THE APPLICATION OF CENTRIPUGAL FORCE FOR PURIFYING LIQUIDS
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Nicolas Cadiat, of Rue de l'Odéon, 12, Paris, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "THE APPLICATION OF CENTRIPUGAL FORCE
FOR PURIFYING LIQUIDS."
Sealed the 3rd February 1857, and dated the 4th August 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Nicolas Cadiat at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 4th
August 1856.
I, NICOLAS CADIAT, of Rue de l'Odéon, 12, Paris, Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "THE APPLICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL
FORCE FOR PURIFYING LIQUIDS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in applying a centrifugal apparatus of a peculiar
kind for purifying liquids, and especially water. The apparatus I have con-
trived for that purpose is represented in the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1
being a vertical section made through the axis; and Fig. 2, a sectional plan.
The action of the purifying process is as follows:-
When any muddy or unclean liquid is introduced into the apparatus, which
is rotating with a great velocity, the particles of this liquid are submitted to
the impulse of centrifugal force, which drives away from the centre the
heavier ones, whilst the lighter particles take their place at or near to the
central part.
It will be seen, by the accompanying Drawing, that A is a feet pipe;
a, regulating or stop-cock; B is the axis bearing plate, seen alone in plan,

page_text: Fig. 3; C is the purifying chamber; g, g, its bottom plate; i, i, its conical
top part; c, central pivot of the vertical shaft S; D is a perforated diaphragm
or partition; E is the drain; e, a lubricating tube; F, F, exhibits the caseing
of the inverted receiving cistern J, which latter rotates with the shaft S,
h being the tubular upper part of the shaft; n, n, apertures for the passage
of the purified liquid into h; H, H, is the upper bearing frame; O is a
widened or lipped aperture at the top of the tubular shaft, and through which
the purified water flows upward and over, and so runs into the upper
channel P.
The liquid to be purified, being conveyed from the upper resevoir R
through the pipe A, enters the lower receiving chamber or inverted cistern J;
its course is shewn by arrows from the reservoir R to the delivery pipe or
channel-P. A swift_rotary motion is given to the purifier C by means of a
strap running on the pulley M, which may be worked-by-steam-or other
power. The weight of the upper column of the resevoir R, forcing the liquid
particles to ascend into the purifying chamber C, whilst the rotating motion of
the said chamber repelling the heavier heterogenous particles from the centre,
these latter collect in the lower and remotest part of the rotating chamber,
from the effect both of the gravitation and centrifugal force, whilst the purified
liquid only ascends, and entering at n, n, the hollow top part of the axis, the
purified liquid or liquor flows out at o, o, as shewn by the arrows.
The apparatus is stopped- occasionally for decanting, through the spring
valves m, the muddy particles collected on the bottom of the rotating
chamber c.
No great power is required to impel this apparatus, which rotates very
lightly, owing to the inverted position of the receiving chamber or cistern J,
which the greater column of liquid at R tends to raise, together with the
purifying chamber C, and thus releives the pivot c, which, having then but to
sustain a small weight, runs very lightly.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by M. M. Amelie Miot Cadiat, Widow and Executrix of the above-
named Nicolas Cadiat, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th
February 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, NICHOLAS
CADIAT, of Rue de l'Odeon, 12, Paris, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of August, in the year of our Lord One

page_text: thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Nicholas Cadiat, Her special licenco that I, the said Nicholas Cadiat, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Nicholas
Cadiat, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "THE APPLICATION OF
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE FOR PURIFYING LIQUIDS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Nicholas Cadiat, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under , or their, or one of their hand and seal, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Nicholas Cadiat, do hereby declare the
nature of said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
and accompanying Drawing.
This Invention consists in applying a centrifugal apparatus for purifying
liquids, and more especially water. The apparatus may be either simple, the
operation being produced solely by a centrifugal action; or it may be combined
with straining substances, the operation being then performed by such com-
bined action; in the latter case the liquid is at once submitted to the
centrifugal action, and forced through suitable straining or filtering substances.
The cleaning of the filtering substances or organs, and throwing out of the
muddy particles which have been collected in the filtering process, are effected
without stopping the apparatus.
The annexed Drawings illustrate the Invention, and shew the dispositions
of the several parts of the centrifugal purifying apparatus.
In Sheet 1, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, are different views of the cen-
trifugal purifying apparatus; in which Fig. 1 is a front view; Fig. 2, a vertical
section; Fig. 3, a horizontal section; Fig. 4, a top view; and Fig. 5, a view of
sole plate.
The water or other liquid is conveyed into the rotating chamber by a pipe,
which enters on the under side.
The same letters of reference refer to similar parts in each Figure. A is

page_text: , the feed pipe, shewn in Fig. 3, 4, & 5, which conveys the liquid to the
filtering apparatus from a reservoir above; a is a stop-cock, for regulating
the supply of the liquid; B, Figs. 1, 3, & 5, foundation plate; C, support or
bearing of the rotating shaft; c is the bearing upon which the pivot of the shaf
rotates; e, e, channel for lubricating the pivot, which runs on one side under
the centre of the pivot, and on the other side to the bottom of a funnel, into
which the lubricating oil is poured; f, f, the cistern, into which enters the
pipe A; this cistern feeds the purifying apparatus, but its chief object is to
releive the pivot of the heavy weight of the purifying chamber and the liquid
it contains. The liquid is enclosed within it, exerting a pressure under the
purifyer, which balancing the weight of the purifyer, prevents the friction of
the pivot upon its bearing. c, c, Figs. 1, 2, 3, & 4, the purifying chamber,
which-is-composed of two pieces, the lower part being cast in a single piece
with the vertical shaft h, h; the upper part i, i-of-the-chamber is secured to
the lower parts by bolts. To the lower part g, g, is cast an inverted chamber
or cistern j, j, fitted securely in the lower one f, f, allowing a small space
between them, so as to avoid friction when revolving. The longitudinal
flutings cut in the outer surface increases the contraction of the liquid which
is tending to escape from this cistern, and prevents the loss of the liquid
between both surfaces.
The chamber g, g, is divided into several parts by vertical partitions cast
together in one piece; several apertures k, k, are cut through the bottom for
the passage of the liquid into the purifying chamber. 1, 1, apertures for expelling
the muddy particles. These apertures are stopped by valves m, m, which
open inwardly by means of springs attached to them. The valves are shut by
the action of the centrifugal force, and when the apparatus is revolving at a
certain velocity, and when revolving at a slower velocity, the valves are opened,
and the water escaping from the apparatus carries the mud along with it.
E, E, a channel in brickwork for receiving the muddy or overflow of water.
The vertical shaft h, h, is solid at the lower end and hollow at the upper.
n, n, are holes made through the shaft for the passage of the water which is
escaping. The liquid runs upward on its passage through the apparatus, and
flows out over surface 0, 0, and falls into a round trough p, whence it is conveyed
away. D, D, are diaphragms, laid over one another to seperate the upper
chamber from the lower one. The diaphragms are for the filtering purpose, and
may be composed of any suitable substance, and fastened within the chamber C
by any mechanical contrivance; they may be laid either directly over one
another, or a space may be left between them, and may be composed either of

page_text: perforated metallic sheets, or metallic cloth of any required fineness, or of any
other kind of tissue or felt materials; or layers of sponges, wollen cloth;
pebbles, charcoal, pourous stones; &c.
Fig. 7 shews a piece of perforated metallic sheet, the holes 8, 8, being
punched through with a taper punch, so as to leave the burr on the one
surface; the holes must be as small as possible.
The perforated plates are placed over each other, as shewn in Fig. 8, so as
to have the projecting side underneath, and the holes must be perforated in
radial lines over each channel for conveying the muddy particles to the cir-
cumference of the apparatus under the impulse of centrifugal force, untill they
meet the sides of the apparatus, which, being inclined, conveys them to tho
bottom.
Figs. 8 & 9 shew arrangements which may be adopted for fixing the pieces
of the filtering diaphragm t, t, t, round pieces of suitable filtering substances.
They are represented as being seperated from each other by cross arm pieces
n, n. The filtering pieces are so arranged as to be firmly held by the flanges x, x,
of the cross arms.
:
Mode of Working.-A motion of about 1,000 to 1,300 revolutions per
minute is imparted to the apparatus. The cock a is opened proportionate to
the quantity and degrce of purity required. The liquid conveyed by the
pipe A enters the purifying chamber, which it. passes through upwardly; the
liquid ascends very slowly during its passage into the lower part, so that it is
exposed during a time to the action of the centrifugal force. The ascending
speed is regulated by the opening of the stop-cock a, so that by opening it
more or less, the apparatus produces more or less purified liquid. The degree
of purification is in proportion to the time the liquid remains in the apparatus.
Whilst the liquid is submitted to the centrifugal action, if it be perfectly pure
or homogenous the particles would under that action be uniformly put in
motion, and would not experience any displacement in their relative positions,
being all carried in the same direction and in the same manner by the rotatory
motion; but if the liquid contains in suposition solid particles of different
specific gravities to the liquid ones, the effect of the motion will be to throw
off farther towards the circumference the heavier particles, whilst the lighter
ones are retained nearer the axis of the apparatus. This double motion,
owing to the centrifugal force acting on particles of different specific gravities,
combined with ascending motion, regulated by the degree of opening of the
cock a, to effect the result of carrying the lighter particles to the upper
part of the apparatus axis, and to draw off the heavier ones towards the
lower part, which is the remotest from the axis, the mud gathers in this

page_text: lower and remotest part; it is precipitated and forms a deposit, whilst the
purified. particles of the liquid are poured out in the cistern above the appa-
ratus. If the rotatory motion of the apparatus is slackened during a very
short time, the mud valves open, through the pressure of the springs, allowing
the muddy deposit. to run off, expelled by the upper water and the remaining
centrifugal force of the apparatus during the emptying process. As soon as
the apparatus resumes its speed, the more intense action of the centrifugal
force upon the valves shuts them up, and. retains them so till the rotatory
motion is again slackened. To work the apparatus more advantageously, is
to have its rotatory motion slackened at intervals, and then the motion restored
to its normal speed. It is presumed that the diaphragms may be dispensed
with; they are introduced into this apparatus only for to obtain purifying liquids
as far as possible. When the filtering diaphragms are used, the liquid tends to
run through them upwardly, whilst the muddy particles slide on-their-surface
tending to diverge from the axis towards the sides where they collct. In the
apparatus provided with filtering diaphragms, the weight of the liquid in the
reservoir forces the water or other liquid through the diaphragms, and by
the action of the centrifugal force the inner surface of the purifying chamber
is continuously. cleaned from the muddy, particles that would otherwise adhere
to it. This purifying apparatus is but a mechanical filter, which has the
property of being continuously self-cleansing.
Eig. Sheet
shews a variation in the arrangement, and exhibits a
cylindrical-shaped, apparatus in section, within which the liquid is conveyed
from: above, this arrangement producing the same result. The shaft D is
solid, and, is surrounded by the feed pipe t, t, which rotates with it, being
secured together in the usual way. The shaft D runs through the bottom of
a reservoir or cistern c, where the feeding liquid arrives freely, and a funnel-
shaped aperture of the reservoir. Centers the upper mouth of the pipe t, t;
the liquid, falls into this pipe, from whence, it flows through suitable holes
between the double bottom of the purifying chamber. This chamber is com-
posed of a cylindrical sheet iron or envellopp a, a, a, the bottom of which is
fastened on to the cistern f, f, which is keyed at E on the vertical, shaft, as in
the former apparatus. An internal cylinder b, b, b, with an inwardly curved
upper edge, is perforated with a number of small holes at its, circumference,
whilst its bottom is without any perforations. This, bottom is secured by
rivetting at bb, with the feeding, pipe, and at i, i, with the perforated cylin-
drical surface. The latter. is..rivetted..through iron hoops at the top of the
external cylinder..
Fig. 11 is a plan of the apparatus, shewing a partial horizontal section

page_text: through the lines C, D, E, F. Fig. 12 is a sectional view, shewing the upper
fastening of both cylinders together, on a larger scale.
The direction in which the liquid to be purified passes is shewn by arrows";
from the upper feeding cistern c it flows down the pipe t, t, rushing at 6¹, b¹,
between the bottoms of the cylinders, and then ascends between their surfaces,
where the pressure forces it through the small perforations, but the centrifugal
action prevents the liquid from reaching the centre of the cylinder, by forcing
it up against the internal surface. The inwardly-curved top edge prevents' the
liquid from escaping, but it finds its way out through small apertures e, e, pro
vided with short pipes for pouring it out in a circular trough, by which it is
conveyed away, as shewn in Fig. 12.
The perforated cylindrical surface may be surrounded with a metallic cloth,
and the latter with a wollen tissue, or any other filtering material. The
muddy particles are seperated either by the centrifugal action or by the
filtering materials, which are thrown against the external cylinder surface,
falling to the bottom, from whence they are expelled by suitable valves, as
in the first-named apparatus.
Fig. 1, Sheet 2, is a front view, Fig. 2 a vertical section, through the line
O, P, of an apparatus of another kind, with a single conical surface, into
which the liquid is conveyed, as in the latter apparatus, from an upper
cistern C, through the pipe p, p, which rotates with the vertical shaft B, B, on
which the shaft A is keyed, in the usual way, or by two cross pieces.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus; Fig. 4, a horizontal section, through the
lines E, F, & G, H; Fig. 5, a similar section; through the lines I, K, &
M, N; and Fig. 6, a horizontal section, through the lines A, B, & C, D.
The filtering chamber is divided into compartments by upright partitions
P', P¹, of any required number, the partitions being verticall on one side with
the feeding pipe P, P, on the other side with the conical surface of the filtering
chamber, the partitions entering at their lower end into the pipe p, p, which is
also divided into compartments, as shewn at a, b, Fig. 2. The liquid flowing
down the feeding pipe, rushes through the apertures h, h, into the compart-
ments of the filtering chamber, where cach particle of liquid, which would
remain a moment stationery on account of its inertia, is immediately carried
away by the partitions and submitted to the action of the centrifugal force.
The liquid in each compartment is driven violently against the conical sur-
face t, a, forming a hollow liquid cylinder X, X, which extends to the top of
the purifying chamber and a little above the partitions, where, finding two or
more outlets y, y, it runs into a circular trough, where it is conveyed away
perfectly clear and purified, whilst the muddy particles fall to the lower part

page_text: of the apparatus, which is fitted with a double bottom s, r, & t, v. The
liquid runs between the space left betwixt the two bottom plates, but cannot
flow out through the mud holes L, L, because these apertures are within the
hollow liquid cylinder, and the centrifugal force prevents the liquid from
flowing out; but when the rotating motion is slackened, the liquid tending to
fill up the whole chamber, it is suffered to escape through the mud holes L, L,
driving away all the muddy particles that have been gathering at thelower part
of the apparatus. The arrows shew in Fig. 2 the direction the liquid is
flowing in its passage through the apparatus until it is purified.
The various parts which have been described, may be modified either in
their shape, disposition, or mode of fitting, as also in the materials employed.
In witness whereof, I, M. M. Amelie Miot Cadiat, executrix of my
husband, the late Nicholas Cadiat, have, in pursuance of the power
contained in the Letters Patent granted to him, hereunto set my hand-
and seal, this Third day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
Signed and sealed in the presence of
L. D'AUBREVILLE, C. E.
M. M. AMELIE MIOT. (L.S.)
VETE CADIAT.