Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1893 — Refining Salt. [ARTICLE]

Refining Salt.

Refining salt is a simple process. The raw product of the boiling method which is in vogue generally in New York, Michigan and Kansas is in the form of n flake, and the impurities are chiefly lime, gypsum and an occasional trace of soda. Here it is in the form of hailstones. The salt from the beds is first partially ground and then transferred to a large, revolving drum about 40 feet long and 6 feet in diameter, resting on an incline. The drum carries the salt by me ms of ribs or flights, dropping it at the bottom to be carried up again and again, the salt gravitating to the lower end. Air heated to 240 degrees is drawn through the machine by suction fans, the beat absorbing the moisture and the fans removing any dust attached to the crystal, the friction wearing off any powder left by the fans and hot air. The salt is then reduced to the required size by the roller and bolting processes, such as are used in making flour. After each reduction the crystals are subjected to a blast, expelling the dust,, which dust, compressed with rook salt in which a percentage of sulphur is introduced, makes a sulphurized salt lick for stock, which is extensively shipped to the great Western cattle ranges.—[St. Louis Republic.