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THE "SPARK" OF INVENTION

The batteries' total storage capacity of over 10 KW can supply the Lorenzen household with power through about one week of windlessness, but during protracted lulls, John was originally forced to resort to the use of a gasoline-powered generator ... and such a reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels was a frustration to the self-sufficient sensibilities of the Iowa inventor. However, the idea for a new method of energy storage came one day while he was filling his batteries.

Because Edison cells produce some hydrogen waste — as do standard lead/acid batteries — there's always the possibility of an explosion if proper precautions aren't taken. On the occasion in question, John was using a copper filler pipe to add water to the thirsty amp holders, and a spark between the battery top and the copper tube ignited the explosive gas around the filler hole. Fortunately, no damage was done . . . and the experience led him to begin investigating the production of hydrogen for fuel.

Mr. Lorenzen knew that there was often more electricity available from his windplants than he had use for. In fact, the third Jacobs unit spent most of its time standing ready to back up the other two. So he decided to begin electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen.

John's backyard workshop is strewn with the examples of his progressive development of better and better electrolyzing plates. When MOTHER's staff visited the impromptu laboratory, there was one generator in full operation . . . another very close to completion . . . and a redesign of the plates in the early exploratory stages.

The device that's currently in use is fully automatic and is-to say the leastquite cleverly conceived. Lorenzen has overcome the classic problem of separating the hydrogen and oxygen produced from the electrolysis of water by attaching plexiglass plates, angled in opposite directions, to the anode and cathode of his generator. Hydrogen (which tends to bubble near one plate) goes one direction, and oxygen (which is, in turn, released near the second conductor) rises toward the other side of the container. A third plate, which divides the electrolysis chamber in half, isolates the two elements.

As the hydrogen gradually builds up on one side of the divider, the oxygen on the other side is vented into the atmosphere outside the shop. Thus the increasing pressure of hydrogen forces the water level on the oxygen side higher and higher. A ball float switch eventually kicks on a small compressor which pumps the Hz into a 100-pounds-persquare-inch tank. Numerous one-way valves are incorporated in all the hookups to the hydrogen reservoir to prevent a backfire to the container. (One such accident — early in John's experimentation — blew the regulator right off his storage bottle! )

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