PROPERTIES AND USES OF SODA ASH

PROPERTIES AND USES OF SODA ASHPropertyChemical NameSodium CarbonateMolecular Weight 105.989Melting Point851 o C/1564 o FSpecific Gravity, 20 o /4 o C 2.533Specific Heat25 o C 0.249 cal/gm/ o C77 o C 0.249 Btu/lb/ o F45 o C 0.256 cal/gm/ o CHeat of Fusion, 854 o 75.5 cal/gmC135.9 Btu/lbHeat of Formation, 25 o –2550 cal/gmC–4590 Btu/lbHeat of HydrationMonohydrate, Na 2 CO 3 -H 2 OHeptahydrate, Na 2 CO 3 -7H 2 O30.0 cal/gm Na 2 CO 354.0 Btu/lb Na 2 CO 3156.4 cal/gm Na 2 CO 3281.5 Btu/lb Na 2 CO 3Decahydrate, Na 2 CO 3 -10H 2 O208.8 cal/gm375.8 Btu/lb Na 2 CO 3Na 2 CO 3Solubility0 o C 7 gms Na 2 CO 3 in 100 gms H 2 O100 o 44.7 gms NaC2 CO 3 in 100 gmsH 2 O35.37 o 49.5 gms NaC (max.)2 CO 3 in 100 gmsH 2 OAlkali Equivalent100% Na 2 CO 3 = 58.48% Na 2 OAcid Equivalent1lb. Na 2 CO 3 = 0.6881 lb. HCI

Uses of Soda ashSoda ash is used for production of following materials.Glass ManufactureSoda Ash is essential to the production of glass. This market is comprisedof manufacturers of glass packaging (bottles and other containers),commercial, residential and automobile windows, mirrors, fibreglass,television tubes, lighting ware, tableware, glassware and laboratory glass.Sodium-Based ProductsSoda Ash is used as a source of sodium ions throughout the chemicalindustry. It is used in the production of sodium bicarbonate, sodiumphosphates, sodium silicates and chrome chemicals.DetergentsDry laundry detergents typically contain anywhere from 20% to 80% SodaAsh. Soda Ash also often is the prime alkali used to make phosphates andsilicates for detergent applications.Water TreatmentSoda Ash can be used to control pH (acidity) levels in water and alsoprovides the sodium ion needed for water softening.Pulp & PaperSoda Ash supplies the sodium ion required in the pulping of wood fiber.

Some more uses of soda ash1. Mineral processing in mining2. Soaps and detergents3. Metal refining4. Textile processing5. Glass fibre manufacture6. Cleaning preparations7. Petroleum refining