Technikatörténeti szemle 25. (2001-02)

Papers of the Third International Conference on the History of Chemistry and Chemical Industry (Budapest, 2–4 July, 1999) – First Part - Lichocka, Halina: Ignacy Mościcki (1867–1946) in the history of science and technology

Among the research subjects dealt with by Ignacy Moscicki one subject in particular could not be absent, that of coal. The practical utility of making coal into coke and coal gas prompted Moscicki to seek the optimal method of coal carbonization. He tried to apply his own solutions, proven already in the treatment of oil, and prepared a respective patent. By comparison with the retort distillation, used at that time, in Moscicki's method there was a minimal use of apparatuses and a high degree of heat exploitation. The vapours appearing during the distillation, before reaching the condensation columns, were moving in the distillation chamber being thus a carrier of energy. All the necessary devices were so designed as to be able to function in a continuous system of work. The method obtained the Polish patent in 1920. After having been elected, in 1926, President of the Polish Republic, Professor Ignacy Moscicki had no more time for experiments and consideration of technological problems. His last invention was a device for climatization designed during the period of his presidency. The equipment was installed in several rooms of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. He returned to the problems of climatization during the second world war. He did it in Switzerland where once again he had found refuge. Ignacy Moscicki's life record included 40 acknowledged patents, as well as doctorates honoris causa of academic schools both at home and abroad, among them those of the universities in Warsaw, Wilno, Paris, Fribourg and Dorpat.