how is washing soda synthesized
Answers
Washing soda is synthesized through Solvay's process. Solvay's process involves the reaction of sodium chloride, ammonia and carbon dioxide in water. Carbon dioxide involved is produced through calcium carbonate and the calcium oxide left is used in recovering ammonia from ammonium chloride.
Washing soda is synthesized by the Solvay process.
The steps are given below:
1. Sodium chloride(NaCl), ammonia( NH3) and carbon dioxide( CO2) are taken in water to form sodium bicarbonate( NaHCO3).
2. Sodium bicarbonate is separated as it precipitates out from the solution as a solid. In presence of heat, it decomposes to form anhydrous sodium carbonate( soda ash).
3. Recrystallization of the sodium carbonate obtained by dissolving in water.
The process of formation of sodium carbonate is referred to as the Solvay process which is utilised to produce washing soda.