Very pure oxygen can be generated on a small scale by wetting sodium peroxid.

4NaO+2H2O = 4NaOH + O2.

The Oxone idea is a recent development of an old method. The sodium peroxid in fused lumps is delivered in hermetically sealed cans to protect it from the moisture. Each pound of Oxone produces over 2 feet of the gas, at a price of from 13 to 20 cents a foot.2 The generator (Fig. 41) is made by the Nelson Goodyear Company and sold by the Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Company.

1 American Machinist, Henry Cave.

2 Special Information.

Fig. 40. - Diagram of oxygen generator (Davis-Bournonville Company).

To make oxygen several holes are punched in the top and bottom of the can and it is placed in the generator. The generator is filled with water to the mark, closed and the needle valve opened. Opening the valve lets water in on the Oxone, and oxygen begins to come off. It is claimed to be 99 per cent pure; the trace of water vapor is removed by washing, and the delivered gas is then practically pure. The safety valve of the generator is set at five pounds and the delivery valve at three.

Fig. 41. - Oxone oxygen generator (the Roessler and Hasslacher Chemical Company).

Fig. 42. - Oxygne burner (the Roessler and Hasslacher Chemical Company.)

Closing the needle valve stops the generating. Soda lye is the by-product. In cleaning out the generator be careful not to get the strong lye on the hands nor clothing.

This oxygen is expensive, very pure, and the apparatus easily portable. Hence it can be used to make gas for reinforcing the air in submarines or under-ground or under-water workings and by jewelers, dentists, assayers, and silversmiths. For burning this oxygen the company furnishes a special torch (Fig. 42). The other gas of combustion is sulfuric ether; or acetylene, gasoline vapor, or coal gas can be used. The oxygen-ether flame is ideal for jewelers and dentists. Figure 43 shows a handy furnace for melting down metals.

Fig. 43. - Oxone furnace for dentists and jewelers (the Roessler and Hasslacher Chemical Company).