The handbook of soap manufacture

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THE HANDBOOK OF

SOAP MANUFACTURE

BY

W. H. SIMMONS, B.Sc. (LOND.), F.C.S.

AND

H. A. APPLETON

_WITH TWENTY-SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS_

LONDON
SCOTT, GREENWOOD & SON
"THE OIL AND COLOUR TRADES JOURNAL" OFFICES
8 BROADWAY, LUDGATE HILL, E.C.
1908
[_All rights reserved_]

Transcriber's note:

For text: A word surrounded by a cedilla such as ~this~ signifies that
the word is bolded in the text. A word surrounded by underscores like
_this_ signifies the word is italics in the text. Greek letters
are translated into English and are in brackets, e.g. [alpha].

For numbers and equations: Parentheses have been added to clarify
fractions. Underscores before bracketed numbers/letters in equations
denote a subscript.

Footnotes have been moved to the end of the chapter and minor typos have
been corrected.




PREFACE


In the general advance of technical knowledge and research during the
last decade, the Soap Industry has not remained stationary. While there
has not perhaps been anything of a very revolutionary character, steady
progress has still been made in practically all branches, and the aim of
the present work is to describe the manufacture of Household and Toilet
Soaps as carried out to-day in an up-to-date and well-equipped factory.

In the more scientific portions of the book, an acquaintance with the
principles of elementary chemistry is assumed, and in this we feel
justified, as in these days of strenuous competition, no soap-maker can
hope to compete successfully with his rivals unless he has a sound
theoretical as well as practical knowledge of the nature of the raw
materials he uses, and the reactions taking place in the pan, or at
other stages of the manufacture. We also venture to hope that the work
may prove useful to Works' Chemists and other Analysts consulted in
connection with this Industry.

At the same time, in the greater part of the book no chemical knowledge
is necessary, the subject being treated in such a way that it is hoped
those who are not directly engaged in the manufacture of soap, but who
desire a general idea of the subject, will find it of value.

In the sections dealing with the composition and analysis of materials,
temperatures are expressed in degrees Centigrade, these being now almost
invariably used in scientific work. In the rest of the book, however,
they are given in degrees Fahrenheit (the degrees Centigrade being also
added in brackets), as in the majority of factories these are still
used.

As regards strengths of solution, in some factories the use of Baume
degrees is preferred, whilst in others Twaddell degrees are the custom,
and we have therefore given the two figures in all cases.

In the chapter dealing with Oils and Fats, their Saponification
Equivalents are given in preference to Saponification Values, as it has
been our practice for some years to express our results in this way, as
suggested by Allen in _Commercial Organic Analysis_, and all our
records, from which most of the figures for the chief oils and fats are
taken, are so stated.

For the illustrations, the authors are indebted to Messrs. E. Forshaw &
Son, Ltd., H. D. Morgan, and W. J. Fraser & Co., Ltd.

W. H. S.
H. A. A.

LONDON, _September_, 1908.




CONTENTS


                                                                       PAGE

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.                                                             1

Definition of Soap--Properties--Hydrolysis--Detergent Action.


CHAPTER II.

CONSTITUTION OF OILS AND FATS, AND THEIR SAPONIFICATION                   6

Researches of Chevreul and Berthelot--Mixed Glycerides--Modern Theories
of Saponification--Hydrolysis accelerated by (1) HEAT OR ELECTRICITY,
(2) FERMENTS, Castor-seed Ferment, Steapsin, Emulsin, and (3) CHEMICAL
REAGENTS, Sulphuric Acid, Twitchell's Reagent, Hydrochloric Acid, Lime,
Magnesia, Zinc Oxide, Soda and Potash.


CHAPTER III.

RAW MATERIALS USED IN SOAP-MAKING                                        24

Fats and Oils--Waste Fats--Fatty Acids--Less-known Oils and Fats of Limited
Use--Various New Fats and Oils Suggested for Soap-making--Rosin--Alkali
(Caustic and Carbonated)--Water--Salt--Soap-stock.


CHAPTER IV.

BLEACHING AND TREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS INTENDED FOR
  SOAP-MAKING                                                            41

Palm Oil--Cotton-seed Oil--Cotton-seed "Foots"--Vegetable Oils--Animal
Fats--Bone Fat--Rosin.


CHAPTER V.

SOAP-MAKING                                                              45

Classification of Soaps--Direct combination of Fatty Acids with
Alkali--Cold Process Soaps--Saponification