IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF NATURAL BASIC PHOSPHATES OF LIME IN THE LEBLANC PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA AND POTASH
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE TREATMENT OF NATURAL BASIC PHOSPHATES OF LIME IN THE LEBLANC
PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA AND POTASH" communicated to
him from Messieurs Crespel Brothers and Martin persons resident at Lille
(Nord) in the Republic of France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1883.
16
"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincolns Inn Fields in the County of Middlesex
Gentleman IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF NATURAL BASIC PHOSPHATES
OF LIME IN THE LEBLANC PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA AND POTASH.'
A communication to me from Crespel Brothers and Martin persons resident at Lille
(Nord) in the Republic of France
It is known that the method of manufacturing Soda or Potash invented in 1791
by Leblanc and which is considered as one of the greatest discoveries in the
industrial arts consists in introducing into a reverberatory furnace of well known
construction a mixture of four hundred Kilogrammes of Chalk (Carbonate of
Lime) four hundred Kilogrammes of Anhydrous Sulphate of Soda and from one
hundred and forty to One hundred and fitty Kilogrammes of Carbon or Coal in
order to obtain from five hundred and fifty to six hundred Kilogramines of
Crude Carbonate of Soda These materials are stirred becoming soft at a red heat
gradually becoming consistent and after being calcined for a few hours the
semi fluid mixture is withdrawn from the furnace-This product is crude artificial
Soda (black ash or ball Soda.).
The present Invention consists in substituting for the dried lime employed
in the mixture herein before referred to natural Phosphate of Lime of Liply in
Belgium or generally any other Phosphate of Lime as well as Phosphated
Chalk from any source and even in- certain cases Phosphate of lime from bones
ID 37

page_text: whether these Phosphates or chalks have been washed calcined or ventilated
in any manner or enriched by means of Acids or otherwise. This is done for
the purpose of causing the said Phosphates of Lime or Phosphated Chalks
to intervene in the reaction which forms the essence of the Leblanc process in the
stead and place of the Chalk it being well understood that in the manufacture of
Soda or potash the lime of the Carbonate of Lime (which accompanies the Phosphate
of Lime) as well as the three equivalents of lime combined with the Phosphoric
Acid are thus utilized by producing phosphate of Soda Silicate of Soda (when the
original Phosphate contains Silica) and lastly Carbonate of Soda-These different
bodies undergo separation conversion and decomposition in the following manner
viz.
"
The Silica and Alumina that may be contained in the solution are first precipi-
tated by means of a current of Carbonic Acid; after decanting the clear liquid the
Phosphate of Soda is Crystallized or decomposed by means of natural (or previously
calcined washed or enriched) Phosphate of Lime, Lime, Carbonate of Lime (from
whatever source) Magnesia Carbonate of Magnesia, dolomite calcined or otherwise,
all these substances are employed separately (with or without heat) or mixed in
suitable proportions under pressure or otherwise with or without the aid of
Carbonic Acid under pressure or otherwise or in fact by means of any other
analogous precipitant in such a manner as to obtain practically all the phosphoric
Acid originally contained in the Phosphates of Lime (or Phosphated Chalks
subjected to the treatment described) in the condition of bibasic or tribasic Phos-
phate of Lime or of course in, the condition of a Phosphate corresponding to the
base employed as the precipitating Agent and, in solution caustic Soda or Carbonate
of Soda as has been demonstrated It is evident that the Sodaic residue resulting
from the modified treatment as hereinbefore described may contain varying propor-
tions of Phosphoric Acid in the condition of Phosphate of Lime but this latter will
be met with again with the Carbonate of Lime resulting from the extraction of the
sulphur from the residue in the usual manner so that by employing this Carbonate
of Lime as already described as the Agent for effecting the decomposition and
conversion of the Phosphate of Soda its phosphoric Acid will be recovered and be
added to the quality of Phosphate of Lime precipitated Nevertheless if the processes
employed for extracting the Sulphur from the residue yield an Acid Calcareous
solution the phosphoric Acid of the solution will be precipitated in this case by the
lime or by one of the other bases hereinbefore enumerated.
This Invention also relates to a method of decomposing Sulphuret of Sodium by
means of natural Phosphate of Lime or Phosphated Chalk in such a manner as
to obtain Phosphate of Soda and Carbonate of Soda or Caustic Soda whether
Phosphate of Lime or Calcined Chalk are employed such decomposition being
effected either in the dry way with or without the aid of Carbonic Acid and
steam (or a suitable mixture of these two substances) or in the wet way (with or
without heat) under pressure or otherwise with or without the aid of Carbonic
Acid.
Another feather of this Invention consists in the employment in the stead and
place of the natural Phosphate of Lime and the Chalk (under the conditions herein-
before set forth) scoria containing Lime and Phosphorous resulting from the
dephosphorization of metals or ores (by any process) whether such Scoria be
previously disintegrated pulverized hydrated Carbonated, calcined, oxidized or
otherwise or washed or enriched or whether they have been deprived of certain
constituent elements-According to this Invention any natural or artificial mixture
of Carbonates of Lime and Phosphates of Lime may be employed under the
conditions herein before described in place of the natural Phosphate of Lime and
Chalk hereinbefore referred to.
The distinguishing features of the invention of the improved process hereinbefore
described are as follows:-viz.
First The employment under the conditions set forth of natural basic Phosphate
of Lime or Phosphated Chalk as a substitute for the Chalk (Carbonate of Lime)

page_text: usually employed in the Leblanc process for the manufacture of Soda and Potash
or generally in any other processes whatever having the same object that is to say
decomposing Sulphate of Soda by Carbon Carbonate of Lime or Oxide of Calcium
whether the Phosphate of Lime or the Phosphated Chalk be previously calcined,
washed enriched by acids or by any other enriching or carbonating means
whatsoever.
Secondly The mode of effecting the decomposition of Sulphuret of Sodium by
means of natural Phosphate of Lime or Phosphated Chalk whether such decompo-
sition be performed by the dry process with or without the aid of Carbonic Acid and
steam (or a suitable mixture of these two bodies) or be performed by the wet
process (with or without heat) under pressure or otherwise with or without the aid
of Carbonic Acid.
Thirdly-The employment in the stead and place of natural phosphate of Lime
and Chalk (under the conditions hereinbefore set forth) of scoria containing Line
and phosphorus resulting from the dephosphorization of metals or ores and in
general any natural or artificial mixture of Carbonate of Lime and Phosphate of
Lime in the manner and for the purpose described
Fourthly The mode of separating decomposing and converting the Silicate of
Soda, Alumina phosphate and Carbonate of Soda resulting from the washing of
the balls of Crude Soda and united in the same solution in the manner and for the
purpose indicated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1883.
و"
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of Middlesox
-Gentleman " IMPROVEMENTS-IN-THE-TREATMENT-OF-NATURAL-BASIC-PHOSPHATES-
OF LIME IN THE LEBLANC PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA AND POTASH
a communication to me from Messieurs Crespel Brothers and Martin, persons
resident at Lille (Nord) in the Republic of France
It is known that the method of manufacturing soda or potash invented in 1791
by Leblanc and which is considered as one of the greatest discoveries in the
industrial arts consists in introducing into a reverberatory furnace of well known
construction a mixture of four hundred Kilogrammes (about 880b) of chalk
(carbonate of lime) four hundred Kilogrammes (about 880lba) of anhydrous sulphate
of Soda and from One hundred and forty (about 310lbs) to One hundred and fifty
Kilogrammes (about 330lbs) of Carbon or coal in order to obtain from five hundred
and fifty (about 1,220 b) to six hundred Kilogrammes (about 1330™*) of crude
carbonate of Soda. These materials are stirred becoming soft at a red heat
gradually becoming consistent and after being calcined for a few hours the semi-
fluid mixture is withdrawn from the furnace. This product is crude artificial soda
(black ash or ball soda)
The present invention consists in substituting for the dried lime employed in the
mixture hereinbefore referred to natural phosphate of lime of Ciply in Belgium or
generally any other phosphate of lime as well as phosphated chalk from any source
and even in certain cases phosphate of lime from bones whether these phosphates
or chalks have been washed calcined or ventilated in any manner or enriched by
means of acids or otherwise. This is done for the purpose of causing the said
phosphates of lime or phosphated chalks to intervene in the reaction which forms
the essence of the Leblanc process in the stead and place of the chalk it being well
understood that in the manufacture of soda or potash the lime of the carbonate of
lime (which accompanies the phosphate of lime) as well as the three equivalents of
lime combined with the phosphoric acid are thus utilised by producing phosphate
of soda, silicate of Soda (when the original phosphate contains silica) and lastly
carbonate of soda. These different bodies undergo separation conversion and
decomposition in the following manner videlicit :—
The silica and alumina that may be contained in the solution are first
precipitated by means of a current of carbonic acid; after decanting the clear liquid
the phosphate of soda is crystallised or decomposed by means of natural (or
previously calcined washed or enriched) phosphate of lime, lime, carbonate of lime
(from whatever source) magnesia carbonate of magnesia, dolomite calcined or
otherwise, all these substances are employed separately (with or without heat) or
mixed in suitable proportions under pressure or otherwise with or without the aid
of carbonic acid under pressure or otherwise or in fact by means of any other
analogous precipitant in such a manner as to obtain practically all the phosphoric
acid originally contained in the phosphates of lime (or phosphated chalks subjected
to the treatment described) in the condition of bibasic or tribasic phosphate of lime
or of course in the condition of a phosphate corresponding to the base employed as
the precipitating agent and in solution, caustic soda or carbonate of soda as has
been demonstrated. It is evident that the sodaic residue resulting from the

page_text: modified treatment as hereinbefore described may contain varying proportions of
Phosphoric acid in the condition of phosphate of lime but this latter will be met
with again with the carbonate of lime resulting from the extraction of the sulphur
from the residue in the usual manner so that by employing this carbonate of lime
as already described as the agent for effecting the decomposition and conversion of
the phosphate of soda its phosphoric acid will be recovered and be added to the
quantity of phosphate of lime precipitated. Nevertheless if the processos employed
for extracting the sulphur from the residue yield an acid calcareous solution, the
phosphoric acid of this solution will be precipitated in this case by the lime or by
one of the other bases herein before enumerated.
This invention also relates to a method of decomposing sulphuret of sodium by
means of natural phosphate of lime or phosphated chalk in such a manner as to
obtain phosphate of soda and carbonate of soda or caustic soda, whether phosphate
of lime or calcined chalk are employed such decomposition being effected either in
the dry way with or without the aid of carbonic acid and steam (or a suitable
mixture of these two substances) or in the wet way (with or without heat) under
pressure or otherwise with or without the aid of carbonic acid.
Another feature of the present invention consists in the employment in the same
manner as the before mentioned phosphate of lime and the chalk (under the
conditions herein before set forth) of the phosphate or its equivalent in scoria
containing lime and phosphorus resulting from the dephosphorisation of metals or
ores (by any process) whether such scoria be previously disintegrated, pulverised,
hydrated, carbonated, calcined oxidised or otherwise, or washed or enriched or
whether they have been deprived of certain constituent elements.
According to this invention any natural or equivalent mixture of carbonate of
lime and phosphates of lime generally may be employed under the conditions
hereinbefore described in place of the phosphate of lime and chalk hereinbefore
referred to.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is :-
First The improvements in the treatment of natural basic phosphates of lime
in the Leblanc process for the manufacture of soda and potash substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Second-The employment under the conditions set forth of natural basic
phosphate of lime, or phosphated chalk as a substitute for the chalk (carbonate of
lime) usually employed in the Leblanc process for the manufacture of soda and
potash that is to say in a process having for its object decomposing sulphate of
soda by carbon, carbonate of lime or oxide of calcium, whether the phosphate of
lime or the phosphated chalk be previously calcined, washed or enriched by acids
or by any other enriching or carbonating means whatsoever all substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Third: Effecting the decomposition of sulphuret of sodium by means of natural
phosphate of lime or phosphated chalk whether such decomposition be performed
by the dry process with or without the aid of carbonic acid and steam (or a suitable
mixture of these two bodies) or be performed by the wet process (with or without
heat) under pressure or otherwise with or without the aid of carbonic acid
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth-The employment (under the conditions herein before set forth) of the
phosphate or combination of lime and phosphorus in scoria resulting from the
dephosphorisation of metals or ores and in general any equivalent mixture of
carbonate of lime and phosphate of lime in the manner and for the purpose
substantially as herein before described.
Fifth-The mode of separating, decomposing and converting the silicate of

page_text: soda, alumina, phosphate and carbonate of soda resulting from the washing of the
balls of crude soda and united in the same solution substantially in the manner
and for the purpose herein before described.
In witness whereof I the said John Henry Johnson have to this my Specification
set my hand and scal this thirteenth day of December One thousand eight hundred
and eighty three.