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Where does saltpeter come from naturally?
Potassium nitrate, or saltpeter, is a naturally occurring mineral that is vital to the production of gunpowder. Found in limestone caves in the Arkansas Ozarks, it became one of the state’s most important chemical industries during the Civil War due to the Confederacy’s demand for arms.
How is saltpeter originally made?
Saltpetre was historically either collected from naturally occurring deposits in very limited geographic locations or, more usually, extracted from rotting organic material. Dung, urine and vegetable matter were stacked and allowed to ferment.
Where do you get saltpeter?
Saltpeter can be found in the various caves of Aeternum. While in a cave or burrow, keep an eye on the ground for larger rocks with white streaks on top—there’s a good chance that those will be identifiable as Saltpeter.
What exactly is saltpeter?
Saltpeter is the natural mineral source of the chemical potassium nitrate, KNO3. Depending on where you live, it may be spelled “saltpetre” rather than ‘saltpeter’. Before systematic naming of chemicals, saltpeter was called nitrate of potash. It has also been called ‘Chinese salt’ or ‘Chinese snow’.
Can saltpeter be mined?
Historically, saltpeter is one of the most strategic of commodities. It occurs naturally in caves and rock shelters, but it is rare. A suite of related nitrates occurs in many caves. The mining and processing of cave nitrate-enriched sediments is a relatively simple endeavor, although labor intensive.
Does the military use saltpeter?
It’s a rumor that dates back decades: To keep the sexual appetites of recruits in check so they can focus on basic training, the military services sneak saltpeter into the food served to new soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.
Where can you find saltpeter in the world?
1 Plants – Ordinary saltpeter in the form of potassium nitrate occurs in the sap of certain plants. 2 Limestone Caves – Crystallized deposits of saltpeter occur in limestone caves that house bats or other creatures. 3 Soil – Saltpeter occurs as crystalline veins in the soil in the Ganges Valley of India.
Where does the Nitre in saltpeter come from?
Ephesus Public [Roman] drain SALTPETER MAKING Nitre, potassium nitrate KNO3, more commonly known as saltpetre, is formed in warm climates by bacterial action during the decomposition of excreta and vegetable refuse. Where people and animals live in close proximity, debris accumulates in and around their homes.
What do you need to make saltpeter out of?
To make saltpeter from urine you need only a couple of ingredients. Urine and organic matter such as straw, straw being nothing more than cut grass. However, as you can guess it isn’t as simple as just mixing urine and grass. No, this is a long long process that takes months.
Is it possible to make saltpeter from urine?
Using urine is an old school method for manufacturing saltpeter. To make saltpeter from urine you need only a couple of ingredients. Urine and organic matter such as straw, straw being nothing more than cut grass. However, as you can guess it isn’t as simple as just mixing urine and grass.