Instrument to make spirit of sulphur underwater
Date
11 May 1687
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p1
Dimensions
height (page): 196mm
width (page): 173mm
width (page): 173mm
Description
This instrument designed by Denis Papin is based on an earlier instrument to make fire underwater. This particular one is made to improve the draining of acid fumes, through a ceramic tube instead of a metal one. The fire in the machine stays on much longer with compressed air than with normal air, as has been proven by Papin's experiment, which he made by order of Robert Boyle.
Transcription
AA. BB. are two glass vessells well fitted to one another at the commisture marked CC
DDDD a pipe bent in severall places and haveing communication with the Vessell AA, at the shank of a funnell
E a value at the top of the say'd pipe presst by a spring that it may not open till the Air underneath com's to a certain degree of compression, which may be more or less accorindg as the Instrument is strong.
FF a pipe that must communicate with some compressing engine that may constantly send new compressed Air into the Vessells AA.BB.
GG. an earthen disk to contain the brimstone to be burn't.
HHHH. an Iron frame to hold the whole Instrument fast together and well shutt as is exhibited in the scheme.
It is plain that by this means we may keep the fire in by the quantity of new compresst Air that may be supply'd and by the length of the pipe DDD and the great number of its bendings, we may avoid the loosing of any acid spirits.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
DDDD a pipe bent in severall places and haveing communication with the Vessell AA, at the shank of a funnell
E a value at the top of the say'd pipe presst by a spring that it may not open till the Air underneath com's to a certain degree of compression, which may be more or less accorindg as the Instrument is strong.
FF a pipe that must communicate with some compressing engine that may constantly send new compressed Air into the Vessells AA.BB.
GG. an earthen disk to contain the brimstone to be burn't.
HHHH. an Iron frame to hold the whole Instrument fast together and well shutt as is exhibited in the scheme.
It is plain that by this means we may keep the fire in by the quantity of new compresst Air that may be supply'd and by the length of the pipe DDD and the great number of its bendings, we may avoid the loosing of any acid spirits.
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 11 May 1687, ‘A paper was given in by Dr. Papin concerning a way of distilling oil of sulphur per companam; for which purpose he conceived, that the engine, which he had formerly shewn for keeping fire under water, might with some little alteration be very proper’ (Birch 4:538).
The account is registered with the legend but not the image at RBO/7/6.
The account is registered with the legend but not the image at RBO/7/6.
Related fellows
Denis Papin (1647, French) , Natural philosopher
Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691, British) , Natural philosopher
Robert Boyle (1627 - 1691, British) , Natural philosopher