ACTION OF DIBDIN CONTACT BEDS 
63 
BEDS Nos. 2 and 2a 
The first contact bed (No. 2) is made up of red sandstone obtained from 
Wavertree, and has a depth of about 3 feet. Bed No. 2a is constructed of coke 
broken to about the size of coke breeze. 
The area of bed No. 2 is 230 square yards and of No. 2a 254 square 
yards, with a capacity of 230 cubic yards and 254 cubic yards respectively. 
These beds commenced working on the 17th August, 1899, and were charged, 
as in the case of No. 1, with three charges per day, the only relief being during times 
of heavy rainfall, when the sewers were delivering practically nothing but storm water. 
This rate of working was reduced to two charges per day on the 24th February, 
1900, owing to the surface of the bed showing signs of foulness, and this reduced 
rate at present continues. 
On the 23rd January, 1900, the bed was opened up, and about 1^ inches of 
sludge was found at the bottom, but in other respects it was in a similar condition to 
No. 1 bed. 
A noticeable feature in the case of this bed was the length of time the 
sandstone remained clean and bright upon the surface. 
The following statement shows the capacity of the bed at the various times 
on which it has been tested by measurement : — 
Date 
Cubic feet 
Gallons 
* August 17th, 1899 
2,450 
I5.3IO 
1 8th, „ 
2,300 
October 6th, 
2, 1 50 
' 3,44° 
November 29th, „ 
2,IOO 
13,120 
December 19th, „ 
2.O5O 
12,810 
January 24th, 1900 
1,950 
12,190 
February 23rd, „ 
1,900 
1 1,870 
March 19th, 
1,800 
1 1,250 
April 23rd, , 
I.JOO 
10,620 
BEDS Nos. 3 and 3a. 
In this instance the first contact bed is composed of ordinary gas coke placed 
in position as carted from the works, and has a depth of about 3 feet. 
The second contact bed (No. 3^2) is filled with sand and gravel, the greater 
part consisting of sand containing a certain amount of grit. This is, however, 
imported into Liverpool as Wyre Gravel. 
* First time of charging, material dry. 
