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Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology

Sodium Carbonate

Standard Article

Tim Eggeman¹

¹Neoterics International

DOI: 10.1002/0471238961.1915040918012108.a01.pub2
Article Online Posting Date: August 17, 2001

Abstract | Full Text: PDF (111K)

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Abstract

Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline solid also known as soda ash. Sodium carbonate deposits and brines exist around the world. It is readily produced from natural deposits and also by synthetic pathways. Production from Trona and the Solvay synthetic process account for the vast majority of current capacity. Annual world production is almost 44 × 10⁶ tons.

Soda ash is classified as a moderate health hazard. It is an essential ingredient in the production of glass, chemicals, soaps, detergents, pulp, and paper.

Keywords: Properties; Occurrence; Recovery; Manufacture; Trona; Uses; Environmental concerns; Solvary process; Leblanc Process; Grades; Hazards; Glass; Chemicals; Soaps; Detergents; Pulp; Paper