AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR RENDERING WATER PERMANENTLY HARD
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Cairns Copley, of the Town and County of Not-
tingham, Analytical Chemist, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED PROCESS
FOR RENDERING WATER PERMANENTLY HARD."
Sealed the 21st February 1879, and dated the 19th October 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Cairns Copley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th October 1878.
JAMES CAIRNS COPLEY, of the Town and County of Nottingham, Analytical
Chemist. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR RENDERING WATER PERMANENTLY
HARD."
This Invention consists in an improved process for rendering water permanently
hard, so as to be adapted and suitable. for brewing and other purposes.
In treating water containing carbonate of lime, and which it is desired to harden
permanently, sulphate of ammonia is added to the water, the result being that the
carbonate of lime contained in the latter is converted into sulphate of lime. The
proportion of sulphate of ammonia thus employed must be regulated according to
the quantity of sulphate of lime which it is desired the water shall contain, as will
be well understood by persons conversant with such processes. Instead of adding
sulphate of ammonia to the water, as above described, a crystalline compound
obtained as follows may be employed. Sulphate of lime is boiled with a saturated
solution of sulphate of ammonia, whereby a proportion of sulphate of lime is
dissolved and retained in solution, the clear liquid so obtained yielding crystals
consisting of sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of lime. In the process, as firstly
stated, about 6 parts of sulphate of ammonia to 4 parts of carbonate of lime
contained in the water are employed, and in the modification above described about
7 parts of the crystals of sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of lime to about four
Price Ad1

page_text: parts of carbonate of lime contained in the water under treatment. These propor-
tions however are approximate only, as will be well understood.
When a proportion of the sulphate of ammonia or the crystalline compound is
added to the water under treatment the same is readily dissolved, the water being
to some extent hardened by the sulphate of lime thus formed or added. Upon the
water being boiled, the carbonate of lime therein is decomposed, and sulphate of lime
and carbonate of ammonia formed. The latter being a volatile salt, is readily
expelled by boiling.
When the water under treatment is free from salts of magnesia, sulphate of
magnesia may be employed in addition to either of the above-mentioned
compounds.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Cairns Copley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
April 1879.
JAMES CAIRNS COPLEY, of the Town and County of Nottingham, Analytical
Chemist. "AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR RENDERING WATER PERMANENTLY
HARD."
My said Invention consists in an improved process for rendering water perma-
nently hard, so as to be adapted and suitable for brewing and other purposes.
In treating water containing carbonate of lime, and which it is desired to harden
permanently, sulphate of ammonia is added to the water, the result being that the
carbonate of lime contained in the latter is converted into sulphate of lime. The
proportion of sulphate of ammonia thus employed must be regulated according to
the quantity of sulphate of lime which it is desired the water shall contain, as will
be well understood by persons conversant with such processes. Instead of adding
sulphate of ammonia to the water, as above described, a crystalline compound
obtained as follows may be employed. Sulphate of lime is boiled with a saturated
solution of sulphate of ammonia, whereby a proportion of sulphate of lime is
dissolved and retained in solution, the clear liquid so obtained yielding on evapo-
In the
ration crystals consisting of sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of lime.
process, as firstly stated, about 6 parts of sulphate of ammonia to 4 parts of
carbonate of lime contained in the water are employed, and in the modification
above described about 7 parts of the crystals of sulphate of ammonia and sulphate
of lime to about 4 parts of carbonate of lime contained in the water under treat-
ment. These proportions however are approximate, as will be well understood.
When a proportion of the sulphate of ammonia or the crystalline compound is
added to the water under treatment, the same is readily dissolved, the water being
to some extent hardened by the sulphate of lime thus formed or added. Upon the
water being boiled, the carbonate of lime therein is decomposed, and sulphate of
lime and carbonate of ammonia formed. The latter being a volatile salt, is readily
expelled by boiling.
When the water under treatment is free from salts of magnesia, sulphate of
magnesia may be employed, in addition to either of the above-mentioned
compounds.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider novel and original and therefore claim as constituting the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
The employment of the sulphate of ammonia or the crystalline compound of
sulphate of ammonia with sulphate of lime, for the purpose of converting the
carbonate of lime and carbonate of magnesia naturally present in waters used for
brewing into sulphate of lime and sulphate of magnesia respectively, the temporary
hardness being thus converted into permanent hardness, and the water thereby
rendered much more suitable for brewing and other operations.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Cairns Copley, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JAMES CAIRNS COPLEY. (L.S.)