The Washington herald., 1908-06-07
HYDROGEN GAS MADE CHEAP
Process Perfected in Germany of
Great Interest to Aeronauts.
Water, Coke, and Calcium Carbide
the Elements Entering Into
the Manufacture of Gas.

In transmitting the following report
Consul Thomas II. Norton. OF Chemnitz
says that much interest is felt in aero
nautic and In certain mechanical circles
In the perfection by a German professor
OF a method for the economical prepara-
ton Of hydrogen gas on a large scale:
The materials employed in the new proc
ess Of manufacturing hydrogen gas are
water. coke. and calcium carbide The
first step is the production OF water
gas" the well-known gaseous mixture OBJ
tanned when a current Of steam is passed
through a thick layer OF red-hot carbon
For some years past this cheap gas has
been employed as a fuel and for illuminat-
ing purposes. either when saturated with
volatile hydrocarbons or In connection
with incandescent mantles It's own flame
when burning In the air Is almost desti-
tute Of luminous properties. Water gas
consists of a mixture OF hydrogen and
carbon monoxide gases. with small
amounts Of nitrogen, Sc Theoretically
the two gases should be present I'm equal
volumes. but in practice the amount OF
free hydrogen is far behind the theory
The professor has solved the problem
OF the elimination OF the carbon monox-
ide from the mixture by bringing into
play a very simple and elegant reaction.
The gaseous mixture is conducted over
glowing calcium carbide in the form OF
powder.
As a result the carbon monoxide IS
completely decompOsed in contact with
the calcium carbide. Lime Calcium OK
ide) is formed. and carbon in the form Of
crystalline graphite Is separated This by
product Of artificial graphite is itself cap
able OF utilization for most OF the pur-
poses where the natural mineral sub
stance is employed. The minor impurities
of the original mixtures are likewise re-
moved in the reaction. and as a result
hydrogen containing but l per cent Of
other gases is isolated.
The process is one OF extreme simplicity
and cheapness, and allows OF the easy
and rapid production of large quantities
OF nearly pure hydrogen. An installation
capable Of evolving daily a volume OF
10000 cubic feet OF hydrogen occupies
very small space. Hitherto those requir-
ing the gas for balloons OF the like have
been forced to use the expensive process
Of preparation based upon the action OF
acids (hydrochloric or sulphuric) upon
metals, usually upon iron. The Transport
tation Of acids to remote points is also at
tended with much inconvenience and diff
Guilty.
In fits notable lessening OF the cost OF
hydrogen. the new process has accom-
plished for this gas what another scient-
ist few years ago did for oxygen when
he introduced the method OF the fractional
dlstillation OF liquid air, and thus secured
an air" consisting OF oxygen with but a
slight admixture OF nitrogen.
Cheap hydrogen is Of great value at the
present stage in the development of aero
nautics. where. in many cases, II is Of
prime Importance 20 have a much lighter
gas than Illuminating gas; for example,
in polar explorations. This increased
availability Of hydrogen for technical pur-
poses Will likewise be Of distinct value in
extending its use for autogenetic welding