IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest Solvay at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th May 1881.
ERNEST SOLVAY, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of soda by the process generally known
as the ammonia process, for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date
the 11th of December 1863, No. 3131; the 18th of May 1872, No. 1525; the 8th of
March 1876, No. 999; the 5th of May 1876, No. 1904; the 20th of May 1876,
No. 2143; and the 16th of June 1879, No. 2387; and this Invention relates to
the calcination of the bicarbonate of soda obtained in the manufacture of soda by
the said ammonia process, whether ordinary ammonia or compound ammonia be
used in the said process.
The bicarbonate of soda, after it has been separated from the mother liquor and
after its lexiviation, still contains a certain quantity of water by which it is
predisposed to become pasty when it is introduced into the apparatus known as
the decomposing or calcining apparatus, and this paste produces a crust or incrus-
tation which adheres to the said apparatus, and is very injurious thereto..
My Invention consists in mixing with the bicarbonate of soda previously to its
introduction into the decomposing apparatus a certain quantity of soda, that is to
say, bicarbonate of soda already decomposed or calcined. By this addition of soda
to the bicarbonate of soda, the subsequent formation of paste, and the crusting or
incrustation consequent thereon are prevented, as by the formation of the mixture
of soda and bicarbonate of soda ammonia is caused to evolve, especially if hot soda
from the decomposing apparatus be used. I prefer to effect the mixture in a closed
vessel or apparatus disposed close to the entrance of the decomposing apparatus.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ernest Solvay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th October
1881.
ERNEST SOLVAY, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Manufacturer.
"IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SODA."
My Invention relates to the manufacture of soda by the process generally known
as the ammonia process, for which Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date
the 11th of December 1863, No. 3131; the 18th of May 1872, No. 1525; the 8th of
March 1876, No. 999; the 5th of May 1876, No. 1904; the 20th of May 1876,
No. 2143; and the 16th of June 1879, No. 2387; and this Invention relates to
the calcination of the bicarbonate of soda obtained in the manufacture of soda by
the said ammonia process, whether ordinary ammonia or compound ammonia be
used in the said process. The bicarbonate of soda, after it has been separated from
the mother liquor, and after its lixiviation, still contains a certain quantity of
water by which it is pre-disposed to become pasty when it is introduced into the
apparatus known as the decomposing or calcining apparatus, and this pasto
produces a crust or incrustation which adheres to the said apparatus, and is very
injurious thereto.
My Invention consists in mixing with the bicarbonate of soda previously to its
introduction into the decomposing apparatus a certain quantity of soda, that is to
say, bicarbonate of soda already decomposed or calcined. By this addition of soda
to the bicarbonate of soda, the subsequent formation of paste and the crusting or
incrustration consequent thereon are prevented. The proportion of soda to be
added to and mixed with the bicarbonate of soda will depend upon the quantity of
moisture in the said bicarbonate, but the proportion will always be about fifty
per centum more or less of the whole mixture, that is to say, the mixture will
contain about equal quantities by weight of soda and of bicarbonate of soda.
As by the formation of the said mixture of soda and bicarbonate of soda,
ammonia is caused to evolve, especially if hot soda from the decomposing apparatus
be used. I prefer to effect the mixture in a closed vessel or apparatus disposed
close to the entrance of the decomposing apparatus.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the means of
performing the same, I claim as my Invention,-
In the manufacture of soda by the ammonia process, the process of mixing soda
with the bicarbonate of soda previously to the introduction of the said bicarbonate
of soda into the decomposing apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest Solvay, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty first day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.