Acids and Bases in the Dreamlands

In a previous post, I described how bleaching is done in the Dreamlands without using a chlorine product, which do not exist. One method involved oil of vitriol, which is the ancient name for sulfuric acid, while all required lye, otherwise known as sodium hydroxide, a strong base.

I also stated that the Dreamlands are restricted to technology, devices, and materials that predate 1500 AD. So how can strong industrial acids and bases exist there? I mentioned that there are exception to the 1500-cutoff, one being any process so simple it could have been developed before 1500. Another is that some devices and materials thought to be relatively modern are actually quite old, such as eyeglasses, or lamp oil....

Or certain acids and bases.

Without going into the chemistry, an acid is essentially an energetic hydrogen (H) attached to a mineral compound or an element. For example, muriatic acid is H attached to chlorine (Cl), whereas oil of vitriol is H attached to sulfate (SO4). A major exception are organic acids which have H attached to organic compounds, such as acetate (CH3CO2). A base, on the other hand, is an active hydroxyl group (OH) attached to a mineral, such as sodium or potassium. A major exception is ammonium (NH4). Modern methods of production of acids and bases are models of industrialization, but the more important ones can be made from simpler methods, and sometimes have been for centuries.

Let's take the mineral acids first:

Oil of vitriol (sulfuric acid, H2SO4) -- This is derived from vitriol, a naturally occurring sulfate mineral. Two kinds were known: red vitriol (iron sulfate, FeSO4) and green vitriol (copper sulfate, CuSO4). If either is heated, gaseous sulfate is given off, which can then dissolve in water to form the acid.

Aqua fortis (nitric acid, HNO3) -- This is be made by heating a mixture of vitriol and saltpeter (potassium nitrate, KNO3), and condensing the vapor in water. If sal ammoniac, a mineral containing ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), is added, you get aqua regia, which can dissolve gold.

Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl) -- This is produced by heating a mixture of common salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) and vitriol, then condensing the vapor in water. It can also be made by dissolving sal ammoniac in water.

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) -- This is prepared by mixing crush apatite, a mineral containing calcium phosphate [Ca5(PO4)3], with oil of vitriol. This method also forms gypsum (calcium sulfate, CaSO4).

Boric acid (H3BO4) -- This is prepared by mixing crushed borax, a mineral containing sodium borate (Na2B4O7), with muriatic acid.

Mineral acids are used primarily for industrial purposes, which in the Dreamlands means guild crafts and cottage industries.

Now the organic acids:

Acetic acid (CH3COOH) -- This is obtained from vinegar (in fact it is vinegar), which is derived from sour beer and wine.

Citric acid (C6H8O7) -- This is obtained from citrus fruit juice which is treated with slaked lime (Ca(OH)2) to precipitate it out. It can also be produced by using a strain of Aspergillus niger mold that ferments molasses, corn steep liquor, or some other sugary solution. Once the mold is removed, the acid can be precipitated with slaked lime.

Formic acid (HCOOH) -- This is distilled from ant bodies.

Gluconic acid [HOCH2-(CHOH)4-COOH] -- This is precipitated from honey and wine using slaked lime.

Lactic acid (CH3-CHOH-COOH) -- This can be precipitated from sour milk or wine using slaked lime or chalk (calcium carbonate, CaCO3). It can also be fermented using lactic acid bacteria.

Oxalic acid (HOOC-COOH) -- This can be precipitated from crushed kidney stones, sorrel, or spinach using slaked lime.

Tartaric acid (HOOC-CHOH-CHOH-COOH) -- This is obtained from tartar, a mineral that contains potassium tartrate (K2C4H4O6), but it can also be obtained from cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate, KC4H5O6) that crystallizes out of wine.

It should be pointed out that the organic acids are considered "edible"; that is, they can be ingested, at least in small and/or diluted quantities. They are most often used as anti-bacterial agents to preserve food, as well as flavorings, in cleaners and detergents, in cosmetics and drugs, in dyes, even as antiseptics. They also have some minor industrial uses. Vinegar is used as a condiment.

And finally the bases:

Caustic soda lye (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) -- This is prepared by dissolving washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na2CO3), obtained from natron deposits or the mineral trona, or by steeping the ash obtained from burning barilla or kelp, in water until a saturated solution is achieved, then adding slaked lime and boiling. Chalk precipitates out and the liquid is caustic soda.

Caustic potash lye (potassium hydroxide, KOH) -- This is obtained by steeping hardwood ash in rain water.

Caustic ammonia lye (ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH) -- This is prepared by dissolving sal ammoniac in water.

Slaked lime [calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2] -- This is formed by heating crushed limestone or chalk to form quicklime (calcium oxide, CaO), then mixing it with water.

Bases are used to make soaps (soda lye is used for hard soap, potash lye for soft soap and shampoos) and other cleaners (soda lye is used to make solvents to remove organic debris and ammonia lye to make detergents and other cleaners). They can also be used in food preparation and for various industrial purposes; slaked lime is used as an ingredient in whitewash, mortar, and plaster.