Gunpowder and Soap in Competition

Gunpowder contained in former times 10% sulfur, 15% charcoal and 75% saltpeter, potassium nitrate. In China gunpowder was known 2000 years ago in Europe it had been used since the 14 century. Owing to its high content of saltpeter, every country was dependent on this substance for its warfare and its survival as an independent nation. 

In early saltpeter production a nitrous earth was essential. This was the result of the decay of organic and animal matter over a long period. Such decomposition, in the presence of potassium and calcium carbonate, formed potassium and calcium nitrate. According to Agricola [11.6] this slightly fatty earth with an acrid and salty taste , was mixed in a vat with a powder made up of ashes from oak together with unslaked Kme. Water was poured in to fill the vat. The calcium nitrate present in the earth reacted with the potassium carbonate in the oak ash to form potassium nitrate  

The calcium carbonate precipitated and could be removed by filtering. The solution contained potassium nitrate formed in this reaction and also present from the original decay process. Water was evaporated leaving white saltpeter to crystallize. 

Potash from terrestrial plants was essential to carry this process through and became a strategic product As it was also used for manufacturing glass and soap, competition arose. At the end of the 18 century the situation became critical, with a lack of potash because of extensive deforestation in central Europe and high import costs 

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