Improvements in the Production of Oxygen and Hydrogen in Large Quantities by Means of the Electrolysis of Water, Applicable for Ballooning and other Uses.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Oxygen and Hydrogen in Large
Quantities by Means of the Electrolysis of Water, Applicable for
Ballooning and other Uses.
I, DMITRI LATCHINOFF, of 9 Great Konionsheunaya Street, St. Petersburg, in the
Empire of Russia, Counsellor of State do hereby declare the nature of this Invention
to be as follows:-
1. General statement.-Up to the present time it has been thought impossible to
obtain hydrogen for ballooning by the electrolysis of water and this has been often
stated in different books on aerial navigation. This impossibility was explained by the
following simple calculation. One ampere yields, as is well known, seven cubic
centimetres of hydrogen per minute, hence it follows that a current of 100 amperes
would furnish 42 litres in the hour or a cubic metre in 24 hours. Now a military
balloon of average dimensions requires 640 cubic metres of hydrogen. Thus it seems
evident that electrolysis not applicable to this end.
My invention consists in a combination of apparatus which renders the productions
of hydrogen and oxygen in large quantities not only possible but very advantageous.
2. Arrangements of the electrical apparatus.-A continuous current dynamo
machine of ordinary construction serves as the source of electricity, but to explain my
idea more clearly by means of figures, let us suppose that a Thury machine producing
a current of 600) amperes and an electro motive force (difference of potential) of
100 volts and driven by a motor of 100 horse power is employed.
The current of this machine is passed through several ranges of reservoirs or
electric baths, of which the construction will be explained further on, and I produce a
decomposition of water in them. As for the decomposition of water one and a half
volts are required, it will be seen that in disposing of 110 volts 73 electrolectic baths
connected in series may be employed, but taking into consideration the increase of
polarization with powerful currents and the resistance of the liquid itself it is more
practical to allow the current to pass through 44 baths only allowing 2 volts for
each. Experiments which I have made show that the decomposition of water can be
easily effected by means of a current having a density of 14 amperes to each square
decimetre of the electrode. Thus with the electrodes of three decimetres wide and
five decimetres long a current of 200 amperes can be passed through the liquid, and
as the machine yields 600 amperes it is evident that it is necessary to pass the current
through three parallel ranges of the said baths (see Figure 8) containing 44 cach,
that is to say, 132 vessels. In this case a current of 200 amperes will pass by each
range and the total quantity of gas liberated in 24 hours will be hydrogen
122 x 2 = = 264 cubic metres oxygen 132 cubic metres. Consequently to obtain
640 cubic metres of hydrogen for a balloon 2 days or 60 hours will be required.
3. Price of production of hydrogen and oxygen.—The complete up-keep of a steam
engine amounts in St. Petersburg to about 5 copecks per hour per horse power and
consequently to obtain 640 cubic metres of hydrogen and 320 cubic metres of oxygen,
it is necessary to expend 290 roubles for the mechanical work. Assuming the other
expenses of working, that is to say, the overlooking of the electrical plant, the interest
and the sinking of capital at 1200 roubles per month there is a total expense of
390 roubles. Now the maintenance of a balloon plant by ordinary processes costs
about 700 roubles and besides no oxygen is obtained.
It follows that the electrolectic process is superior as respects economy.
The hydrogen obtained is led first into the gasometer then it is compressed into
safety cylinders which are described further on. As to the oxygen it will be observed
that its value at the present price (35-33 roubles to the cubic metre) represents the

page_text: enormous sum of 9600 roubles. But admitting that the price of oxygen may go down
to 1-75 copecks per cubic metre, the quantity obtained would still represent a value of
480 roubles, which is more than sufficient to cover the cost of production of the
hydrogen, which thus is obtained gratuitously.
Considering oxygen as an article of commerce, the different applications which, in
consequence of its cheapness it will find, must not be lost sight of; I will mention
some of them.
a-for the Drummond light. -for the augmentation of the lighting power of
petroleum and gas. c-for the sanitization of hospitals and crowded places, where
oxygen will serve also as a disinfectant by the ozone which it contains. d-for the
cure of pulmonary affections. In this case it is necessary to destroy the ozone by
passsing the gas through heated pipes. e-to facilitate respiration where balloons
ascend to very great elevations. to serve when mixed with air to increase the
temperature in melting furnaces. -to serve the same when applied to blow pipes
for jeweller's work and other fine operations. -to accelerate the drying of oil colors
and varnish. --for chemical experiments at public meetings &e.
4. Construction of the electrolectic battery. The reservoirs or electrolectic baths are
made of earthenware, glass, porcelain or any other non conducting material and may
be, for example of the following dimensions 32 centimetres long 60 centimetres high
and 10 centimetres wide (Figures 1 and 2). They are filled either with diluted
sulphuric acid (10 to 15 per cent.) or with a solution of caustic soda (10%) in quantity
sufficient to cover the electrodes. in the first case two cathode plates a a of carbon
are immersed in the liquid and between them an anode plate of lead. This com-
bination is useful because carbon with lead forms an electric element which tends of
itself to send a current in the same direction as that produced by the machine. In
the second case the 3 plates are of iron flat or corrugated vertically along which the
gaseous bubbles will easily rise, further, in place of iron sheets it is sometimes useful
to employ fillets or bands. That which has been said in respect to iron plates applies
also to those of lead.
In place of 3 electrodes two may be employed, as is shown in Figure 3, but in this
case the quantity of gas delivered from the two electrodes is very different.
Each electrolectic bath is furnished at the bottom with three porcelain feet in the
form of mushrooms to give a complete isolation. The quantity of liquid in the bath is
about 10 litres. On one side of the reservoir or bath there is formed a sort of half
funnel c in which the level of the liquid in the bath appears. The liquid should fill
the balf funnel or thereabout as is shown in Figure 1 by a dotted line. When tho
level desconds appreciably the attendant introduces by the same funnel pure water or
water slightly acidulated. A litre of water supplied by its decomposition two cubic
metres of gas measured at 20 degrees Centigrade. In the latter case the water should
contain only the quantity of acid (or of alkali) necessary to replace the acid or alkali
accidentally carried away by the gas in the form of fine powder. The density of the
liquid is checked from time to time by means of an aerometer.
To collect the gas there is provided in the upper part of the reservoir a porcelain
cap d furnished with a flange f and divided by partitions into three parts (sco
Figure 2). The edges of the cover are immersed to a depth of six centimetres in the
liquid. From the two outer divisions two small tubes g, y, pass off to the right
(Figure 1) and from the centre division a tube / to the left.
All the tubes g to the right are connected by means of tubes of india rubber, lead,
or vulcanized fibre, to a common drier from whence hydrogen is led into a gasometer
of ordinary construction.
In order
It is the same with the tubes h on the left side which convey the oxygen.
that the gas shall not accidentally mix when they are disengaged with energy there
may be introduced into the reservoir two vertical frames of paraffin wood upon which
is strained an asbestos fabric or vegetable parchment. The frames extend from the
bottom up to the partitions of the cover. The asbestos fabric may be replaced by
ordinary fabric or felt, provided that these materials be changed two or three times in
each mouth.

page_text: Further, if the operation is conducted with prudence these partitions may be
dispensed with.
A complete electrolytic battery consists of 44 baths and they are arranged upon low
benches upon a floor covered with asphalte. They are arranged in parallel or
multiple arc.
5. The drier, which is at the same time the purifier, is intended to purify the gas
and to separate the very fine particles of acid or alkali mechanically carried from the
electrolytic baths. It consists of a tube or rather of a quadrangular elongated case
(Figure 4) extending the whole length of the battery and 25 centimetres wide and
the same in height. It is divided into two equal parts by a longitudinal partition
which does not extend to the bottom (see Figure 5) and above extends to the same
height as the sides. The sides at their upper parts are surrounded by a groove into
which the edges of the cover enter; afterwards the groove is filled with plaster so as
to close the vessel gas-tight. On one side of the vessel there is immediately beneath
the groove a range of connections 9 where are attached tubes of india rubber or lead
and on the other side there is a strong tube with its mouth elongated in the horizontal
direction, which leads into the gasometer. At the place where the cover touches the
longitudinal partition a layer of india-rubber or of felt is placed to completely isolate
the two compartments the one from the other. The drier is about filled with pieces
of caustic line or of pieces of quick-lime or of pieces of porous stone saturated with
sulphuric acid according as the hydrogen is obtained from a liquid which is acid or
alkaline. The entering gas is obliged by the partition to pass through a layer of
matter which absorbs humidity and in this way it is dried.
The drier is made by preference of lead, although it can be of copper or even of
wood coated with pitch. It may be of cylindrical form in place of the box-like form
shown. In practice in place of a single drier the whole length of the battery it is
better to provide four separate ones each for eleven baths.
a is the dynamo
The general arrangement of the apparatus is shown in Figure 8.
machine excited by a shunt. ba voltameter. a, a, a³, comminutators. k, kl, k², safety
fuses of lead melting at 350 amperes. c, c², c², ampere meters. d, d', d, electrolectic
baths. short connecting tubes. e, el, e, the hydrogen driers.
the
oxygen drier.
the gasometer. 9, 9, 92, pipes for conveying hydrogen. y pipe conveying oxygen.
6. The gasometer, Figure 8, is of ordinary construction. By means of counter-
poises it can be balanced in such manner that the pressure under the gasometer may
be little less than atmospheric and that it draws in gas a little. This facilitates the
passage of the hydrogen through the drier and prevents the displacement of the liquid
over the sides of the baths.
7. Compression of gas. From the gasometer the hydrogen is compressed by means
of powerful pumps of Denerouze Golas or Schewlartyhopf system into steel cylinders
2 métres long, 14 centimetres in diameter and weighing 2665 kilos. The hydrogen
is compressed in them to 120 atmospheres; each cylinder containing 4 cubic meters
of hydrogen at ordinary pressure. The cylinders are closed by means of screw taps
and may be transported by railway or horses to the place where the ascent is to be
made. To fill a campaigning balloon 160 of these cylinders is required. The oxygen
can be delivered at the place where it is to be used, either in receptacles of half the
size or it may be in india rubber bags.
8. Modification of the construction of the electrolectic baths.-The electrolectic baths
may be of a cylindrical form, and in this case the two electrodes take the form of
concentric tubes of which the exterior represents the cathode. To collect the gas n
double concentric cap is employed of which the two parts, interior and exterior are
furnished with tubes for the escapo of gas.
9. Simplification of the electrolectic battery.-In cases where the gas is required in
relatively small quantities a simplified electrolectic bath can be employed, consisting
of a case of paraffin or tarred wood, or glazed earthenware about 2 metres long, in
which partitions are fixed, they serve as electrodes and are of iron or carbon a. They
are simply and firmly secured and divide the casing into compartiments. Between

page_text: them short partitions are placed, they are of non-conducting material and their upper
edges are level with the walls of the case.
The battery is three quarters filled with liquid and covered with a large sheet of
india rubber, upon which a cover of cast iron or wood is pressed down from above.
For the escape of the gas short tubes are arranged at the sides, as indicated in the
drawing by circles and crosses. All the tubes of the first category are arranged in
the same direction and serve for the exit of the hydrogen. All the tubes of the
second category pass to the opposite side and lead away the hydrogen. If required
partitions of asbestos or parchment are employed, as indicated by the dotted lines.
I
10. The compression baths (Figure 7) are intended to provide compressed gas
without having recourse to pumps. This bath consists of a cylindrical reservoir of
cast steel with a convex bottom and a flat or convex cover fixed by means of bolts
with a ring of lead interposed between the parts. To the bottom of this reservoir an
iron pipe furnished at the lower end with a cone of non conducting material
fixed.
is
This tube is insulated from the reservoir by means of a non conducting
support n. The tube is furnished with an insulated conductor & passing through the
side of the bath. The cover is furnished with two tubes, the central one is marked a
and the lateral c. In the mouth of each of these tubes is a conical valve furnished
with a cylindrical float (long and large) of paraffin, wood or cork moving in a guide
tube or ring having lateral holes (this tube is not indicated in the drawing).
On the uuder side of the cover is fixed a large cap or cylinder of non-conducting
material d (for example ebonite) intended to separate the two gases. The reservoir is
filled with a solution of caustic soda and closed by means of a cover.
When the
current passes hydrogen is disengaged upon the sides of the steel cylinder and oxygen
upon the surface of the iron pipe. The cone g serves to lead to the sides the hydrogen
disengaged in the lower part. Each of the gases is led into a special drier consisting
of a steel tube lined with lead on the interior and filled with pieces of porous stone
saturated with sulphuric acid; from there it passes by an iron or steel pipe into the
gas receiver, where it is compressed to the degree desired. The dimensions of the
apparatus (for 20 litres of liquid) are calculated in such a manner that it can furnish
in one operation 4 cubic meters of hydrogen and 2 cubic meters of oxygen, to this
end it is necessary to decompose 3 litres of water, that is to say, a quantity sufficient
to fill a gas receiver with each of the two gases.
As the oxygen receivers are balf the size of those for hydrogen, the pressure of the
accumulated gases in the one and the other should be always equal but in practice it
is impossible to avoid small variations, which exert however a prejudicial action upon
the liquid in the compression bath, causing the liquid level to rise in one of the
compartments which may cause liquid to be thrown out or even a mixture of the gases
to take place. To avoid this inconvenience the floating valves a and c are intended.
When the level of the liquid in the middle compartment rises the valve a³ contracts or
completely closes the gas exit, in consequence of which the gas accumulates and
lowers the level, in short, the pressure of the gas will be always equal in the two parts
of the bath although it may vary in the gas receivers.
The compression bath may be filled with diluted sulphuric acid, but in this case it
is unnecessary to line it with lead on the inside and to make the central tubular
electrode also of lead.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1888.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Production of Oxygen and Hydrogen in Large
Quantities by Means of the Electrolysis of Water, Applicable for
Ballooning and other Uses.
I, DMITRI LATCHINOFF of 9 Great Konionsheunaya Street St. Petersburg in the
Empire of Russia Counsellor of State 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:-
1. General Statement.-Up to the present time it has been thought impossible to
obtain hydrogen for ballooning by the electrolysis of water and this has been often
stated in different books on aerial navigation. This impossibility was explained
by the following simple calculation. One ampere yields, as is well known, seven
cubic centimetres of hydrogen per minute, hence it follows that a current of
100 amperes would furnish 42 litres in the hour or a cubic meter in 24 hours. Now
a military balloon of average dimensions requires 640 cubic meters of hydrogen.
Thus it seems evident that electrolysis is not applicable to this end.
My Invention which is illustrated by drawings left with my Provisional Specification
consists in a combination of apparatus which renders the productions of hydrogen and
oxygen in large quantities not only possible but very advantageous.
2. Arrangements of the electrical apparatus.-A continuous current dynamo
machine of ordinary construction serves as the source of electricity, but to explain my
idea more clearly by means of figures, let us suppose that a Thury machine producing
a current of 600 amperes and an electro motive force, (difference of potential) of
110 volts and driven by a motor of 100 horse power is employed.
The current of this machine is passed through several ranges of reservoirs or
electric baths, of which the construction will be explained further on, and I produce a
decomposition of water in them. As for the decomposition of water one and a half
volts are required, it will be seen that in disposing of 110 volts 73 electrolytic baths
connected in series may be employed, but taking into consideration the increase of
polarization with powerful currents and the resistance of the liquid itself it is more
practical to allow the current to pass through 44 baths only allowing 2 volts for
each. Experiments which I have made show that the decomposition of water can be
easily effected by means of a current having a density of 14 amperes to each square
decimetre of the electrode. Thus with the electrodes three decimetres wide and
5 decimetres long a current of 200 amperes can be passed through the liquid and as
the machine yields 600 amperes it is evident that it is necessary to pass the current
through three parallel ranges of the said baths (see Figure 8) containing 44 each, that
is to say, 132 vessels. In this case a current of 200 amperes will pass by each range
and the total quantity of gas liberated in 24 hours will be hydrogen 132 x 2 = 204 cubic
meters oxygen 132 cubic meters. Consequently to obtain 640 cubic meters of hydrogen
for a balloon 2 days or 60 hours will be required.
3. Price of production of hydrogen and oxygen. The complete up-keep of a steam
engine amounts in St. Petersburg to about 5 copecks per hour per horse power and
consequently to obtain 640 cubic meters of hydrogen and 320 cubic meters of oxygen
it is necessary to expend 290 roubles for the mechanical work. Assuming the other
expenses of working, that is to say, the overlooking of the electrical plant the interest
and the sinking of capital at 1200 roubles per month there is a total expense of
390 roubles. Now the maintenance of a balloon plant by ordinary processes cost about
700 roubles and besides no oxygen is obtained.
It follows that the electrolytic process is superior as respects economy.
The hydrogen obtained is led first into the gasometer then it is compressed into
safety cylinders which are described further on. As to the oxygen it will be observed
that its value at the present price (35-33 roubles to the cubic meter) represents the
enormous sum of 11300 roubles. But admitting that the price of oxygen may go
down to 1.75 copecks per cubic meter, the quantity obtained would still represent a

page_text: value of 560 roubles, which is more than sufficient to cover the cost of production of
the hydrogen, which thus is obtained gratuitously.
Considering oxygen as an article of commerce, the different applications which, in
consequence of its cheapness it will find must not be lost sight of; I will mention
some of them.
a, for the Drummond light. b, for the augmentation of the lighting power of
petroleum and gas. c, for the sanitization of hospitals and crowded places, where
oxygen will serve also as a disinfectant by the Ozone which it contains. d, for the
cure of pulmonary affections. In this case it is necessary to destroy the Ozone by
passing the gas through heated pipes. e, to facilitate respiration where balloons
ascend to very great elevations. , to serve when mixed with air to increase the
temperature in melting furnaces.
g, to serve the same when applied to blow pipes
for jeweller's work and other fine operations. h, to accelerate the drying of oil
colours and varnish. i, for chemical experiments at public meetings &c.
(4). Construction of the electrolytic battery.-The reservoirs or electrolytic baths
are made of earthenware, glass, porcelain, or any other non conducting material and
may be, for example of the following dimensions 32 centimetres long 60 centimetres
high and 10 centimetres wide (Figures 1 and 2). They are filled either with diluted
sulphuric acid (10 to 15 per cent.) or with a solution of caustic soda (10%) in quantity
sufficient. to cover the electrodes. In the first place two cathode plates a a of carbon
are immersed in the liquid and between them an anode plate of lead. This com-
bination is useful because carbon with lead forms an electric element which tends of
itself to send a current in the same direction as that produced by the machine.
the second case the 3 plates are of iron flat or corrugated vertically along which the
gaseous bubbles will easily rise, further, in place of iron sheets it is sometimes useful
to employ fillets or bands. That which has been said in respect to iron plates applies
also to those of lead.
In
In place of 3 electrodes two may be employed. as is shown in Figure 3, but in this
case the quantity of gas delivered from the two electrodes is very different.
Each electrolytic bath is furnished at the bottom with three porcelain feet in the
form of mushrooms to give a complete isolation. The quantity of liquid in the bath is
about 10 litres. On one side of the reservoir or bath there is formed a sort of half
funnel e in which the level of the liquid in the bath appears. The liquid should fill
the half funnel or thereabout as is shown in Figure 1 by a dotted line. When the
level descends appreciably the attendant introduces by the same funnel pure water or
water slightly acidulated. A litre of water supplies by its decomposition two cubic
metres of gas measured at 20 degrees Centigrade. In the latter case the water should
contain only the quantity of acid (or of alkali) necessary to replace the acid or alkali
accidentally carried away by the gas in the form of fine powder. The density of the
liquid is checked from time to time by means of an aerometer.
To collect the gas there is provided in the upper part of the reservoir a porcelain
cap d furnished with a flange and divided by partitions into three parts (see
Figure 2). The edges of the cover are immersed to a depth of six centimetres in the
liquid. From the two outer divisions two small tubes y pass off to the right
(Figure 1) and from the centre division a tube / to the left.
All the iubes to the right are connected by means of tubes of india rubber, load
or vulcanized fibre, to a common drier from whence hydrogen is led into a gasometer
of ordinary construction.
It is the same with the tubes on the left side which convey the oxygen. In order
that the gas shall not accidentally mix when they are disengaged with energy there
may be introduced into the reservoir two vertical frames of paraffin wood upon which
is strained an asbestos fabric or vegetable parchment. The frames extend from the
bottom up to the partitions of the cover. The asbestos fabric may be replaced by
ordinary fabric or felt, provided that these materials be changed two or three times in
each month.
Further, if the operation is conducted with prudence these partitions may be
dispensed with.

page_text: A complete electrolytic battery consists of 44 baths and they are arranged upon low
benches upon a floor covered with asphalte. They are arranged in parallel or
multiple arc.
5. The drier, which is at the same time the purifier, is intended to purify the gas
and to separate the very fine particles of acid or alkali mechanically carried from the
electrolytic baths. It consists of a tube or rather of a quadrangular elongated case
(Figure 4) extending the whole length of the battery and 25 centimetres wide and
the same in height. It is divided into two equal parts by a longitudinal partition
which does not extend to the bottom (sec Figure 5) and above extends to the same
height as the sides. The sides at their upper parts are surrounded by a groove into
which the edges of the cover enter; afterwards the groove is filled with plaster so as
to close the vessel gas-tight. On one side of the vessel there is immediately beneath
the groove a range of connections g where are attached tubes of india rubber or lead
and on the other side there is a strong tube with its mouth elongated in the horizontal
direction, which leads into the gasometer. At the place where the cover touches the
longitudinal partition a layer of india rubber or of felt is placed to completely isolate
the two compartments the one from the other. The drier is about filled with pieces
of caustic lime or of pieces of quick lime or of pieces of porous stone saturated with
sulphuric acid according as the hydrogen is obtained from a liquid which is acid or
alkaline. The entering gas is obliged by the partition to pass through a layer of
matter which absorbs humidity and in this way it is dried.
The drier is made by preference of lead, although it can be of copper or even of
wood coated with pitch. It may be of cylindrical form in place of the box like form
shown. In practice in place of a single drier the whole length of the battery it is
better to provide four separate ones each for eleven baths.
A is the dynamo
The general arrangement of the apparatus is shown in Figure 8.
machine excited by a shunt. a voltameter. a, a', a², commutators. k k¹² safety
fuzes of lead melting at 350 amperes. cc c² ampere meters. d, d', d, electrolytic
baths. short connecting tubes. e, e, e, the hydrogen driers. the oxygen
drier. the gasometer. 9, g', g, pipes for conveying hydrogen. pipe conveying
oxygen.
6. The gasometer Figure 8 is of ordinary construction. By means of counter-
poises it can be balanced in such manner that the pressure under the gasometer may
be little less than atmospheric and that it draws in gas a little. This facilitates the
passage of the hydrogen through the drier and prevents the displacement of the liquid
over the sides of the baths.
7. Compression of gas.-From the gasometer the hydrogen is compressed by means
of powerful pumps of Denerouze Golas or Schewlarty hopf system into steel cylinders
2 metres long, 14 centimetres in diameter and weighing 26-65 kilos. The hydrogen
is compressed in them to 120 atmospheres; each cylinder containing 4 cubic inetres
of hydrogen at ordinary pressure. The cylinders are closed by means of screw taps
and may be transported by railway or horses to the place where the ascent is to be
made. To fill a campaigning balloon 160 of these cylinders is required. The oxygen
can be delivered at the place where it is to be used, either in receptacles of half the
size or it may be in india rubber bags.
8. Modification of the construction of the electrolytic baths.-The electrolytic baths
may be of a cylindrical form, and in this case the two electrodes takes the forin of
concentric tubes of which the exterior represents the cathode. To collect the gas a
double concentric cap is employed of which the two parts, interior and exterior are
furnished with tubes for the escape of gas.
9. Simplification of the electrolytic battery.-In cases where the gas is required in
relatively small quantities a simplified electrolytic bath can he employed, consisting of
a case of paraffin or tarred wood, or glazed earthenware about 2 metres long, in which.
partitions are fixed, they serve as electrodes and are of iron or carbon a Fig. 6. They
are simply and firmly secured and divide the casing into compartments. Between
then short partitions are placed, they are of non-conducting material & their upper
edges are level with the walls of the case.

page_text: The battery is three quarters filled with liquid and covered with a large sheet
of india rubber, upon which a cover of cast iron or wood is pressed down from above.
For the escape of the gas short tubes are arranged at the sides, as indicated in the
drawing by circles and crosses. All the tubes of the first category are arranged in
the same direction and serve for the exit of the hydrogen. All the tubes of the
second category pass to the opposite side and lead away the hydrogen. If required
partitions of asbestos or parchment are employed, as indicated by the dotted lines.
10. The compression baths (Figure 7) are intended to provide compressed gas
without having recourse to pumps. This bath consists of a cylindrical reservoir of
cast steel with a convex bottom and a flat or convex cover fixed by means of bolts
with a ring of lead interposed between the parts. To the bottom of this reservoir an
iron pipe furnished at the lower end with a cone of non conducting material is
fixed. This tube is insulated from the reservoir by means of a non conducting
support n. The tube is furnished with an insulated conductor passing through
the side of the bath. The cover is furnished with two tubes. The central one is
marked a and the lateral c. In the mouth of each of these tubes is a conical valve
furnished with a cylindrical float (long and large) of paraffin, wood or cork moving
in a guide tube or ring having lateral holes (this tube is not indicated in the
drawing).
On the under side of the cover is fixed a large cap or cylinder of non conducting
material d (for example ebonite) intended to separate the two gases.
The reservoir is
filled with a solution of caustic soda and closed by means of a cover. When the
current passes hydrogen is disengaged upon the sides of the steel cylinder and oxygen
upon the surface of the iron pipe. The cone y serves to lead to the sides the hydrogen
disengaged in the lower part. Each of the gases is led into a special drier consisting
of a steel tube lined with lead on the interior and filled with pieces of porous stone
saturated with sulphuric acid from there it passes by an iron or steel pipe into the
gas receiver, where it is compressed to the degree desired. The dimensions of the
apparatus (for 20 litres of liquid) are calculated in such a manner that it can furnish
in one operation 4 cubic meters of hydrogen and 2 cubic meters of oxygen, to this
end it is necessary to decompose 3 litres of water, that is to say, a quantity suflicient
to fill a gas receiver with each of the two gases.
As the oxygen receivers are half the size of those for hydrogen, the pressure of the
accumulated gases in the one and the other should he always equal but in practice it
is impossible to avoid small variations, which exert however a prejudicial action upon
the liquid in the compression bath, causing the liquid level to rise in one of the com-
partments which may cause liquid to be thrown out or even a mixture of the gases to
take place. To avoid this inconvenience the floating valves a' and e' are intended.
When the, level of the liquid in the middle compartment rises the valve a¹ contracts
or completely closes the gas exit, in consequence of which the gas accumulates and
lowers the level :-in short, the pressure of the gas will be always equal in the two
parts of the bath although it may vary in the gas receivers.
The compression bath may be filled with diluted sulphuric acid, but in this case it
is unnecessary to line it with lead on the inside and to make the central tubular
electrode also of lead.
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. The construction of the baths or electrolytic reservoirs consisting of oblong
vessels with electrodes either flat, corrugated or reticulated and of iron, carbon or lead
divided by partitions of asbestos and with caps to collect the gas as above described
and represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
2. The construction of the compression baths to obtain the gas under pressure
consisting of steel reservoirs hermetically closed and furnished with two pipes for the
exit of the gases, which are closed by means of floating valves so as to prevent
inequality of pressure in the two compartments of the bath (see Figure 7).

page_text: 4. The construction of the simplified electrolytic battery consisting of a case divided
by electrodes into compartments with non-conducting partitions furnished with pipes
serving for the exit of the gas from each compartment, and of a common cover
hermetically closing the entire battery (see Figure 6).
5. The construction of the drier having the form of a pipe or of a circular or
quadrangular case divided into two parts by a longitudinal partition and filled with
material which absorbs moisture with the object indicated (see Figures 4 and 5).
6. The general arrangement of the apparatus above described which renders it
possible to easily and cheaply obtain hydrogen and oxygen in very large quantities, as
for example, to fill balloons by means of electrolysis of water which, at the present
time, has been regarded as absolutely impracticable.
Dated this 30th day of August 1889.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.