Fig. 87.—Revolving Distributor.
The revolving distributor manufactured by Messrs. Ham, Baker and Co., Ltd., shown in [Fig. 87], consists of a revolving trough to which the distributing pipes are connected. The trough is supported upon ball bearings carried upon a pillar, and the special feature of the apparatus is that the incoming sewage is delivered into the central trough in such a way that it strikes upon blades fixed in this trough, and it is claimed that in this way full advantage of the initial head of sewage is obtained. By this means also no special joint is required between the fixed and revolving parts. A special method of gaining access to the ball-bearings for inspection and cleaning is provided. In connection with this distributor the makers supply an automatic cleaning gear for the spray holes, [Fig. 88]. This consists of a rocking bar attached to each arm of the distributor and provided with a number of small fingers or pickers, one opposite to each hole. An arm or a lever attached to the rocking bar, and suspended from same to within a short distance of the surface of the filter, comes into contact with a block of wood or other material fixed in the filter itself at each revolution, and thus causes a movement of the rocking bar which actuates the finger points and causes them to pass in and out of the spray holes in the arms. By this means any obstruction is removed and forced out by the pressure of water within the arm, and the holes are kept free.
Fig. 88.—Cleaning Gear for Spray Holes.
The “Facile” rotary distributor shown in [Fig. 89] is manufactured by Messrs. W. E. Farrer, Ltd. The special advantage claimed for this distributor is that it has no joint, so that there is no friction to overcome beyond that in the ball-race, upon which the whole weight of the revolving portion is supported. It is provided with a syphonic attachment to the central column, and thus acts as a self-dosing distributor, and, if desired, can be connected direct to the septic tank. A patent gauging tube is fitted, so that the volume of the dose may be gauged whether it is fed from the dosing chamber in the ordinary way or direct from the septic tank. Access is provided to all parts, and the ball-race can be removed without dismantling the apparatus.
Fig. 89.—“Facile” Revolving Distributor.