Improvements in Galvanic Cells.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1899-Accepted, 15th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Galvanic Cells.
I, WILLARD ERASTUS CASE, of the Town of Scipio, Cayuga County, New York,
United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists in a galvanic cell of the form known as a single fluid
cell, provided with a positive element of carbon, which is chemically attacked by
the electrolyte, with the consequent formation of carbon-dioxide at ordinary
temperatures, and the electrolyte is maintained in effective condition by a current
of oxygen, as for instance, atmospheric air, being blown through it. The cell,
as thus constituted, is a practical and effective apparatus for effecting the com-
bustion of carbon, by the atmospheric oxygen at normal temperatures, with
direct production of an electric current as the result.
The accompanying drawing represents, in vertical section a form of apparatus,
which will serve to carry out this invention; but, as will be readily understood,
details of form and proportion are of slight consequence in the operation of this
invention.
Within a suitable containing vessel, D, is the electrolyte, A, which is an
aqueous solution of ferric chloride, preferably acidulated by the addition of a
sufficient quantity of free hydrochloric acid to prevent the formation of basic
compounds, which might otherwise be formed in the cell, and would appear as
a precipitate. Within said solution, are immersed two electrodes, B, and C;
the positive, of carbon; the negative, of platinum: and, upon completion of the
exterior circuit, between these two electrodes, an electric current is produced.
As the operation of the cell continues, the ferric chloride solution is gradually
reduced to the ferrous condition, and is restored as often as this reduction occurs
by passing a current of oxygen into and through it.
It will suffice for this purpose, if a current of air be blown into the cell by
means of the tube, H, and bellows, G, shown in the drawing, so as to bubble up
through the electrolyte.
The positive carbon electrode may be either a solid rod or carbon in the form
of powder, inclosed within a suitable porous cup; or, it may be strewn in
powder upon the bottom of the cell: the negative electrode is preferably platinized
platinum, or a plate of platinum, this platinized construction giving the best
results.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
(1) The process of producing electrical energy by the oxidation of carbon by
means of an electrolyte acting as a carrier of oxygen at normal temperatures.
(2) The process of producing electrical energy by the oxidation of carbon by
means of an electrolyte acting as a carrier of oxygen at normal temperatures, and

page_text: maintaining the efficiency of the electrolyte by re-oxidizing the same, as for
instance, by atmospheric oxygen.
(3) The process of producing electrical energy by the oxidation of carbon by
means of the atmospheric oxygen at normal temperatures in the galvanic cell,
by means substantially as follows: by reducing a ferric chloride solution, forming
the electrolyte within a galvanic cell, between a positive carbon electrode, and a
negative platinum electrode, and then, reoxidizing the said solution or electrolyte
to the ferric condition by forcing atmospheric oxygen through the same.
(4) A galvanic cell comprising the following elements: a positive carbon
electrode, a negative platinum electrode, and an electrolyte solution of ferric
chloride, together with means for reoxidizing the electrolyte by the introduction
of oxygen, as it is reduced in operation to ferrous chloride.
Dated this 10th day of June 1899.
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.