To Operate.
To charge the apparatus the safety valve is removed and the amount of the charge of acidulated water having been previously ascertained, the charge is poured into the acid chamber through the air pipe. The charge of spelter or zinc is placed in the gas chamber through the charging screw on top of the gas chamber. The pump is now attached to the air inlet cock with a short hose, and a few strokes of the pump will force the acid up into the gas chamber until the zinc is completely submerged. The generation of gas will begin at once.
The cock on the burner is then closed until the necessary working pressure is obtained, when it is ready for use. The pressure of gas can be regulated by setting the safety valve to blow off at a greater or less pressure, as desired. The use of the float valve is to prevent acid from being forced out of the gas chamber and into the tube. If this happens, the valve floats up and instantly closes the outlet, in which condition the valve remains until sufficient gas is generated to force the acid back into the acid chamber. When first charging the machine, acid should be forced up into the gas chamber until this valve closes, as that will force all of the air contained in the gas chamber out through the tube, leaving only pure gas in the generator. When the acid is spent it is easily removed from the generator by attaching the pump to the air inlet cock and forcing the acid up into the gas chamber. The angle valve is then opened, when the spent acid can be drawn off into a pail or other receptacle. This will not drain the acid chamber absolutely dry, but practically so.
When the operator ceases work, as for dinner or for any purpose, all that is necessary is to open the air inlet cock and detach the hose from the gas outlet. The acid will return by gravity to the acid chamber when generation ceases. When the operator is ready to resume work a few strokes of the pump will start generation again.