Mechanik Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Władysław Antoni Grodzicki i jego skraplarki gazów

Abstract

Mechanic of the Jagiellonian University Władysław Antoni Grodzicki and His Gas Liquefiers One of the significant achievements in Polish science was the liquefaction of oxygen, air, and other gases in 1883 by the Jagiellonian University professors – Zygmunt Wróblewski and Karol Olszewski. Over the next few years, Krakow became one of the leading units in researching the physicochemical properties of gases. The mechanical workshop of the Jagiellonian University, which produced custom-made laboratory devices for liquefying gases, also gained recognition. The devices were designed by Karol Olszewski, a professor of chemistry at the Jagiellonian University, who modelled them on the countercurrent condenser by William Hampson. The apparatuses were made by the university mechanic, Władysław Grodzicki (1864–1927), who held this post in the years 1897–1927. He offered three types of apparatuses: a cased apparatus, a demonstration apparatus for air liquefaction, and a universal apparatus for liquefaction of air and hydrogen. In order to test how they functioned, a complete gas liquefaction apparatus was installed in the laboratory (including purifiers, a compressor, etc.). These devices were bought by European research institutions, universities, and schools. Grodzicki’s activity contributed to the popularisation of research on low temperatures conducted at the Jagiellonian University. At the same time, it was one of the few Polish companies offering high-class scientific instruments.