IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROPORTIONS OF INGREDIENTS AND MODE OF MANU- FACTURE OF A CHEMICAL COMPOUND FOR SOFTENING WATER
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Anton Verwey, late of 24, Saint Augustine Road,
Camden Town, in the County of Middlesex, but now of No. 3, Croydon
Grove, Croydon, in the County of Surrey, Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROPORTIONS OF INGREDIENTS AND MODE OF MANU-
FACTURE OF A CHEMICAL COMPOUND FOR SOFTENING WATER"
Sealed the 15th March 1861, and dated the 11th December 1860.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Anton Verwey at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declaration,
on the 11th December 1860, pursuant to the 9th Section of the Patent
Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ANTON
VERWEY, late of 24, Saint Augustine Road, Camden Town, in the County of
Middlesex, but now of Number 3, Croydon Grove, Croydon, in the County
of Surrey, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PROPORTIONS OF INGREDIENTS AND MODE OF MANUFACTURE OF A CHEMICAL COMPOUND
FOR SOFTENING WATER," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me,
my heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for
the same, and have made solemn Declaration that the same is my own
Invention, and that the same is not in use by any other person or persons in
Great Britain or Ireland, to the best of my knowledge and belief:
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Anton Verwey, do hereby declare that
the following Complete Specification under my hand and seal fully describes

page_text: and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed (that is to say):-
The object of my Invention is the production from a mixture of carbonate
and bicarbonate of soda and of liquid silicate of soda, of a solid compound
capable of being reduced to a powder readily soluble in water, and which com-
pound is highly useful when employed for softening hard waters.
The proportions of ingredients which I have found to be suitable for
effecting my said Invention are, two parts of anhydrous carbonate of soda,
(such as occurs in commerce, as "soda ash" or "alkali,") one part of com-
mercial bicarbonate of soda and two parts of liquid silicate of soda, having a
specific gravity of 1.550. These proportions of ingredients yield a compound
which is well suited for softening such hard waters as are usually met with;
but when needful I vary the proportions of ingredients used according to the
composition of the water intended to be softened, as herein-after explained.
I can also substitute for the carbonate of soda mentioned other equivalent
carbonates of soda, and I can use liquid silicate of soda of a different gravity
to that which I have herein-before indicated, but I prefer to use the
ingredients employed in the state which I have herein-before described for
each respectively. I mix together the bicarbonate and carbonate of soda
employed (both these substances being in the state of fine powder), and I add
such mixture-to-the-liquid-silicate-of- soda, and by stirring Icause the whole
to be well mixed together. I then allow the mixture to remain quiescent for
about twenty-four hours, when it stiffens, and usually becomes sufficiently hard
to allow of its being pulverized. If needful, I introduce the compound thus
obtained into a drying stove to drive off some moisture. The compound
should then be reduced to powder by the use of a mill or other suitable
means, and when needful passed through a dressing or sifting apparatus.
When I have occasion to prepare my improved compound to be used for
softening water which contains some special proportions of lime and magnesia,
I ascertain by means of the well-known method invented by Doctor Clarke,
the degrees of "permanent hardness" which such water indicates, and I use
the ingredients before mentioned in such proportions as to allow for each
gallon of water from two to two-and-a-half grains of the mixed carbonates of
soda for each degree of hardness. I ascertain also by well-known means the
quantity of magnesia contained in a gallon of water, and I use such a propor-
tion of silicate of soda to form the softening compound as will provide for 5 to
5 grains of silica in solution being used for each grain of magnesia contained
in the water.
I have herein-before described and ascertained certain proportions of

page_text: carbonates and silicate of soda which I prefer to use in effecting my Inven-
tion, but I do not confine myself precisely to such proportions, as these may be
varied to some extent without deviating from the nature of my said Invention,
and I can also form a compound by using either one of the carbonates singly
with the silicate of soda.
The mode in which I employ the compound for softening water is as
follows:-I add to the water intended to be softened the required quantity of
compound necessary for that purpose, and then stir or agitate the water so that
the compound is diffused throughout the whole mass. I prefer mixing the
compound with hot water or applying heat to cold water containing the com-
pound, as the compound is more readily dissolved by that means, and its
action rendered more immediate and effective. When heat is applied it will
be found that 1 lbs. to 1lbs. of the compound will be sufficient for softening
one hundred gallons of ordinary water; and when the improved compound is
required, the quantity will be determined by the ascertained quantities of lime
and magnesia that the particular water contains. The water thus containing
the requisite quantity of the compound well mixed with it is fit for immediate
use; and when soap or other ingredients are employed for manufacturing or
other purposes, they should be added to or used with the water after the com-
pound has been mixed with it, and not before.
I claim as my Invention the production of a solid compound and its reduc-
tion to a state of powder by the use of carbonate of soda combined with liquid
silicate of soda, and which compound is particularly suitable to be employed
for softening hard waters.
And I also claim the useful application of the solid compound herein-before
mentioned, in a state of powder for purifying and softening hard waters.
In witness whereof, I, the undersigned Anton Verwey, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of December, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty.