a Dry Method, Chiefly for Military Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 21st Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 17th Feb., 1888
a Dry Method, Chiefly for Military Purposes.
We, WILHELM MAJERT, Doctor of Philosophy, of Grünau (Mark) in the Kingdom
of Prussia and German Empire, and GUSTAV RICHTER, Premier Lieutenant, of
Falkenberg near Grünau, aforesaid, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to facilitate the production of hydrogen gas in the
field, chiefly for military purposes, and is based upon the property which zinc dust
possesses, when heated in the presence of certain water-containing bodies, of decom-
posing the latter, so as to form oxide of zinc and hydrogen gas.
To this end, cartridges are constructed containing zinc dust and substances holding
the component parts of water in a chemical combination, so that when the cartridges
are subjected to heat in a suitable apparatus, the oxygen of the water will combine
with the zinc and form oxide of zinc, and the hydrogen will be liberated, and received
and retained in a suitable receptacle.
In filling the cartridge cases, hydrated lime may be used for mixing with the zinc
dust. This, however, when made by simply slaking quick lime, contains water in
mechanical combination, which enters into re-action with the zinc dust too soon, and
before the mixture is placed in the proper heating apparatus, and must therefore be
got rid of. By subjecting the hydrated lime, before its admixture with the zinc dust,
to a heat of about 300° C., the water in mechanical union therewith will be driven off,
and the water in chemical combination will alone remain.-The hydrated lime can
then be mixed with the zinc dust, and heated up to 100° C. for a considerable time,
without the hydrogen being given off, a very considerable heat (nearly red heat) being
required to effect this liberation.
Instead of using hydrated lime, prepared as above described, with the zinc dust,
for the production of hydrogen, the zinc dust may be combined with dried hydrate of
magnesia, or doubly hydrated chloride of calcium, or with the double combination of
chloride of calcium with chloride of magnesium, chloride of sodium (or chloride
of potassium), as well as with water-containing oxychloride of calcium, or the hydrate

page_text: of soda or potassium or the double oxides of sodium and calcium or of potassium and
calcium (natriumcalciumoxyd or kaliumcalciumoxyd).
The cartridge cases for containing the mixture of the zinc dust with the water-
yielding material are of sheet iron, and about from 10 to 30 centimeters in diameter,
by from 40 to 100 centimeters in length, and after filling, are securely soldered, and
so rendered easily transportable.
The apparatus for the production of hydrogen from these cartridges or cases is
represented in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.
In the retort A are arranged a number of tubes R R, which are fitted into the end
plates or walls B and C.
The tubes R are open on both ends, or they are closed at one end, and their open
ends project into the space D, which is closed by a cap or cover F.-The latter is
provided with a tubular projection E.-In the plate or wall B, the tubes R are closely
fitted, so that the space D is quite shut off from the other part of the retort.-The
furnace for the retort is situated at H, and by means of the intermediate walls
or partitions L and M, and also by means of the channels K and J (furnished
with throttle valves), and finally by means of the chimneys S and S¹, it is rendered
possible to cause the gases of combustion to circulate throughout the retort so as to
heat the tubes R on all sides.
In using the apparatus above described, the tubes R, after the cover F has been
opened, are filled with the "cartridges" containing the gas-yielding mixture and
the cover F is then closed.-Heat being now applied by means of the furnace fire,
the soldering of the cartridges melts, and the hydrogen can therefore escape, and
it will now collect in the space D and can be led thence, through the tubular
projection E, to the place where it is required to be used.
In order that, on the charging of the tubes R with the "cartridges," the liberated
hydrogen may the better escape into the space D, the "cartridges" have a flattened
contour, as represented at Fig. 3 in cross section.
The entire apparatus is mounted on wheels, and can be easily transported to the
place where it is required for use.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that our invention consists
substantially of the three following heads :--
1. "Cartridges" for preparation of hydrogen gas, produced by the filling of air
and watertight boxes or cases with zinc dust mixed with hydrate of lime, hydrate
of magnesia, doubly hydrated chloride of calcium, or the suitable double combinations
of the latter with chloride of sodium or chloride of potassium, or with water-containing
oxychloride of calcium, the hydrates of soda or potassium, or the double oxides of
sodium and calcium, or of potassium and calcium (natriumcalciumoxyd or kalium-
calciumoxyd).
2. Producing hydrogen gas by the heating of a mixture of zinc dust and hydrate
of magnesia, hydrated chloride of calcium, or combinations of the latter with chloride
of sodium (or chloride of potassium), or with water-containing oxychloride of calcium,
the hydrates of soda or potassium, or the double oxides of sodium and calcium, or of
potassium and calcium (natriumcalciumoxyd or kaliumcalciumoxyd), substantially as
described.
3. An apparatus for the production of hydrogen gas by a dry method, consisting in
a retort mounted on wheels, and with provision for heating the same, in the front
walls of which, tubes for the reception of the hydrogen-yielding material, and open at
both ends, or closed at one end and open at the other end, are so arranged (and fitted
gastight) that the flames can come into contact with the outside of the tubes, whilst
the interior of the tubes is closely shut off against the outside by means of the end
piece or cover or otherwise.
Dated this 21st dow of Manch˚ 1907
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: A Process and Apparatus for the Production of Hydrogen Gas by
a Dry Method, Chiefly for Military Purposes.
We, WILHELM MAJERT, Doctor of Philosophy, of Grünau (Mark) in the Kingdom
of Prussia and German Empire, and GUSTAV RICHTER, Premier Lieutenant, of
Falkenberg near Grünau, aforesaid, 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 has for its object to facilitate the production of hydrogen gas in the
field, chiefly for military purposes, and is based upon the property which zinc dust
possesses when heated in the presence of certain water containing bodies, of decom-
posing the latter, so as to form oxide of zinc and hydrogen gas.
To this end cartridges are constructed containing zinc dust and substances holding
the component parts of water in a chemical combination, so that when the cartridges
are subjected to heat in a suitable apparatus, the oxygen of the water will combine
with the zinc and form oxide of zinc, and the hydrogen will be liberated, and received
and retained in a suitable receptacle.
In filling the cartridge cases, hydrated lime may be used for mixing with the zinc
dust. This, however, when made by simply slaking quick lime, contains water in
mechanical combination, which enters into reaction with the zine dust too soon, and
before the mixture is placed in the proper heating apparatus, and must therefore be
got rid of. By subjecting the hydrated lime before its admixture with the zine dust,
to a heat of about 300° C., the water in mechanical union therewith will be driven off,
and the water in chemical combination will alone remain. The hydrated lime can
then be mixed with the zinc dust and heated up to 100° C, for a considerable time
without the hydrogen being given off, as a very considerable heat (nearly red heat) is
required to effect this liberation.
In place of this preliminary heating of the hydrated lime to free it from the water
which is in mechanical combination therewith, a lime suitable for the purpose
containing no free water may be made by mixing the ordinary hydrated lime in equal
proportions with finely ground unslaked lime.
Instead of using hydrated lime, prepared by either of the methods above described,
with the zinc dust, for the production of hydrogen, the zinc dust may be combined
with dried hydrate of magnesia, or doubly hydrated chloride of calcium, or with the
double combination of chloride of calcium with chloride of magnesium, chloride of
sodium (or chloride of potassium), as well as with water containing oxychloride of
calcium, or the hydrate of soda or potassium or the double oxides of sodium and
calcium or of potassium and calcium natriumcalciumoxyd or kaliumcalciumoxyd,
hydrated cement, the bauxites argillaceous earth hydrate, water containing alkali
argillaceous earth hydrate or a mixture of these substances.
The "cartridge" cases for containing the mixture of the zine dust with the water
yielding material are of sheet iron, and about from 10 to 30 centimeters in diameter,

page_text: by from 40 to 100 centimeters in length, and after filling are securely soldered, and
so rendered easily transportable.
In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated some convenient forms of a
portable apparatus which we employ in putting our invention into effect.
Referring to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in a vessel or retort A mounted on
suitable wheels are arranged a number of tubes R R, which are fitted into the end or
tube plates or walls B and C.
The tubes R may be open at both ends, or they may be closed at one end as shown,
and their open ends project into the chamber or space D, which is closed by a cap or
cover F, which is provided with an outlet tube E. The tubes R are closely fitted in
the tube plate B, so that the space D is quite shut off from the other part of the
retort. The heat from the furnace H passes into the vessel or retort and circulates
around the tubes R, baffle plates L M being arranged in the retort to retain the heat
therein. Tubes J and K having suitable throttle valves may pass from the furnace H
to the retort to permit the heat to quickly circulate, chimneys S and $¹ serve to carry
off the products of combustion.
In using the apparatus above described, the tubes R, after the cover F has been
opened, are filled with the cartridges containing the gas-yielding mixture, and the
cover F is then closed. Heat being now applied by means of the furnace fire, the
soldering of the cartridges melts, and the hydrogen is liberated and collects in
the chamber D, from whence it is led through the outlet E, to the place where it is
required to be used.
In order that on the charging of the tubes R with the "cartridges," the liberated
hydrogen may the better escape into the space D, the "cartridges have a flattened
contour in cross section as represented in Fig. 3.
In Fig. 4 is shown a somewhat different form of apparatus which from its capability
of being worked continuously, it is sometimes preferable to use. In general con-
struction it is similar to the apparatus previously described, being a vessel or retort a
mounted upon wheels and having tubes therein. These tubes extend the entire
length of the vessel and through the ends of same. One of the ends of each tube is
closed by a cap or stopper d which is held in place by a screw clamp g, the ends of
which grip the flanged end of the tube as shown. The other end of each tube is
connected to a smaller pipe e the end of which passes beneath the surface of the water
contained in the tank V. By this means the tubes may be filled with the
"cartridges after removal of the caps d'and thereupon closed, the gas liberated
passing through the pipes e and into the vessel V, from whence it passes off through
the outlet e to the point of use. Each tube may thus be charged separately as soon
as exhausted without interfering with the working of the others, as each delivery
pipe e is separately closed by the water seal.
In Fig. 5 the pipes e communicate with a vertical pipe O, the bent end of which
passes beneath the surface of the water in a vessel V and delivers the gas into a closed
chamber on the other side of a partition Z, the pipe el conveying it away.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The manufacture and use of cartridges for preparation of hydrogen gas produced
by the filling of air and water tight boxes or cases with zinc dust mixed with hydrate
of lime, hydrate of magnesia, doubly hydrated chloride of calcium or the suitable
double combinations of the latter with chloride of sodium or chloride of potassium, or
with water containing oxychloride of calcium, the hydrates of soda or potassium or
the double oxides of sodium and calcium, or of potassium and calcium (natrium
calcium oxyd or kalium calcium oxyd) hydrated cement, the bauxites argillaceous
earth hydrate, water containing alkali argillaceous earth hydrate or a mixture of these
substances among themselves substantially as described.
2. Producing hydrogen gas by the heating of a mixture of zinc dust and hydrate
of magnesia, hydrated chloride of calcium, or combination of the latter with chloride

page_text: of sodium (or chloride of potassium) or with water containing oxychloride of calcium,
the hydrates of soda or potassium or the double oxides of sodium and calcium or of
potassium and calcium (natrium calciumoxyd or kalium calciumoxyd) hydrated
cement, the bauxites argillaceous earth hydrate, water containing alkali argillaceous
earth hydrate or a mixture of these substances among themselves, substantially as
described.
3. An apparatus for the production of hydrogen gas by a dry method, consisting of
a vessel or retort mounted on wheels and with provision for heating the same; and
having tubes for the reception of the hydrogen yielding material open at both ends or
closed at one end and open at the other, so arranged that the flames can come
into contact with the outside of the tubes whilst the interior of the same is closely
shut off by means of the end pieces or cover or otherwise, substantially as
described.
4. A continuous working apparatus for the production of hydrogen gas by a dry
method consisting of a vessel or retort mounted on wheels and with provision for
heating the same and having tubes for the reception of the hydrogen yielding material
each having at one end a readily coloseable charging opening and at the other a tube
for conveying away the liberated gas, said tubes conveying the gas through water into
a closed chamber having a suitable outlet substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of December 1887.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Associate Agent.