| abstract |
A method of making the salt of an acid, includes the steps of combining and mixing the acid and a base selected from the oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, in a first reaction zone over a first period to produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is transferred at the end of the first period from the first reaction zone to a second reaction zone the transferring step being carried out over a second period. Heat generated by reaction between the acid and the base in the second reaction zone drives off sufficient water to produce a product mixture containing less than about 8 % (m/m) water. The first period is between about 1 and 180 seconds and the second period is between about 2 and 60 seconds. |