VOL. 5, NO.11
AN EASILY MADEOZONIZER
1493
AN EASILY MADE OZONUER* Last year the author and another boy were given the problem of constructing a cheap and simple ozonizer from old tin cans, jars, and so forth. The main requisites were that it be constructed of commonplace materials, and capable of being easily duplicated by persons possessing neither specialized tools nor unusual mechanical ability. After a little preliminary experimentation, an apparatus which gave excellent results was constructed. It was used in a lecture demonstration by the instructor, who declared i t to Outlet Inlet be much simpler and easier for firsttube tube year students to understand than the commercial ozonizer. It has the further virtue that the student can duplimp* To coil cate it easily a t home. secondary It was found that the details of construction and material were ca~able of considerable variation without deleterious effects on the functioning of the apparatus. The ozonizer proper may be made from two tin cans, a glass jar, a twohole stopper to fit the jar, two short pieces of glass tnbing, and two pieces of wire. To construct it, first procure a wide-mouthed glass bottle or jar. A pint fruit jar works very well. Next find two tin cans, one to rro - on the outside of the jar and one to go on the inside. Theoretically, the smallest OZoNIZER can that the jar will go into should be used for the outside can, while the largest can that will go into the jar should be used for the inside. Cut off the bottom of the inside can, and cut both cans so that the mouth of the jar extends a little above them. A large two-hole stopper to fit the jar is required. A rubber stopper is best, but cork boiled in paraffin should do. A nearly air-tight fit is required here, if the ozone is to be conveyed away for use. A long and a short glass tube are placed in the holes to act, respectively, as an inlet for untreated air and an outlet for ozonized air. The long tube should extend nearly to the bottom of the jar. We found it unnecessary to intro-
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* Winner of a five-dollar award in the student contribution contest closing October 15, 1928.
duce the incoming air between the jar and the inside can. A suitable length of wire is attached to each can; soldering, of course, is best. The cork must be notched a little to admit the wire leading to the inner can. This completes the ozonizer, itself, but certain accessories are required for its operation. For the coil we used an old Model T Ford coil, which was easily obtainable and gave excellent results. An automobile pump served to deliver the necessary air current. The use of lung-power is not only arduous but introduces moisture which puts the apparatus out of commission. If lighting current is to be used a step-down or "bell-ringing" transformer is necessary. Any source delivering current a t six to twelve volts is satisfactory. Connect up the apparatus, turn on the current, adjust the spark coil, and begin to pump. The odor of ozone will soon be apparent. The presence of ozone in the effluent air may also be demonstrated by chemical means, for ozone turns a starch-iodide solution dark blue.
