256 A HISTORY OF THE SODA MANUFACTURE. 



caustic. In 1853 I obtained a patent for certain modes of working by 

 which this " backward " course was rendered unnecessary, and a large 

 proportion of the caustic soda found ready made in black ash liquors 

 was obtained in a solid state, convenient to be supplied to consumers. 

 This process hag been adopted by sundry manufacturers under my 

 patent. 



I have endeavoured to define the "rise" of the existing soda manu- 

 facture, as consisting in the invention of Le Blanc's process, and the 

 carrying this into practical working by himself and partners, the raw 

 materials consumed being sulphur and nitre (used for the production 

 of sulphuric acid), common salt, chalk, carbon, and fuel, yielding as 

 products hydro- chloric acid, carbonate of soda, and a material contain- 

 ing nearly all the sulphur previously consumed, but in such a state, 

 that it has so far resisted all attempts to make it useful, and it has 

 acquired the expressive designation of " Alkali Waste." At this period 

 the commercial value of carbonate of soda in crystals was about 601. 

 per ton in England. 



I have also endeavoured to trace the " progress " of this manufacture 

 in Great Britain to its present state, beginning with the first operation of 

 Mr. Losh, with his weak brine, and those of other manufacturers who 

 were using bleachers' residua, and arriving at the period of the salt 

 duty being remitted, when Mr. Muspratt commenced that development 

 of the manufacture, which has now become one of national importance. 



When Mr. Muspratt commenced his operations the value of sulphur 

 was 81. per ton, of common salt 15s. per ton, of lime 15s. per ton, 

 and of fuel about 8s. per ton. When the works arrived at activity, the 

 products obtained were soda ash, of which the value was 241. per ton, and 

 soda crystals worth 18?. per ton. At the present time the products ob- 

 tained by the soda manufacturer are soda ash worth 8Z. per ton, soda 

 crystals about 4Z. 10s. per ton, bleaching powder 91. per ton, bi-carbonate 

 of soda 10Z. per ton ; whilst the cost of raw materials now used in Lan- 

 cashire are, sulphur 81. per ton, for which is substituted pyrites, at a cost 

 equivalent to 51. for sulphur ; salt 8s., limestone 6s., and fuel 6s. per ton. 

 It will be thus seen, that with a reduction in the cost of raw materials, 

 not more than equal to 10 per cent., the public is supplied with the 

 products of the soda manufacturer at a reduction of at least 60 per 

 cent. It may, therefore, be fairly assumed that, although the British 

 manufacturers can lay no claim to the invention of the soda process, 

 they are entitled to much credit for having worked this out in the 

 most economical manner. Thi3 result has been facilitated by the 

 invention of new apparatus employed, and sundry modifications in the 

 details of working. Amongst the former I may notice the decom- 

 posing furnaces of the late Mr. Gamble — the salting pans of Mr. 

 David Gamble — the lixiviating vats of Mr. Shanks, and the sulphuric 

 acid chambers of Mr. Deacon. 



As nearlv as I can obtain information, there are now fifty establish- 



