The _saltcake pan_ and reverberatory furnace require to be accurately and
solidly constructed and the process carefully regulated. Regulations
indeed were drawn up at an early date in England as to their working
to prevent escape of gases when adding the acid, raking over in the
reverberatory furnace, and withdrawal of the still fuming saltcake.
The following are the most important of these recommendations:
The saltcake pan must not be charged when overheated.
Sulphuric acid shall be added only after all the salt has been
charged and the door shut.
If hydrochloric acid fumes escape at the door when the Glover
acid flows in the flow must be interrupted.
All doors must be closed while work is in progress.
Definite times shall be fixed for withdrawal of the saltcake in
order to try and ensure that it be not still fuming, but should
this be the case cold sulphate of soda shall be sprinkled over
it.
The general principle should be observed of maintaining a slight negative
pressure in the furnace by insertion of a fan in the gas conduit so as to
avoid possible escape of gas. The fuming saltcake is best dealt with by
depositing it at once to cool in ventilated receptacles or chambers.
On grounds of economy and hygiene as complete an absorption as possible
of the hydrochloric acid gas developed in the saltcake and soda ash
process is to be aimed at, by conveying it through impervious conduits
to the bombonnes and lofty absorption tower filled with coke or flints
down which water trickles. The entire loss of hydrochloric acid should
not amount to more than 1·5 per cent. of the whole. Under the Alkali Act
at first 5 per cent. was allowed, but this is excessive now in view of
improved methods of condensation.
In the _Leblanc_ process the revolving furnace is on health grounds to
be preferred to the hand furnace. Such a furnace occupies the space
of but three hand furnaces and can replace eighteen of them. The vast
accumulation of waste, consisting mainly of calcium sulphide, and
generating sulphuretted hydrogen gas in such amount as to constitute
a nuisance, is only partially prevented by the Chance-Claus and other
methods of recovery, and makes it most desirable to adopt the Solvay
ammonia process.
_Note._—_Sulphonal, Oxalic acid, Ultramarine, Alum._—The production of
_sulphonal_ is intensely unpleasant owing to the disagreeable smell (like
cats’ excrement) of the mercaptan developed. All work therefore must be
carried on in air-tight apparatus under negative pressure and careful
cooling. Any escaping fumes must be absorbed in solution of acetone and
fine water spray.
Preparation of _oxalic acid_ unless carried on in closed-in vessels gives
rise to injurious and troublesome fumes. If open pans are used, hoods and
ducts in connection with a fan should be placed over them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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