The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-30
With Money Pouring In Upon Him
DR.. Cottrell Diverts Golden Stream
to Benefit Struggling Scientists

1t was in 1906 while he was work.
Ing as assistant professor OF chemis-
try n. tho University Of California
that the idea FIRST came to DIR. Cottrell.
California at that time was much an
noyed over fumes from smelters.
There were examples of II close to the
university. Tho fumes were admit
teddy neccssary to the running OF tho
smelters. hut were a nuisance to every
one within their radius. There was
continued talk about II. but no one
suggested a possible remedy. excepting
to remove the smelters.
Springs His Surprise.
DR.. Cottreil said little, but It was
noticed that he began spending all his
spare time in the laboratory. He
worked whenever he got chance dur
ing the day and far into the night.
Finally no surprised his friends at the
| university by telling them that he had
discovered an electrical precipitation
process which would do away with
the smoke.
In general way his idea was to
remove the suspended particles from
the gases by the aid OF electrical dis
charges. His process was to operate
by passing the gases, carrying the
suspended, finely divided particles, be-
tween two systems OF electrodes, one
Of which was made to carry mega
tive electrical charge, while the other
carried a positive charge.
The electrodes were to be charged
by being connected with a source Of
high voltage electricity. consisting Of
high voltage transformer for in
creasing the electric potential up to
working voltage of from 10000 to
100000 volts. A rectifier for changing
| alternating current into direct current
and a switchboard were to provide the
necessary control equipment. DIR. Cot
trell figured that the suspended par
ticles while passing between the cleo
trodes would become electrically
charged and would be driven into
pipes by the forces Of the electric field.
The professors ut the university be-
lleved in Cottrell and were interested
In his announcement. although they
all agreed that nothing could be done
with it without money.
CottreI had no money. He was dis
tlnctly hard up" in those days, but
he was certain he could eliminate the
| smoke nuisance IL given a chance. He
obtained the personal and financial
assistance finally OF Prof. Edmond
O'Neill Of the chemistry department
and DR.. Harry East Miller and E. s..
| Heller, both alumni OF the university.
This put him in q position where he
could attempt to get some of the
smelling companies interested, but his
efforts along this line were either not
taken seriously or were ridlculed.
There's n smoke bug up in the uni :
versity," was the only comment heard
which even indicated to DIR. Cottrcll
that his presence was known by the
men running the smelters. Strangely
enough this smoke bug" was to play
an all important part in the develop.
ments of the future.
1t happened that the Riyerdale
Portland Cement Company, near Riv-
erdale. Cal. was having all manner of
trouble with the orange growers in the
vicinity. Dust blown out of the stack,
from the rotary kilns was settling in
the buds and killing the crops. The
orange growers had taken the matter
into the courts and were spending
hundreds Of thousands of dollars IL.
pressing anil winning their cases.
I The company bought I'D the land at