Supplier of Soda Ash Light (Sodium Carbonate Light) from Turkey and Dubai-UAE

Manufacture of light Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate)

The manufacture of light soda ash, or light sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), is primarily achieved through the Solvay process. This process, developed in the 1860s by Belgian chemist Ernest Solvay, remains the predominant method for producing soda ash. Here’s a detailed overview of the Solvay process:

Raw Materials

1. Sodium Chloride (NaCl) : Common table salt.
2. Limestone (CaCO₃) : Provides calcium carbonate.
3. Ammonia (NH₃) : Recycled within the process.
4. Water (H₂O) : Used throughout the process.

Key Steps in the Solvay Process

1. Preparation of Brine Solution :
   – Sodium chloride (salt) is dissolved in water to create a concentrated brine solution.
2. Ammonia Absorption :
   – Ammonia gas is absorbed into the brine solution in an absorption tower, producing ammoniated brine.
3. Carbonation :
   – Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is produced by heating limestone (calcium carbonate) in a kiln:
   text{CaCO}_3 rightarrow text{CaO} + text{CO}_2- The carbon dioxide is then bubbled through the ammoniated brine in a carbonation tower. This results in the precipitation of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃):[
   text{NH}_3 + text{CO}_2 + text{H}_2text{O} + text{NaCl} rightarrow text{NaHCO}_3 + text{NH}_4text{Cl}
4. Filtration :
   – The mixture is filtered to separate solid sodium bicarbonate from the remaining solution.
5. Calcination :
   – The sodium bicarbonate is heated (calcined) to decompose it into sodium carbonate (soda ash), water, and carbon dioxide:
   2 text{NaHCO}_3 rightarrow text{Na}_2text{CO}_3 + text{H}_2text{O} + text{CO}_2- The released carbon dioxide is recycled back into the carbonation tower.
6. Ammonia Recovery :
   – The remaining solution, containing ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), is treated with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) to recover ammonia:[
   2 text{NH}_4text{Cl} + text{Ca(OH)}_2 rightarrow 2 text{NH}_3 + text{CaCl}_2 + 2 text{H}_2text{O}- The recovered ammonia is recycled back into the process, and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is produced as a by-product.

        Light vs. Dense Soda Ash

• Light Soda Ash : The product of the Solvay process is light soda ash, which has a lower bulk density and is primarily used in detergents and water treatment.
• Dense Soda Ash : Further processing, such as compaction and granulation, can produce dense soda ash, which is used in glass manufacturing and other industries requiring a higher bulk density.

Advantages of the Solvay Process

1. Efficiency : The recycling of ammonia and carbon dioxide within the process makes it cost-effective and reduces waste.
2. Environmental Impact : Compared to the older Leblanc process, the Solvay process produces fewer harmful by-products.
3. Scalability : The process can be scaled to meet large industrial demands for soda ash.

Properties of sodium carbonate light

Sodium carbonate light, commonly known as light soda ash, has specific properties that make it suitable for various industrial and domestic applications. Here are the key properties:

Physical Properties

1. Appearance :
   – White, granular or powdered solid.
2. Density :
   – Light soda ash has a lower bulk density compared to dense soda ash. Its typical bulk density ranges from 0.5 to 0.7 g/cm³.
3. Solubility :
   – Soluble in water, with increasing solubility at higher temperatures. The solubility in water at 20°C is approximately 215 g/L.
4. Melting Point :
   – Decomposes before melting at around 851°C (1564°F).
5. Hygroscopicity :
   – Absorbs moisture from the air, which can cause it to clump or cake if not stored properly.

        Chemical Properties

1. Chemical Formula :
   – Na₂CO₃
2. Molecular Weight :
   – 105.99 g/mol
3. pH :
   – A 1% aqueous solution of sodium carbonate has a pH of around 11.5, making it strongly alkaline.
4. Reactivity :
   – Reacts with acids to form carbon dioxide gas, water, and a corresponding salt:[
   text{Na}_2text{CO}_3 + 2 text{HCl} rightarrow 2 text{NaCl} + text{H}_2text{O} + text{CO}_2- Reacts with water to form a weakly basic solution due to partial hydrolysis.

Thermal Properties

1. Decomposition :
   – Decomposes to sodium oxide (Na₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) at high temperatures.

APPLICATIONS OF SODA ASH LIGHT

Light soda ash, or light sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), is a versatile chemical with a wide range of applications across various industries. Here are some of the primary applications:

1. Glass Manufacturing 
   –  Flat Glass : Used in the production of windows and automotive glass. Soda ash helps reduce the melting temperature of silica, saving energy and enhancing the workability of the glass mixture.
   –  Container Glass : Essential in the production of bottles and jars. It improves the chemical durability and clarity of the glass.
   –  Other Glass Products : Utilized in the manufacturing of glass fibers for insulation and optical fibers for telecommunications.
2. Detergents and Cleaning Products 
   –  Laundry Detergents : Acts as a builder to enhance the cleaning efficiency of surfactants by softening water.
   –  Dishwashing Detergents : Helps in breaking down grease and removing stains.
   –  Household Cleaners : Used as a general-purpose cleaner for surfaces, removing grease, oil, and stains.
3. Water Treatment
   –  pH Adjustment : Used to raise the pH of acidic water, making it suitable for drinking and industrial use.
   –  Swimming Pools : Helps maintain the appropriate pH levels to ensure clear, safe water.
4. Pulp and Paper Industry 
   –  Pulping : Involved in the pulping process to separate cellulose fibers.
   –  Bleaching : Used as a bleaching agent to whiten paper products.
5. Chemical Manufacturing 
   –  Sodium Compounds : A precursor for producing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium silicate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and other sodium-based chemicals.
   –  Acid Neutralization : Utilized in chemical processes to neutralize acidic waste products.
6. Textile Processing
   –  Dye Fixation : Helps fix dyes to fibers in the textile dyeing process.
   –  pH Control : Used to maintain the desired pH levels during fabric processing.
7. Food Industry 
   –  Food Additive (E500) : Used to regulate acidity in various food products.
   –  Leavening Agent : Acts as a leavening agent in baking.
8. Pharmaceuticals 
   –  pH Adjustment : Used in pharmaceutical formulations to adjust the pH.
9. Environmental Applications 
   –  Flue Gas Desulfurization : Used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from the exhaust gases of power plants and industrial facilities, helping to reduce air pollution.
   –  Soil Remediation : Helps neutralize acidic soils, making them more suitable for agriculture.
10. Oil and Gas Industry
    –  Drilling Fluids : Used to control the pH and alkalinity of drilling fluids in oil and gas extraction.
11. Ceramics and Enamels 
    –  Glazing : Used in the production of ceramics and enamel glazes, controlling the melting point and improving the quality of the final product.
12. Miscellaneous Applications
    –  Fire Extinguishers : Used in the production of dry chemical fire extinguishers.
    –  Adhesives and Sealants : Involved in the production of certain adhesives and sealants.

Packaging

• Bulk shipload up to approximately 15,000mt per vessel
• One-ton block bottomed woven polypropylene bags
• 50 kg woven polypropylene bags with inner polythene liner

 

Safety

Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by inhalation and subcutaneous routes. Mildly toxic by ingestion. Experimental reproductive effects. A skin and eye irritant. It migrates to food from packaging materials. Can react violently with Al, P2O5, H2SO4, F2, Li, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Na2O

SPECIFICATION OF SODA ASH(LIGHT)

 

 

SPECIFICATION OF SODA ASH(LIGHT)