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Light soda ash is a white, odorless, uniform product, free from
dirt and other foreign matter. |
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PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES |
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Soda ash has a tendency to absorb moisture from
the atmosphere. The moist soda ash then starts absorbing
atmospheric carbon dioxide. This phenomenon of absorption of
moisture and carbon dioxide by soda ash is known as weathering.
After weathering, soda ash is likely to contain appreciable
moisture and sodium bicarbonate, but the total alkali content of
the bag does not change. Soda ash has a tendency to cake when it
comes in contact with moisture and, consequently, becomes lumpy. |
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Chemical formula : Na2CO3 |
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Characteristics |
IS 251 : 1998
specifications |
TCL-assured specifications |
Units |
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Molecular weight |
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106
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Bulk density |
500 – 750
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550 – 720
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Kg/m3 |
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Volatile matter
content (at the time of packing) |
2
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0.80
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%, max |
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Total alkalinity (as
Na2CO3) |
98.5
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99.0
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%, min |
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Sulphates (as
Na2SO4) |
0.08
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0.03
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%, max |
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Chlorides (as NaCl) |
1.0
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0.80
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%, max |
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Iron (as
Fe2O3) |
By colorimetric method |
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0.0029
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%, max |
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By spectrophotometric method |
0.007
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0.002
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Matter insoluble in
water |
0.15
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0.03
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%, max |
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MANUFACTURING PROCESS |
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Common salt and limestone
are the raw materials that are processed and converted into light
soda ash and calcium chloride.
In the Solvay process, soda ash is manufactured by dissolving salt
in seawater. This is followed by purification. The purified brine
is ammoniated and carbonated to get crude bicarbonate slurry,
which is filtered and calcined to get light soda ash. This light
soda ash is packed directly in the auto silo. Tata Chemicals has
tailored its manufacturing process to meet the individual needs of
its customers. |
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APPLICATIONS |
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Light soda ash is one of
the most important basic industrial chemicals. Light soda ash is
used to regulate pH in many chemical process streams. The superior
buffering capacity of soda ash versus caustic soda offers
advantages in adjusting plant wastewater pH ranges.
Soda ash is used as the sodium source for sodium sulfite/bi-sulfite
pulping liquors used in the sulfite, CMP, and CTMP processes, and
in NSSC pulping.
It is also possible to replace a portion of the caustic soda in
many pulp bleaching applications such as caustic extraction or
hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical or chemical pulps.
However, the higher pH requirements of these applications may
necessitate the continued use of some caustic soda.
In addition, it is the most widely used fixed alkali for the
manufacture of other alkali products, sodium salts, glass, soap,
sodium silicates, detergent, bicarbonates, bichromates, cellulose
and rayon, iron and steel, aluminum, cleaning compounds, textiles
and dyestuffs, drugs and many other materials. It is also used as
an alkali for household purposes and as washing powder by
laundries. |
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PACKAGING |
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Available in 50-kg HDPE /
PP bags and 750-kg PP jumbo bags with lamination / liner. |
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STORAGE |
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Soda ash should be stored
under cover in a cool, dry place and the bags should not be
stacked more than 15 bags high. |
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