Sodium carbonate also known as soda ash or washing soda is a naturally occurring chemical that offers refining and clarifying properties thereby making it an important ingredient of a large number of industrial processes. Before delving into the applications of soda ash, here’s a brief look at the manufacturing process of this chemical.
Production of Soda Ash
While the initial way of producing soda ash was Leblanc process, which was revolutionary in the manufacture of soda ash, its no longer used. The Leblanc process gave way to the Solvay process where soda ash began being manufactured artificially or synthetically using ammonia, salt and limestone, which way far more expensive than mining naturally occurring sodium carbonate.
However wit the discovery of the trona deposits in Wyoming, a completely new process was framed. Today, soda ash manufactures in India and around the world follow this process to manufacture this chemical.
The raw ore is first crushed followed by screening. The crushed ore is then sent to rotary calciners where they are heated which causes the the ore to decompose to crude soda ash. This crushed crude is then dissolved in water which helps separate the insoluble shales which is then separated using filtration and settling processes. These insoluble shales are taken back to the mine for refilling purposes.
The remaining solution is then treated to yield a saturated and high purity sodium carbonate solution which is then fed into crystallizers where all the water is evaporated and monohydrate crystals are formed. These crystals are then washed using the centrifuges and cyclones for further recovery of purer sodium carbonate which is then dried for being transported by feeding them in rotary kilns.
Applications of Soda Ash
Being a basic industrial chemical, soda ash has a large number of applications, some of which include:
In the production of sodium bi-sulfite and pulping liquors that are used in CTMP and CMP processes.
As a core chemical for producing other alkali products like drugs, dyestuffs, textiles, cleaning compounds, aluminium, iron & steel, cellulose & rayon, bichromates, bicarbonates, detergents, sodium silicates, soap, glass, sodium salts, etc.
In the manufacture of glass where the use of soda ash imparts excellent clarity and durability to the glass.
In cosmetics and food products.
In the manufacturing of fertilizers.
In the purification of air in various chemical industries
As an electrolyte in laboratories.
As a key component of detergents and bathing soaps.
In water softeners.
In the manufacture of artificial sweeteners.
In treating plant waste waters and restoring their pH.
In treating swimming pool water.
Important ingredient use din taxidermy when preparing hunting trophies.
So, did you find the post helpful? Have queries, thoughts or opinions to share? Post them below; it’d be great to hear from you as well.
Production of Soda Ash
While the initial way of producing soda ash was Leblanc process, which was revolutionary in the manufacture of soda ash, its no longer used. The Leblanc process gave way to the Solvay process where soda ash began being manufactured artificially or synthetically using ammonia, salt and limestone, which way far more expensive than mining naturally occurring sodium carbonate.
However wit the discovery of the trona deposits in Wyoming, a completely new process was framed. Today, soda ash manufactures in India and around the world follow this process to manufacture this chemical.
The raw ore is first crushed followed by screening. The crushed ore is then sent to rotary calciners where they are heated which causes the the ore to decompose to crude soda ash. This crushed crude is then dissolved in water which helps separate the insoluble shales which is then separated using filtration and settling processes. These insoluble shales are taken back to the mine for refilling purposes.
The remaining solution is then treated to yield a saturated and high purity sodium carbonate solution which is then fed into crystallizers where all the water is evaporated and monohydrate crystals are formed. These crystals are then washed using the centrifuges and cyclones for further recovery of purer sodium carbonate which is then dried for being transported by feeding them in rotary kilns.
Applications of Soda Ash
Being a basic industrial chemical, soda ash has a large number of applications, some of which include:
In the production of sodium bi-sulfite and pulping liquors that are used in CTMP and CMP processes.
As a core chemical for producing other alkali products like drugs, dyestuffs, textiles, cleaning compounds, aluminium, iron & steel, cellulose & rayon, bichromates, bicarbonates, detergents, sodium silicates, soap, glass, sodium salts, etc.
In the manufacture of glass where the use of soda ash imparts excellent clarity and durability to the glass.
In cosmetics and food products.
In the manufacturing of fertilizers.
In the purification of air in various chemical industries
As an electrolyte in laboratories.
As a key component of detergents and bathing soaps.
In water softeners.
In the manufacture of artificial sweeteners.
In treating plant waste waters and restoring their pH.
In treating swimming pool water.
Important ingredient use din taxidermy when preparing hunting trophies.
So, did you find the post helpful? Have queries, thoughts or opinions to share? Post them below; it’d be great to hear from you as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment