I pre-emptively tip my hat to the top alchemists that find a more efficient intermediate than this "salt V". With a flick of a double-arm and a tick of Van Berlo's Wheel, the salt V becomes the needed essences in 5 instructions, with 12 more to prepare it. A piston does double duty of constructing the V and transporting it to the double-arm.

 - Alchemist Kazyan, /u/StillNotABrick