ments in galvanic batteries and in materials to be used therein
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1838
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 18th May, 1889
I, ALICE CORNWELL, of Menzies Elotel, William Street, Melbourne, in the Colony
of Victoria, Mining Speculator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention consists of an improvement upon an invention entitled, "Improve-
ments in galvanic batteries and in materials to be used therein" for which Letters
Patent dated the Sixteenth day of October 1885 No. 12378 were granted to
one Alexander Schanschieff of Gipsy Hill in the County of Surrey, England,
Electrician.
The first part of that invention related to the production of a saline preparation for
use in galvanic batteries which the Inventor thus describes :-
This saline matter is prepared from metallic mercury and sulphuric acid. It is,
when free from impurities a white salt freely soluble in water to such an extent that
two pounds of metallic mercury are held in solution in a gallon of water.
The way
in which to prepare this salt is as follows :-
Add three pounds of sulphuric acid specific gravity 1.846 to two pounds of
metallic mercury: boil until the metal is dissolved, and maintain the heat until the
excess of acid is evaporated.
When cold, dissolve the salt in three times its weight of water, partial solution only
accompanied by precipitation takes place. Then add strong Sulphuric acid, little by
little, and finally drop by drop, with constant agitation, the solution becomes gradually
more and more complete until finally it is perceived that the drop of Sulphuric acid.
as it falls into the liquid produces a precipitate, the process is then stopped and the
solution cooled and filtered. Finally evaporate the liquid by heat until the salt is
deposited in a solid state rake it out as it falls and pack it in closely stoppered
bottles, in which it may be kept for an indefinite time.
:
When liquid is required for use in a battery pour one gallon of water on five
pounds of the Salt: it dissolves perfectly leaving no residue, or if there be impurities
which render the liquid turbid it may be filtered through paper, the Solution is then
ready for use in a battery.

page_text: This Saline preparation is very well suited for use in a single liquid battery, of
which the elements are carbon and cast zinc. No porous pot or other separation
between the elements is required and it is not necessary to amalgamate the zines."
Now I have ascertained that a great saving of mercury is effected if Salt be used
as a substitute for the sulphuric acid which is added to the Saline preparation composed
of mercury and sulphuric acid. So that the method of preparation would according
to my improvement read as follows:-
-
Add 3 lbs. of sulphuric acid, specific gravity 1846 to two pounds of metallic
mercury, boil until the metal is dissolved and maintain the heat until the excess of
mercury is evaporated.
When cold, dissolve the salt in three times its weight of water, partial solution, only
accompanied by precipitation takes place then add salt (instead of sulphuric acid)
little by little with constant agitation until it is perceived that as the salt falls into the
liquid, it produces a precipitate when the process must be stopped and the solution
cooled and filtered.
Dated this 23rd day of November One thousand eight hundred and eighty-

page_text: I, ALICE CORNWELL of Menzies Hotel, William Street, Melbourne in the Colony
of Victoria, Mining Speculator 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 of an improvement upon an invention entitled "Improve-
ments in galvanic batteries and in materials to he used therein "for which Letters
Patent dated the Sixteenth day of October one thousand eight hundred and eighty-
five No. 12378 were granted to one Alexander Schanschieff of Gipsy Hill in the
County of Surrey, England, Electrician.
The first part of that invention related to the production of a saline preparation
for use in galvanic batteries which the inventor thus describes:-
"This saline matter is prepared from metallic mercury and sulphuric acid. It is
when free from impurities a white salt freely soluble in water to such an extent that
two pounds of metallic mercury are held in solution in a gallon of water. The way
in which to prepare this salt is as follows:-
Add three pounds of sulphuric acid specific gravity 1-846 to two pounds of metallic
mercury, boil until the metal is dissolved and maintain the heat until the excess of
acid is evaporated. When cold dissolve the salt in three times its weight of water
partial solution only accompanied by precipitation takes place. Then add strong
sulphuric acid little by little, and finally drop by drop with constant agitation the
solution becomes gradually more and more complete until finally it is perceived that
the drop of sulphuric acid as it falls into the liquid produces a precipitate the process
is then stopped and the solution cooled and filtered. Finally evaporate the liquid by
heat until the salt is deposited in a solid state, rake it out as it falls and pack it in
closely stoppered bottles in which it may be kept for an indefinite time.
When liquid
is required for use in a battery pour one gallon of water on five pounds of the salt, it
dissolves perfectly leaving no residue or if there be impurities which render the liquid
turbid it may be filtered through paper, the solution is then ready for use in a
battery.
This saline preparation is very well suited for use in a single liquid battery of which
the elements are carbon and cast zinc. No porous pot or other separation between
the elements is required and it is not necessary to amalgamate the zines.
Now I have ascertained that a great saving of mercury is effected if common salt
be used as a substitute for the sulphuric acid which is added to the saline preparation
of mercury and sulphuric acid, and I have also ascertained that the sulphate of
mercury acts better if the acid is not perfectly evaporated from it and it be left in a
moist condition, so that the method of preparation would according to my improve-
ment read as follows:-
Add three fluid ounces of sulphuric acid specific gravity 1.846 to three fluid drachms
of metallic mercury boil in a dish until the metal is dissolved and maintain the heat

page_text: until the excess of acid is nearly all evaporated leaving a crystalline mercuric
sulphate. In the event of its being too dry by reason of the whole of the acid having
been evaporated I add a little acid to it. I then dissolve this mercuric sulphate in
forty fluid ounces of water stirring the same until the whole is mixed into a yellow
mass in solution. After this is completed I take two ounces of common salt and add
it slowly stirring all the time until the yellow appearance turns to a whitish colour
and the required density of solution is obtained (viz. 1425). The density is obtained
by adding salt and also by not carrying the evaporation of the mercuric sulphate too
far in preparation.
Any density can be obtained by this process from 1.200 to 1:500.
This solution can be used as a two fluid solution by charging porous pots with the
mercuric sulphate and water and an outer vessel with salt and water in the following
proportions viz.: Seven ounces of the mercuric sulphate to twenty fluid ounces of
water in porous pots, and two ounces of common salt to twenty fluid ounces of
water.
Although I have stated the method of preparation I prefer to adopt in the manu-
facture of mercuric sulphate, nevertheless any acid mercuric sulphate will answer the
purpose so long as it is not dry.
My solution is cheaper and better than any other. It is non-corrosive and so
requires no special vessel to hold it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is:
First. A new article of manufacture consisting of a saline preparation prepared by
dissolving the mercuric sulphate in water and adding common salt io it gradually,
substantially as herein described.
Second. The process of preparing such solution consisting in the dissolving of the
mercuric sulphate in water and adding common salt to it gradually such mercuric
sulphate being preferably prepared in the manner herein set forth and the whole
process being carried out substantially as herein described.
Dated this Fifteenth day of February One thousand eight hundred and eighty-
nine:
ALICE CORNWELL.