This solution can be used in the following ways:
1. It can be concentrated and used in preparing a new charge, the small quantity of calcium chromate present being an assistance, or:
2. It can be used for making chromate of lead (chrome yellow), by precipitating the calcium chromate with a lead salt; this being a very economical process for the manufacture of this color.
The mass after lixiviation, being treated with a solution of sulphate or carbonate of potash or soda, will yield chromate of potash or soda, and by the employment of sulphuric acid, the corresponding bichromates. The solutions are then filtered, to get rid of the insoluble deposits, concentrated, and crystallized.
If, instead of chromate or bichromate of potash or soda, chromic acid is sought, the mass after lixiviation is treated with sulphuric acid, and the chromic acid is obtained directly without any intermediate steps.
This process has the following advantages:
1. The oxidation can be effected at the ordinary temperature, thus saving expense in fuel.
2. The heavy manual labor is avoided.
3. The loss of potash and soda by volatilization and combination with the gangue is entirely avoided.
4. It is not actually necessary to use rich ores; silicious ores can be used.
5. The intimate mixture of the material before treatment being made mechanically, the puddling is avoided, and in consequence a greater proportion of the sesquioxide of chromium in the ores is utilized.—Bull. Soc. Chem. 5, 371.
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