The new cell consists of a flat copper case, of the same shape as a Grove’s cell; it has a lid of paraffined wood, from which hangs a plate of lead amalgamated with mercury, the lower part of the lead plate being held in a groove in a slip of paraffined wood resting on the bottom of the copper case: through the lid a hole is bored for the introduction of the solution, which consists of a solution of cupric sulphate, to which is added one-twelfth of hydric sulphate; the presence of this free sulphuric acid improves the cell at once. The following sectional sketch shows the arrangement:- AB. The outer flat copper case. C. Plate of amalgamated lead held in grooves in the cap D and the slip E. F shows the hole in the cap through which the solution is introduced, and by the introduction of a glass tube through this hole the state of the charge is seen by observing the colour; the interior surface of the case forms the negative, and the amalgamated lead the positive electrode.
A new method for determining the rate of sulphation of storage battery plates
