| Alum production became popular during the beginning | | | | process. In the most simplest of terms the process |
| of the 17th century and lasted until 1871 (due mainly to | | | | can be described as this: |
| other methods of production), when the last alum | | | | Shale was dug from the ground, it was then (calcified) |
| works (Kettleness and Boulby) were closed. The first | | | | burnt on top of a brushwood fire, once alight the shale |
| successful use of alum in the UK in the making of a | | | | produced it's own heat (exothermic reaction), more |
| mordant was at Guisborough near Whitby in 1604 by | | | | shale was then put on top over many months. The |
| the Chaloner family. | | | | calcined shale was then put into water so liquor could |
| Alum is used to manufacture mordants. The textile and | | | | be extracted, which was run off into separate tanks. |
| fabric industry depended on mordants for ensuring the | | | | The waste shale was discarded over the cliffs onto |
| dyes are retained and lasting after the fabrics are | | | | the sea shore. The liquor was then piped to a boiling |
| dyed. The main basic chemical components of a | | | | house, using coal for its' source of heat. Potash or |
| mordant are the alumina and sulphur (combined as | | | | ammonia was added, usually extracted from burnt |
| aluminium sulphate). These components are the result | | | | seaweed (plenty at Whitby and along the coast |
| of processing the two components found in the alum | | | | around Britain). The liquor was then cooled where by |
| shale, aluminium silicates and iron pyrites (fools gold). | | | | forming the alum crystals, these crystals become liquid |
| The processing of the shale was an incredibly long | | | | again when heated. |