Question

Describe in brief the preparation of na2co3 by solvay process also give the eq.

Answer 1

The Solvay process is extensively used for industrial preparation of sodium carbonate (soda ash). The process is named after Ernest Solvay who developed the process during the 1860s.

Carbon dioxide reacts with the dissolved ammonia to form ammonium carbonate followed by ammonium hydrogen carbonate.

2NH3 +H2O + CO2 ---> (NH4)2CO3

(Ammonia)                 (Ammonium Carbonate)

 

(NH4)2CO3 + H2O + CO2 --> NH4HCO3

(Ammonium Carbonate)       (Ammonium hydrogen carbonate)

 

NH4HCO3       +          NaCl  -->   NH4Cl     +    NaHCO3

 

Sodium hydrogen carbonate crystal separates. These are heated to give sodium carbonate.

     2 NaHCO3       -->      Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O

But this process cannot be used to prepare potassium due to the high solubility of potassium bicarbonate and hence difficult to be precipitated by adding ammonium bicarbonate to a saturated solution of potassium

Answer 2

The Solvay process results in soda ash (predominantly sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)) from brine (as a source of sodium chloride (NaCl)) and from limestone (as a source of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)). The overall process is: ... In the first, ammonia bubbles up through the brine and is absorbed by it.