Magnesium bicarbonate is frequently used for the deacidification of paper artifacts. The author describes a pressurized system for producing magnesium bicarbonate solutions and discusses some of the major factors affecting its performance. Practical tests indicate that 1) the system's rate of production could be increased by improved dispersal of carbon dioxide gas and 2) the apparatus is not capable of generating a clear solution even under optimum conditions. The system is modified by the addition of a settling tank. Suggestions are made for further investigation in the design of new pressurized systems.
INTRODUCTIONAN EFFICIENT SYSTEM FORproducing aqueous deacidification solutions is necessary in any large paper conservation laboratory. Such a system should consistently generate a large volume of solution with good working properties in a reasonable period of time, and should be sparing in its use of raw materials and staff time.The apparatus for producing magnesium bicarbonate at Northeast Document Conservation Center was recently evaluated to determine whether improvements could be made in any of these areas. The tests performed were simple and based on well-known theoretical work. Because NEDCC is one of only a few institutions using a pressurized system for making magnesium bicarbonate solutions, our observations may be of interest to others. It is hoped they will be useful in more systematic research on pressurized systems.
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