Generating of Ozone and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of ↑ Application, 7th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 28th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 3rd Sept., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Generating of Ozone and Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A., F.I. Inst.,
practising as Phillips and Leigh, of No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention--a communication from Henri
Abraham, Professor of Science, and Louis Marmier, Doctor of Medicine, both
of No. 6, Boulevard de Strasburg, Paris to be as follows;
-
The production of ozone by electric effluvia comprises necessarily two ele-
ments:
1st. Generators of ozone properly so called (ozonizers), where the gas is sub-
mitted to the action of the effluvia; and
2nd. The different electric apparatuses the grouping of which constitutes what
I shall call the setting or installation.
The novelty of my apparatus lies chiefly in the following group of character-
istic features;
The employment of parallel surfaces regulated both as regards the dielectric
and the electrodes;
The utilization of the electrodes and of the dielectric plates on both their
faces;
Efficacious utilization of the whole of the ozonising gas all the particles of
which pass at uniform speed into a space where the effluvia is equally dis-
tributed:
Continuous refrigeration of the electrodes.
These qualities permit at equal expense, of obtaining at once a higher degree
of concentration and an abundant yield of ozone. It is brought about or accom-
plished by means of the arrangement of apparatus about to be described.
First, as regards the ozone generators;-
-
The apparatus forming the subject of the present description, is formed by
the joining together of a greater or less number of plain parallel elements
succeeding one another in the following order:
First an electrode, then a space, then a dielectric followed by another space, and
o on, a dielectric being inserted between two electrodes leaving a space be-
ween itself and the electrodes on either side.
The electrodes of unequal rank are in metallic connection, as are also those of
qual rank, but the two groups are electrically isolated.
The gases are submitted to the effluvia in the spaces between the electrodes
rom the dielectrics.
The electrodes are metallic. They are made of either a non-corrosive metal, or
Ise they are covered with a non-corrosive coating, such for instance as paratfine,
hellac-varnish, or any other material applied in a liquid state and forming
protective coating for the metal within.
ונס סז

page_text: These electrodes may be cooled by the circulation of a liquid or gas in the
pipes provided for the inlet and outlet.
The electrodes are preferably of rectilinear shape, but they may be curved, or
annular, the form not being very material. The circulation of the gases sub-
mitted to the effluvia is either radial or longitudinal. The gases enter and leave
either by free open spaces, or by perforated conduits.
I give by way of example an apparatus formed of circular elements with
radial gaseous circulation in perforated conduits. The movements of gas therein
are either centripetal or centrifugal as may be desired.
The gases circulate in the following manner:-
They enter the receptacle near the top by a pipe at the side, they pass through
each element between the electrode and the dielectric following it, and then pass out
through the tube; the movement can also be made in the contrary direction.
The method of regulation is as follows:-
The electrodes are kept in a direction strictly parallel with the dielectric
plates and are placed at an uniform distance from them. To this end they have
a regulating mechanism which only requires one adjustment for them all, and
which may be re-adjusted when the plant is arranged. For this purpose I have
provided three lugs on each electrode. These lugs are of glass, or of some other
insulating material, provided with wing-screws and rest upon the dielectrio
plates. But the regulation can be effected equally well either by means of the
electrode following it, or by means of uniting all the electrodes and by means
of the general scheme of construction.
The grouping is either individual or collective. In the individual grouping,
each electrode is connected to the preceding one by means of insulating pieces,
and can, moreover, be made to form a tight frame entirely surrounding the
dielectric plate and contributing to the regulation and circulation of the gases.
In the collective grouping the electrodes are placed in one general recep-
tacle. This receptacle is only kept open when it is desired to act upon the
atmosphere of the room or chamber itself. In any other case it forms a per-
fectly hermetic case. It supports the electrodes by means of shoulders sup-
porting cross pieces on which there rests, in the case of each electrode, the
insulating support, and those electrically insulated; the same remarks apply to
the conduits in general.
An insulating gas or liquid previously chilled is made to circulate continually
in the electrodes. Water can, however, also be employed as a refrigerating
medium, in which case the liquid is taken from isolated reservoirs, fed separately
by means not likely to deteriorate the insulation, either by means of liquid
streams falling from a great height, or by means of separate drops, originating
from a sufficient number of separate and distinct openings, or, finally, in an
intermittent manner by means of auxiliary receptacles filled progressively and
then emptied into the reservoirs. The same arrangement is employed for the
discharge of the water.
Secondly as regards the electric installation:-
As is well known the quantity of ozone that can be supplied by one ozone
generator at a given expenditure of force, depends upon the electric conditions of
the effluvia; to mention only one of these conditions each generator must
operate at a certain potential.
I have studied the different electrical arrangements which can be employed,
and I have discovered that one of them yields a much larger quantity of ozone
than is yielded by the others with a similar ozone generator and a similar loss
of energy.
I will, in the first place, describe the arrangement which I employ, and then
I will give prominence to those points which make it different from somewhat
similar apparatuses already in use.
In the first place there is a generative system of alternative currents with
high potentials. This system, for instance, can consist of an alternator, driving

page_text: a transformer which raises the maximum potential to the value required for
the generator which we have just described. The two armatures of this latter
are in direct communication with the two poles of the transformer or of the high
potential current generator. Finally a discharger or deflagrator is also in im-
mediate communication with these two poles. An electric and luminous
phenomenon is produced between the electrodes of the deflagrator. The name
given to it is of but little consequence; upon the nature of this phenomenon
depends the quality of the effluvie in the ozone generator.
The discharge produced in the deflagrator can present different characteristics.
We employ the discharge which can be obtained by injecting a current of air
between the electrodes of the deflagrator. Its production is facilitated by causing
these electrodes to rotate upon their own axis.
I think it necessary to point out the difference between my arrangement and
those which have already been proposed.
Mine differs from the ordinary classical arrangement by the addition of the
deflagrator wherein the effective spark is produced. This point is essential.
My arrangement also distinguishes itself from all those where the discharge
current from an auxiliary condenser is used to drive the ozone generator. It is
notably different from the arrangement where the so-called "high frequency"
currents are used which would further require a solenoid or even a new trans-
former. I suppress the solenoid on the transformer and the auxiliary condenser;
this alone allows of the economical production of the electric effluvia.
However, I reserve the right to use all arrangements of the apparatus which
although less simple than that already explained, the principle remains the
same. By way of example:
Between the deflagrator and the chief generator I may place a secondary
generator of weaker power shunted on to the discharge circuit. This generator
can, moreover, be driven by a small transformer. The generator only acts whilst
the disharge takes place from the chief generator and serves to recuperate a
portion of the energy dissipated in the spark.
1 .
1907
Generating of Ozone and Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., Fel. Ch. Inst. P.A., F.I. Inst.,
practising as Phillips and Leigh, of No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the Administrative County of London, Engineer and Patent Agent, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:
-
For a long time past ozone generators, consisting of dielectric plates placed
between metallic electrodes having sufficient space between them to admit of
the circulation of the gas it is desired to submit to the electric effluvia, have
been known, but up to the date of my investigations these different apparatuses
have presented two serious disadvantages which have rendered their use very
difficult.
In the first place, their electrodes get hot, and secondly their dielectrics are
frequently pierced by sparks.
A good ozone generator should be free from both these defects.

page_text: I have succeeded in making an ozone generator in which these two disadvan-
tages are avoided.
As regards the cooling of the electrodes, some twenty five years ago the idea
was conceived of making water circulate in the electrodes which were formed of
deep metallic boxes, and more recently the same idea has been taken up again
by others, but all have been hampered by the same difficulty. There are two
electrodes (or more usually two series of electrodes) between which there exists
a very great potential or power difference. They could not get the water to circulate
at the same time in both the electrodes, or the two series of electrodes, because
water conducts the electric current and the insulation would have been
compromised. They therefore contented themselves with passing the water
through one only of the electrodes or one of the series of electrodes.
The same difficulty is met with in the still more recent apparatuses in which
the two electrodes or the two series of electrodes contain water but in which
there is no arrangement to enable the water to circulate indefinitely in the two
electrodes or the two series of electrodes. When the water contained by the
two electrodes is heated the action of the ozone generator has to be interrupted
in order to substitute cold for the hot water.
I believe that my ozone generator is the first which obtains a continual
cooling of the two electrodes or two series of electrodes without any interruption
in the action of the ozone generator.
As regards the rupture of the dielectric I believe that as yet no special
arrangement has been made in order to obviate this in ozone generators. I have
obtained my results by means of a deflagrator which is the indispensable com-
plement of my apparatus of which it forms an essential part.
I will explain further on the characteristic differences between this arrange-
ment and that which, for instance, Tesla employs to produce currents of so-
called "high frequency."
In the accompanying drawings illustrating the description of my inven-
tion:-
Figure 1 is a side view and longitudinal section of the ozone generator;
Figure 2 is a section following line -x of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a diagram showing the electric adjustment I employ;
Figure is a diagram showing the electric adjustment usually employed;
Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams showing various methods of my adjustment.
Figures 7 and 8 are two apparatuse which I employ to ensure cooling without
comprising the insulation.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 my ozone generator comprises flat parallel
elements arranged in the following successive order, namely: electrode E¹,
interval; dielectric D¹, space; electrode E; space; dielectric D³; space;
electrode E3 and so on. The electrodes paired evenly (E³, E, etc.) are metallic-
ally connected, and the same is the case with the uneven electrodes (E', E³,
Eetc.) but the two groups are electrically insulated the one from the other,
and the gases are submitted to the electric effluvia in the spaces or intervals
between the plates.
The electrodes are metallic and covered with a non-oxydizable coating, such
as paraffine-wax, silicates, red lead, enamel or some other product not affected
by ozone. Their form is preferably annular, but their shape can be varied at
will, the electrodes could be made square. The chilling is effected by means
of water, (or some other fluid) which enters through the tubes F and f and
escapes by the pipes G and
g.
The circulation of the gases submitted to the effluvia may be radial when
passing from or to the periphery or to or from the centre of the circular elec-
trodes, or the circulation may be longitudinal when passing over or across the
electrodes. The gases pass sometimes through the free openings and sometimes
through special pipes. For instance.
In Figures 1 and 2 the gas enter through the free openings Z and pass either
through the central opening 2 or from the periphery of the electrodes, in the

page_text: free space between each electrode and the corresponding dialectric plates D¹, D³;
and escape by the pipes T.
In some of my apparatus, I utilize for the escape of the gas, a somewhat
different process.
I make a small opening in the centre of each of the dielectric
plates, opposite the central opening of the electrodes. All the electrodes and
all the said dielectric plates being thus pierced, I pass through all these open-
ings a tube pierced with holes throughout its entire length. This unique tube
enables the gas to be sucked up into all the spaces subjected to the effluvia
at one and the same time; it takes the place of the pipes T shown in Figures 1
and 2.
For regulating, each electrode is arranged exactly parallel with the neigh-
bouring dielectric plates. The same amount of air is allowed to enter each
electrode and the dielectric plates. In order to regulate this, screws h are used;
these pass through the lugs H and rest on the dielectric plates D. The same
result can also be obtained by placing small insulating blocks of the necessary
thickness between the dielectrics and the electrodes.
The electrodes are placed in the main body A. They are supported by the
insulating cross-pieces I and C fixed on the brackets B.
I also construct apparatus in which the electrodes are supported on insulating
feet.
The chilling or cooling of the electrodes is obtained by means of a current of
water; but as there exists between the two series of electrodes, a great difference
of potential, they cannot all be connected directly to the water conduits; so I
have devised an arrangement enabling the water to circulate simultaneously in
the two series of electrodes without compromising the insulation and without
being compelled to stop the apparatus in order to replace the hot water by cold.
This result is obtained by means of one or the other simple arrangement
shown in Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7 the water which comes from the tap R¹,
passes into the non-insulated reservoir R³. The bottom of this reservoir is
perforated, and the water falls drop by drop into the insulated reservoir R³
from whence it goes to the electrodes E¹, E³, E³. A similar arrangement
is used for cooling the electrodes E, E, Eº. The same method is pursued
for the escape of the water. Hence in this case it is the use of these separate
drops which enables the electrodes to be fed continually without compromising
the insulation.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 8 the water also arrives continually
from the tap R into the non-insulated reservoir R2; but, owing to the siphon S¹
the water can only pass from time to time from the reservoir R to the insulated
reservoir R'. In the same way the water will pass from time to time away from the
insulated reservoir R' to the insulated reservoir R5 which feeds one of the series
of electrodes. Finally, the interposition of the reservoir R³ between the reser-
voirs R and R causes a delay in the filling of R' and this delay prevents the
two siphons S and S3 from working at the same time, which would destroy the
insulation of the electrodes.
As I have previously explained my ozone generator requires an indispensable
accessory-viz.:-a deflagrator. This deflagrator is formed by two metallic
balls which are in electric communication with the two armatures of the ozone
generator. Every time the difference of power attains a determined value, a
spark passes between the balls of the deflagrator. The quantity of ozone
obtained depends upon the nature of this spark. The most effective spark is
that obtained upon injecting a strong current of air, or steam between the two
balls of the deflagrator.
The ozone generator M and the deflagrator N are shown in Figure 3 with
the alternator K and the high potential transformer L.
I also reserve the right to use slightly different arrangements which do not
alter the principle of using the deflagrator in conjunction with the ozone genera-
tor.

page_text: Two of these arrangements are shown in the diagrams Figure and Figure 6.
Figure 5. Between the deflagrator and the chief ozone generator M, I place
an auxiliary ozone generator M of weaker power shunt wound on to the dis-
charge circuit. The ozone generator M¹ works only during the passage of the
spark in the deflagrator. The object of this modification is to utilize, for the
production of a fresh quantity of ozone, the greater part of the energy which
would be wasted in the deflagrator.
Figure 6. If the auxiliary ozone generator of Figure 5 does not act well,
its power must be increased by means of the small auxiliary transformer L'.
I will now point out the differences between my arrangement and those
which have already been proposed.
My arrangement, Figure 3, differs from the arrangement of the ordinary
type, Figure 4, in having the addition of the deflagrator N with its effective
spark
"3
"
My adjustment is also distinguished from those used to produce the so-called
"high frequency currents of Tesla. To get these "high frequency
currents it is necessary to first charge the condenser and then dis
charge it afterwards in a circuit containing a solenoid. An electric
shock is produced in this circuit, and this sharp shock is used or turned to
account by putting the two extremities of the solenoid in communication with
the apparatus through which it is desired to pass the "high frequency" cur-
rents. Mr. Tesla also uses this solenoid in another way; this solenoid serves as
a primary circuit to a transformer the secondary circuit of which then supplies
currents of a very high degree of potential.
There are fundamental differences between the combinations of Mr. Tesla
and those which I employ. These differences are found essentially in the sub-
stitution of ozone generators for condensers.
"
"3
In order to show that this constitutes a characteristic difference, it will suffice
to recall the nature of a condenser and that of an ozone generator. The name
condenser is given to the electric apparatus in which power can be accumu-
lated by polarising a dielectric plate placed between two metallic armatures or
in other words, by charging the armatures. If the apparatus is discharged it
should restore in its entire integrity the electric power it has received; its action
is essentially reversible.
On the contrary an ozone generator is an apparatus combined in such a way
as to produce the electric effluvia or silent discharge at each instant; that is to
say innumerable little sparks scattered throughout the whole of the apparatus.
This sparking induces the transformation of the oxygen into ozone, but it is
necessarily accompanied by a transformation of the electric energy into heat.
Hence, when the ozone generator is discharged it only returns a small per-
centage of the power it has received. Its action is essentially non-reversible.
Thus, when a combination is made as an ozone generator, it is sought to trans-
form into heat in it the greater part of the electric energy by means of the
effluviæ. On the contrary, in a condenser, endeavours are made, and successfully,
to avoid absolutely the production of ozone by effluvia and the transformation
of electric power into heat. Consequently a good ozone generator makes a very
bad condenser, and vice versa.
These two kinds of apparatus cannot therefore, be substituted the one for the
other, since they obey exactly opposite laws.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1
1. An ozone generator, all the electrodes of which are circular or rectangular
and give off electric effluviæ from their two surfaces and the centres of which
are provided with an opening for the sucking up or delivery of the gases sub-
mitted to the effluviæ substantially as described and illustrated.

page_text: 2. An ozone generator the dielectric plates and electrodes of which are each
provided with a central opening such openings forming collectively a central
canal through or in which is placed a perforated pipe substantially as described
and illustrated.
3. The combination of an ozone generator as above described with circular
or rectangular electrodes-traversed in the centre by a tube-with a deflagrator
the poles of which are directly connected with the electrodes of the ozone
generator, substantially as described and illustrated.
4. In an ozone generator the combination of circular electrodes or rectangular
electrodes, the centres of which are provided with an opening for the passage of
the gas, with a deflagrator, and with a cooler consisting of a tap such as R¹, a
perforated reservoir such as R, and an insulated reservoir such s R³, with a
view to making the cooling liquid fall drop by drop into the insulated reser-
voir Rs from which it goes to the electrodes E E E etc., where it circulates
simultaneously and renews itself continually, substantially as described and
illustrated.
5. In an ozone generator, the combination of circular electrodes and dielectric
plates traversed in the centre by a perforated tube, with a deflagrator, and with
a cooler consisting of a tap such as R¹, non-insulated reservoirs such as R2 and
such as R3, syphons such as S1 and S2 and insulated reservoirs such as R and R5
with a view to passing with but slight interruptions the cooling liquid into the
said reservoirs so that it may go from these to the electrodes, circulate there
simultaneously, and renew itself continually, substantially as described and illus-
trated.
6. The combination of main ozone generator with an auxiliary ozone generator
of weaker power, actuated by the current discharged from the main ozone
generator, the electrodes of the auxiliary generator being connected to two
points of the discharge circuit substantially as described and illustrated in
Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination of the ozone generator with an auxiliary generator of low
power, actuated by the current discharged by the main ozone generator by
means of a small auxiliary transformer, substantially as described and illus-
trated.
Dated the 28th day of Anril 1898