Sodium carbonate soda ash. Soda ash technical: formula, characteristics, composition

Now modern housewives cannot imagine their lives without advertised powders and detergents. But one has only to remember the times of the 80-90s, when the dishes were washed with ordinary soda.

Soda ash helps to get rid of stains on clothes, wash grease and scale on dishes, bleach laundry, etc. Now the use of soda ash in everyday life has somewhat decreased, but it still continues to please with its efficiency and low cost.

Physical and chemical properties of a substance

Technical soda ash produced in the form of granules or powder. It quickly dissolves in water, does not have a characteristic odor. Chemical formula soda ash Na2CO3. This substance has a low density of 2.54 g / cm³, it can only boil at a temperature of 1600 ° C.

This compound is also called sodium carbonate or sodium carbonate. Soda ash is considered a fairly hygroscopic product. It can easily absorb odors environment and absorb moisture. During the absorption of carbon dioxide, soda is able to release acidic salts.

This chemical compound obtained as a result of the processing of minerals, and it is also produced using the ammonia-soda process.

Modern manufacturing companies must produce this product in accordance with GOST 5100-85 “Technical soda ash. Specifications". It is produced in two grades: A and B. Grade A has the form of granules, and grade B has a powdery consistency. Each brand is divided into the highest, first and second quality grades.

History of appearance

The first historical information about soda was noticed in the 2-3 millennium BC. In those days, it was found in soda lakes, as well as in the composition of the mineral natron and thermonatrite. For the first time, the Romans Dioscirides Pedanius tried to get soda. He evaporated water from soda lakes.

The Dutchman Helmont called this natural material"forest gas". But scientists still long time it was not possible to obtain soda artificially. The first fruitful experiments were noticed by scientists only in the 18th century.

The first to isolate the pure composition of soda was the Frenchman Henri Louis Duhamel de Monceau. He used the method of recrystallization. After this discovery, the production of soda ash began to gain an ever wider scale.

Applications

Granulated soda is often used to make electrovacuum glass. Powdered soda ash has found its application in many areas. human life:

. it is introduced into the composition of the charge for the production of glass and glass products,
. used to purify metals
. it contributes to the production of machine oils,
. soda ash solution is used in the oil refining industry,
. soda is able to bleach paper and cellulose,
. this material is indispensable in the production of electrical components and consumer goods,
. it is added to the compositions of various cleaning and detergents,
. using soda, process and degrease metal parts,
. soda has become an indispensable substance that helps clean leather products,
. it is introduced into the composition of laundry and liquid soap.

Soda ash, which is used for washing dishes, requires special attention. It should not be confused with the usual baking soda, because it has more high level alkalis. It removes grease and dirt more effectively.

Now washing soda ash is not used as often, as it has been replaced by new and modern phosphate compounds. But this type of soda is able to easily remove stains from fat, wine, juice, or bleach clothes.

Modern housewives began to mix laundry soda ash with simple soap and water. Each ingredient must be taken in 100 grams. All ingredients must be mixed until a homogeneous consistency and heated over a fire until completely dissolved. Economical housewives use ready-made gel in the process of washing or washing too dirty dishes.

Baking soda is added to the compositions of baked goods so that the dough rises better and has a more airy structure.

Features of packaging and storage

In accordance with GOST 5100-85, soda ash must be produced in polypropylene bags. For wholesale sales the volume of the bag should not exceed 50 kg. Also this normative document it is provided that it can be packed in specialized disposable containers. Soda ash brand A is packed in a container weighing no more than 800 kg, soda brand B - 600 kg.

Warehouses in which soda will be stored must have an appropriate ventilation system with low air humidity. This chemical product can be transported by all means of transport.

Producers and market value

The average price of 1 kg of soda ash per Russian market 20-30 rubles. In retail stores, soda ash is sold in 500 g cardboard boxes. The main producers of this chemical In Russia, enterprises are considered:

. Sib Textile,
. ForumChemEnergo,
. TN-CHEM,
. VitaChem,
. SibPromSnab,
. InterMedChem.

Large deposits of soda have been found in America and Canada. IN Russian Federation soda lakes are located in the expanses of Baikal and Siberia. The United States of America is considered the leader in the production of soda ash in the world market.

is a colorless crystalline powder, soluble in water with heating, insoluble in most organic solvents. Hygroscopic. In air, it absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide to form acid salt NaHCO 3 , when stored in the open air, caking. Aqueous solutions are strongly alkaline and form crystalline hydrates.
Density: 2.53 g/cm³. Melting point 852°C.

In nature, soda ash is found in the ashes of some seaweeds, as well as in the form of the following minerals: nahcolite, trona, natrite (soda), thermonatrite.

Currently industrial way obtaining soda ash is the so-called. Solvay's way. Equimolar amounts of gaseous ammonia and carbon dioxide are passed into a saturated sodium chloride solution. The precipitated residue of poorly soluble sodium bicarbonate is filtered off and calcined (dehydrated) by heating to 140-160 ° C, while it passes into sodium carbonate. The resulting carbon dioxide and ammonia separated from the mother liquor at the first stage of the process are returned to the production cycle by reaction.

Depending on the purpose, technical soda ash is produced in two grades: A (granular) and B (powdered).

The use of soda ash (sodium carbonate).
Soda ash has a wide range of uses in technological processes various industries industries such as electronics, glass, pulp and paper, oil refining, chemical, petrochemical, metallurgy.

Main directions of use:
- production various kinds glass (crystal, electrovacuum, optical and medical glass, glass blocks, foam glass, liquid glass"etc.) and ceramic tiles;
- in soap making;
- production of synthetic detergents (washing and cleaning powders);
- leather and pulp processing;
- obtaining ultramarine pigment;
- production paintwork materials(enamels, component of frits for glazes);
- water softening of steam boilers and generally elimination of water hardness;
- degreasing of metals and desulfatization of blast-furnace pig iron;
- as an initial product for the production of sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogen phosphate, borax, etc.;
- processing of bauxite in the production of aluminum;
- purification of exhaust gases;
- neutralization of environments.

Soda ash is also used as a detergent, it removes grease well, softens water, and also neutralizes acidic components in drains. It is also used to soften water when washing and boiling fabrics, washing porcelain, faience, enameled dishes and other household purposes. The widely advertised "Kalgon" descaler in washing machines, consists of sodium tripolyphosphate and soda ash.

IN Food Industry(food additive E500) is used as an acidity regulator, baking powder and emulsifier.

Physical and chemical indicators of soda ash GOST 5100-85:

Name of indicator	Norm for brand and variety
	BUT			B
	Higher	First	Second	Higher	First	Second
1. Appearance	Granules white color			white powder
2. Mass fraction of sodium carbonate, %, not less than	99,4	99,0	98,5	99,4	99,0	99,0
3. Mass fraction of sodium carbonate in terms of uncalcined product, %, not less than	98,7	98,2	97,0	98,9	98,2	97,5
4. Mass fraction of loss on ignition at 270-300° C, %, no more	0,7	0,8	1,5	0,5	0,8	1,5
5. Mass fraction of chlorides in terms of NaCl,%, no more	0,2	0,5	0,8	0,4	0,5	0,8
6. Mass fraction of iron in terms of Fe 2 O 2 ,%, no more	0,003	0,005	0,008	0,003	0,003	0,008
7. Mass fraction of substances insoluble in water,%, no more	0,04	0,04	0,08	0,03	0,04	0,08
8. Mass fraction of sulfates in terms of Na 2 SO 4 ,%, no more	0,04	0,05	-	0,04	0,05	-
9. Bulk density, g/cm³, not less than	1,1	0,9	0,9	-	-	-
10. Granulometric composition of soda ash: residue on a sieve with mesh No. 2K according to GOST 6613-86,%, no more passage through a sieve with mesh No. 1, 25K according to GOST 6613-86,%, no more residue on a sieve with mesh No. 1K according to GOST 6613-86,%, no more passage through a sieve with mesh No. 01K, 25K according to GOST 6613-86,%, no more	- 100 3 7	5 - - 15	5 - - 25	- - - -	- - - -	- - - -
11. Magnetic inclusions larger than 0.25 mm	Absence	-	-	-	-	-

Notes:
1. Norms for indicators 2, 5-8 of the table are given in terms of the calcined substance.
2. For the production of electrovacuum glass, technical soda ash grade A of the highest grade is intended.
3. In technical soda ash intended for the production of sodium nitrite used for the manufacture of caprolactam, as well as for the production of sulfide salts, bleaches and for degreasing parts in the electric vacuum industry, the mass fraction of oils should not exceed 0.01%.
4. Mass fractions of sodium carbonate in the uncalcined product and losses on ignition of technical soda ash of grades A of the highest grade, intended for the production of synthetic detergents, 1st and 2nd grades and B are normalized at the time of shipment.
5. In soda ash grade A of the highest grade, intended for the production of synthetic detergents (CMC), the mass fraction of residue on a sieve with mesh No. 01K according to GOST 6613 is not standardized.
6. By agreement with the consumer, it is allowed to produce brand B soda ash with the following standards: mass fraction of sodium carbonate (Ma 2 CO 3) - not less than 97%; mass fraction of sodium carbonate in the uncalcined product - not less than 94%; mass fraction of loss on ignition at 270-300 ° C - no more than 3; mass fraction of chlorides in terms of NaCl - no more than 1.5%; mass fraction of iron in terms of Re 2 O 3 - no more than 0.03%.

Safety requirements for soda ash GOST 5100-85
Technical soda ash is fire and explosion-proof, according to the degree of impact on the body, it belongs to substances of the 3rd hazard class. Maximum allowable concentration of soda ash aerosols in the air working area industrial premises- 2 mg/m³.

Degree of toxicity	-
Main properties and types of danger
Basic properties	White granules or powder, soluble in water.
Explosion and fire hazard	Doesn't explode, doesn't burn.
Human danger	Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation, conjunctivitis. At long work with solutions, eczema is possible; a concentrated solution, if it gets into the eyes, can cause burns, neurosis, and subsequently clouding of the cornea. Acrid when wet.
Individual protection means	Respirator type ShB-1 "Petal", cotton-gauze bandage, goggles, protective suit.
Necessary actions in emergency situations
General	Remove strangers. Enter the accident zone in a protective suit. Provide first aid to the injured. Isolate the danger area.
In case of leakage, spill and placer	Do not walk on spilled material. Load the damaged packages into the wagon and take them to the nearest station. Collect the spilled product in a container and remove it together with damaged packages.
In case of fire	Wear full protective clothing, isolate the danger zone within a radius of 200 meters. Remove cargo from fire area if it does not pose a hazard. Extinguish the fire from the maximum possible distance with water mist or air-mechanical foam.
First aid measures	Fresh air, peace clean clothes, removing the substance with a swab, washing with a plentiful stream of water the parts of the body in contact with the substance, the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose. In the eyes - a 30% solution of albucid, tetracycline ointment, on the skin - dressings with synthomycin emulsion. In case of ingestion, rinse the stomach through a tube with water (10-12 l).

Packing, transportation and storage.
Soda ash is packed in paper bags weighing 40 kg or polypropylene bags weighing 25 or 50 kg. For soda ash of both brands, soft disposable containers weighing up to 1000 kg are used.
Technical soda ash packed in bags is transported by all means of transport in covered vehicles in accordance with the rules for the carriage of goods in force on this type of transport. Transportation of the packaged product railway carried out by wagon shipments. By agreement with the consumer, the product of grade A is transported in special wagons (soda carriers, soot carriers, cement carriers). Grade B product is transported in bulk in special wagons and cars (soda carriers, soot carriers, cement carriers), as well as in covered wagons. Soft specialized containers are transported by rail in gondola cars and covered wagons.
Technical soda ash is stored in closed warehouses, silos, bunkers, protecting the product from moisture.
Warranty period of storage of technical soda ash brand A - 3 months, brand B - 6 months, packed in soft specialized containers - 5 years from the date of manufacture.

In this article, we will learn what soda ash is and what it is for. A simple explanation is given by a school chemistry textbook for grade 9. Soda ash is a substance obtained by calcining soda crystals containing water molecules. Chemists call it sodium carbonate.

The formula of soda ash is Na 2 CO 3 (sodium carbonate).

In everyday life, washing soda is often used - Na 2 CO 3 10H 2 O.

It was called calcined because it is obtained by calcination - this is when a substance decomposes with the release of water.

Composition

The substance consists of white crystals and looks like white flour or salt - depending on the brand.

Soda ash differs from food and caustic: different composition, characteristics and pH. The value of sodium bicarbonate is 8.1 PH, sodium carbonate is 11 PH, sodium hydroxide is 13 PH. Soda ash cannot be taken orally, unlike food. Caustic soda generally causes chemical burns. It is obtained from calcined, at a temperature of 1200 ° C, by sintering with iron oxide.

Specifications

Description of the characteristics of technical soda ash:

Density: 2.53 g/cm³;
Weight (molar mass): 105.99 g/mol;
Food industry code: 500I;
Shelf life: 5 years, if stored in special packaging;
Hazard class: level 3. Safe against fires and explosions. .

For soda ash until 2020.

At home, calcined technical soda can be replaced with food. It will be less effective due to the lower alkali content.

Properties

Interesting facts about the properties of soda ash:

It dissolves well in water and glycerin;
Changes the form of crystalline hydrates depending on heating;
Softens water, cleans hard surfaces;
A tablespoon holds 7.7 grams.

Receipt

For the first time, soda ash began to be obtained from nature: seaweed and minerals.

In 1791, factories began to produce sodium carbonate according to the method of Nicolas Leblanc. Table salt was treated with sulfuric acid, mixed with coal and limestone, melted in furnaces up to 1000 ° C and cooled with water. His method was used until the beginning of the 20th century.

The Solvay method is currently used. A similarity of ammonium bicarbonate is derived from a solution of sodium chloride. Filtered and calcined. Add calcium hydroxide.

Factories produce soda ash grade A (with granules) and grade B (in powder form).

Video on how to make soda ash at home.

Where applicable

Soda ash technical is used:

In the manufacture of various glasses, crystal, ceramic tiles;
In the production of detergents;
In the paint and varnish, pulp and paper and oil industries;
In the production of zinc, chromium, strontium, tungsten, lead;
To reduce water hardness.

Also, sodium carbonate is used to develop photographs. He is needed for chemical solution developer.

Where is it for sale

Soda ash is sold in household stores. You can get it from the laundry detergent section. The average price is 50 rubles / kg (Grade B - powder).

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