Solvay process

Raw materials
- NaCl, salt
- CaCO3, limestone
- H2O, water
- NH3, ammonia is recycled

Useful products
- sodium carbonate. Na2CO3 – reason for process

Waste products
- CaCl2, calcium chloride
- Heat

Chemical properties of the main product (Na2CO3)
- Forms several hydrates which are used in many ways
- It is moderately alkaline, so it can neutralise strong acids
- Can precipitate many metal ions from solution as carbonates

Uses of sodium carbonate
- Glass manufacturing (most common use)
o Used as a flux gas which lowers the melting point of the silicon dioxide and the calcium carbonate
- Soap and detergents
o Used as a base in soap and detergents. It is also used to make sodium phosphate and sodium silicate that act as builders
- Softening hard water
o The carbonate ions precipitate calcium and magnesium ions, this is why it is used in some soaps and detergents
- Baking soda production
o Sodium hydrogen carbonate or......

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Title: Solvay Process
Approximate Word Count: 532
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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