Sodium Carbonate with chemical formula of Na2CO3, also known as Soda Salt, Soda Ash, Soda Crystals and Washing Soda, is one of the most important and most useful industrial chemicals which has a vast variety of applications.
Dehydrated Sodium Carbonate with commercial name of “Soda Ash”, is usually produced by Solvay method in industrial scale. In this method Sodium Carbonate is produced from Limestone (Calcium Carbonate), Ammonia and Sodium Chloride. Other production methods are known as: Lelanc and Hou Process.
This substance is manufactured in two types including Light Sodium Carbonate and Heavy Sodium Carbonate which can be used in production of Glass and Glassware, Chemicals (Baking Soda, Sodium Silicate, etc.), Water Treatment, Heavy Metals Extraction and many other uses.
50% of all the production of this substance is used in glass and glassware manufacturing, 18% for chemicals, 10% for producing soap and detergents and the rest is used in other industries.
Difference between Light and Heavy Sodium Carbonate
The difference between these two types is in their Densities, so that after Hydration of light one Sodium Carbonate Monohydrate (Na2CO3.H2O) will be produced which after that Dehydration of this substance will make a product with higher density and bigger size crystals. Heavy Sodium Carbonate is mainly used in Glass and Glassware industries as flux in melting process and Light Sodium Carbonate has key roles in producing Detergents, Tiles, Ceramics and Glazes.