A Process and Furnace Installation for Continuous Process of Production of a Non-exploding Mechanical Admixture of Oxygen and Hydrogen.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Process and Furnace Installation for Continuous Process of
Production of a Non-exploding Mechanical Admixture of Oxygen
and Hydrogen.
I, Dr. CHARLES POLONY of Vienna VI/2 Mittelgasse 6, Austria, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention concerns the production of a compound of oxygen and
hydrogen which being produced by the decomposition of steam at a continually
high temperature, without the aid of pipes, either straight or spiral, cannot explode.
As in this process the decomposition of steam is not, as hitherto, due to an oxida-
tion, either of a metal or otherwise, and as there are no chemical agencies that
co-operate in the decomposition, to my knowledge, or that will engage one or the
other of the constituent elements of water, as is the case with metallic pipes, both
of the constituent elements of water are obtained, in my process of decomposition,
as a mechanical admixture, at a high temperature, without any risk of explosion.
This admixture is maintained in the furnace, or in some other locality, as long as
the requisite conditions for its existence are offered, which is the case within the
furnace installation. These conditions are-(seeing that water, assumed at 18 units
of the atoms, requires 68,400 caloric units in order to be decomposed into its
elements)-the temperature just stated, a non-diffusive casing (metal, fire-clay, etc.
are diffusive) and the friction arising by motion in chambers placed in tiers above,
or parallel side by side with each other within the furnace. If the said tempera-
ture goes down, the gases having been brought to the highest degree of expansion,
the formation of water will ensue, without an explosion, after the "status-nascendi
temperature. The cause for this differing behaviour of the gas compound obtained
in this way, as compared with explosive oxy-hydrogen, is simply due to the different
mode of production of the two compounds and the consequences thereof.
While explosive oxyhydrogen can be kept, as such, in unchanged condition, at
a normal temperature, in closed vessels, my compound cannot be either produced
or kept as such in the same way.
While in the case of explosive oxybydrogen this effect characterising the mixture
is produced by the sudden expansion of the gas atoms--in conjunction with the
surrounding strata of air-hy "combination exciter," my gas mixture, at the
time of its formation as well as subsequently, is in that stage of expansion and
temperature which, in the case of a combination of the constituents of oxyhydrogen
to form water, does not occur until the very moment of combination; hence my gas
compounds can never explode, neither during their production nor at the time of
their recombination to form water.
It appears from this fact:
(a.) That explosive oxyhydrogen is produced in another way than the gas
compound here in question, as in the former each constituent element of water is
obtained quite separately from the other and the two are, afterwards only, mixed
at a low temperature,-bence its material difference from the latter;
(6.) That explosive oxybydrogen as such can be kept in an unchanged condition
for a long time, which would not be possible in the case of my gas compounds

page_text: this differing behaviour of the gas mixture obtained in this way, as compared with
explosive oxyhydrogen, is simply due to the different mode of production of the two
mixtures and the consequences thereof.
While explosive oxyhydrogen produced on any system hitherto known can be
kept, as such, in unchanged condition in closed vessels, at a normal temperature,
my gas mixture cannot be either produced or stored as such in the same way.
While in the case of explosive oxyhydrogen the detonating effect characterising
the mixture is produced by the sudden expansion of the gas atoms when combining
with air from the surrounding strata of the atmosphere owing to the influence of
any combination exciter" (i.e. any agent which will promote recombination of
the dissociated gases) my gas mixture, at the time of its formation as well as
subsequently, is in that state of expansion and temperature which, in the case of the
explosive oxyhydrogen mixture, does not supervene until the very moment of the
combination of its constituents to form water; hence my gas compounds can never
explode, neither during their production, nor at the time of their recombination
to form water, in consequence of a decrease of temperature.
It appears from this fact:-
(a.) That explosive oxyhydrogen is produced in another way than the gas
mixture here in question, as in the former each of the two constituent elements of
water is obtained quite separately from the other and it is not until afterwards
that the one is admixed to the other, at a low temperature; hence the material
difference between this and the gas mixture prepared by me, and the different
behaviour of the latter at high temperatures.
(b.) That explosive oxyhydrogen, as such, can be kept in an unchanged condition
for a long time, which would not be possible in the case of my gas compounds
except by separating the two constituent gases and subsequently readmixing them,
whereby (and not until then) ordinary explosive oxyhydrogen would be formed,
which object is not intended.
Consequently, the gas mixture here in question is essentially different from
explosive oxyhydrogen. While the latter is absolutely useless for the applications
which I have in view, the former has eminent advantages for purposes of chemical
wholesale industry.
According to my invention, steam or aqueous vapour or water spray or the like
is overheated in a furnace suitable for obtaining maximum temperatures, in
enclosed channels, formed and surrounded by heated impermeable fire-proof brick
walls, in which process the steam, under the influence of a high degree of heat
absorbed by it, combined with friction and pressure, is gradually transformed into
the desired mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. As such it is passed on into a
"treatment chamber" built into the centre of the furnace, where it is immediately
utilised, being made to act, direct, upon substances or materials introduced therein;
in this immediate application, which is arranged so as to go on "pari passu" with
the continuous process of production, the caloric energy contained in the gas
mixture may at the same time be utilised to advantage. The material used for
building these channels or chambers is chromic iron ore, or so-called "chromate
of iron" which not only resists elevated temperatures to an extraordinary degree,
but is also impermeable at high temperatures. Any air incidentally entering with
the steam will not in any way influence the process of decomposition.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown, by way of illustration, but without
binding myself to this or any other definite form of furnace, an installation suitable
for the carrying out of the process, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a horizontal section in the line 1-1, Fig. 3 and 5.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal section in the line 11-11, Fig. 3 and 5, above 1-1
Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the diametrical axis A-B, Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 a vertical section through the diametrical axis C-D, Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section, executed half way only, in the line Q-Q, Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 a similar partial vertical section in the line Q-P, Fig. 1.

page_text: One of the requisite conditions for the generation of the abovementioned mixture
of oxygen and hydrogen, besides high temperature and the pressure arising of its
own accord in the channel a, is the friction caused by the rough walls of the
channel, so that, as a matter of fact, a non-explosive mixture of hydrogen and
oxygen is formed in the channel, which mixture will keep its condition unchanged
for any length of time if the conditions of its existence, indicated in the early part
of this specification, riz.: heat and friction, are maintained. The ordinary fire-
proof materials commonly used, will become porous and permeable at high
temperatures, as is also the case with metals; hence all these substances are
completely useless for the purposes of the present invention. The chamber E
arranged in the centre of the furnace structure, is the reduction or oxidation
chamber, and serves to receive the chemicals, gases, or solid substances to be
subjected to the influence of free oxygen and hydrogen, and which are introduced
at O.
The remaining residues are carried off through the pipe S, underneath a
perforated plate X, which is moveable on hinges, to a place rendered accessible
through the "tunnel" Z, underneath the chamber E, while, laterally above, a
pipe 9 is fitted to the shaft as a discharge for the volatile products resulting from
the process. The mixture of hydrogen and oxygen thus formed is intended to
remain in a state of mechanical admixture within the furnace, or rather within the
chamber E, until it has fulfilled its purpose in the latter, that is to say until it has
been used for some process, or until the constituents of the mixture are used
inde endently of each other. A suitable "separator," or medium of separation of
the > gases contained in the furnace in mechanical admixture, is constituted for
instae, by a thin partition of fire-brick material, platinum in thin sheets, an
electric spark, or other means. An electric spark, for instance, will effect the
separation of the gas mixture referred to, from each other, in such a simple and
rapid way as to require but an exceedingly small quantity of electricity in order to
separate large volumes of the said gas-mixture quickly, and with next to no
expense. An equally successful separation of the two gases is effected by a layer
of fire-brick material, the separation in this case being effected thanks to the
different gravity and density of the two gases.
As an example of how industrial processes may be carried out in the chamber E.
under the conditions described, and with the aid of the gas-mixture produced,.
I may mention the following as one of such as cannot be carried out with equal
success by any other method or while using other simple gases.
If the chamber E be charged with NaCl, the chloride of sodium, in the presence of
free hydrogen (H2) and free oxygen (O), would be decomposed owing to the high
temperature, into volatile chlorine and Na; in the "status nascendi," the chlorine-
would combine with H to form HCl and the Na would in the first place combine
with the existing O, and then with the remainder of H, to form caustic soda,
according to the following formula :-
NaCl + 2H + 0 = NaOH + HCl.
If the chamber E or some other chamber which has assumed a lower temperature
than E, is fed with a continuous supply of SO,, and this is brought into contact
with the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen or else with oxygen alone, there would
be formed, out of the sulphurous acid SO2,-(not in chamber E itself, but in a
chamber with a correspondingly lower temperature, or shortly before the condensa-.
tion of the gases,) 2 H + 20+ SO, SO,H, that is to say hydrated sulphuric
acid, or in the second instance, when oxygen only is admitted, anhydrous sulphuric
acid (SO) which on admission of atmospheric air is most readily converted
into SO,H..
A modification of the aforesaid furnace, differing in some respects from the
arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 7, is shown in the annexed drawings Figs. 8.
and 9, and more fully described hereinafter because, though working with the same
materials, namely, water and coal, it yields different products. These products.

page_text: thought expedient to use oxygen alone for this purpose.
(Fig. 7) is closed, in order to prevent all access of air there.
In this case valve C¹
In this mode of working the products of combustion are exhausted by suitable
apparatus at A (Fig. 9), from the channel d which can be shut off lower down, and
in view of the great amount of heat which they still contain, are utilised for
converting water into steam, and are then passed into a reservoir (gas-holder)
whence they are conducted for the purpose of compression, to a compression pump,
these products being, in fact, carbonic acid. The hydrogen accumulated within
the firebrick cylinder is likewise conducted, in a continuous current, into a gas-
holder, from which it is drawn, as required, through J. Fig. 8. The final results
of this process, are carbonic acid on the one hand, and hydrogen on the other hand,
with a high degree of heat.
Secondly. When sufficient hydrogen has accumulated in the gas-holder in which
it is collected, the furnace installation here described by way of illustration, may
be heated by its means, in conjunction with either atmospheric air or oxygen,
instead of burning coal. In this case no charge of coal is placed on the grate R.
(Fig. 8) which is shut off against the atmospheric air outside at D. S. If now, at
the same time, instead of air, a current of hydrogen, from the hydrogen gas-holder
is introduced into the igniting chamber P. through the air-supply orifice c' (Fig. 7)
and channel C. it could be ignited there, being supplied with the oxygen or air
required for its combustion through pipe O (Fig. 8) and Y, while X would remain
shut off. In burning the hydrogen with air the register U. (Fig. 8) would have
to be opened. The product of combustion would be water in the form of steam
which, after giving off a great part of its heat in the.channel a, would pass from
this through the channels b. b. to d, whence it would be exhausted by suitable
apparatus at A. or discharged through W. into the chimney (see Fig. 9).
This method of heating is inexpensive, while steam introduced into the furnace
at (Fig. 7) is decomposed quite as efficiently as if the furnace is heated with
coal.
The final results of this process are hydrogen and oxygen, with a high degree of
heat obtained without any consumption of ccal.
The hydrogen, in this case, is abstracted at J. (Fig. 8) while the oxygen is
exhausted by suitable apparatus at H. (Fig. 9). The two constituent elements of
water are each stored in separate gas-holder, because if they are brought into
contact again after their separation their nature will be identical with that of
the explosive compound known as.oxyhydrogen.
Thirdly. If, according to local requirements, the heat generated by the com-
bustion or oxidation of hydrogen. is to be utilised in the furnace described for the
production of ordinary coal-gas for heating and lighting purposes, the furnace is
first heated up in the manner described, whereupon (or if the furnace is already
hot) the process continues as follows:
The two constituent elements of water are gained as described, in the furnace
shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and are conveyed to their respective gas-holders. Thereupon,
with a view to the further operation, the grate R. is charged with coal; all access
of atmospheric air from outside is then cut off at c (Fig. 7) and steam is admitted
into the hot furnace at v (Fig. 7) whereupon all access of atmospheric air is also
cut off at D and U (Fig. 8), the supply of oxygen required for maintaining the
combustion of the coal on grate R. is then admitted, from the oxygen gas-holder,
through pipe O, and introduced, highly heated, at X. (Fig. 8), while the discharge
orifice at y is closed. The product thus obtained from the combustion of the coal,
as it receives an insufficient supply of oxygen would be carbonic oxide, with
hydrogen as a secondary product and a high degree of heat. If instead of oxygen
only, the mechanical mixture of hydrogen and oxygen were admitted into the
furnace, the products obtained would be carbonic oxide, hydrogen, and water (in
the form of steam). The latter would be eliminated, by condensation, in the
cooling process subsequently undergone by the coal-gas.
In this way, quite a variety of combinations may be obtained; the above