Kipp's hydrogen generator
Date1850-1900
Inventory Number3805
ClassificationGas Generator
Subject
Maker
American
?
Cultural Region
Dimensions15 x 41.1 x 31 cm (5 7/8 x 16 3/16 x 12 3/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA glass vessel composed of three compartments aligned vertically (the top one is removable). The bottom compartment is wide and not very tall, with a flat bottom and an opening on one side near the bottom closed with a glass stopper with a handle.
The middle compartment has an opening on one side near its top currently connected to a glass spout with a stopcock. The lower compartment communicates with the middle one by an open narrow neck through which goes a tube from the top compartment to the bottom one (see below) leaving a narrow gap between the compartments
The top compartment has an opening on top (currently with a stopper) and does not communicate with the one in the middle, instead extending a long glass tube that ends almost at the base of the lower compartment.
The middle compartment is currently filled partially with thin flakes of a grey-white substance, probably the result of the reaction of sulphuric acid with metallic zinc. There is also some yellow residue between the top and middle compartment.
The middle compartment has an opening on one side near its top currently connected to a glass spout with a stopcock. The lower compartment communicates with the middle one by an open narrow neck through which goes a tube from the top compartment to the bottom one (see below) leaving a narrow gap between the compartments
The top compartment has an opening on top (currently with a stopper) and does not communicate with the one in the middle, instead extending a long glass tube that ends almost at the base of the lower compartment.
The middle compartment is currently filled partially with thin flakes of a grey-white substance, probably the result of the reaction of sulphuric acid with metallic zinc. There is also some yellow residue between the top and middle compartment.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksSimilar to DW184 and 3802-5.
FunctionThis is a device that generates hydrogen gas "on tap" when the user requires it and stops producing it automatically when it is no longer required.
It usually produces hydrogen by the reaction of zinc metal with an acid. During its operation the opening in the lower section is kept stoppered, the top one is kept open to pour the acid in, and the middle opening is the hydrogen gas outlet. Pieces of zinc would be located in bottom of the middle section, stopped by the narrow gap from falling to the lower section. While the gas outlet is closed, if the user pours acid into the vessel it will only partially fill the lower section as the air pressure of the closed vessel prevents it from filling it entirely, with most of the acid remaining in the top vessel and communicating tube. The moment one opens the outlet, the acid can fill the lower vessel and climb up to the middle section, where it reacts with the zinc to produce hydrogen that leaves the vessel through the outlet. The moment one closes the outlet, the gas pressure in the middle section increases, forcing the acid back into the lower vessel and up to the upper vessel, interrupting the acid's contact with the zinc and the production of hydrogen.
For a more detailed description of the device and several links related to it, see the website dedicated to it at Creighton University by clicking here.
It usually produces hydrogen by the reaction of zinc metal with an acid. During its operation the opening in the lower section is kept stoppered, the top one is kept open to pour the acid in, and the middle opening is the hydrogen gas outlet. Pieces of zinc would be located in bottom of the middle section, stopped by the narrow gap from falling to the lower section. While the gas outlet is closed, if the user pours acid into the vessel it will only partially fill the lower section as the air pressure of the closed vessel prevents it from filling it entirely, with most of the acid remaining in the top vessel and communicating tube. The moment one opens the outlet, the acid can fill the lower vessel and climb up to the middle section, where it reacts with the zinc to produce hydrogen that leaves the vessel through the outlet. The moment one closes the outlet, the gas pressure in the middle section increases, forcing the acid back into the lower vessel and up to the upper vessel, interrupting the acid's contact with the zinc and the production of hydrogen.
For a more detailed description of the device and several links related to it, see the website dedicated to it at Creighton University by clicking here.
Richard W. Thomas
Date: circa 1861
Accessories: bottle and beaker (1998-1-1634a); hydrometer and manual (1998-1-1634b)
Object number: 1998-1-1634
Distillation Products Industries
Date: circa 1940
Object number: 1998-1-0034
Walter Balcke
Date: 1952-1964
Object number: 1997-1-1605b
Nachet et Fils (I)
Date: circa 1862
Accessories: 9 objectives and caps 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, (last 3 marked "Nachet à Paris") in their own box; 3 eyepieces 1, 2, 3; large stage clips; dual nosepiece; camera lucida; side illumination prism ; substage cup diaphragm; substage condensers (3); rotating wheel diaphragm; substage mirror on articulated arm; wrench; convertible objectives (3) for a different microscope; flat case.
Object number: 1068b
Wild Heerbrugg Ltd.
Date: circa 1960
Accessories: keys (2); screws (2); screwdriver
Object number: 1997-1-0723
