An Improved Process for the Treatment of Sewage and other Refuse Matters.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for the Treatment of Sewage and other
Refuse Matters.
I THOMAS WARDLE of Leek in the County of Stafford Silk Dyer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to a new process which consists of using a certain proportion
of basic per-sulphate of iron prepared in a peculiar manner to which are added,
according to circumstances and the various kinds of sewage and other refuse waters
or matter dealt with, certain quantities of an extra-basic sulphate insoluble in water.
dissolved in acid, nitric oxide, proto-salts of iron salts of alumina, cresylic acid, and
lime or other similar earthy matter.
By this new process organic matter in the sewage or other refuse water or matter
dealt with is precipitated and deposited together with suspended matter
whether organic or mineral leaving a clear effluent with or without filtration
according to the nature and composition of such sewage or other refuse water or
matter. The process also applicable to foul waters and manufacturing refuse
with or without sewage organic matter being present.
Dated this Thirteenth day of November 1891.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Process for the Treatment of Sewage and other
Refuse Matters.
THOMAS WARDLE St. Edward Street Leek, Staffordshire Silk Dyer and
Printer, 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 :-
This my invention relates to a new or improved process for use in precipitating
organic matter and manufacturing refuse from sewage, and consists in using a
certain proportion of persulphate of iron, preferably in a basic form such as
bi-sulphate or mono-sulphate or the intermediate or other basic forms of the
persulphates of ferric oxide which have been prepared in a suitable manner, to
which are added according to circumstances and the various kinds of sewage and
other refuse waters or matters dealt with, varying proportions of an extra-basic
sulphate of iron (which is insoluble in water, but soluble in acid) nitric oxide, proto-
salts of iron salts of alumina, cresylic acid, and lime or other similar earthy matters
or alkalies..
By this improved process, organic matter in the sewage, or other refuse water
or matter dealt with is precipitated and deposited together with suspended matter,
either organic or mineral, leaving a clear effluent, with or without filtration
according to the nature and composition of such sewage, or other refuse water.
To carry my said invention into practice I use the above mentioned persulphate
or persulphates of iron, in one or other of its forms, with or without the addition of
line, alumina salts, proto-sulphate of iron, cresylic acid, and any of the alkalies,
(such as potash, soda, ammonia, or their alkaline salts) according to the requirements
of various states of sewage to be found in manufacturing localities, or of private
firns, houses or institutions.
I take a strong or weak solution of iron, preferably in a basic form, which is the
most effective, in a liquid or solid state, or in a liquid and solid form conjoined.
For ordinary sewage I take about one ton of one of the said persulphates of iron in

page_text: a liquid or solid state, or half a ton in a liquid state, and half a ton in a solid state
for each million gallons of sewage, or from eight grains to sixteen grains of the
solution of one of the said persulphates of iron for each gallon of sewage which
does not contain manufactory wash or refuse, a less quantity than this will suffice
for weak sewage; but for sewage containing manufactory wash or refuse a larger
amount may be necessary according to the strength of the persulphate of iron,
whether basic or otherwise, and according to the organic and chemical matters in
the sewage.
When it is found that the sewage is such that the persulphate of iron; basic or
otherwise, is insufficient to precipitate the organic and chemical matter in the
sewage in a thorough enough degree, I add varying proportions of lime, alumina
salts, persulphate of iron, cresylic acid and alkalies according to the nature of the
.sewage to be treated. When it is found requisite to use lime, I take half a ton of
newly burnt lime for each million gallons of sewage, according to the nature of the
sewage, and I convert such lime into milk of lime by adding a sufficient quantity
of water to such lime and stirring such lime and water together, when such lime is
thoroughly dissolved in the water, cause such milk of lime to flow or run out of
the tub, cistern or other receptacle in which it is formed, into the sewage contained
in a cell lined with brick or stone, of 'about three cubic feet capacity, from this cell
the mixture of sewage and milk of lime flows or passes beneath one or more of the
walls of the cell, and rises up into another cell of about the same capacity, the
sewage as it rises up into the second cell flows over the walls of a similar cell into
which persulphate of iron, basic or otherwise is allowed to flow from a tub or bark
in regulated quantities, when it will be found that precipitation immediately takes
place.
There should be six or more cells with alternating underflow and overflow ways
or shoots, to enable the precipitants to be well mixed with the sewage, the sewage
after leaving the conducting shoot or shoots of six or more cells passes into settling
tanks made in the usual way, which tanks should be in pairs for alternate
precipitation and cleansing. The bulk of the organic or solid matter in the sewage
falls into the first and second tanks, and in a lessening amount or degree into the
other tanks, the flow of the liquid portion of the sewage being over the tops of the
tank walls, each set of tanks being four, six or more in number, and if' found
necessary the remaining liquid part of the sewage is caused to flow into a suitable
filter or filters, and from such filter or filters is distributed by gravitation, pumping
or other suitable means for irrigation purposes, or it may be conducted into a river or
water course, the sludge being collected, and dealt with by filter presses, or by other
suitable methods, with or without the addition of fertilizing matter.
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 :-
1st. In the purification of sewage and other foul liquids or matters, the use in
varying proportions of the normal or neutral persulphate of iron according to the
quantity and nature of the sewage to be treated, as herein substantially described
and set forth.
2nd. In the purification of sewage and other foul waters or matters, the use in
varying proportions of the normal or neutral persulphate of iron in combination
with an extra basic-sulphate of iron, nitric oxide, proto-salts of iron, salts of alumina,
cresylic acid and any of the alkalies (such as potash, soda, ammonia or their
alkaline salts) according to the strength of the persulphate of iron, and according
to the nature and quantity of sewage to be treated as herein substantially described
and set forth.
3rd. In the purification of sewage and other foul liquids or matters, the use in
varying proportions of persulphate of iron in a basic form such as bi-sulphate or
mono-sulphate or the intermediate or other basic forms according to the quantity
and nature of the sewage to be treated as herein substantially described and set forth.

page_text: 4th. In the purification of sewage and other foul liquids or matters the use in
varying proportions of basic persulphate of iron in combination with alumina salts,
persulphate of iron, cresylic acid, and alkalies (such as potash, soda, ammonia or
their alkaline salts) according to the quantity and nature of the sewage to be treated
as herein substantially described and set forth.
5th. In the purification of sewage and other foul liquids or matters the use in
varying proportions of persulphate of iron in combination with milk of lime, alumina
salts, cresylic acid and alkalies (such as potash, soda, ammonia or their alkaline
salts) according to the quantity and nature of the sewage to be treated as herein
substantially described and set forth.
6th. In the purification of sewage and other foul liquids or matters the use in
varying proportions of basic persulphate of iron in combination with milk of lime,
alumina salts, cresylic acid and alkalies (such as potash, soda, ammonia or their
alkaline salts) according to the quantity and nature of the sewage to be treated as
herein substantially described and set forth.
Dated this 12th day of September 1892.
JOHN NEWTON,
Longport, Staffordshire, Agent for Applicant.