New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-31
A CHEMICAL OLUTION

A radical change is threatened in one of tho most
IMPORTANT branches Of chemical manufacturer; a
change that may be regarded in its widespread
effects as "a revolution. The manufacture OF soda
occupies a prominent place in this class OF lndus
tries not less from the fact that soap and glassware
are dependent upon it, than from the circumstance
that many other chemical processes only profit
able because Of the cheapness Of certain materials
like hydrochloric acid obtained as waste IN max
ing soda. For hree-quarters of century the lie
blanc method of manufacturing soda has held undis-
puted prominence; now, that known as the ammo
mia process seems likely take its place. There are
some curious historical facts connected with the for
mer method In 1893 the Council of Public Safety
ordered all the soda manufacturers of France to
intrust the secrets of their business to the State
Previously France had imported the bulk OF her
soda from Spain, where it was manufactured from
the ashes of certain plants and seaweeds, and known
to commerce as barila. The process OF Leblanc for
making soda from common salt was adJudged by the
French authorities superior to any other method,
and that opinion has been justified by time. Of the
200 100000 pounds per annum that we import from
Europe at a cost Of S. 100000, only small part has
hitherto been made by any other process
Perhaps brief statement of Leblancs method
mag be of interest. First, the chloride of sodium
common salt is treated with 'suphuric acid, pro-
latter being regarded a waste product. Second
the suphate of soda is heated with carbonate OF
lime (chalkl and carbonate of soda is obtained, the
sulphate of lime and other compounds OF sulphur
and calcium being waste products. The chief bur
den of the process was in the loss of the sulphur
contained in the sulphuric acid. Sulphur had been
for many years obtained from the volcanic deposits
of Sicily. Francis H., conceiving the notion that
the kingdom of the Two Sicilies had monopoly of
the production of sulphur levied enormous export
duty upon it. Two results followed first, the man
ulacturers of sulphuric acid began to make it from
iron and copper pyrites i'll which sulphur is asso-
ciated with those metals; and second the soda man
ufacturers attacked their waste compounds OF sui
phur and calcium by means of their other waste,
hydrOchlorc acid rescued the sulphur, and left only
the chloride of calcium a waste.
The new process of making soda, of which a brief
description will be found on the eighth page, is not
new as an experiment although it certainly is as
successful manufacture. 1t depends upon tho ca
pacity of the carbonate Of ammonia for attacking
solutions of common salt, and producing at once, by
an exchange Of components, carbonate of soda and
chloride of ammonium. The latter substance is
treated with carbonate of lime resulting in re-
newed supply of carbonate Of ammonia and
final waste product. chloride of calcium. Some
monia is of course, lost in going the round of the
process. Till very lately the reduction Of common
salt by this method has been but imperfectly eff
fected in experiments on manufacturing scale
now there are large soda-works in England, Hun
gary, Switzerland and Germany using the ammonia
process Some Of them producing fifteen tons of
soda per day. The chief advantages gained are in
the drectness of the process and the purity of the
resulting soda.
There is much speculation as to what will be the
consequences of the change. 1t is supposed that
many of the present processes for manufacturing
recovering sulphur and sulphuric acid will to
be profitable with diminished demand for their
product In some Of the cheap fertilizers the COM
pound of sulphur and calcium played part, and
they will no longer be accessible. The manufacture
Of chloride Of lime is dependent upon cheap hydro
chloric acid, and marked rise in the cost Of bleach
ing powders would interfere with many important
industries On the other hand it is not clear to
where considerable increase Of the supply of ear
Donate Of ammonia for the new process, is to be
obtained. For centuries sal-ammoniac was imported
from Egypt where it was sublimed from camePs
dung. Of late years the principal source has
been the waste liquors Of the gas-works-that rich
reservoir Of chemical materials. Certain possbli-
ties. however are suggested which may modify the
consequences above stated Sulphuric acid may still
be largely in demand to elicit ammonia from the gas
liquors or from organic compounds. The chloride of
calcium may not forever remain an utterly waste
product, and some sklful investigator, by recover
ing it's chlorine may remove the chief opprobrium
OF modern manufacturing chemistry.
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