Under this heading are included a large number of tanks of various types and systems, for each of which some particular advantage is claimed in ordinary circumstances, or some peculiar suitability for special conditions. All are, however, ostensibly designed for the purpose of arresting the organic matters in suspension, in order to prepare the sewage for the subsequent stage of oxidation in contact beds, on percolating filters or on land. Types and Capacities of Ordinary Tanks.—In addition to detritus tanks described in the preceding chapter, the Royal Commission on Sewage Disposal, in its fifth Report, has dealt with five different methods of tank treatment in detail. These are:— 1. Septic tanks, having a total capacity of about 24 hours’ dry-weather flow. 2. Continuous-flow settlement tanks without chemicals, having a total capacity of about 15 hours’ dry-weather flow. 3. Continuous-flow settlement tanks with chemicals, having a total capacity of about 8 hours’ dry-weather flow. 4. Quiescent settlement tanks without chemicals. 5. Quiescent settlement tanks with chemicals. The two last-mentioned have each a total capacity of about 24 hours’ dry-weather flow. Fig. 16. Cross-section of Septic Tank. Fig. 16. In all these five types of tanks the method of construction is very similar, generally rectangular in plan and of a moderate depth. As a rule they are connected by means of a supply channel to the preceding detritus tanks, and the total capacity is divided up into a number of units varying with the size of the scheme. The Royal Commission suggest the following divisions:— 1. Septic tanks: 5 tanks, with an additional spare tank. 2. Continuous-flow settlement without chemicals: 6 tanks, with 2 additional spare tanks. 3. Continuous-flow settlement with chemicals: 6 tanks, with 2 additional spare tanks. 4. Quiescent-settlement without chemicals: 8 tanks, with 2 additional spare tanks. 5. Quiescent settlement with chemicals : 8 tanks, with 2 additional spare tanks. The general features of construction are:— Substantial walls in brickwork, concrete, plain or reinforced, and of a suitable thickness to withstand with safety the pressures they are required to resist; sloping floors provided with suitable outlets for both liquid and solid contents at the bottom, and specially arranged inlets and outlets at the top. In connection with the floors, sufficient care has not always been devoted in the past to the consideration of the most convenient method to adopt, in view of the necessity of removing the sludge. In some cases, the floors have been laid with a slope towards the outlet end, and, as the greatest accumulation of deposit takes place at the inlet end, great difficulties have been experienced in removing the sludge. There is very little doubt that if suitable arrangements are made, by means of which the accumulation of solids deposited at the inlet ends of tanks can be removed without drawing off the total contents of the tank, much labour will be saved. With this end in view, the design illustrated in Fig. 16 is suggested as a model which may be adopted exactly as shown, or, with some modifications, adapted to meet the special requirements Fig. 17. From observations which have been made in various places, it has been found that although the actual capacity of the tanks corresponded to anything from 12 up to 24 hours of the daily dry weather flow, the period during which the sewage remained in the tank, or rather the time taken for the sewage to pass through the tank, was much less than it was anticipated would be the case. In one instance, it was noticed that the sewage passed through a tank of a capacity equal to 15 hours’ dry weather flow in 4 hours, and, although it is obvious that the same efficiency of sedimentation could not be secured by passing the sewage at the same rate through a tank of a capacity of 4 hours’ flow, it would seem that the full effect of the larger tank was not brought into play. A possible explanation is that the form of the tank and the arrangement of the inlet and outlet were such that the flow of sewage through the tank was more or less in a direct line from the inlet to the outlet, and this, if correct, would lead to the conclusion that there is room for improvement in the design of the tank, in order to cause the sewage in its passage to be spread out over the whole area of the tank. With this end in view the author has specially designed the arrangement illustrated, Fig. 18, as a suitable method of preventing the sewage passing direct from the inlet to the outlet. It will be noticed that the sewage enters the first compartment about 3 feet below the top water level, and by means of three cross walls is made to flow down to within a short distance of the floor in one compartment, and up Fig. 18. Plan View of Septic Tank. Fig. 18. Fig. 19. Another method of ensuring uniformity of flow over the whole area of a tank, is to arrange it in the form of a wedge, with the inlet at the The principles embodied in the preceding suggestions can be applied to most types of rectangular tanks. Sludge Well.—In connection with the actual method of conducting the sludge from these tanks to the sludge disposal area, the remarks made under the heading of detritus tanks will apply. A convenient arrangement for a sludge well, where a number of tanks are involved, is shown in Fig. 19, which is self explanatory. For small schemes a chain-pump operated by hand may be used to raise the sludge from the well. In larger schemes where power is available, sludge elevators of the bucket type, as shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 21A, are very convenient. Roofs over Tanks.—With regard to the question of roofs over tanks, it is now generally admitted that these have very little, if any, effect upon the working of the tank, and they may therefore be dismissed in a few words. Under certain circumstances it may be desirable for sentimental reasons to cover sewage tanks, and in such cases the general practice is to form concrete arches covered with earth and sown with grass. Reinforced concrete construction may sometimes be found very suitable, while, in other cases, galvanized corrugated-iron roofs, supported on an iron framework carried on the walls of the tanks, are preferred. In very small installations, 1½-inch or 2-inch creosoted deal boards, laid loose, but fitting close together with their ends supported in a rebate in the top of the wall, make a very good cover, as they are easily removed whenever it becomes necessary to inspect or gain access to the tank. Fig. 20.—Sludge Elevator. Details of Inlets and Outlets.—Among the most important points to be considered in designing sewage tanks is the arrangement of the inlets and outlets, as upon these depends to a very great extent the efficiency of the process. In order to afford a means of selecting the most suitable arrangement for any particular case a number of different methods are illustrated. Fig. 21.—Sludge Elevator. Fig. 21A.—Sludge Elevator. Fig. 22 shows the simplest form of trapped inlet and outlet, consisting of cast-iron Tee junction pipes, the junction being built into the wall of the tank and fitted with a valve or penstock. The lower end of the trapped pipe is generally about 3 feet below the top water level, but in special cases may be much deeper. The upper end of this pipe terminates at some distance (e.g. about twice the diameter of the inlet junction) above the top water level, and the top is left open or fitted with a blank flange for purposes of inspection. Where a roof is provided over the tank, it is desirable to continue this pipe up and through the roof, so that it may still be available for inspection. In large tanks, or any tanks having a width of more than 6 feet, several Fig. 22. Fig. 23. Fig. 24. In Fig. 23 a somewhat similar arrangement is shown, but instead of Tee junctions the inlets and outlets are formed of easy bends, which may be in cast-iron or glazed stone ware as indicated. The observations made above in connection with Fig. 22 apply generally to Fig. 23. Fig. 24 is a plan of Fig. 23, to show a number of inlets and outlets to one tank. In Fig. 25 the trapped inlet and outlet is formed by means of a cross wall carried up to the top of the tank with openings at the floor level in the form of arches. It is considered by some engineers that this method is a more substantial form of construction, and that it assists to a great extent in spreading the flow of the sewage over the whole area of the tank. In Fig. 26 both the inlet and outlet is in the form of a weir, running the full width of the tank, and it is probable that this is the most efficient means of ensuring that the flow of sewage shall spread over the whole area of the tank. The trapping of the inlet and outlet in this case is obtained by the use of scum boards or plates, as shown. When more than one tank of this type is required, it becomes necessary to provide a separate feed channel or carrier in addition to the channel immediately in front of the inlet weir, in order to arrange means for shutting one or more tanks out of work when required. Fig. 25. The method of arranging the inlets and outlets shown in Fig. 27, consists of constructing extra deep sewage carriers and tank effluent channels, and making the connections from these to the tank at the desired depth below the top water level in the tank. It is true that these deep channels always stand full of sewage or tank effluent while the tank is in operation, but it is assumed that the passage into the tank of all solid matters in suspension is facilitated, especially Fig. 26. Fig. 27. Fig. 28. Fig. 29.—Type of Floating Arm. The various types of inlets and outlets described above are more particularly suitable for tanks which come under the terms “septic” and “continuous-flow sedimentation without chemicals.” It is not necessary that the inlets and outlets should both be of the same type. Various combinations may be adopted, according to the requirements of each case and the judgment of the engineer. Similar methods may be utilised for “continuous-flow sedimentation tanks with chemicals,” but they need the addition of floating arms for the purpose of drawing off the top water before the sludge is removed. The type of inlet and outlet more generally in use for chemical precipitation processes is shown in Fig. 28, Fig. 30.— A type of floating arm is shown in detail in Fig. 29. In order to prevent any possibility of these arms drawing off sludge by an oversight, when approaching the floor of the tank, the chain attached to the float should be arranged to check the fall of the arm at a point which will be above the level of the sludge, or, if there is any possibility of the chain being tampered with by unauthorised persons, the fall of the arm may be arrested with certainty by means of a bracket, built into and projecting from the wall of the tank, or by means of a short pier of brickwork and concrete, built up on the floor of the tank under the arm to the required level. Another method of drawing off the top water from tanks has been introduced by Messrs. Willcox and Raikes, Civil Engineers, and is manufactured by Messrs. Adams Hydraulics, Ltd. As will be seen from the illustration, Fig. 30, it consists of a cast-iron stand-pipe, in sections, each of which makes a tight joint with the one below it. A spindle, working in a screwed nut in a bracket or pillar at the top, passes through crossbar guides inside the stand-pipe sections. This spindle has projections at irregular intervals, arranged in such a manner that as the spindle is As the distance which the sewage travels in “continuous flow settlement tanks with chemicals” is frequently an important factor in securing the maximum efficiency, it may be found economical to arrange the tanks in the form shown in Fig. 31, where each tank has a division wall, carried through from the inlet end to within a few feet of the opposite end, so that the sewage travels a distance equal to twice the length of the tank before passing to the outlet. This arrangement requires only one carrier, but this must be provided with suitable sluice-gates opposite to each tank, in addition to similar gates on the inlet and outlet from each tank. Fig. 31. The Dortmund type of tank, described under the heading of detritus tanks, may also be adapted for sedimentation tanks, but the outlet Fig. 32. Special Types of Tanks.—One of the troubles which frequently arises in the operation of all types of natural sedimentation or septic tanks is a nuisance from smell, due to offensive gases given off by the effluent. These are the result of the decomposition under anaerobic conditions of the organic matter deposited in the tanks. It is possible to arrange them in such a way, that the conditions which cause the trouble may to a great extent be avoided even in the ordinary types of tanks. Fig. 33. Hydrolytic Tank.—There are, however, several types specially designed to eliminate these troubles altogether, by separating the flow of sewage through the tank from that section in which the composition of the sludge takes place. Among these is the hydrolytic tank. This tank is already well known to most engineers, in the original form designed by Dr. W. Owen Travis, and adopted at Hampton-on-Thames, but a new and improved method of construction has recently been brought out. The principle of this tank may be described as the deposition and Fig. 34. Fig. 35. Fig. 36. Fig. 37. Fig. 38.Fig. 39. Fig. 40.Fig. 41. Fig. 42. Hydrolytic Tank. Imhof Tank.—A somewhat similar tank has been introduced in Germany, and is known as the Imhof tank; but in this case the whole of the sewage is passed through direct to the outlet, and none is allowed to flow through the portion in which the decomposition of the sludge takes place. These tanks are known in Germany as “Emscherbrunnen,” from the district in which they were first introduced. The present type has been designed by Dr. Imhof, the engineer to the Emschergenossenschaft at Essen, in Germany, and is shown, Fig. 43. It should be noted that the Fig. 43.—Imhof Tank. Skegness Tank.—With the same end in view—the separation of the process of sludge liquefaction from the bulk of the sewage flow—Messrs. Elliott and Brown, Civil Engineers, devised an ingenious arrangement of tanks for the scheme of sewage disposal which they carried out at Skegness. In this installation the sewage first enters a settling tank on the Dortmund principle, from which it overflows at the top into a dosing tank which gives intermittent discharges to the filters. The usual sludge delivering pipe from the settling tank is connected into the bottom of a separate sludge liquefying tank, the floor of which is some four or five feet below the top water-level of the settling tank. The upper part of the sludge liquefying tank is also connected to the dosing tank in such a way, that when the latter discharges it draws off several inches depth of the supernatant water from the top of the sludge liquefying tank at each discharge. The result of this operation is, that each time the dosing tank is discharged an artificial difference in level is created between the top Candy-Whittaker Sectional Elevation Candy-Whittaker Bacterial Tank.—Somewhat similar in form to some of the previously described tanks, the Candy-Whittaker bacterial tank is circular in plan and provided with a deep inner cone, which divides it into two compartments as shown, Fig. 44. The sewage enters the outer compartment through a pipe, by means of which it is evenly distributed. The outlet is through submerged effluent troughs situated inside the cone, so that the sewage must flow down to within a short distance of the bottom of the tank in order to pass under the bottom of the cone and reach the outlet troughs. In consequence of this method of Non-septic Cylinder.—The troubles due to foul-smelling gases arising from the over-septicisation of sewage in tanks, are very liable to occur in small installations for country houses, where the daily volume varies periodically, and may drop to a mere dribble when the family is away and only one or two servants are left in the house. To meet the requirements of these cases, an arrangement has been designed by Messrs. Adamsez, Ltd., which consists of a deep glazed fir-eclay cylinder, provided with special inlet and outlet pipes. In consequence of the small diameter of the cylinder, the sewage passes direct through to the outlet in a very short space of time, but leaves the solids in suspension in the cylinder, where they undergo decomposition without affecting to any great extent the character of the fresh sewage on its way to the filter. This tank is shown in connection with a small filter and special distributing apparatus in Fig. 45, and is known as the “Non-septic” cylinder. The sewage, as it leaves this cylinder, is well suited for further oxidation in properly constructed filters, or on suitable land without any possibility of causing a nuisance from smell. Fig. 45.—“Non-septic” Cylinder with Small Filter. “Kessel.”—In addition to those already described, other ingenious devices have been designed with the same end in view, viz. the prevention of nuisance from smell. Two of these, introduced by the Septic Tank Co., are based upon the theory that it is desirable to separate the solids in sewage from the liquid at the earliest possible moment after they enter the sewer. These are illustrated in Figs. 46 and 47. The former shows what is known as the “Kessel,” its name in Germany, where it was first used. Briefly described, it consists of a Fig. 46.—“Kessel” Tank. “Separator.”—The second apparatus shown in Fig. 47 is of an entirely different character, and is aptly designated by the term “Separator.” It consists of a number of comparatively shallow settling tanks, each provided at the top with a metal grating, the separate bars of which are in the form of narrow channels, with open ends discharging into a common effluent carrier. The edges of these channels are accurately planed to form weirs, over which the liquid portion of the sewage flows in an extremely thin film. These channels are provided with adjusting set-screws, so that they may all be set at exactly the same level, and thus ensure a uniform depth of flow over the edges of the whole of the channels in each tank. The combined length of the channels in each tank form a weir of comparatively enormous width, so that the velocity with which the sewage approaches the edges of the channels is extremely low, with the result that a high percentage of the matters in suspension are arrested in the tank and are slowly deposited to form sludge. The bottom of each separate compartment of these tanks is in the form of a sump provided with a sludge valve connected to a common sludge delivery pipe, leading to the sludge disposal area by gravity if the latter is at a lower level or to a sludge well if the tanks are below ground. In order to prevent the decomposition of the sludge from proceeding so far as to cause a nuisance from smell, the deposit in the tanks is drawn off at frequent intervals. Fig. 47.—“Separator” Tank. Fig. 48.—The “Fieldhouse” Tank. The “Fieldhouse” Tank.—This is illustrated in Fig. 48 (from a drawing supplied by the patentee, Mr. J. Fieldhouse) from which it will be seen that the sewage enters the central chamber A1 by the inlet pipe M, the end of which is turned down to deliver the sewage immediately over the inverted cone C. Between the inverted cone C and Fig. 49.—Slate Beds in Course of Construction. Slate Beds.—From the foregoing it will be gathered that there is a growing tendency to reduce the process of putrefaction in tanks under anaerobic conditions to the minimum, consistent with the removal of solids. If this theory is carried to its logical conclusion, it would appear to point to the elimination of all anaerobic conditions. That this is not generally done is probably due to the fact that a preliminary process of putrefaction to some extent, is, by many, considered essential in the removal of solids in sewage. On the other |