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{{#description2:Naturally Occurring Widely Available Chemical Library}}
{{#description2:Naturally Occurring Widely Available Chemical Library}}
==Goals==
The production of a broad library of chemical materials, and documentation of the processes of producing them in relevant quantity and quality from [[:Category:NOWA|naturally occurring and widely available]] materials.
==Products==
==Products==
* [[Video index|Videos]] are one of our primary products
* [[Video index|Videos]] are one of our primary products
* [[Library|Our chemical library]] lists the '''materials we've already produced'''.
* [[:Category:Library|Our chemical library]] lists the '''materials we've already produced'''.
* [[:Category:NOWA|The NOWA category]] lists the materials we consider '''Naturally Occurring and Widely Available'''.
* [[:Category:NOWA|The NOWA category]] lists the materials we consider '''Naturally Occurring and Widely Available'''.
==Current Targets==
===Water===
Pure (ish) [[water]] is an essential for life,  not just chemistry. Preparing it at scale is important.


==Goals==
Distilling impure water gives a distillate with no dissolved solids or biological pathogens. There are compounds which form azeotropes with water, so the distillate may not be ''completely'' pure, but it will be adequate for most purposes.
===Water===
{| class="wikitable dtab"
|+Water via distillation
!NOWA?
!Substance
!Status
|-
|{{nowatag}}||[[Salt water]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Sea salt]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Water|Distilled Water]]||'''Pending'''
|}
====Justification====
Pure (ish) water is an essential for life,  not just chemistry. Preparing it at scale is important.
====Path====
Distilling impure water gives a distillate with no dissolved solids or biological pathogens. There are compounds which form azeotropes with water, so the distillate may not be ''completely'' pure, but it will be adequate for our purposes.
===Copper chloride===
{| class="wikitable dtab"
|+Copper chloride
!NOWA?
!Substance
!Status
|-
|{{nowatag}}||Nitrogenous organics||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Ammonium carbonate]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Sea salt]]||'''Prev'''
|-
|{{nowatag}}||[[Carbon dioxide]]||'''Prev'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Ammonium chloride]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Calcium oxide]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Calcium hydroxide]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Calcium chloride]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Copper (II) sulfate]]||'''Pending'''
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Copper (II) chloride]]||'''Pending'''
|}
====Justification====
Copper chloride provides a simple chemical path to the production of [[sulfuric acid]].
====Path====
While both copper and the chloride ion are abundant in nature, almost all the chloride is found in salt, where the chloride is very tightly bound to sodium. Getting chloride in a more available form is a vital step to producing copper chloride. In the absence of electrolysis for the Chloralkali or Castner-Kellner processes, producing ammonium chloride is the simplest process for separating the chloride ion from (abundant) salt.


From ammonium chloride, copper chloride can be made by heating it with copper (II) oxide.{{br}}
===Ammonia===
While [[ammonia]] is a major industrial chemical in itself, looking ahead to [[sulfuric acid]] production, ammonia is a required precursor to two of its catalysts, so it should come first
====Paths====
While the [[Haber process]] Can indeed create ammonia from gaseous nitrogen, At first we will produce it from a naturally occurring fixed nitrogen source: [[urea]].


===Sulfuric Acid===
===Sulfuric Acid===
{| class="wikitable dtab"
It can be argued that [[sulfuric acid]] is the '''primary''' [[:Category:Industrial Chemicals|industrial chemical]]. For the 19th and most of the 20th centuries, measuring a nation's sulfuric acid production was a good indicator of their degree of industrialization.
|+Sulfuric acid via copper chloride
====Paths====
!NOWA?
=====Catalysis=====
!Substance
There are three catalytic ways to  produce [[sulfuric acid]] from [[sulfur dioxide]], They differ in the oxidation catalyst used, which can be chosen based on what materials are at hand.
!Status
# '''Contact Process''' In 2020,  most industrially produced sulfuric acid is produced by the [[contact process]]. Unfortunately this requires catalysts made of somewhat rare materials, usually [[platinum]]  or [[vanadium pentoxide]]. It is also done at high temperatures. While this is not ''impossible'' on the benchtop, we will seek a more accessible way.
|-
#  '''Copper Chloride''' Producing sulfuric acid via the [[copper chloride process]] requires  [[copper (II) chloride|copper chloride]]. Since copper chloride is not naturally occurring (except in very rare circumstances) we will first need to produce that, which will require [[ammonium chloride]] produced by the [[Solvay Process]].
|{{libtag}}||[[Copper (II) chloride]]||'''Prev'''
# '''Nitrogen oxides''' Producing sulfuric acid via the [[chamber process]] requires [[nitric oxide]] (or [[nitric acid]]). Since neither of those is naturally occurring, they must be produced from [[ammonia]] via the [[Ostwald process]].
|-
=====Electrolysis=====
|{{libtag}}||[[Sulfur dioxide]]||'''Pending'''
# '''Electrolysis''' While not catalytic, sulfuric acid can also be produced via [[electrolysis]],  either  from sulfates by lysing in a membrane cell, or directly from elemental [[sulfur]] by the [[electrobromine process]].
|-
|{{libtag}}||[[Sulfuric acid]]||'''Pending'''
|}
====Justification====
It can be argued that [[sulfuric acid]] is ''the'' primary [[:Category:Industrial Chemicals|industrial chemical]]. For the 19th and most of the 20th centuries, measuring a nation's sulfuric acid production was a good indicator of their degree of industrialization.
 
====Path====
* Currently most sulfuric acid is produced by the [[contact process]]. Unfortunately this requires catalysts made of uncommonly rare materials, usually [[platinum]]  or [[vanadium pentoxide]]. It is also done at high temperatures. This is not impossible on the benchtop, but for now we will seek an easier way.
* We will produce sulfuric acid by the [[copper (II) chloride|copper chloride]] process. Since copper chloride is not naturally occurring (except in very rare circumstances) we will first need to produce that.
{{br}}
 
==Next Goal==
* [[Ethanol]]


==FAQ==
==FAQ==
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#:NOWA stands for '''Naturally Occurring Widely Available'''. The CL stands for '''Chemical Library'''. This project is about documenting the technological steps involved in developing a library of chemical compounds that can be made with simple equipment from materials that are naturally occurring and widely available. There's no need to order chemicals from supply houses, or obtain them from over-the-counter products. Once a chemical has been produced in quantity from naturally occurring widely available sources, we add it to our "library". Then we can use that material to produce new materials. The important part is to demonstrate that they can be produced from these sources with minimal equipment: what the chemical industry refers to as "small-scale" or "laboratory" synthesis.<br/>The documentary part of this project will include two main products: the text on this wiki and the videos on YouTube.<br/>
#:NOWA stands for '''Naturally Occurring Widely Available'''. The CL stands for '''Chemical Library'''. This project is about documenting the technological steps involved in developing a library of chemical compounds that can be made with simple equipment from materials that are naturally occurring and widely available. There's no need to order chemicals from supply houses, or obtain them from over-the-counter products. Once a chemical has been produced in quantity from naturally occurring widely available sources, we add it to our "library". Then we can use that material to produce new materials. The important part is to demonstrate that they can be produced from these sources with minimal equipment: what the chemical industry refers to as "small-scale" or "laboratory" synthesis.<br/>The documentary part of this project will include two main products: the text on this wiki and the videos on YouTube.<br/>
# '''So it's a recipe book where people can learn how to make chemicals?'''
# '''So it's a recipe book where people can learn how to make chemicals?'''
#: '''Definitely not.''' See [[Main_Page#WARNING|the warning on our front page]]. Chemistry ''equipment'' can be dangerous by itself. Many materials (including the ones we work with here) are dangerous: toxic, flammable, corrosive, etc. These operations <u>should not be repeated or reproduced</u> except by people who are sufficiently qualified to do the work and handle the materials safely.<br/>
#: '''Definitely not.''' See [[Main_Page#WARNING|the warning on our front page]]. Chemistry ''equipment'' can be dangerous by itself. Many materials (including the ones we work with here) are dangerous: toxic, flammable, corrosive, etc. These operations <u>should not be repeated or reproduced</u> except by people who are sufficiently qualified and equipped to do that work and handle the materials safely.<br/>
# '''Isn't there a kind of chicken-and-egg problem? What is your equipment made of?'''
# '''Isn't there a kind of chicken-and-egg problem? What is your equipment made of?'''
#: That's a good point. We assume that the equipment itself (glassware, supports, heat sources, etc) are available at the beginning. The equipment itself may not be naturally occurring, but it's widely available, accessible, and relatively cheap. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that the ''process'' is the important part, not the chemicals you start with. It's the knowledge, not the resources, that enable the science.<br/>
#: That's a good point. We assume that the equipment itself (glassware, supports, heat sources, etc) are available at the beginning. The equipment itself may not be naturally occurring, but it's widely available, accessible, and relatively cheap. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that the ''process'' is the important part, not the chemicals you start with. It's the knowledge, not the resources, that enable the science.<br/>
Line 95: Line 42:


=='''WARNING'''==
=='''WARNING'''==
<span style='font-size: 150%; font-weight:bold'>ANY</span> pursuit can be dangerous to the inexperienced, unprepared, or incautious. That is definitely the case with the reactions, extractions, and syntheses this project entails. Do not repeat them unless you are sufficiently informed, prepared, and equipped to handle these materials and safely do the work shown.
<span style='font-size: 150%; font-weight:bold'>ANY</span> pursuit can be dangerous to the unequipped, unprepared, or incautious. That is definitely the case with the reactions, extractions, and syntheses this project entails. Do not perform them unless you are sufficiently informed, prepared, and cautious to handle these materials and safely do the work shown.


==Online==
==Find us online==
<div style="width:100%; text-align: center;">
<div style="width:100%; text-align: center;">
[[Image: yt.png|NOWA-CL at YouTube|link=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQue5J94SQGFWpw0osw5qQ]]
[[Image: yt.png|NOWA-CL at YouTube|link=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQue5J94SQGFWpw0osw5qQ]]

Latest revision as of 23:22, 2 February 2025

Goals

The production of a broad library of chemical materials, and documentation of the processes of producing them in relevant quantity and quality from naturally occurring and widely available materials.

Products

Current Targets

Water

Pure (ish) water is an essential for life, not just chemistry. Preparing it at scale is important.

Distilling impure water gives a distillate with no dissolved solids or biological pathogens. There are compounds which form azeotropes with water, so the distillate may not be completely pure, but it will be adequate for most purposes.

Ammonia

While ammonia is a major industrial chemical in itself, looking ahead to sulfuric acid production, ammonia is a required precursor to two of its catalysts, so it should come first

Paths

While the Haber process Can indeed create ammonia from gaseous nitrogen, At first we will produce it from a naturally occurring fixed nitrogen source: urea.

Sulfuric Acid

It can be argued that sulfuric acid is the primary industrial chemical. For the 19th and most of the 20th centuries, measuring a nation's sulfuric acid production was a good indicator of their degree of industrialization.

Paths

Catalysis

There are three catalytic ways to produce sulfuric acid from sulfur dioxide, They differ in the oxidation catalyst used, which can be chosen based on what materials are at hand.

  1. Contact Process In 2020, most industrially produced sulfuric acid is produced by the contact process. Unfortunately this requires catalysts made of somewhat rare materials, usually platinum or vanadium pentoxide. It is also done at high temperatures. While this is not impossible on the benchtop, we will seek a more accessible way.
  2. Copper Chloride Producing sulfuric acid via the copper chloride process requires copper chloride. Since copper chloride is not naturally occurring (except in very rare circumstances) we will first need to produce that, which will require ammonium chloride produced by the Solvay Process.
  3. Nitrogen oxides Producing sulfuric acid via the chamber process requires nitric oxide (or nitric acid). Since neither of those is naturally occurring, they must be produced from ammonia via the Ostwald process.
Electrolysis
  1. Electrolysis While not catalytic, sulfuric acid can also be produced via electrolysis, either from sulfates by lysing in a membrane cell, or directly from elemental sulfur by the electrobromine process.

FAQ

  1. What is NOWA-CL?
    There's a video on that question.
    NOWA stands for Naturally Occurring Widely Available. The CL stands for Chemical Library. This project is about documenting the technological steps involved in developing a library of chemical compounds that can be made with simple equipment from materials that are naturally occurring and widely available. There's no need to order chemicals from supply houses, or obtain them from over-the-counter products. Once a chemical has been produced in quantity from naturally occurring widely available sources, we add it to our "library". Then we can use that material to produce new materials. The important part is to demonstrate that they can be produced from these sources with minimal equipment: what the chemical industry refers to as "small-scale" or "laboratory" synthesis.
    The documentary part of this project will include two main products: the text on this wiki and the videos on YouTube.
  2. So it's a recipe book where people can learn how to make chemicals?
    Definitely not. See the warning on our front page. Chemistry equipment can be dangerous by itself. Many materials (including the ones we work with here) are dangerous: toxic, flammable, corrosive, etc. These operations should not be repeated or reproduced except by people who are sufficiently qualified and equipped to do that work and handle the materials safely.
  3. Isn't there a kind of chicken-and-egg problem? What is your equipment made of?
    That's a good point. We assume that the equipment itself (glassware, supports, heat sources, etc) are available at the beginning. The equipment itself may not be naturally occurring, but it's widely available, accessible, and relatively cheap. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate that the process is the important part, not the chemicals you start with. It's the knowledge, not the resources, that enable the science.
  4. There are already too many wikis out there. Why start a new one? (aka Why not just put this information in Wikipedia?)
    1. Aggregating and disseminating this information was the purpose of this project, and wikis are an excellent way to do both of those things, so that part is straightforward.
    2. Wikipedia is specifically not a textbook, guidebook, or instruction manual. That means it isn't appropriate to build out those entries with much of the data in this wiki. To whatever degree it makes sense for both projects, sharing of data is welcomed and encouraged. NB: A lot of the numeric data in this wiki comes directly from either Wikipedia or its underlying sources.

WARNING

ANY pursuit can be dangerous to the unequipped, unprepared, or incautious. That is definitely the case with the reactions, extractions, and syntheses this project entails. Do not perform them unless you are sufficiently informed, prepared, and cautious to handle these materials and safely do the work shown.

Find us online

NOWA-CL at YouTube NOWA-CL at Patreon


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