IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE. OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest Solvay, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE.
OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest Solvay at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th January 1877.
ERNEST SOLVAY, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID."
"
IM-
My Invention consists, firstly, in obtaining hydrochloric acid by treating, as
herein-after described, chloride of calcium by means of alumina, or a suitable and
sufficiently soft silicate of alumina, such for instance as clay, and subjecting the said
substances to the influence of great heat and a current of steam or vapour of
water.
I have discovered that in presence of chloride of calcium, and under the influence
of great heat and steam or vapour of water, alumina acts like an acid, hydrochloric
acid is disengaged, and aluminate of lime is formed.
I have also discovered that the reaction producing hydrochloric acid in the process
herein-before referred to may be effected not only by alumina, but also by silicate
of alumina, which produces the same effect, so that in the manufacture of hydro-
chloric acid by means of chloride of calcium, clay, or other suitable silicates of
alumina may be substituted for sand. This discovery may be of importance in
certain localities.
My Invention consists, secondly, in treating chloride of magnesium by means of
silica, of alumina, or of any suitable and sufficiently soft silicate of alumina,' and
subjecting the said substances to the influence of great heat and a current of steam
or vapour of water, in order to obtain therefrom hydrochloric acid and silicates, or
aluminates of magnesia. The reaction between the said substances is operated
under conditions similar to those for the production of chlorine described in the
Provisional Specification filed by me in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th day
of January 1877, the blast or current of air described in the said Specification being
replaced entirely or partially by a current of steam or vapour of water. Or the
products of combustion from. a furnace may be conducted directly upon or through.
the mixture of substances herein-before described, provided that the said products

page_text: of combustion contain vapour of water in sufficient proportion to produce the
hydrochloric acid; but whatever be the arrangement adopted the hydrochloric acid
produced may be condensed in any suitable manner.
3
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ernest Solvay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th June
1877.
ERNEST SOLVAY, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer. " IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF HYDROCHLORIC ACID."
My Invention consists, firstly, in obtaining hydrochloric acid by treating, as
herein-after described, chloride of calcium by means of alumina or a suitable and
sufficiently soft silicate of alumina, such for instance as clay, and subjecting the
said substances to the influence of great heat and a current of steam or vapour of
water.
I have discovered that in presence of chloride of calcium and under the influence
of great heat and steam or vapour of water, alumina acts like an acid, hydrochloric
acid is disengaged, and aluminate of lime is formed.
I have also discovered that the reaction producing hydrochloric acid in the process
herein-before referred to may be effected not only by alumina but also by silicate
of alumina which produces the same effect, so that in the manufacture of hydro-
chloric acid by means of chloride of calcium, clay or other suitable silicates of
alumina may be substituted for sand. This discovery may be of importance in
certain localities.
My Invention consists, secondly, in treating chloride of magnesium by means of
silica, of alumina, or of any suitable and sufficiently soft silicate of alumina, and
subjecting the said substances to the influence of great heat and a current of steam
or vapour of water in order to obtain therefrom hydrochloric acid and silicates, or
aluminates of magnesia. The reaction between the said substances is operated
under conditions similar to those for the production of chlorine described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing date the 8th day of
January 1877, No. 77, the blast or current of air described in the said Specification
being replaced entirely or partially by a current of steam or vapour of water. Or
the products of combustion from a furnace may be conducted directly upon or
through the mixture of substances herein-before described, provided that the said
products of combustion contain vapour of water in sufficient proportion to produce
the hydrochloric acid; but whatever be the arrangement adopted the hydrochloric
acid produced may be condensed in any suitable manner.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I claim as my said Invention,―
Firstly. The production of hydrochloric acid by means of chloride of calcium and
of alumina, or suitable silicates of alumina, especially clay, under the influence of
great heat and steam or vapour of water, substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. The production of hydrochloric acid by means of chloride of magnesium
and of silica, of alumina, or of suitable silicates of alumina, especially sand or clay,
under the influence of great heat and steam or vapour of water.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest Solvay, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of June, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and seventy-seven,