Accession No
6043
Brief Description
Kipp’s apparatus for generating gases; Czechoslovakian; mid 20th century
Origin
Czechoslovakia
Maker
Class
chemistry
Earliest Date
1925
Latest Date
1975
Inscription Date
Material
glass; metal (iron)
Dimensions
height 520mm; width 260mm; depth 140mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Donated on or before 07/04/2005.
Inscription
[partially obscured logo]
‘czechoslovakia’ [very faint etching on acid reservoir]
Description Notes
Kipp’s apparatus for generating gases; Czechoslovakia; mid 20th century.
The ‘Kipp generator’ or ‘Kipp’s gas generator’ was used for on-demand generation of small quantities of laboratory gases, such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.
The generator is in three sections that fit together with ground glass joints: the top section is the acid reservoir, the middle section is the gas reservoir and the bottom section is the base. The gas reservoir has an attached gas tube with a ground glass tap to control the flow of gas out of the generator. Inside the gas reservoir is a metal ring that holds the pieces of metal used in the reaction.
The acid reservoir consists of a large glass bulb with a long tube that will deliver the acid straight to the base chamber. The base has a ground glass joint, with a ground glass stopper. Other designs of Kipp’s apparatus have a base without any openings or joints.
Condition good; some rusting to metal ring and rust residue in base chamber.
References
Events
Description
Kipp’s gas generating apparatus was used throughout the 20th century for generating small quantities of gases for use in the laboratory. Kipp’s apparatus was invented in 1844 by Petrus Jacobus Kipp (1808-1864), a pharmacist from Delft in the Netherlands. The original Kipp generator was 62cm high - this one is slightly smaller, standing 52cm high.
As pharmacy was not a financially secure business at the time, Kipp supplemented his income by building up a business selling laboratory chemicals and scientific instruments in his pharmacy shop. Kipp set up the company Kipp & Zonen (meaning Kipp and Sons) in 1930, and they are still producing scientific instruments today. A Kipp generator forms part of the company’s logo.
How to make a gas using Kipp’s gas generator:
Pieces of metal are placed in the central gas reservoir and the upper acid reservoir is filled with a suitable acid, making sure that the gas tap is closed. (Zinc and hydrocloric acid are used when making hydrogen.) When the tap is closed, air pressure prevents the acid from draining into the base.
Opening the tap allows air to leave and causes the acid to drain downwards. The acid level rises until it reaches the middle chamber and comes into contact with the metal, where it starts to react. This reaction produces the required gas. As more gas is generated, it is given off through the gas tube.
When enough gas has been produced, the gas tap is closed again. This not only stops the flow of gas, it also prevents more being generated. As the tap is closed, the gas being generated has nowhere to escape, and so it builds up inside the gas reservoir, increasing the pressure. As a result of this pressure, the acid is forced back up the tube until it is no longer in contact with the metal. At this point, no more gas is generated, until the tap is opened again. The gas is truly ‘on tap’, as it is produced only when required.
20/04/2005
Created by: Ruth Horry on 20/04/2005
FM:46509
Images (Click to view full size):
