The Grenet cell is contained within a rounded glass vessel with a capacity of two litres, closed by a brass cap. Two sloping carbon bars, in contact with each other under the lid, border a zinc plate which can be raised or lowered by means of a pin placed in the centre of the lid. On this are mounted two clamps, one connected to the zinc, the other to the carbon. The vessel contained a solution of sulphuric acid H₂SO₄ and potassium dichromate K₂Cr₂O₇. The production of hydrogen at the carbon electrode resulting from the operation of this single-liquid battery can be reduced by adjusting the length of the zinc electrode immersed in the solution to about 1/3 or 1/4 that of the carbon electrode.

The cells were purchased from Tecnomasio – Milano in 1888.

Device on display.