IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HYDROGEN GAS AND IN APPARATUS FOR THE SAME, ALSO IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAID GAS FOR LIGHTING AND HEATING AND AS A MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Clark at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 31st December 1866.
-A communication from abroad by Alexandre Paul Victor Heurtebise,
Engineer, of 29, Boulevard St. Martin, Paris.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HYDROGEN GAS AND IN
APPARATUS FOR THE SAME, ALSO IN THE APPLICATION OF THE SAID GAS FOR LIGHTING
AND HEATING AND AS A MOTIVE POWER," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of hydrogen gas
and in the applications thereof, as also in the apparatus used in such manufacture.
The first part of the Invention comprises, 1st, the production of hydrogen
gas; 2ndly, the method of and apparatus for the separation of hydrogen ;
3rdly, the arrangement of apparatus for the manufacture of the gas and
method of regulating such production.
The second part of the Invention relates, 1st, to the application of hydrogen
as a lighting gas; 2ndly, to its application as a heating agent; and, 3rdly, as
a motive power.
1st part of the Invention.-Production of Hydrogen Gas and Applications
of the same. The hydrogen is obtained from the primary matters consisting
of carbonic acid, carbon, and steam in the following manner :-
Figure 1 of the Drawings annexed shows a retort F, in which the carbon is
placed and heated to redness; a current of carbonic acid is then passed
through such molecule of carbonic acid, which absorbs a molecule of carbon

page_text: and forms two molecules of oxide of carbon on escaping from the retort re-
presented by CO+C=2CO; next in a retort D heated to redness I
introduce, 1st, the current of oxide of carbon from retort F, and 2ndly,
superheated steam; a reaction is thus produced, and carbonic acid and
hydrogen passes off from the retort, which added to two molecules of oxide
of carbon from retort F is expressed by 2 CO+2HO=2CO*+2H.
Thus in order to obtain two equivalents of hydrogen it is necessary to
have one equivalent of carbon introduced under the form of carbonic acid
into the retort F, and one equivalent of carbon from the retort F. These
reactions are well known, but there is an improvement at two points, which
are of great importance as regards security and facilities of production, 1st,
in the introduction of a current of carbonic acid into the retort F; 2ndly,
in producing the two necessary transformations in separate retorts, the
carbonic acid into oxide of carbon and the oxide of carbon into carbonic acid.
This simple arrangement creates a certainty in the operation, which is not
obtained by the ordinary processes in the manufacture of water gas.
The great feature of the improved manufacture is that carbonic acid is the
begining and the end of the reaction, the primary matter and the residue of
the manufacture; on this fact I base the operation and introduce the carbonic
acid residue from the retort D as a primary matter into the retort F. In this
manner it is clear, that of the two equivalents of carbon required for pro-
ducing two equivalents of bydrogen 1 save one which I obtain from the
residues in the form of carbonic acid.
I will now pass to a description of the apparatus. Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5
show vertical, horizontal, and transverse sections and a front elevation of
vertical retorts F, F, F, F, (similar to F before mentioned). Each
retort is in three parts, 1st, the cast-iron top or dome having several inlet
pipes, and an annular zone for the uniform distribution of the carbonic acid;
2ndly, the retort proper made of some refractory material in which the
carbon is placed, it being provided with a grating at bottom, also of refractory
material; 3rdly, of a chamber closed at all points and made of cast iron or
refractory material, into which passes the oxide of carbon produced in the
column. The oxide of carbon passes out through the top of the lower
chamber and enters the cast-iron worm tubes corresponding (to retort D,
Figure 1.) D', D3, D3, D4, by two openings made in each; on entering the
worm tube the oxide of carbon receives the addition of an injection of super-
heated steam, the reaction then taking place, while the hydrogen and residues
are conveyed away by means of a pipe. It is essential, 1st, that the lower
chamber of the retorts should be hermetically closed to the atmospheric gases;

page_text: it is, however, necessary to remove the cinders or scum accumulating in this
chamber, and for this purpose I employ the following means:-I introduce
from the top with the carbon a given quantity of flux (CO CaO), the
carbonic acid causing it to combine usefully with the larger portion of the
gases, while the lime produces a liquid scum which falls through the grating
into a well in the bottom of the chamber, to which access is had by a suitable
opening for extracting the residues; 2ndly, as regards the system of heating
the grate may be either single or divided, as at K, K, and used alternately to
prevent cooling; below each of these grates, the draught of which is down
through the fire, there is another grate K', K, on which the cinders fall from
the upper ones and become incandescent, being fed by a current of air received
from below, the ascending and descending gases from the grates meet in the
chamber separating them and enter the apparatus in a state of combustion.
I adopt a peculiar arrangement for the supply of air to the furnace grates
K', K', each of them being covered with a dome of refractory material per-
forated with holes and heated by radiation; the openings in the domes afford
an introduction for the air, which becomes heated in passing upwards through
space L, from the sides of which it extracts the heat before entering the space
comprised between the perforated and closed domes, where it becomes still
further heated before passing to the furnace it is intended to supply. Open-
ings R are made in the front and sides of the furnace for regulating the
action of the apparatus and removing the ashes. The gases on leaving the
combustion chamber enter the apparatus at a lower stage for the purpose of
heating the retorts F¹, F, F, F, and worm tubes D', D³, D³, D', rising
thence to an upper stage for heating retorts F and worm tubes S for super-
heating the steam; lastly, they rise to the third stage in which are also retorts,
where they pass off by a channel to the generator and thence to the chimney.
This furnace may either be supplied by a forced current of air or by an
ordinary draught chimney. The arrows in Figures 2, 3, and 4 indicate the
direction of motion of the gases, a series of vertical partitions in each stago
causing the gases to pass in a given direction, in this manner they pass from
stage to stage by a kind of central chimney G. The gases thus enter each
stage and pass off at the centre, which arrangement is intended to ensure great
concentration of heat, and gives a peculiar value to the apparatus.
The several stages are divided by squares of refractory material laid on
projections made at suitable elevations. The Drawing represents an apparatus
of square form with four retorts for producing about 800 cubic yards of
hydrogen per hour, if with only one retort the apparatus might be round or
square, if with two retorts it would be rectangular with the chimney in the

page_text: centre, or if with six retorts it might still be rectangular and have two
chimneys, and so on. The heated gases pass from the furnace to generators of
any suitable arrangement capable of resisting a pressure of from 5 to 8 atmo-
spheres, but preferably vertical and of tubular form, they being also provided
with a special furnace; on this being lighted the gases from the apparatus are
caused to pass into the ash-pit with a mixture of air, and are consumed in
passing through the fire-bars. The steam produced at a pressure of from
5 to 8 atmospheres is afterwards made to expand in a steam engine for a
purpose to be herein-after described; the steam passes from this engine to the
superheaters at a pressure of about three feet of mercury. The gases pro-
duced in the retorts F1, F2, F3, F4, pass out by four pipes A, A, disposed two
and two on each side of the furnace, and thence to two barrels C, C¹, having
hydraulic joints, as shown in the Drawings, and communicating with each
other by means of a tube B, while the greater part of the gases pass out by
the pipe E to a separating gazometer.
I would here observe that in this description the word "carbon" is used
to designate the matters contained in the series of retorts; these may not
only consist of pure carbon but other matters utilizable for the production of
hydrogen, such may be classed under two general heads expressed by CH"
and C Hy C, and may be either liquid or solid, fixed or volatile, and
used either separately or with a mixture of carbon.
1st Head, C H.-The effect of the increased temperature imparted to
these matters on their introduction into the retort will be to produce either
their complete decomposition into mC+nH, or if partial into C H()+a H.
In the first case the carbon will perform the same part as if introduced in a
pure state, and the hydrogen will become combined with that obtained by the
reaction of the carbon; in the second case the disengaged hydrogen and the
fixed gas Cm H (na) will pass off with the greater part of the other gases
to the separator, circulating as an inert gas until it is withdrawn by the
pump, or it may be supplied with the pure bydrogen. If the compound
Cm Hn is solid it is immaterial whether it be mixed with the carbon or
introduced pure, except that it may produce an augmentation in the product
of hydrogen for a like weight of material, and an easily ascertained diminution
in the carbonic acid for a given product of bydrogen per hour.
These observations apply more especially to coal, which may be taken as a
mixture of carbon and of matters of the type C H; thus, to give an
example, if I introduce into the retort a mixture of carbon and napthaline,
represented by C H³ the operation would be regulated according to the
weight of the material in the following proportions:-1st, 1½ pounds of pure

page_text: carbon; 2ndly, deducting from the given amount per hour of bydrogen to be
produced by the carbon, 1 pounds of hydrogen or about 3 cubic yards, the
direct product of the napthaline. If the material CH is a fixed liquid>
and used at the same time as the carbon, it is allowed to fall in the form of a
jet on the top of the column of carbon, serving as a subdivider, the tube
passing through one of the dome pipes. If this material be used alone the
retorts should be filled with fragments of refractory brick, and the liquid
made to fall on the top, while if the material be volatile it should be vaporized
in a retort heated by the gases of the furnace, and steam introduced into the
retort by one of the dome pipes, when it will pass down through the carbon,
if these means are employed simultaneously, or through the brick material if
the carburet of hydrogen be alone used.
2nd Head, CHO-The preceding observations apply also to this group
without exception, as they can only be considered as a compound of
CH(y)+2 HO or C* + y HO+(zy) O, that is to say, a carburet
Cm Hn, water and oxygen. Under this second head is comprised. wood
composed of carbon, carburet of hydrogen, and an essence C* H y O³.
Method of Separating the Hydrogen and Apparatus therefor.-After the
operation above described follows the separation of the hydrogen and of the
carbonic acid; Pst, in order to obtain hydrogen in an almost pure-state, and
2ndly, to obtain carbonic acid which also represents hydrogen, as I have
before mentioned; for this reason I do not as usual absorb the carbonic acid
by means of bydrate of lime, as the lime represents an amount to be added to
the cost of the gas, and also deprives me of a valuable residue.
The principle on which I base the separation of the gases is that of density,
which I believe has never before been applied for the purpose. Taking a
series of principal gases they may be ranged in the following order according
to their specific gravity, bydrogen being taken as a unit:—
1st, oxide of carbon
2ndly. azote
1237
89
1256
13-78
14-11

page_text: carbonic acid, into which four pipes are introduced; 1st, a pipe A for
admitting at about mid-depth the gaseous mixture consisting of hydrogen,
azote, hydrosulphuric acid, oxide of carbon, and carbonic acid (see Figure 6);
2ndly, a pipe B, one end of which extends nearly to the bottom, while the
other is open to the atmosphere; 3rdly, a pipe C, whose orifice is a little
below that of A; 4thly, a pipe D for carrying off the bydrogen gas produced.
After the mixture has remained a certain time in the receiver the gases will
become separated into three layers; 1st, Z, or that containing hydrogen in a
more or less pure state; 2ndly, Z³, containing carbonic acid in a nearly pure
state; and, 3rdly, Z, containing a mixture of gas in course of separation
between that of carbonic acid and hydrogen. This being understood, and the
gases being introduced by pipe A, I make the vessel answer a similar purpose
to the corresponding pipe of a force pump; this pipe which enters towards the
bottom of pipe Z¹ extracts the carbonic acid, oxide of carbon, and hydro-
sulphuric acid, which the pump will cause to pass into the retorts by means of
the pipes adapted to the cast-iron dome before described. The azote will
circulate as an inert fluid, and the hydrosulphuric acid which may not become
decomposed will remain with the azote until discharged in the manner to be
now described. The tube B discharges into the atmosphere the excess of
carbonic acid formed, which is equal to nearly one-half of the volume of
hydrogen produced each instant. It should be remarked that in consequence
of the rotation of this gaseous mixture certain noxious or inert gases are liable
to accumulate to an extent liable to inconvenience the operation, and I
remedy this as follows:-On the pipe connecting the pump with the retort I
make an orifice which may be open to the atmosphere at same time that:
access to the retort is closed; the hydrogen then ceases to be produced and to
flow out with the carbonic acid into the large receiver, while the pump con-
tinuing to act lowers the level of the layer Z', and draws it into the one
consisting of the gases which are discharged into the atmosphere. By
repeating this operation at given intervals and for a certain time all noxious
gases may be removed without any difficulty and almost without prejudice to
the operation.
Separating Gazometer.-Figures 7 and 8 show longitudinal and transverse
sections of a gasholder capable of containing the hydrogen manufactured in
an hour, for example, the bottom of which is immersed in a circular channel
forming a water joint, which holder encloses a sunk chamber or well of as
great a depth as possible, into which abut the pipes A from the apparatus
before referred to, the operation procceding in the manner already described.
At the top of the well chamber above the point at which the gases are intro-

page_text: duced I build an arch of hollow bricks suitably spaced, which intercept the
gases and cause them to pass through the numberless orifices for uniformly
distributing the currents throughout the surface, and to cause them to class
themselves according to their density; access is had to the pipes at the lower
part of the apparatus from the exterior by a pit sunk below the surface. The
tube B serves as an overflow for the carbonic acid; if this tube were immersed
freely in the carbonic acid the latter would be liable to pass out in excess,
and it is therefore necessary to regulate its flow, the surplus steam from the
furnaces condenses principally along the sides of the sheet-iron receiver, and
falls into the channel forming the water joint, the excess from which passes
off by an overflow pipe, but a portion will condense on the sides and bottom
of the well, and tends to accumulate therein. Narrow slits are arranged to
prevent the water from remaining at the bottom of the gasholder, from which
it passes into a cast-iron tube of about 7 or 8 inches diameter, serving as a
reservoir below the bottom. This tube communicates at its lower part with
a tube T of similar diameter extending from the well before referred to.
There is a certain indicated variation between the water levels, see Figures 7
and 8, which I will explain, Figure 8 being a transverse section taken through
the line M, M, Figure 7. To the tube T is connected a pipe t of about an
inch in diameter, the length of which is regulated by the point N, N,
according to the depth of water desired to be retained in the bottom of the
apparatus. The tube t is connected at the upper part with a reservoir in
which a constant vacuum is maintained by means of a pump. Immediately
the level N, N, begins to rise it is again depressed to the bottom of pipe t by
the ascension of a certain volume of water. The level N, N, may thus be
considered as constant and serve to regulate the discharge of the carbonic acid.
The carbonic acid extracted from the gasholder by the pump being hardly
one-half of that arriving at each instant, this gas would tend to accumulate,
raising the pressure indefinitely or driving out all the hydrogen, but supposing
it is desired to establish a constant pressure in the separator of two inches
of water for determining the flow of the bydrogen passing out of the receiver,
it is simply necessary to lower the overflow B two inches below the level N, N,
in order to obtain a perfect regulator of the pressure as also of the overflow.
In the course of the manufacture it is often of advantage to correctly and
readily ascertain the quantity of bydrogen contained in the separator; for this
purpose on the vertical sides of the sheet-iron receiver I make two glazed
gas-tight openings diametrically opposite at the level desired for the lower plane
of the layer of hydrogen; through one of these openings is projected a luminous
ray, while the interior is viewed through the other; between the openings

page_text: stretch an iron wire to which I attach balls of india-rubber or skin inflated
with pure hydrogen; it will be evident that these will float at the separating
point between the hydrogen and the residues, and from their position that of
the line of separation can be at any time ascertained; if it is too high it is
simply necessary to moderate the rate of discharge of the hydrgen, when the
pressure will increase and the carbonic acid pass out more abundantly, while
the pressure at once returns to its normal point on the line of separation being
lowered; on the contrary, if this is too low it may be readily raised.
I have now to describe another apparatus connected with this manufacture,
viz., the pump for extracting and discharging the carbonic acid; this appa-
ratus is represented in vertical and horizontal section at Figures 9 and 10; it
consists of two sheet-iron receivers A¹, A³, inverted in two others B¹, B³,
suitably united together; these receivers B¹, B³, are connected to two others
C³, C³, with which they communicate by a vertical groove running their whole
depth, in which latter are two displacers fixed to a balance lever having an
up-and-down motion. The effect of the suction and discharge by the action
of the valves into the separating gasholder and into the retorts will be after-
wards seen. A steam engine is used for giving motion, 1st, to the discharging
fan, if such is used; 2ndly, to the pump above described; 3rdly, to the pump
for regulating the water level N, N, Figures 7 and 8; 4thly, to an onlinary
force pump for supplying water at the various levels required; 5thly, to a
boiler feed pump; 6thly, for the charging apparatus.
Arrangement of Apparatus and Action of same, also Method of Regulating
the Production. In continuation of the foregoing, at the moment when the
one equivalent of carbonic acid enters the dome of the retort, Figures 2 and 3,
it next traverses the column and enters the worm tube D, where reaction takes
place, is washed by the bydrogen produced in the barrel C, and then passes to
the separating gasholder. During this traverse the equivalent of carbonio
acid has become doubled, one being discharged into the atmosphere and the
other returning to the furnace; these several actions are regulated by the gas
pump. Given, a gas pump, the cylinder of which is of a capacity to contain
16 cubic inches, if it is desired to produce 60 cubic yards of hydrogen per hour
it is necessary to find the speed of the air pump for such a rate of production.
The carbonic acid produced in one revolution should be practically considered
as equal in volume to the hydrogen produced in the same revolution, and half
of this carbonic acid should return to the bottom for the second revolution.
Thus in order to produce one cubic yard of hydrogen per minute with a
cylinder area of 16 cubic inches, it is necessary to produce one oscillation of
the balance lever per minute; the production may also be doubled by giving

page_text: two strokes of the balance lever per minute. The action of the apparatus
may be suspended at any moment for any length of time without prejudice,
for which purpose it is simply necessary, 1st, to moderate the introduction of
air into the heating furnace; 2ndly, to cut off the supply of steam, except a
small jet for cooling the retorts D and worm tube S, see Figures 11, 12, 13,
and 14; this jet is discharged into the atmosphere on leaving the retort D
by closing the admission to the separating gasholder and opening an escape
cock; 8rdly, to stop the motion of the gas pump; the heating alone will
continue in order to prevent cooling.
I will now pass to a consideration of the advantages resulting from the new
combinations of apparatus, and of gases and method of regulating their pro-
duction, forming the principal object of the present Invention. 1st, the
vertical retorts, which facilitate the charging of the materials meeting in their
descent with a gradually increasing temperature comprised in equal horizontal
films; 2ndly, introduction and operation of the carbonic acid for producing a
progressive heating; 3rdly, mode of heating the apparatus, arrangement of
the furnace, and regular action of the heated gases in successive stages com-
municating with a central space for concentrating the heat, also the method
of removing the residues from the retorts and the concentric arrangement of
the worm tubes D and S, Figures 2 and 3; 4thly, separation of the hydrogen
by classification without the use of lime or other absorbent material; 5thly,
the utilization of the carbonic acid returned to the oxide of carbon furnace
which escapes from the reaction in the worms D, as also effecting the reactions
in two distinct apparatus for the production of two inalterable matters con-
sisting of hydrogen and carbonic acid; 6thly, regulating the production by
means of the gas pump with facility for varying or stopping the production;
7thly, continuity of the whole of the operations.
Application of Hydrogen as a Lighting Gas.-The apparatus herein-before
described for the production and separation of hydrogen gas discharges it from
the separator in a sufficiently pure condition for many applications, although
not sufficiently so for lighting purposes, for which purpose it requires to be
purified before being conveyed to the gazometer for use.
The following is a description of the improved mode of purification according
to this Invention.
The chief properties of gases are well known, and these are more especially
prominent in bydrogen, thus, 1st, if paper be exposed to a jet of hydrogen the
jet will pass through almost as if the paper had no existence, or the paper
may be replaced by thin wood or any close fabric with a like effect; 2ndly,
bydrogen possesses in a high degree the property of penetrating organic mem-

page_text: branes known as endosmosis; on these two properties I base the improved
mode of purification. The first property ensures a quick purification of
hydrogen gas almost sufficient for lighting purposes, the second property gives
much slower results, and requires an inconveniently large extent of surface
to render it available.
The apparatus I will now describe is intended to utilize the first property
above alluded to. The apparatus, which I term an hydrogen filter, consists of
a square or rectangular trench composed of masonry about one and a half
yards in depth, cemented and painted with oil throughout its surface; the
masonry terminates at the ground level, metal sides being carried upwards
therefrom of about three feet in height, and terminating at top in a hydraulic
joint, like an ordinary purifier. The trench is divided three times in its depth,
the upper division, in which is the outlet pipe, is provided at the lower part
with a wood or iron frame serving to support a diaphragm of some material
pervious to the hydrogen; this diaphragm is suitably fixed to the frame with
a strip of india-rubber around the edges to form a perfect joint, and below
this diaphragm are disposed parallel lines of iron tubes comprised between
two feed pipes. The small tubes are provided with slits of about two inches
in length, with half an inch, more or less, of metal between them. If then
a series of jets of gas be caused to impinge on the diaphragm the hydrogen
will pass through it, and the carbonic acid will descend in currents between
the rows of jets and thence to an upper chamber separated from that con-
taining the jets by a layer of wickerwork, which will allay the agitation
occasioned by the unsteady action of the jets. The difference of pressure on the
two sides of the diaphragm also enables the excess of hydrogen to pass through
those parts not directly acted on by the currents which has failed to do so on
leaving the pipes. The carbonic acid is discharged into the atmosphere by
the arrangement adapted to the separator before described, which further
regulates the pressure in the filter. The diaphragm is covered at its upper
part with a thin layer of caustic material to ensure the drying of the surface.
The diaphragms are placed in position or examined by removing the cover, as
in ordinary purifiers. On leaving the filters the bydrogen is deprived of all
trace of carbonic acid by being passed through an ordinary purifier containing
lime, sulphate of iron, carbonate of soda, or other material, and then passes
to a gasholder for use. The filter and purifier may be united together and
form one apparatus, as in Figures 15, 16, and 17. The hydrogen may be
distributed in cast-iron pipes with lead joints without greater waste than with
carbonated hydrogen. The flame may be rendered brilliant by the aid of
a platina surface or wire gauze on which to impinge, is white, steady, does not

page_text: try the eye, and possesses a lighting power equal to that of ordinary gas of
good quality, while the residue of the combustion consisting of steam is per-
fectly innocuous. The high price alone bas hitherto prevented the more general
use of hydrogen gas, and I have endeavoured, by the means herein-before
described, to lower the cost of manufacture, especially for lighting purposes.
by the separating process, and dispensing almost entirely with the matters for
absorbing the carbonic acid which tends much to increase its cost price. I
find that the cost of materials for absorbing the carbonic acid in this improved
mode of manufacture will not exceed 2 pence per cubic yard of product, to
which is added the cost of production, 1,, 9d per cubic yard, making the prime
cost two shillings per cubic yard. Hydrogen may be employed in two ways
for lighting purposes; 1st, as a substitute for ordinary gas, and 2ndly, for
improving the quality of gas with a saving in price; with reference to the
latter point the gas which gives the best results consists of a mixture of car-
buretted hydrogen and pure hydrogen; the hydrogen element is first consumed
at a high temperature, producing a rapid decomposition of the carburetted gas
and giving with the carbon a remarkably white light. The gases which have
been in contact with the highly heated surfaces of the retort undergo a sort
of torrefaction, producing partial decomposition into hydrogen and a carburet
containing less hydrogen than C H; this carburet can with difficulty be
decomposed at the burner, and burns imperfectly failing the high temperature
of which hydrogen is the source; this single consideration, among many others,
shows with what advantage bydrogen may be used for improving the quality of
ordinary gas. I would also observe, while on this subject, that the manufacture
of hydrogen can be easily carried on in most works having boilers and disposable
motive power; a bydrogen furnace may be established near the boiler, into
which the gases from the furnace pass and thence to the boiler flues, and those
manufactories having much waste heat at disposal may be lighted by its means
almost without any expense.
Application of Hydrogen Gas for Heating Purposes.-Hydrogen is of all
bodies the one possessing the greatest heating power; carbon comes next,
having a heating power represented by 1, while that of bydrogen amounts to
4 and 5. This gas is thus susceptible of many applications as a heating agent.
Figure 18 is an illustration of a method of producing the combustion of
bydrogen in order to obtain the greatest amount of heat therefrom. M
represents the liquid or gaseous matters to be heated; F, an enclosed space
divided into three parts by metallic gauze on the Davy principle; O, a pipe for
the introduction of oxygen into the mid compartment P¹; H, a pipe for the
introduction of hydrogen into the lower compartment P; E, E, the two

page_text: electrodes of a pile of two or three elements producing sparks about on a
level with the upper gauze diaphragm, the intervals of contact being regulated
by a pendulum; C, C, is a pipe for the circulation of the gases, one end
being in communication with the combustion chamber, and the other being
below the water level n, n, which always remains at the same point; B, ball
for receiving the unconsumed bydrogen. Supposing a blowing apparatus
arranged after this manner to supply proportionate quantities of air and
hydrogen to a furnace, combustion will be produced in the mass to be heated,
the products being deprived of their heat to the advantage thereof to such a
point as to produce the condensation of all except the azote. I will give two
examples of the application of the apparatus. 1st, for domestic heating pur-
poses. M represents the atmosphere of an apartment, in the centre of which
is placed the apparatus; the pipe O serves for the fresh air, and the pipe H
for the gases which expand in chamber P, the tubes of serpentine or other
form communicating with the chimney or pipe. By obtaining access at the
upper part of the compartment P¹, and filling it with fragments of refractory
material, heat may be obtained by radiation, or if used for boiling purposes it
is simply necessary to place the vessel on the chamber P¹. 2ndly, when
used for heating boilers the latter must be tubular, and preferably with
return flues for the introduction of the gases; the water is represented by M,
the tubes and flues communicating therewith, at which point the hydrogen
is collected. The use of hydrogen as fael is thus of practical value, the pro-
duction of hydrogen from the waste heat of furnaces serving as a sort of
regenerator of the heat and of the carbon, which regeneration is not realisable
in any other way than by the production of hydrogen; and among its appli-
cations as a heating agent may be mentioned, 1st, for utilizing the waste
heat of blast furnaces, foundries, puddling and other furnaces by the pro-
duction of hydrogen; 2ndly, injecting hydrogen above or below the fire in
furnaces; 3rdly, injecting hydrogen into blast furnaces and other similar
apparatus, either by means of air or other kinds of tuyeres; 4thly, using
hydrogen for raising the temperature at any point of combustion; 5thly,
using bydrogen with a view to the prevention of smoke.
Application of Hydrogen as a Motive Power.-For this purpose I apply the
ordinary surface or other condenser to gas engines operated by the combustion
of hydrogen, whether by acting on a piston or serving to rarefy the air in a
closed chamber, or for acting on the vanes of a turbine, in fact in any manner
in which condensation would prove of advantage. The hydrogen serving
simply to rarefy the azote for the production of condensable steam will nearly
double the power of gas engines when combined with a condenser. To this

page_text: advantage should be added that of dispensing with all cooling currents, as the
lowering of the temperature will be produced by the constant communication
with the condenser, the temperature of which will be from 90 to 100
degrees.