Alberger process

The Alberger process is an industrial method of producing salt from rock salt.

Method

The Alberger process begins by heating brine under high pressure with a series of heaters. Impurities are removed using a tank filled with granite cubes called a graveler. When the pressure is released, salt crystals form in a steam-heated evaporation pan.^[1] This results in pyramid-shaped flake salt, which has low bulk density, high solubility, and good adhesion.^[2] According to a scientific article from 1946, the process results in salt of high purity but "is the least economical method for the production of a given quantity of salt."^[3]

Production

Cargill operates a plant in St. Clair, Michigan that is the only place in the United States that manufactures such salt using the Alberger process. Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is a brand of salt produced using the Alberger process.^[4] Because of its shape, density and flavor characteristics, it is often a preferred choice by snack food manufacturers.^[5]

History

The method was patented by Charles L. Weil on June 8, 1915.^[6]

References

^ "Salt plant enhances safety, cuts costs with low-temperature hot melt". Adhesives Age. 39 (8). Access Intelligence. July 1996.
^ Claudia D. O'Donnell (March 1998). "A short salt synopsis". Prepared Foods. 167 (3). BNP Media.
^ Taft, Robert (1946). "Kansas and the Nation's Salt". Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science. 49 (3): 223–272. doi:10.2307/3626079. ISSN 0022-8443. JSTOR 3626079.
^ Tejal Rao (29 January 2019). "The Rumors Aren't True: Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt Will Still Flow". New York Times. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
^ "Alberger Flake Salts". Cargill. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
^ European Patent Office: US 1141999 . For original patent drawings and description of the process see: Original document. Retrieved 28 May 2011.

[1] "Salt plant enhances safety, cuts costs with low-temperature hot melt". Adhesives Age. 39 (8). Access Intelligence. July 1996.

[2] Claudia D. O'Donnell (March 1998). "A short salt synopsis". Prepared Foods. 167 (3). BNP Media.

[3] Taft, Robert (1946). "Kansas and the Nation's Salt". Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science. 49 (3): 223–272. doi:10.2307/3626079. ISSN 0022-8443. JSTOR 3626079.

[4] Tejal Rao (29 January 2019). "The Rumors Aren't True: Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt Will Still Flow". New York Times. Retrieved 7 July 2022.

[5] "Alberger Flake Salts". Cargill. Retrieved January 23, 2024.

[6] European Patent Office: US 1141999 . For original patent drawings and description of the process see: Original document. Retrieved 28 May 2011.

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