SODA ASH LIGHT
| PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|
| CAS NO | 497-19-8 |
| MOL WEIGHT | 105.98 |
| FORMULA | Na2CO3 |
| SYNONYMS | Sodium Carbonate, Washing Soda |
Soda ash is the trade name of sodium carbonate, Na2CO3. It is a white hygroscopic powder present in both hydrous and anhydrous forms. It is usually available in three grades: light, medium and dense. The difference lies in the physical characteristics of the chemical such as bulk density, particle size and shape.
Manufacturing Process
- Solvay Process: It is one of the widely used manufacturing process for the production of soda ash. Sodium chloride and ammonia are bubbled through towers forming ammoniated brine. This is followed by carbon dioxide obtained from calcination of limestone and sodium bicarbonate is formed. Soda ash is obtained by the calcination of bicarbonate at 160-200 degrees. The bicarbonate is separated from ammonium chloride which is stripped off the ammonia and recycled back to the bubbling tower. The overall reaction is as follows: 2 NaCl + CaCO3 → Na2CO3 + CaCl2
- Leblanc Process: Sodium carbonate is produced form salt and sulphuric acid. Firstly, salt is heated with the acid to form sodium sulphate. This is crushed with limestone and coal to obtain sodium carbonate and calcium sulphide. It is separated from the the ashes by washing with water. However, it is not used now since the hydrochloric acid produced posed major pollution problems.
2 NaCl + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2 HCl
Na2SO4 + CaCO3 + 2 C → Na2CO3 + 2 CO2 + CaS
- Hou’s process: Sodium bicarbonate is obtained from the treatment of ammonia with carbon dioxide to form ammonium bicarbonate and further treated with sodium chloride.
NH3 + CO2 + H2O → NH4HCO3
NH4HCO3 + NaCl → NH4Cl + NaHCO3
The bicarbonate is then heated to produce sodium carbonate.
Detergent Industry 
Sodium Carbonate is used as a softening agent because of its capability to bond with the calcium and magnesium ions in hard water and prevent them from disturbing the detergent action. It acts as a carrier for surfactants and as a source for pH adjustment.
Glass Industry 
Sodium Carbonate is significantly used in the manufacture of glass as a ?flux? for silica. It is added to ensure the temperature is maintained when silica is added so that the energy required for making glasses is less. Soda ash dense is preferred over light since the size matches with silica and hence mixing becomes easier.
Oil&Chemical Industry 
Soda Ash is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of chemicals such as sodium sulphate, sodium silicate, sodium bicarbonate etc. Soda ash and caustic soda are interchangeably used.
1.Remove scales from boilers.
2.Water treatment
3.Softening of wood chips in paper manufacture.
