APPARATUS FOR SATURATING WATER WITH SULPHUROUS ACID.

Messrs. A. Boake & Co., of Stratford, London, England, have devised a convenient apparatus for charging water with sulphurous acid which is useful in the making of photographic developers. The following description has been furnished by the firm:

The figure shows one of the siphons connected with a very convenient form of apparatus for preparing a solution of sulphurous acid in water, or of sulphites, as may be required.

The siphons are easy to manage, the flow of gaseous acid being regulated with the greatest nicety by simply turning the milled head shown in the engraving, the liquid acid being gradually converted into gas as the pressure is relieved. There is, moreover, no danger attending the use of this simple apparatus; sulphurous acid exerting at ordinary temperatures a pressure of about 30 pounds on the square inch, while each siphon is carefully tested under a pressure of 200 pounds on the square inch before being sent out.

APPARATUS FOR SATURATING WATER WITH SULPHUROUS ACID.

In preparing a solution, say, of sulphurous acid in water, the ground stopper carrying the tubes for passing the gas should be removed from the glass jar in immediate connection with the siphon, and two-thirds filled with distilled water; the stopper is then to be replaced, and the second glass jar half filled with caustic soda solution. The soda solution is used to absorb any sulphurous acid not dissolved by the distilled water, and so prevent the escape of this irritating gas into the air. Solution of sulphite of soda, and also of bisulphite, can be prepared in a similar way, substituting only pure caustic soda solution for the distilled water employed in the case of preparing the solution of sulphurous acid; but we must rather devise the purchase of the pure solid forms of these salts specially prepared, and put up by us in one-pound stoppered bottles for use in photography; these preparations can be obtained either direct from the manufacturers or from any wholesale chemical firm. The siphons may be obtained either separately or already connected with the absorbing jars. It may be mentioned that these siphons contain about two and a half pounds of liquefied sulphurous acid, and can be refilled when required; but those requiring larger quantities can obtain the acid compound in copper drums.

The Photographic News says: It will be noticed that Messrs. Boake say there is no danger attending the use of the siphons, as the glass vessels are tested at a much greater pressure than that ordinarily exerted by the condensed sulphurous acid; but our readers must remember that a blow against a hard substance may cause the glass to become fractured, and that under these circumstances the bursting of a siphon might cause a serious injury. Still, if proper care is exercised, there need be no accident; but we would suggest that the condensed acid should always be kept in the coolest place available, as the pressure it exerts becomes much greater when the temperature is raised.

The above caution is necessary, as a bare statement that there is no danger may cause persons to handle the siphons without reasonable care. The risk is precisely analogous to that attending the use and handling of bottles containing ordinary aerated waters, only the irritating nature of the sulphurous acid must be taken into account. Instances have occurred in which serious injury has resulted from the bursting of a bottle of soda water; but few, if any, are deterred from the use of soda water or lemonade on this account.