US1628201A - Liquid conditioning and supply system - Google Patents

Description

E. M. SCOVILLE LIQUID CONDITIONING AND SUPPLY SYSTEM May 10 1927. 1,628,201

Filed May 31, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1,628,201- y 10 1927' E. M. SCOVILLE LIQUID CONDITIONING AND SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed May 31, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 49 Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES EUGENE M. SGOVILLE; OI MILWAUKEE,

WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO FLOYD L. SWANBEBG, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.

LIQUID CONDITIONING AND SUPPLY SYSTEM.

Application filed Kay 31,

This invention relates in general to improvements in the art of conditioning liquids and of supplying treated liquid to points of utilization; and relates more specifically to an improved method of and apparatus for purifying, cooling and otherwise rectifying liquid such as lubricating oil or the like, and to improved instrumentalities for transporting the liquid through the conditioning apparatus and to-the liquid utilizing devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of and apparatus for conditioning liquid. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved system of conveying liquid and of supplying vthe same to one or more types of liquid conditioning or utilizing devices.

In the operation of certain types of apparatus such as high speed energy converting machines, it is important to maintain a continuous. and abundant supply of properly conditioned oil for lubricating purposes. The present commercial practice for maintaining a suflicient supply of oil for such apparatus, is to provide an oil storage reservoir of relativelylarge capacity and to circulate the oil from the reservoir along the various bearings and from thence back to the reservoir. Due to the fact that it is impossible to entirely prevent exposure of the oil toheat, dust, air, water and other impurities, the oil soon becomes overheated and polluted with sludge and water, thereby materially reducing its value as a lubricant. Thepreseut invention contemplates the provision of an improved rocess of and means for automatically rectifying the oil in such lubricating systems, and also contemplates various improvements in the manner of circulating the oil.

Some of the more specific objects and advantages of the present improvement are as follows I To provide a simple, efficient and automatically functioning liquid rectifying system wherein all forms of impurities are effectively removed and wherein the temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a mostefiicient value.

To provide a lubricating s stem in which a minimum quantity of liqui lubricant may be used for a relatively long period of time to produce eflicient and abundant lubrication.

To provide a closed circuit oil supply sys- 1924. Serial No. 716,946.

tem in which predetermined quantitiesof 0 1l may be treated successively either continuously or in batches, and in which the rectified oil may be automatically returned forreutilization.

'I o provide liquid rectifying apparatus which is simple in construction and eflicient n operation, and from which accumulated 1m urities may be conveniently removed.

0 provide lmproved means for effectively removing solids from liquids.

To provide improved apparatus for efiectively and automatically removing both soluble and insoluble sludge from oil.

To provide improved devices for separatmg liquids having different specific gravity, such as oil and water. To provide improved means for automatically controlling and reducing the temperatulre of a body of liquid such as lubricating o1 To provide an im roved enclosed lubricatmg system the con ition of operation ofv all portions of which is conveniently determinable from the exterior of the apparatus, and the operation of which may be readily varied to meet any desired conditions.

To provide an oil supply system which embodies relatively few moving parts, and which is extremely flexible and fool-proof m operation. I i

To provide a continuous by-pass lubricating system wherein sludging of the oil is minimized by preventing exposure of heated oil to the atmosphere.

To provide a lubricating system of large capacity, the cost of installation and maintenance of which is a minimum and wherein the oil is automatically maintained in relatively pure condition. I

These and other specific objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the course of the following description.

A clear conce tion of embodiments of the several novel eatures of the present improvement and of the operation of apparatus constructed in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and. forming a part of this specification 1n which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of a lubricant conditioning and suppl system, the main supply reservoir and t e conditioning apparatus of which is shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the oil conditioning apparatus having the covers thereof re moved, showing also a portion of the oil circulating mechanism and piping which is normally associated with the conditioning apparatus. 1

Fig. 3 is a section taken transversely through the water and sludge removing section and through a fragment of the filtering section of the oil conditioning apparatus.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the oil conditioning apparatus, showing a fragmentary section through the final settling and cooling section thereof.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a fragment of the oil conditioning apparatus.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View through a portion of the water and sludge removing section of the oil conditioning apparatus.

The improved oil supply system comprises in general a storage reservoir 2 of any desired capacity from which oil may be disstributed directly to points of utilization; oil conditioning apparatus consisting of a preliminary purifier or initial water and sludge removing section 3, a filtering section 4, and a final purifier or settling and cooling section 5; a circulating pump 6 of variable capacity; a plurality of pipe lines for conveying the oil from the reservoir 2 through the conditioning apparatus and back to the reservoir; and improved apparatus for indicating the condition of operation of the system.

The main storage and supply reservoir 2 is ordinarily situated so thatoilvmay be conveniently withdrawn therefrom, delivered to the bearings and returned to the reservoir in any suitable and well known manner. The reservoir 2 is provided with an impure oil discharge ipe 11 associated with the bottom thereof, t e pipe 11 preferably being provided with a shut-off valve 12. A pipe for returning rectified oil, communicates with the upper portion of the reservoir 2.

At a point beyond the shut-off valve 12, the impure oil discharge pipe 11 communicates with an automatic water ejector 10 which in turn communicates with a main by-pass flow indicator 9 of improved construction. The chamber of the flow indicator 9 has a water discharge pipe communicating with the ejector l0, and is connected by means of a main discharge pipe 13 with the initial water and sludge removing section 3.

The preliminary purifier or initial water and sludge removing section 3 of the conditioning apparatus is housed within a removable sealed casing having a cover 49 at the top thereof for permitting inspection and cleaning. A strainer 57 is located in the upper portion of the section 3 adjacent to the delivery end of the pipe 13, and the V discharge of oil through the pipe 13 is con trollable by means of a valve 14 operable by bottom. The lowermost extremity of the settling chamber 47 is provided with a water seal 66 and a sludge skimmer 33 the open top of which is located at or below the level of the water in the seal 66. A series of parallel inclined plates 34 are disposed above the settling compartment 47 as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, these plates 34 forming a plurality of independent superimposed relatively shallow inclined settling chambers 101 which communicate with each other through short tubular risers 43 located at the lower extremities of the plates 34. The lower end of each of the shallow inclined settling chambers has a relatively small sludge and water discharge opening 100 communicating with the interior of a sludge and water deflector 32, the deflectors 32 overlapping as shown and being arranged one above the other within a vertical conduit having a lower discharge opening communicating with the skimmer 33. The upper-most extremity ofeach of the shallow inclined settling chambers 100 communicates through an inclined saw cut 102 with the interior of a vertical discharge pipe 46, and each of the chambers 101 formed between the plates 34, is preferably provided with a plurality of perforated bafiie walls 44. The upper extremity of the notched pipe 46 communicates with the discharge chamber 103 of the Water and sludge removing section, this discharge chamber being located above the upper plate 34 and having a discharge opening communicating directly with a header62. I

The header 62 which is free to receive the partially purified oil from the initial water and sludge removing section 3, is located within the filtering section 4 of the oil conditioning apparatus. The filtering section 4 comprises a casing forming a chamber 104 which completely surrounds the removable sludge and water removing section 3 and has an inspection cover 63 at the top thereof. A plurality of readily removable filter cells 7 may be associatedwith the header 62 in such a manner as to receive relatively impure oil from the header and to deliver the oil from within, outwardly through the fabric filtering medium and into the chamber 104 surrounding the cells 7 in relatively purer condition. One or more cooling coils 31 may be disposed within the pure oil chamber .104 of the filtering section 4 in order to reduce the temperature of the oil if desired, while a heating coil 61 may be utilized to make the oil relatively fluent prior to filtration thereof in case the oil has not been sufliciently previously heated. The pure oil chamber 104 of the filtering section 4 has a direct .outlet at the bottom thereof communicating with a three-wa valve through a discharge pipe 42, and as another outlet at the top thereof controllable by a check valve 16.

The final purifier or settling and cooling section 5 of the oil conditioning apparatus comprises a plurality of relatively deep interconnected chambers 50, 51, 52 53, 54, 55 which are accessible by means'of covers 64. The pure oil compartment of the filter section 4 communicates with'the settling com partment past the valve 16 through a vertical ipe and past an oil deflector 17 which is ocated in the lower ortion of the first settling chamber 50. he upper extremity of the chamber 50 communicates through an opening 68 with the interior of the upper stationary section 59 of a vertical telescopic oil conveying tube. The lower movable section 23 of each oil conveying tube has a deflecting plate 69 at the lower end thereof, .each tube sectionj23 and deflector plate 69 being vertically adjustable within, the corresponding stationary tube. section 59 by means of an adjusting chain 37 suspended from the top of the stationary tube section 59. The packing rings 105 carried by the movable tube sections 23 coact with the internal bores of the stationary tube sections 59 and prevent short circ'uiting of the oil. B means of the telesc'o ic oil conducting tu s, the successive sett ing chambers 50, 51, 52, 55, 54. 53 are connected in series, the chamber 50 having its upper extremity connected. with the lower ortion of the chamber 51, the chamber 51 aving its" upper extremity connected with the lower rtion of the chamber 52, the chamber 52 ligving its-upper extremity connected with the lower portion of the chamber 55."and so on. Within the lower portion of each of the settling and cooling chambers 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,- 55 is located a sludge skimmer 20 communicating with a valve controlled sludge removing pipe 40. Adjacent to the upper discharge openings of the skimmers 20, is

,located a water basin 66 which is common to all of the chambers 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 by virtue-of the fact that the partitions betweenthese chambers do not extend entirely to the bottom of the casing forming the housing for the settling and cooling section 5. A single water supply and drain pipe 26 communicates with this water basin 66, the pipe 26 being interchangeably communicable with a fresh water supply valve 38 and with "an impure water and sludge discharge valve 39.. The final settling chamber 53 has two outlets at the top thereof. The main discharge from this settling compartment is through a vertical riser pipe 21 and aconnecting pipe 24 to the ree-way valve 25. An auxi i ary outlet located above the upper extremity of the pi e 21 is provided past the check valve 22 irectly to the clean oil compartment of the filter section 4. The,

municable through the three-way valve 25 either with the pipe 42 which communicates directly with the clean oil compartment 104 of the filter section 4, or with the pipe 24 which communicates through the ipe 21 with the final settling and cooling 0 amber 53. The discharge pipe 28 of the pump 6 communicates directly with the pure oil supply pipe 30 of the reservoir 2. A by-pass pipe 36 having a normall open shut-ofi valve 29 therein, isadapte to connect the pump discharge pipe 28 directly with the pure oil compartment ofthe filter section 4 pasta floatcontrol valve 41, and with the first settling and cooling compartment 50 past a valve 18 controlled by means of a float '19. The float controlled valve 41 is so adjusted that it will not open unless the level of the oil in the pure oil compartment 104 of the filter section 4 becomes extremely low, whereas the valve 18 will open as soon as the oil level within the chamber 50 drops slightly below normal. A secondary by-pass pipe 35 which is controllable by means of a valve 27 and delivers'oil through an auxiliary by-pass flow indicator 8, is adapted to connect the pump discharge pipe 28 directly with the first settling chamber 50 through a coagulant mixer 108, pipe 109 and the deflector 17.

The initial water and sludge removing section 3 is provided with an automaticwater ejector 48 of previously known construction. and the sludge skimmer 33 is' provided with a controllable sludge discharge 56. The reservoir 2 is also preferably'pro-- vided witha drain in addition to the outlet pipe 11. The pure oil compartment 104 of thefilte'r section 4 as well as the other compartments of the apparatus, are preferably provided with gauges 58 for indicating the oil levels therein, and each of the conditioning sections is also preferably provided with thermometers for indicating the temperature of the oil passing therethrough.

uring normal operation of the apparatus, it may be desirable to operate only the initial water and sludge removing section 3 and the filtering section 4, or it may be desirable to also operate the final settling and cooling section, depending upon the condition of the oil being treated. It is well known that oil having a temperature over- 130 degrees is capable of carrying soluble sludge in solution, and that this ob ection- 'able substance will be precipitated if the temperature is reduced below 130 degrees. It is the function of the final settling and cooling section 5 to automatically remove this soluble sludge and the minute water particles by precipitation. The settling and cooling section 5 may either be cut out entirely or it may be operated continuously or intermittently as required, and the period of time for which the oil is retained in the section 5 may be varied at will in order to insure complete removal of all impurities,

Assuming that-the apparatus is operating normally and at full capacity, the pump 6 is in operation, the valve 12 is wide open and oil is being constantly delivered from the reservoir 2 through the pipe 11, indicator 9 and pipe 13 to the initial water and sludge removing section 3 past the strainer 57, by gravity. The overflow opening of the indicator 9 is preferably located below the level of the oil in the reservoir 2 and the indicator 9 indicates the rate of flow which may be varied by adjusting the capacity of vthe pump 6. The separator 10 functions to remove accumulated water from the pipe 11 and to deliver the water to the pipe 13 which dischar es such water into the initial Water and slu ge removing section 3 together with the oil. The voil entering the initial water and sludge removing section 3 passes downwardly through the vertical conduit at the end thereof and is heated to a substantially uniform temperature by means of the heating coil 45, being delivered from thence into the lower separating chamber 47. In the separating chamber 47 the velocity of the oil is'relatively low and a considerable portion of the insoluble sludge 65 is precipitated and withdrawn by means of the sludge skimmer33. The oil then passes upwardly through the risers 43 into the lower ends "of the relatively shallowsettling chambers 101 formed between the inclined plates 34. In passing upwardly through these relatively shallow chambers, in parallel, the oil en gages the baflle walls 44 and these walls cooperate with the force of gravity to separate more of the insoluble sludge and water which passes downwardly along .the plates 34 through openings 100, the hoods 32 and the conduit 60 to the sludge skimmer 33 and to the water remover 48. The relatively pure oil is delivered from the shallow superposed settling chambers through the saw cuts 102 of the vertical pipe 46 at the upper ends of these chambers to the oil storage chamber 103 at the upper portion of the initial water and sludge removing section 3.

The level of the oil within the section 3 is controlled by means of the float 15 which operates the inlet valve 14 to prevent an oversupply of oil from the reservoir 2.

From the initial section 3 the oil is delivcred to the header 62 wherein it may be further heated by means of a heating coil, if necessary. From the header 62 the oil flows by gravity through the filter. cells 7 thus efi'ectively removing the solid impurities. The relatively pure oil delivered into the chamber 104 surrounding the filter cells 7, may have its temperature materially reduced by contact with the cooling coil 31, but reduction of the temperature to a point below 130 degrees is preferably efiected in the final settlin and cooling compartment 5. f

If. the three-way valve 25 is set to establish communication through the pipe 42 with the pump 6, and to cut ofi the communication with the pipe 24, then oil is being withdrawn directly from the pure oil compartment 104 of the filter section 4- and is being forced by the pump 6 through the pipe 28 and the pipe 30, back to the reservoir 2, it being presumed that the valve 27 is closed and that proper levels of oil have been established in the chambers 104.and 50 so that the float valves 41, 18 are closed. If the three-way valve 25 is set to establish communication through the pipe 24 with the interior of the settling chamber 53, and to cut ofl' communication with the pipe 42, then the oil in the pure oil chamber 104 of the filter section 4 rises and flows through the valve 16 and spreader 17 into the initial settling compartment 50 and from thence in series through the subsequent settling compartments 51, 52, 55, 54, 53. While passing through the settling compartments of the final settling and cooling section 5, the oil travels at extremely low velocity and by virtue of this low rate of travel the oil. is cooled suflicien'tly to permit precipitation of the soluble sludge and residual water. therefrom, thus leaving the oil in 'relatively pure condition and at a desirably low temperature in the final separating compartment 53. The water thus precipitated together'with the sludge are withdrawn by the Skimmers 20 and delivered from the apparatus through the discharge pipes 40. The purified oil is then discharged past the strainer 106 and through the pipes 21, 24 to the pump 6 from whence it is delivered through the pipes 28, 30 to the reservoir 2. In case the oil rises in the cha1nber53 to the level of the check valve 22, the excess oil isdischarged past the strainer 107 directly to the pure oil compart- .ment'104 of the filter section 4.

By opening the valve ,27, part of the oil delivered from the pump 6 through the pipe 28 may be caused to pass through the indicator 8, pipe 35 coagulant mixer 108, pipe 109 and spreader 17 into the preliminary settling chamber 50. In the mixer 108, a coagulant such as soap powder may be added for the purpose of augmenting the precipitation of the soluble sludge. When the valve 29 is open, and the level of the oil within the pure oil compartment 104 of the filter section 4:, drops to a sufficient extent, then the float valve 41 automatically opens and causes a portion of the oil-discharge by the pump 6 through the pipe 28 to return directly to the ure oil compartment of the filter section. ikewise with the valve 29 open, the float 19 will automatically function tot open the valve 18 in case the oil in the preliminary settling. chamber 50 drops below a redetermined level. It will thus be note that by manipulation of the various valves, practically any desired condition of operation of the apparatus may be attained. A certain portion of the oil may be passed continuously through the final' settling and cooling section 5, or the oil may be confined in this section by batches. The section 5 may also be cut out completely and the volume of oil contained in the section 5 may be readily varied by raising the adjustable pipe sections 23 and admitting a deeper 'water basin 66 to the lower portion of the section 5 through the water inlet valve 38. Upon closing the various valves for admitting oil to the settlingand cooling section 5, the section 5 may be readily drained by opening the drain valve. 39 thus permitting the entire contents of the settling chambers to flow through the pipe 26. l

The water and sludge removing section 3 may likewise be readily drained and cleaned upon closing the valve 14. By attaching a hose to the upper end of the vertical pipe 46, cleansing fluid may be sprayed through the saw cuts 102 in the side of the tube46 and through the shallow settling chambers 101 from which the water and dirt are discharged through the lower openings 100 and the hoods 32 to the skimmer 33. Such flushin of the chambers 101 may be effected wit out draining the initial section 3 or interrupting the o ration thereof. The filter cells 7 are a so convenientlyremovable; for cleaning. it being possible to remove one or more of the cells 7 without interrupting the operation of the apparatus.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that the entire apparatus functions to automatically rectify the oil and to keep the same .in highly eflicient condition. The

oil is continuously treated in three difiercut and independent purifiers thus effective- 1y removing all impurities, and delivering the oil in practically its original condition. With the' aid of this apparatus the life ofthe oil is vastly increased and eflicient lubrication is assured, and it never becomes necessary to drain; the reservoir 2 as in prior systems. The various chambers are maintained substantially air tight and excessive agitation is avoided, thereby eliminating oxidation of the oil. The entire apparatus is extremely simple in construction, automatic in operation and devoid of moving parts thus reducing to aminimum the cost of operation. The capacity of the apparatus may be varied by merely adjusting thev capacity-of the pump 6 thus varying the rate of travel of the oil.

The specific type of indicators 8, 9 disclosed herein also embody novel features, but these features do not form part of the present application. The filter cells 7 are ikewise of novel construction and the features thereof form the subject of a copending application. While this specification and the claims make specific reference to the treatment of oil, it will be apparent that the principles of the invention are also applicable to the treatment of liquids other than oil.

It should be undertsood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to ersons skilled in the art.

It is c aimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination, a source of oil supply, a preliminary urifier communicating with sald source, a ter communicating with said purifier, a final purifier, and means for interchangeably conveying oil either] directly from said filter to said sourceor from said filter through said final purifier to said source. 4 2. In combination, a source of oil supply, a preliminary purifier communicating with said source, a filter communicating with said purifier, a final purifier, apump communicable with said source, and means for interchangeabl conveying oil either directly from sai filter through said pump to said source or from said filter 7 through said final purifier and through said pump to said source.

3. In combination, a source of oil supply,

purifier, a final purifier, a pump for delivering oil to saidsource, said pump havin a single suction, and conduit means for de ivering oil either from said filter or from said final purifier directly to said pum suction.

n combination, a filter, a settling and cooling device communicable with said filter, a pump having a single suction, and means for effecting interchangeably delivery of oil vice directly to said pump suction.

- a preliminary urifier communicating with said source, a fi ter communicating with said 'either from said filter or from said dev purl er.

I said intermediate purifier,

5. In combination, a source of oil supply, a filter communicable with said source, a settling and cooling device communicable with said filter, a pump for delivering oil to saidsource, and means for efi'ecting interchangeable connection either of said filter or of said device with the single inlet of said pump.

6. In combination, a source of 011 supply,

'afilter communicable with said source, a

for returning oil directly from said pump to said filter and to said device.

8. In combination, a source of oil supply, a filter communicable with said source, a final purifier communicable with said filter, a pump ada ted to withdraw oil from said purifier an to deliver said oil to said source, and means for returning a portion of oil propelled by said ump directly from said pump to said puri er.

9. n combination, a source of oil supply, a filter communicable with said source, a final purifier, a pump adapted to interchangeably withdraw oil from said filter or from said purifier and to deliver said oil to said source, and means For returning a portion of the oil propelled by said pump directly to said purlfier.

10. In combination, a source of oil supply, a preliminary purifier adapted to receive oil directly from said source, an intermediate purifier commlmicable with said preliminary purifier, a final purifier communicable with a pump adapted to interchangeably withdraw oil from said intermediate or said final purifiers and to return said oil to said source, and means for returning a' portion of oil propelled b. said pum direct y from said pump to said final 1 1. In combination, a urifier, a source of oil supply for said puri er, a ump for deli'vering oil to said source, and means controllable' by variations in the level of oil in said purlfier for delivery oil directly from said pump to said purifier.

12. In combination, a filter, a purifier communicable'with said filter, a pump adapted to be interchangeably connected with said filter or said purifier, and float operated means for automatically returning liquid propelled by said pump from said pump to said filter and said purifier.

13. In combination, a filter, a purifier, a

the' up pump, and means controllable by variations in the quantity of liquid in said filter or of said purifier for causing said pump to deliver liquid directly to said filter or to said purifier.

14. In combination, a preliminary purifier, a filter. communicable with said purifier, a final purifier, a pump for interchangeably withdrawing liquid either from said filter or from said final purifier, and means operable by variations in the liquid levels in said filter or said final purifier for effecting direct return thereto of liquid from said pump.

15. In combination, a source of oil supply, a preliminary purifier communicating with said source, a cooling device communicating with said purifier, a pump for conveying oil from said cooler to said source, means for returning a portion of the oil discharged by said pump directly to said device, and means for introducing coagulating substance to said device with said returned oil.

16. In combination, a preliminary purifier comprising a plurality of superposed relatively shallow inclined precipitating chainbers, means for introducing relatively hot impure oil to said chambers, means for subsequently filtering the oil delivered from said purifier, and a final purifier communi-' eating with said filter and comprising a plurality of relatively deep cooling and precipitating chambers connected in series.

17. In combination, a purifier comprising a plurality of superposed relatively shallow inclined settling chambers, means for admitting impure oil in parallel to the lower portions 0 said chambers, means for delivering impurities from the lower portion of each of said chambers, and a pipe having a lateral perforation communicating with er portion of each of said chambers.

18. n combination, a purifier comprising a plurality of superposed relatively shallow inclined settling chambers, means for conducting oil in parallel upwardly through said chambers, a plurality of bailies spanmngwach of said chambers, and a single pipe having downwardly directed lateral perforations communicating with upper portions of said chambers. v

19. In combination, a liquid purifier comprising a plurality of super osed relatively shallow .inclined settling c embers, means for conductin impure oil in parallel through said 0 ambers, and a single pipe having a perforation disposed within the uppermost portion of each of said chambers for removing relatively purer oil therefrom. 20. In combination, a plurality of superposed relatively shallow inclined settling chambers, means for conducting impure oil in parallel through openin s in the lowermost portions of said cham ers, and a pipe having a. downwardly inclined slot in the uppermost portion of each of said chambers for conducting relatively pure oil therefrom.

21. In combination, a liquid purifier comprising a plurality of relatively deep settling chambers having a common water basin at the bottom thereof, and a telescopic vertical tube for conducting liquid from one of said chambers to another.

22. In combination, an oil purifier comprising a plurality of relatively deep settling chambers having a common water basin at the bottom thereof, means for connecting said chambers in series, and a sludge skimmer located in the lower portion of each of said chambers above the level of said liquid basin.

23. In combination, an oil purifier comprising a relatively deep settling chamber having a liquid basin in the lower portion thereof, and an overflow pipe associated with said chamber, said pipe comprising a stationary upper section and a vertical] adjustable lower section through which Oll is delivered to said lower chamber portion above said basin. Y

24. In combination, an oil purifier comprising a relatively deep settling chamber havin an impurities discharge at the bottom t ereof, and an overflow pipe leading 3 from said chamber, said pipe comprising a vertically adjustable lower section and a deflector plate located below said section.

25. In combination, an oil purifier comprising a plurality of relatively deep settling sections having a common water basin in the bottom thereof, means for simultaneously equalizing the depth of the water in all of said sections, a common drain for all of each of said sections with'the bottom of a succeeding section.

27. In combination, an oil purifier comprising a plurality of relatively deep settling sections connected in series and havin a common Water basin at the bottom thereo means for equalizing the depth of said basin, and means for simultaneously withdrawing sludge from all of said sections directly above the water level in said basin. In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aflixed hereto.

EUGENE M. SCOVILLE.

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