power is employed or required then such motive
power is placed in some more other convenient place. The liquid contained in
No. 10 chamber passes down through the water-motor or turbine; if such motive
power be not employed then through suitable openings into a small chamber
underneath, and then passes out by an opening and delivers itself on to an endless
travelling strainer of any suitable material, by preference copper or brass wire,
whereby the liquid portion passes away through this strainer, and the sediment or
solid matter is retained and carried forward, and in its passage passes over two
vacuum boxes in connection with one or more exhausters to each vacuum box, by
preference centrifugal exhausters. The vacuum boxes are placed in between the
strainer, such exhausters being driven by any suitable mechanical arrangement.
The remaining liquid contained in the sediment is in passing over such vacuum
boxes exhausted, extracted, or discharged, such exhausted liquid being turned or
conveyed into the flushing chamber underneath, from whence it is pumped up &
delivered into chamber No. 1 to be repurified. The sediment or solid matter after
passing over the vacuum boxes is carried along to the end of the strainer, where it
passes through a pair of wire rollers, by means of which it is subjected to a littlo
pressure; or otherwise, the strainer passing on and round the bottom roller and
delivering the sediment or solid matter onto a travelling creeper. The top and
bottom wire rollers being covered with felting, and the top roller being so arranged
as to give any required pressure, the discharged liquid from the wire rollers is
received into a suitable trough placed underneath such wire rollers, and whereby
such liquid is conveyed and discharged into the flushing chamber, from where it is
pumped up and delivered into No. 1 chamber to be repurified. In contact with
the above mentioned wire rollers are fixed two revolving brushes running the full
length or width of the strainer wire rollers, and driven by suitable mechanical
contrivance, whereby all sediment that may happen to adhere to the wire rollers
or squeezers is brushed off and discharged onto the travelling creeper before mentioned
along with the bulk of the sediment or solid matter. The sediment or solid matter
delivered onto this creeper is thence carried up and delivered onto a endless travelling
wire creeper, which in its turn carries forward the sediment or solid matter over a
suitably arranged drying chamber (the said drying chamber being heated by gas or

page_text: in any other convenient manner), and is delivered into the place provided for its
reception, and wherein it may be stored up for any after use as circumstances
may require in a dry and inoderous state, and free from all offensive and deleterious
properties, the creepers hereinbefore mentioned being driven by any convenient
mechanical arrangement. The liquid after passing through the revolving strainer
falls into No. 11 chamber, and passes on into No. 12 chamber, and thence proceeds
and passes under No. 9 chamber, and enters through openings provided into No. 13
chamber or catchment chambor'; this catchment chamber is made deeper than
No. 12 chamber in order to allow of any sediment or solid matter that may have
happened to pass through the strainer before mentioned to subside or settle in. On
the opposite or exit side to the entrance of the liquid into this catchment chamber
are placed one or more strainers of suitable material which prevent all sediment or
solid matters passing through, such strainers being fixed in frames and in suitable
places or positions to facilitate their replacement or removal as occasion may
require. At the bottom of this catchment chamber are placed openings for the
flushing out of the sediment into the flushing chamber before mentioned, from
where it is pumped up and delivered into No. 1 chamber and repurified, such
openings being opened and closed by suitable mechanical arrangements as provided
in No. 2 chamber. From this catchment chamber the liquid passes through the
strainers above mentioned and enters into chamber No. 14; this chamber is slightly
inclined in its course, the upper or higher end being filled with any suitable filtering
material, whilst at the lower end of this chamber there is a small dip or well
wherein is fixed the inlet or intake pipe leading to or connected to the cellular
filter; in this same dip or well is also placed a self-acting regulating valve and
motion suitably arranged for regulating the supply of liquid to the cellular filter,
whereby provision is made against floods or a sudden inflush of liquid, so as to
allow the cellular filter to pass more or less liquid as such circumstances may arise,
the above mentioned regulating valve being self-acting and governed by the
volume or quantity of sewage entering from the main sewer, drain, or source of
supply, and whereby a constant running stream or current is maintained day and
night all the year round. The liquid passing through the intake or inlet pipe is
thereby led into the first part or portion of the cellular filter, which consists of
several vertical chambers communicating alternately with each other at the top and
bottom, and provided with openings for such communication, and each with a pair
of grids or gratings, between which the filtering material, by preference of carbon,
gravel, or river sand, is placed. The liquid to be filtered has thus an upwards and
downwards motion given to it in traversing these chambers, and at the bottom of
each chamber and beneath the lower gratings is a settling chamber so as to allow
for the subsidence or settlement thereinto of any sediment or solid matter that
night by any possible chance happen to get on or pass in, whilst at the bottom of
cach settling chamber provision is made, by having one or more outlets or openings,
for the flushing out of such sediment or solid matter into the flushing chamber
underneath when required, and from whence it is pumped up and delivered into
No. 1 chamber to he repurified, the openings in sediment chambers being provided
with valves and gearings as in the case of No. 2 chamber. The liquid after passing
through all the vertical chambers passes from the last chamber and enters into the
second part or portion of the cellular filter, which is a repetition of the first part,
with this difference, namely, that it contains a larger number of vertical chambers
of less dimensions, but which are fitted up and provided in every respect similar to
These vertical
the chambers in the first portion or part of the cellular filter.
chambers are set out in parallel directions, and communicate alternately through
openings with each other at the top and bottom, so as to give an upward and
downward motion to the liquid passing through to be filtered. The liquid after
passing through all the vertical chambers in the second part or portion of the
cellular filter is delivered from the last chamber into the third part or portion of
the cellular filter, which consists again of several vertical chambers of large size
and two of smaller capacity, several of these large chambers being each provided

page_text: and fitted up in all respects similar to the first and second parts or portions of the
cellular filter. The two smaller chambers are situate next the larger chamber, and
are in connection with same one, acting as inlet, the other as outlet, from whence
the liquid is carried or conveyed away by the outlet or overflow pipe, and
discharged into the river, sewer, drain, or some other place, or may be used over
again for manufacturing purposes. The three parts or portions of the cellular filter
are each connected in a suitable manner by the inlet and outlet pipes, having
branches fitted with valves for opening and closing the supply of liquid, so that
each part or portion can be worked seperately and independantly of each other, and
whereby there need be no stoppage of working in case of anything happening to
any one portion of the cellular filter, or requiring any repairs doing at any time.
In connection with this cellular filter is an exhauster, by preference a centrifugal
one, placed in any suitable place, and driven by strapping from a pulley which is
used to exhaust air and water from the cellular filter when required, the said
centrifugal exhauster getting its supply of water by means of a pipe connected to
the outlet pipe of the cellular filter. In connection with the treatment and puri-
fication of sewage and similar foul liquids we employ four or more tanks for making
and holding or storeing the precipitating solutions employed, and which are by
preference solutions of lime and of alum, three of the tanks being employed for
lime solutions and one for a solution of alum. The three tanks intended for
solutions of lime are suitably arranged to be heated by preference by gas, the gas
being arranged to burn under the bottom of each of the three tanks, whilst the
heated air generated is made to enter at the back end of such tanks and to pass
into and through layers or rows of piping laid inside the tanks at the bottom,
whereby the lime becomes heated and made dry, and thus can be used over and
over again ad infinitum. The lime and alum tanks are all set in a line side by
side, and are arranged to be supplied by pipes with clean water for making
solutions of lime and alum, and with other pipes for drawing off the lime
and alum solutions, and conveying the same to the mixing (or No. 1
chamber) as before mentioned, all the pipes having cocks or valves for
regulating the flow as may be required. All valves for flushing out the sediment
of any of the settling chambers are opened and closed by a suitable mechanical
arrangement worked by shafts passing under each row of vertical chambers, having
worm wheels on one end of the shaft, the said worm wheels being geared into
worms placed on vertical shafts, to which are attached handles to enable the man
in charge to flush the sediment out of the settling chambers into the main flushing
chamber underneath, as before mentioned; the valves for flushing the sediment out
of the chambers of the cellular filter can be made either to open or close
simultaneously or a single row at a time. For the purification of smoke,
gases, and noxious vapours we couple the intake or inlet chamber of the cellular
filter, the said pipe standing above water line where the smoke enters; the other
or exit end of the pipe is carried down as far as the bottom grating, where the
smoke is liberated and comes bubbling up through the water and filtering
material until it rises and gets to the top of the filter and above the water-line,
when it afterwards descends down another similar pipe placed in the same
manner in the next chamber, and escapes at the bottom of such pipe and rises
bubbling up through the water and filtering material, as in the first operation,
and so on in rotation throughout all the chambers in the cellular filter, when
it is finally led into the chimney. In order to compel the smoke to pass down-
wards through the water contained in the various chambers the outlet pipe
from the filter is coupled up to an exhauster, by preference a centrifugal one
which is driven by a strap or other contrivance. The intake and outlet pipes for
the water are placed in a suitable position, and a small running or intermittent
stream of water is kept going through, the said small running stream of water
being supplied from any suitable source; the water out of this filter is run into a
small inixing tank, and a small stream of a solution of lime and alum water is
allowed to run in and mix with the gaseous water to be purified; the mixed liquid

page_text: is then run in a trough or pipe and delivered onto a small endless travelling
strainer and the sediment extracted; the water passing through such strainer is
thon passed through another cellular filter, from whence the purified water is led
off by a pipe to a suitable place to be used for any purpose or turned into the
sewer or drains. The arrangement of chambers herein before described is, by
preference, made in duplicate so as to work alternately if desired, or otherwise, and
any suitable material may be used in the construction, by preference, stone, brick,
concrete, or iron, and such apparatus may be any size or magnitude and may be
varied in form to suit the position or locality where it is intended to be erected.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Wild and Henry Ledger in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 3rd April 1880.
ROBERT WILD, of Littleborough, in the County of Lancaster, and HENRY
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND SELF-
LEDGER, of Leek, in the County of Stafford.
ACTING APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND FILTERING SEWAGE AND OTHER FOUL
LIQUIDS, GASES, AND NOXIOUS VAPOURS; ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER FILTERING
PURPOSES."
This Invention relates to a novel method of and apparatus for treating sewage
and other foul liquids, gases, and noxious vapours, and the extracting of the solids
therefrom so as to filter and purify the same, and consists in mixing such liquids
with suitable precipitates, and then passing the mixture through suitable settling
and filtering beds or chambers, and finally through a cellular filtering apparatus, as
hereinafter described. And in order that this our said Invention may be the more
readily understood and carried into practical effect, we have hereunto annexed
five Sheets of Drawings illustrative of our improved apparatus, and will now
proceed to describe the same by means of the figures and letters of reference marked
thereon. Similar letters are used to denote similar parts in all the views.
On
On Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a plan view of our improved filtering apparatus for
sewage and other foul liquids, and Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the same.
Sheet 2, Fig. 3 is a front elevation (partly in section), Fig. 4 is a side view (partly
in section), and Fig. 5 is a plan of the arrangement of tanks used in connection
with our liquid purifying apparatus. On Sheet 3, Fig. 6 is a side view and Fig. 7
a front view of our sediment drying chamber. On Sheet 4, Fig. 8 is a side view
(partly in section) and Fig. 9 a plan (partly in section) of our improved filter for
gases and other foul vapours. On Sheet 5, Fig. 10 is a side view, Fig. 11 a
plan, and Fig. 12 an end view (all in section) of a main sewer and connections
with our improvements applied thereto for exhausting noxious gases therefrom.
In carrying out our Invention, say, as applied to purifying the sewage of a town

page_text: (although it is equally applicable for dealing with other foul liquids), we pass the
same through the main shore or drain A¹ into a mixing chamber A, in which it
becomes mixed with lime and alum either in a solid form or solution, and if in the
latter state we receive such solution through the pipe A² from the solution tanks A³,
hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated on a large scale on Sheet 2,
or powdered chalk, pipe clay, or any other suitable precipitating materials may be
used. In this mixing chamber A we arrange one or more beaters or agitators A
to revolve similar to those hereinafter described in reference to Figs. 4 and 5, and
driven or actuated by bevil gearing from the line shaft a or in any other convenient
manner. An intercepting grid or grating is also provided in this same chamber, and
a regulating or shut off valve or sluice A. The mixed liquid so treated passes
through the grating and sluice A and descends into chamber B, which is provided
with a pair of gratings B', the space between such gratings being filled with suitable
filtering material, by preference, carbon, gravel, or river sand, combined or separately.
Beneath the lower grating B' is arranged a settling chamber B2, through the bottom
of which is formed one or more openings Bs fitted with suitable clacks or valves for
the flushing out of any sediment or solid matter (that may happen to settle or
subside) into a flushing chamber C, which extends beneath, and is also common to
all the chambers and cells hereinafter described. This settling chamber B³ com-
municates with an adjoining chamber D, which is similarly provided with gratings
and filtering material, through which the liquid which has descended through
chamber B passes upwards and delivers itself into a shallower chamber D¹, con-
taining filtering material, through which it passes and enters passage F, thence into
passage F', and descending down F passes into the settling chamber G¹ of a chamber
G, which is provided with gratings and filtering material (similar to chambers B
and D), and ascending through such chamber the liquid passes into the shallow
chainber H, which is divided into two portions or compartments by having a vertical
grating H running across the middle, one compartment being filled with any
suitable filtering material, and the other containing one or more agitators I set
vertically, and actuated by bevil gearing from the line shaft a. The liquid and
sediment passing through this compartment are thus agitated, and the sediment or
solid matter is carried along with the running stream or current into chamber J,
the current being utilised for turning a water motor or turbine J', which may
impart by bevil gearing, as illustrated, the required motion to the various appliances
herinbefore and hereinafter described, or if any other motive power is employed it
may be situated in any other more convenient place. From the lower part of this
chamber J, the liquid passes out and delivers itself onto the endless travelling
strainer L (passing round the rollers L¹), made of any suitable material, by
preference copper or brass wire, or wire and felting combined, or any material
suitable for the purpose, whereby the liquid portion is free to escape through the
meshes of the strainer and felting or other material employed, and the sediment or
solid matter is retained and carried forward, and in its passage passes over
two vacuum boxes a', in connection through the pipe L² with (by preference a
centrifugal) exhauster L, or a separate exhauster may be employed to each vacuum
box. It will be observed that the vacuum boxes are placed in between the endless
travelling strainer L (see Figure 2), such exhauster being driven by the endless
strap L* from the line shaft L³. The remaining liquid contained in the sediment in
passing over these vacuum boxes is thus exhausted, extracted, or discharged, and is
turned or conveyed through the pipe Le into the flushing chamber C, from whence
it is pumped up again by the centrifugal pump L', through the pipe L³ into the
mixing chamber A to be again purified.
The sediment or solid matter after passing over the vacuum boxes is carried
along with the strainer L, and passes through or between a pair of adjustable wire
rollers L³, by means of which it is subjected to a slight squeezing pressure to still
further remove the liquid. In dealing with towns' refuse, we grind up the cinders
and other solid matters, and deliver the same on to an endless travelling creeper,
which carries it forward into chamber H or any of the other chambers, if thought

page_text: desirable, and is then mixed up along with the sewage or other foul liquid, and
carried forward, as hereinbefore described.
M. and M¹ are two revolving brushes extending the full width of the strainer L,
and whereby any sediment which may happen to adhere to such strainer is brushed
off by brush M and discharged on to a travelling creeper or apron N, along with
the bulk of the sediment or solid matter, or is brushed off by the brush M' into the
trough N containing water, which is constantly overflowing through the pipe M*
into the flushing chamber C. The sediment, if required to be further dried, is by
this apron N now carried up and delivered on to an endless travelling creepor N
(see Sheet 3), which in its turn delivers it on to one of a series of endless wire
creepers N³, mounted upon rollers N* inside a drying chamber N³, and which are
caused to revolve by bevil gearing N from the line shaft N', as illustrated, such
drying chamber being heated by preference by Bunsen gas burners O, supplied by
gas from the main service pipe 0¹, and regulated by the stop valve 0%, or which
drying chamber may be heated in any other convenient manner. Fresh air is
admitted to this chamber No through the gratings Ns, and becoming heated, such
air passes out through a series of openings N° into the flue N1, the openings N°
being arranged all over the crown of the chamber, so as to cause the heated air
to rise vertically upwards throughout the entire chamber, instead of rushing directly
towards the main outlet M2, the escape being regulated by the damper N". On
passing over this series of creepers, and through the drying chamber No, tho
sediment is thoroughly dried, and is finally delivered over the roller N¹³ into the
outer atmosphere or otherwise in a dry and inodorous state, and free from all
offensive and deleterious properties. The liquid after passing through the strainer L
falls into the chamber P, and passes on through passages P¹ and vertical strainers P*,
into the catchment chamber Q, which is made deeper than the said passages Pl in
order to allow any sediment which may have passed through the strainer L to
subside or settle therein. This catchment chamber is also provided with
openings (fitted with valves) leading into the common flushing chamber C.
From this catchment chamber the liquid passes through the vertical strainers P³
(which are of tiner mesh than the strainers P²) into passage R, which is slightly
inclined in its course, the higher or upper end being filled with filtering material,
whilst the lower end is provided with a small dip or well R¹, wherein is fixed the
inlet or intake pipe R² leading to or connected to the cellular filter. This pipe R³
is fitted with a self acting ball or other valve which regulates itself self-actingly, so
as to pass more or less liquid, as circumstances may arise in case of a flood, whereby
the volume or quantity of sewage entering from the main sewer, drain, or source of
supply is constantly regulated, and a running stream or current maintained day
and night all the year round. The cellular filter consists of several (by preference
rectangular) vertical cells S, communicating alternately with each other at the top
and bottom, and fitted with gratings, between which filtering material is placed,
and with settling chamber S¹, which are fitted with openings and valves leading
into the flushing chamber C, in the same manner as hereinbefore described with
reference to chambers B and D. The liquid after passing up and down through
the filtering materials contained in the vertical cells or chambers S, passes into the
second part or portion of the cellular filter, which is a repetition of the first part,
with this difference, that it contains a larger number of vertical cells T of less
dimension, but which are fitted up in every respect similar to the cells S in the
first part. After passing through all these smaller cells T, the liquid is delivered into
the third part or portion of the cellular filter, which consists again of several
vertical cells T of larger size (similarly fitted to those contained in the first and
second parts), and two of smaller capacity, marked T2, which latter are situated next
to, and connected with a larger cell Ts, one of the smaller cells T acting as inlet,
and the other as outlet, and from which latter the liquid is finally discharged by the
outlet pipe V into the river, sewer, drain, or other place, or may be used over again for
manufacturing purposes. These three parts or portions of the cellular filter are each
connected by branches U' to the inlet pipe R², and by branches V¹ to the outlet pipe V

page_text: and all such branches are fitted with valves W for opening and closing the supply
of liquid, so that each part of the filter can be worked separately and independently
of the others, thus avoiding a stoppage of working in case of anything happening
to or repairs being required in any portion of the cellular filter. We employ an
exhauster, by preference, a centrifugal fan X, suitably placed and driven by a strap
to exhaust the air and water from the cellular filter by means of a pipe X' con-
nected to the outlet pipe V, and thus we induce a syphon action and cause the
liquid to pass through the apparatus. With regard to the treatment and purification
of sewage and other foul liquids, it now only remains to describe the tanks which
we employ for making and holding or storing the precipitant solution employed
for mixing with such foul liquids in compartment A; these tanks A³ are illustrated
on Sheet 2, and are by preference four in number, three being employed for lime
or other similar solutions and one for a solution of alum. All these tanks are
constructed with a metallic or fire brick division plate (b) arranged horizontally
near the bottom, and upon the underside of which the flames of a series of Bunsen
burners (c) supplied with gas by the pipe c¹ are allowed to play to heat the
contents, and upon the top side of such plates a series or layers of pipes (d) are
laid, whereby the heated air and spent gases from the gas chamber (d) are caused
to pass, the air entering through the gratings (d), and becoming heated passes
in the direction of the arrows first into the flue (³), thence into the pipes (d), and
finally escaping through the flue (d') into the outer atmosphere. The heat thus
communicated to the tanks serves not only to dry the lime, thus revivifying it, and
enabling it to be repeatedly used over and over again, but permits of the solution
being used in a heated state if desired. These tanks are further provided with
revolving agitators e driven by bevil gearing as illustrated, to keep the precipitating
solution in motion, and prevent the lime or other precipitate subsiding when it is
required to convey the same through the pipe A* to the mixing chamber A, the
pipe f being arranged to supply the necessary clean water required in making the
solution, such pipes f, as well as the pipes A², having suitable stop valves marked f¹
for regulating the flow as may be required. (When it is desired to reuse the lime)
after the lime water has been drawn off we reheat the lime as before described,
then add a fresh supply of water, either in a cold or heated state, and set the
agitators in motion so as to thoroughly agitate the lime and water, the agitators
are then stopped or thrown out of gear and the lime allowed to subside, when the
solution is ready for use; the above application refers to our system where the
lime is reused over again. All valves for flushing out the sediment of any of the
settling chambers herein before described are opened and closed mechanically, and
are worked by shafts g (as seen in Fig. 2) passing under each row of vertical cells,
and having worm wheels on one end gearing into the worms g¹ fixed on vertical
shafts g³, to the upper extremity of which shafts hand wheels gs are attached to
enable the man in charge to flush the sediment out of the settling chamber into the
flushing chamber C. It will be obvious that the valves for flushing the sediment
out of the several cells of the cellular filter may be made either to open or close
simultaneously, individually, or a single row at a time. The arrangement of
chambers B, D, C, and H, and connecting passages hereinbefore described are by
preference made in duplicate, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, so that each side may
be worked alternately or otherwise as desired. Auy suitable material may be used
in the construction of our improved apparatus, by preference, stone, brick, concrete,
or iron, and such apparatus may be of any size or magnitude, and may be varied
in form to suit the position or locality where it is intended to be erected. In the
purification of smoke, gases, and noxious vapours we employ a modification of
the cellular filter herein before described, and which is illustrated on Sheet 4 of the
accompanying Drawings. This cellular filter only differs from the filter hereinbefore
described in having a pipe or pipes introduced into each cell so as to convey the smoke
or other gas from the upper part of one cell to the lower part or settling chamber of
the adjoining cell, all the cells being constantly kept filled either by a running
stream of clean water, or with a solution of alum water and lime water, or milk of

page_text: lime, or any other suitable precipitant, to a little above the level of the top grating
h, such level being maintained by a supply cistern h' and pipe h³ fitted with a self-
acting ball or other valve h³. The action of this apparatus is as follows:-The gases
or other noxious vapours are introduced into the first chamber i through the pipe i¹,
and descend down the pipe ; to the settling chamber ; they then bubble up through
the water or precipitant solution or solutions and filtering materials contained
between the gratings of such chamber until they rise above the water line, when
they next descend the pipe j of the adjoining chamber, and in which chamber the
same operation is repeated, and so on through all the cells until they reach the last
or delivery cell l, where they are finally drawn through the centrifugal fan m, and
are so led in a purified state into the chimney or other desired locality. The water
or liquid escaping from this filter, and which is charged with the impurities taken
up from the gases or noxious vapours, is delivered into the mixing tank n, where it
becomes mixed with a solution of lime and alum water, or any other suitable pre
cipitant, and flows in the direction of the arrows through the troughs o, o³, and o²,
and finally delivers itself on to the travelling strainer p, whereby the sediment is
extracted as hereinbefore described, after which the liquid passes under trough q
into the cellular filter r (which is of the same description as the larger cellular filter
herein before described), and is thereby purified, and may then be either used over
again or otherwise be utilised, or be allowed to flow away. It will thus be observed
that in accordance with this Invention we ensure a constant and fresh supply of
precipitating liquid being brought in contact with the gases or vapours, and thereby
ensuring the removal of all sulphur and other deleterious compounds therefrom. To
remove any oily or tarry matter which may float on the surface of the water in
purifying gases as aforesaid, we provide branches 8' leading from each cell to a pipe
s which terminates in a tar well or tank a*, and we fit each settling chamber k with
openings into the common flushing chamber t, and with valves geared by worm and
bevil gearing t¹ to a winch handle t, so as to operate all such valves simultaneously,
or the same can be arranged to be operated singly. We construct our apparatus for
dealing with noxious vapours of suitable material for withstanding the action of
the acids and deleterious fumes which usually accompany such vapours.
In dealing with gases from the sewers we adopt the arrangement represented on
Sheet 5, and which consists of a pipe 1 passing down the main sewer 2 and having
branches 3 leading up each tributary drain 4, this pipe and branches being provided
with openings 5 into the main sewer 2, and drains 4 at suitable intervals to allow
of the entrance of the foul gases, and with a dip pipe 6 and branches 7 to allow the
escape of any water which may happen to enter such pipe or pipes in case of a
flooding of the sewer or drains. The action of this apparatus will be apparent :-The
pipes 1 being connected to the cellular filter for purifying gases, and the exhauster
set in motion, the gases in the said sewer and drains are caused to enter the pipe 1
and branches 3 through the several openings 5, and so in passing through the filter
become purified, fresh air entering the sewer and drains at the same time through
the various grids or gratings situated at the street level.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this our said
Invention, together with the best methods with which we are acquainted for carrying
the same into practical effect, we wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the precipitating agents and filtering materials hereinbefore
specified, as others may be substituted in their place with equally good results, nor
do we confine ourselves to the precise details, relative proportions, or dimensions of
the various parts of the apparatus hereinbefore described and illustrated on the
accompanying Drawings, nor to the materials of which they may be constructed, as
the same may be considerably varied without departing from the Invention, but
what we claim is,—
1st. The general arrangement and construction of apparatus for and methods of
treating and filtering sewage and other foul liquids, gases, and noxious vapours
(such apparatus being also suitable for other filtering purpuses), substantially as
herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: • 2nd. The method of and apparatus for separating the liquids and solid portions
of sewage and other foul liquids, and of drying the latter, substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
3rd. The general construction and arrangement of cellular filter, and means of
flushing out each individual cell of the same, as hereinbefore described and
illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
4th. The use and application to precipitating and filtering chambers and cells of
settling chambers with openings fitted with valves communicating with a flushing
chamber, and means of repurifying the flushings, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
5th. The general arrangement and construction of mixing and precipitant or
solution tanks fitted with agitators for stirring, and with pipes for heating and
drying the contents of the same, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
6th. The self-acting arrangements for supplying more or less liquid to the cellular
filters, so as to render the same capable of dealing with floods, as hereinbefore
described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
7th. The use and application of exhausters or fans for syphoning or drawing the
liquids or gases through the various chambers or cells of our improved apparatus, sub-
stantially as herein before described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawings.
8th. The method of dealing with the precipitating liquids employed in purifying
noxious gases and other vapours, so as to eliminate all impurities therefrom and
render them capable of being used over and over again, substantially as herein before
described.
9th. The mode of treating and purifying foul gases from sewers and drains, as
hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Robert Wild and Henry Ledger, have hereunto