To Make Crystallized Soda Alum

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Take 200 lbs. of kaolin, or any other aluminous clay in powder, and 70 lbs. of salt, dissolved in 100 parts of water to mix with the former ; the water is evaporated in a lead basin, and the mixture carried to a reverberato-ry iurnace heated to a dull red. color. After in hour's exposure in the fire the clay is taken out and treated, while hot, in lead basins with double its weight ot sulphuric acid at 40'',' the precaution being taken not to prolong the operation, or there would be danger of the lead melting. The yellow magpja thus obtained is placed in a re verberatory furnace, where it is heated from 200 to 250 (centigrade) , until it becomes white ; it is then taken out and treated with water in a leaden boiler. The soda alum is easily dissolved, and in the course of a few hours, when the liquid has entirely settled it is poured off.by means transferred into reservoirs, where it crystallizes at the end of the second day. The calcined earth might likewise be treated immediately with sulphuric acid, and the salt added only a short time before the end of the operation. But the first-named process is preferable. Whatever process is employed chlorohydric acid is disengaged, which, in a manufactory of any size, ought to be collected by the same means as is employed for the purpose in the manufacture of soda.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 30This article was published with the title “To make Crystallized Soda Alum” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 30 (), p. 233
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican04091853-233

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe