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new volatile alkali process

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Post  solomon levi Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:25 pm

I came across a much quicker volatile alkali process in the Encyclopedia Brittania (1771).
I'd read this before but didn't realise they were producing the same result, partly because they call it
"Sharkey's soap". But as the test is the same - that it dissolves in water leaving no oily residue -
I thought this must truly be it. It is made in less than an hour, if you can believe it.
The process is said to have been discovered by a Dr. Geoffroy.

Simply heat your salt of tartar (potassium carbonate) in a stainless steel vessel to redness.
I put mine on a camp stove and used two additional propane torches. This was able to barely
melt some of the tartar, which tells me I reached 891 C. Then you must dump it into a mortar
that was heated and powder it quickly. Don't try to add the turp to the stainless steel vessel; it will
evaporate. Also be careful of open flames and turp because turp is flammable. As soon as your salt
is powdered add an equal amount of turpentine but in small doses at a time, mashing with the pestle to
make a paste. The turp may still evaporate a little so keep adding and pounding until you get a nice
soapy consistency.

This soap should be added to 7 parts of weak spirit of wine. I think vodka would be fine.
I had to water down some Everclear (I know - what a shame).
At first the two liquids seperated like an ens. So I added more water and got a mixture.
I added some plant (had some fresh lavender). It didn't turn to mush in 7 minutes. Not even
the next morning. But I do have a nice layer of lavender essential oil on top.
This should probably be put through the Urbigerus digesting and distilling to produce
the true circulatum.

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Post  solomon levi Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:40 pm

IMO, everyone should have a copy of this Encyclopedia.
It's amazing. It is the same literature that Frater Albertus said has the philosophical mercury in it.
(it's under the lead acetate process).
You can get this through Kessinger Publishing under the title "18th century chemistry as it relates to
alchemy".

Also, there is more to be said about the volatile alkali.
The prize is not the essential oil. Starkey would distill the whole and leave behind a salt in the flask
which he said is the essence. I'll report more on this after I've done it.

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Post  solomon levi Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:28 pm

new volatile alkali process Rick_s10

here's a pic of the immature circulatum.
I don't know if you can see the oil on top.
Try a larger image.

Oh yeah. When you click on the pic it goes to the larger image. You can see it quite clear.
And this from only a few heads of lavender.

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Post  BeautifulEvil Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:44 pm

That's interesting, I do see the oil on top. It's a decent amount too!

Also, there is more to be said about the volatile alkali.
The prize is not the essential oil. Starkey would distill the whole and leave behind a salt in the flask
which he said is the essence. I'll report more on this after I've done it.
Have you had a chance to distill it yet? I'd like to see what it yields.
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Post  solomon levi Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:02 pm

No. I'll try to get to it soon and post it when I have.
I wonder if there is more than just oil on top.
I think the literature says the three essentials will rise to the top.

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Post  BeautifulEvil Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:06 pm

No. I'll try to get to it soon and post it when I have.
I wonder if there is more than just oil on top.
I think the literature says the three essentials will rise to the top.
Yes, I've heard this too. I'm not too familiar with the volatile alkali processes, but I know that's how it works with the philosophical mercury from the acetate path. Toss gold into the philosophical mercury and it will extract a red oil, which is said to contain all three principles united. It might be the same for this process, but I'm honestly not sure.
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Post  solomon levi Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:13 am

from newton's notes on Starkey's work:

Of Alcalies Helmont saith, That fixed Alcalies
being brought to volatility equal the virtue of the
great arcana. For being indowed with an incisive or
resolving virtue, they do penetrate even to the Limen
of the fourth digestion & resolve what ever preternatural
coagulation they find in the veins: & in
a word their spirit is of so exquisite a penetrative
nature that where they reach not no other thing in
the world will be found to reach. George Starkeys
Pyrotechny asserted. p 81.

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