CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF HEAT AND LIGHT IN GENERAL
Year: 1849

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
PIERRE GILLARD, Gentleman, of Paris, in the Republic of France, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-second day of
November, One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine, in the thirteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Joseph Pierre Gillard, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her
especial license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Joseph Pierre Gillard, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Joseph Pierre Gillard, my exors, adiñiors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and
in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and in all Her
said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF HEAT AND LIGHT IN GENERAL;" in which said
Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Joseph Pierre Gillard,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chan-
cery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the

page_text: said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Pierre Gillard, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention consists in certain apparatus and processes for producing
hydrogen gas by the decomposition of water, and its application to heat and
light. Science, which taught us the decomposition of water by several pro-
cesses, has not, however, discovered the means of decomposing it at a low
price, or enabled us to obtain hydrogen. extracted from water, before my
Invention.
I will successively. describe the means and processes by which I obtain
this gas-namely, firstly, by the incalescence of iron; secondly, by carbon;
thirdly, by magnets.
Firstly, means and processes for obtaining hydrogen in decomposing water
by incalescent iron.
In Figure 1, Drawing. I., a, a, a, a, represent iron tubes which are exter-
nally oxidized and internally unoxidized, or filled up with pulverised coal, to
form voltaic elements; B, B, are steam pipes conducting the steam into
retorts within which it is decomposed; C is the retort; D, D', cylindrical
plates, in which all the tubes pass. They shut the inside of the retort air-
tight. E, E', pipe for the ingress of the oxide of carbon into the inside of the
tubes a, a, a, a, to disóxidize them; F; F, F, F, fire, serving to heat the
retort; G, G, egress pipe, through which the carbonic acid produced by the
disoxidation of the iron is conducted; H, pipe through which the hydrogen gas
égresses into the refrigerent lids K, K, closing the two extremities of the retort.
The apparatus represented by Figure 2, Drawing I, is similar to that of
Figure 1, except, however, that the tubes a, a, a, a, are replaced in Figure 2
by the chains a, a, a, a, which are suspended from the top extremity of the
retort. In the retorts C, C, Figures 1 and 2, purposely constructed and filled
up either with iron tubes (enclosed in iron plates) or with-iron chains, iron
wire, or spirals of the same metal rendered incalescent, I introduce steam from
any generator whatever, or I even produce steam by means of water injected
into the retorts. The oxygen of the water combines with the iron; and the
hydrogen is conducted from the retorts C, C, through the conduct pipe H in a
refrigerent, and thence into the someter, from which it is afterwards con-

page_text: ducted, by means of conduct pipes placed under or above ground, to be distri-
buted and delivered. for public consumption. When the iron is oxidized I
disoxidize it, firstly, by means of the waste gas of furnaces. The carbonic acid
of the furnaces is at first changed into an oxide of carbon within the furnace
in which the oxide of carbon as well as the hydrogen are produced. The last
gas is obtained by the injection of steam into the oxide furnace (a kind of kiln),
and the oxide of, carbon and hydrogen are afterwards injected into the retorts
C, C, containing the oxidized iron. This latter transmits the oxygen to the
oxide of carbon, and to the hydrogen which has been generated in the furnace
for. oxide, of .carbon. During this operation a large quantity of caloric is dis-
engaged, and contributes, to. heat the retorts C, C. When the iron is to be
deoxidized the tap of the steam induct pipe B, B, is closed, unless it should
be thought advisable to..conduct the operation for oxidation and disoxidation
simultaneously.in. a.manner. similar to the mode of operating when the tubular
retorts, or those filled, up with separate plates (as shewn in Figure 2) are
employed. The water can be decomposed by filling up the iron tubes a, a, a, a,
with pulverized coal (the tubes form then as many voltaic batteries), or when
the iron of the tubes is arrived at a state of complete oxidisation by causing
to pass inside the. said tubes some1.oxide of carbon, which disoxidizes them
whilst they. continue oxidizing externally.
e
"
* :
Secondly, I also disoxidize iron, by causing to fall on incalescent iron some
pulverized coal, charcoal, coke, pit. coals, ligneous substances, &c. When I
cause. pulverized coal to fall on the iron, I use, as herein-after described, an
endless screw...:
I deoxidize iron also, by injecting, on the oxide of iron, some
hydrogen oxide of carbon, or, by throwing, on the incalescent iron some oil or
any of the hydrocarburets, even tar or ammoniacal waters.
Thirdly,, I can also perform the disoxidation of iron, by carrying it to a
white heat, when this metal loses its oxygen like peroxide of manganese, and
returns to the state of protoxide of iron; by which means the water is decom-
posed. The retorts. are placed either, horizontally or perpendicularly in the
furnaces; however, I find it more advantageous to effect the decomposition of
water.in retorts set perpendicularly when operating with chains or iron tubes;
but when decomposing water with pounded coal, coke, pit coal, ligneous sub-
stances, &c., I set the retorts horizontally in preference.
Process for producing hydrogen gas by the decomposition of water with inca-
lescent coal, coke, pit coal, ligneous substances, or carbonized pit, &c., or by
means of oxide of carbon:-
Figure 3, Drawing I., is a sectional elevation of an apparatus for producing
hydrogen gas by the decomposition of water. In that Figure A represents an

page_text: horizontal retort; B is the tube which conducts the steam from the boiler into
the retort is the boiler within which the steam is produced; D is the tube
alimenting the boiler C with water from the reservoir E, which is placed above;
E, a reservoir for water, feeding the boiler C; F, educt pipe, through which
the hydrogen gas, carbonic acid, and a small quantity of oxide of carbon,
ascend to be educted from the retort; G is a small cylinder; H, conduct pipe
for the gas to the epurator; I, syphon serving to indicate that the steam is in
excess within the retort; M, internal tube within the retort to distribute the
steam.
The Figure 4 represents a sectional elevation of an apparatus for injecting
pulverised coal. In that Figure A, B, reprent a reservoir of pulverised coal;
C, an endless screw, giving the motion; D, pinion, receiving the movement
from the screw C; E, stuffing box; F, screw, effecting the distribution of the
coal; G, conical stopper, which is taken off to aliment the reservoir with coal;
E, iron sieve, supported by jutting out parts I, I, I, cast with the retort R;
K, egress for the gas; L, epurator; P, tubes for the ingress of the steam in
the retort; Q, lid, which is taken off to clean the retort; R, heated retort;
M, N, top of the retort.
In Figure 5 A represents a reservoir of powdered coal; C, an endless
screw giving the motion; B, screw serving to distribute the pulverised coal;
D, educt pipe for the hydrogen gas, carbonic acid, and for a small quantity of
oxide of carbon; E, epurator; F, F, conduct pipe of the hydrogen to the
gasometer; H, sieve serving to distribute the pulverised coal; L, pipe serving
to feed the retort with steam water; O, retort heated to white heat; Z, chamber
of the gasometer; Y, vatt in which the chamber Z is floating.
I cause steam to pass within the horizontal retorts A, A, Figure 3, Drawing I.
(similar to those employed in coal gas works, filled up with more or less deep
layers of coal; the steam is distributed in the whole of the retorts A, and on
the surface of the coals by means of one or more pipes B, in connection with
the boiler C, and pierced with holes of a small diameter like the spout of a
watering pot; the contact of the steam produces hydrogen, carbonic acid, and
a small quantity of oxide of carbon, and other gases. These several products
are educted by the pipe H into an epurator where the carbonic acid remains,
the hydrogen passes from the refrigerator to the gasometer. It is well to
observe that this apparatus, as represented in Figure 3, for decomposing water,
is similar to that in which coal is distilled; the steam tubes B and the feeding
boiler C alone are different and new, as is the system of deposing the steam on
the surface of the coals, instead of having it to pass through them. The water
can also be injected in a direct manner into the retorts A, but only within a

page_text: certain quantity, and in a proportion to the production of gas. It is easily
perceived that the above herein-before described mode of producing hydrogen
gas is new, though the retort A is set in a manner similar to that employed in
the coal gas works.
My improved system is entirely different to the mode hitherto employed, by
which hydrogen gas, carbonic acid, oxide of carbon, and carburetted hydrogen,
are generated, by causing the steam water produced in the retort to pass through
deeply laid layers of coals. My improved system herein-before described can
also be employed by using a perpendicular retort, Figures 4 and 5, Drawing I.,
which is heated to white heat, and filled with steam water. I inject into it a
small quantity of pulverised coal by means of the screw F and C of the same
Figure, which, decomposing the water, forms hydrogen gas, carbonic acid, and
a small quantity of oxide of carbon. The three gases are made to pass in an
epurator E, Figure 5, in which the carbonic acid remains, the hydrogen from
the epurator E is conducted to the gasometer Z. It is sometimes more easy to
inject into the retort the oxide of carbon, which decomposes the water, and
produces the same result as shewn in Figures 4 and 5, Drawing I.
Process for producing hydrogen gas by decomposing water with magnets.
The Figure 1, Drawing II., represents a front elevation of the apparatus for
decomposing water by means of magnets, and the producing hydrogen gas
therefrom. A, A, A, A, represent the bobbins of induction. B is the axis
giving motion to the bobbins A, A, A, A. C is the conduct pipe for the
oxigen; D, the conduct pipe for the hydrogen gas; 0, the pipe in which the
oxigen is produced; H, the pipe where the hydrogen is generated; M; the
gasometer for the oxigen; G, the gasometer for the hydrogen; K, K, large
troughs of water, which can be either heated or acidulated. I decompose
water by using magnets working with the induct bobbins A, Figure I.,
Drawing II. I set all the movements of each magnet a, a, a, a, on an axis
B, which set in motion all the bobbins A; and as there is only one resistance
of attractive action which is resisted by that of the opposite pole, it follows that
with a very small force I put in action a considerable number of magnets by
means of cogs and transmission of mechanical movements; the magnets
decompose the water, and give out pure hydrogen at one pole, and at the other
oxigen gas equally pure. These gases are both received in separate and
purposely prepared gasometers. The water set in vacuum, or containing a
certain portion of acids, or heated to a certain temperature, or even steam
water; is more rapidly decomposed; and to carry out more easily the above
operation, it is well to operate within the herein-before stated limits.

page_text: Improved process for rendering hydrogen gas illuminating.-By causing a
small jet of lighted gas to pass through a burner (the holes of which are very
small) on a very thin platinum sheet, or also on a wick made of platinum web,
having its threads excessively fine and of a graduated section proportionate to
the intensity of the pressure of the flame and of the burning hydrogen, a very
powerful light is produced. The plantinum threads become immediately
incalescent, and of a whiteness such that the luminous refulgence is extraor-
dinarily brilliant. To obtain a very brilliant light the wicks must be like that
shewn in Figure 6, Drawing I. In that Figure A represents a wick made of
platinum, and graduated according to its size. B, B, are platinum bearers to
support the wick; C is the gas burner for the escape of the lighted gas;
D, D, D, D, platinum threads which maintain the wick, which is here conical,
but may receive any other form, and instead of platinum threads non-oxidisible
or unalterable metals can be employed. The wick must receive the shape
necessary to agree with that of the jet of hydrogen gas; it can have the shape
of a cone or any other form, as herein-before stated, according, however, to the
size which the gas takes when it is allowed to egress from the burner. I
must, however, observe that the wick is to be made more or less strong
according to the greater or less intensity of the heat to which it is exposed.
The burners, as well as the wicks, can vary indefinitely in their shape. I do
not limit also the length or the strength of the wicks, nor the height at which
they are to be suspended, all those conditions being subordinate to the power
and the brilliancy of the light to be obtained.
Process for heating melting furnaces for ores, locomotive boilers, and
dis-oxidising iron and other metals.-In melting furnaces for ores already
constructed I utilize the gas which is lost through the mouths, and I accele-
rate the melting of the ore by the combustion of the hydrogen, oxide of
carbon, and air combined together. The hydrogen is produced either in the
retorts, as I have herein-before stated, or in a furnace from twelve to fifteen
feet high, constructed like a kiln, and filled up with coke, charcoal, pit coal, or
other ligneous substances; I cause a powerful draft to be maintained at the
same time that I inject steam. The hydrogen and oxide of carbon, which are
produced together, are drawn out by means of a strong and mechanical draft.
The melted ore in the furnace is more or less carburetted by the powdered
coal thrown upon it. This process is employed in puddling furnaces, in which.
carburation is easily effected by cementation as well for pig-iron as for steel.
The same herein-before described process is equally applicable to reverberatory
furnaces for heating. boilers and locomotives. I heat boilers and locomotives

page_text: by hydrogen and oxide of carbon injected under the boilers or the locomotives
with hot or cold air by means of very small holes, or divided and concentric
cubes set under the boilers; and I inject also hydrogen and oxide of carbon
nto the tubes of tubular boilers by employing concentric tubes, in which the
air and gases of the tenders, which are purposely constructed, are made
to enter. I construct gas burners with double currents of air, that is to say,
the air acting internally and externally on the flame. These burners have
the advantage of presenting a larger quantity of air or of oxygen to the
combustion of the gas.
And having now described the nature of my Invention, and the processes and
means for performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details in the construction of the apparatus, or the
precise mode of carrying out the processes I have described, provided the
general features of the mechanical arrangements and processes for carrying
out my Invention be: preserved. But what I claim as my Invention, and
intended to be protected by the herein-before recited Letters Patent, is,-
Firstly, the production of hydrogen gas by decomposing water in furnaces
and retorts serving to distil coal, as herein-before described, reference being
had to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Drawing I.
Secondly, the process for producing hydrogen and a small quantity of oxide
of carbon, as herein-before described, reference being had to Figures 3, 4, 5,
Drawing I.
Thirdly, the illuminating, by means of the electricity of magnets put in
notion by any mechanical power, as herein-before described, reference being
had to Figure 1, Drawing II.
Fourthly, the process for producing hydrogen and oxigen by means of
magnets put in motion simultaneously by any force whatever, the two gases
being separately collected, as herein-before described, reference being had to
Figure 1, Drawing II.
Fifthly, the means of rendering. platinum, and other unalterable and non-
oxidisible metals, illuminating by the combustion of hydrogen, or even
of oxygen, as herein-before described, reference being had to Figure 6, of
Drawing I.
Sixthly, the process for rendering platinum or other non-oxidisible metals
more or less illuminating by means of hydrogen, or of hydrogen and oxygen,
or also of hydrogen and air united before or at the place of combustion, as
herein-before described, reference being had to Figure 6 of Drawing I.
Seventhly, the process of illuminating by heating platinum and other non-
oxidisible metals to luminous white heat by means of oxygen, burnt either

page_text: alone or combined with hydrogen, as herein-before described, reference being
had to Figure 6 of Drawing I.
United as herein-before described.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-second day of May, in
the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Joseph Pierre Gillard came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifica-
tion aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in
form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.