What is Soda Ash:
Soda Ash is the common name of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) without water also known as soda crystals and washing soda and is a white hygroscopic powder.
Sodium carbonate or its soda is actually the sodium salt of carbonic acid, which is normally a white solid. Soda Ash has relatively strong alkaline properties and can be obtained from the ashes of many plants.
Characteristics of Soda Ash:
The melting temperature of sodium carbonate is 851 degrees Celsius. This product decomposes at higher temperatures. Therefore, a boiling point is not defined for this substance. The solubility of sodium carbonate in water at (20 degrees Celsius) is equal to 215 grams per liter.
Difference Between Heavy Soda Ash and Light Soda Ash:
Heavy sodium carbonate and light sodium carbonate are only different in density, particle size and their application and they are NOT chemically different from one another.
Heavy sodium carbonate has a mass density of about 1,000 kg/m3 and particles with a size of 300 to 500 microns.
This type of Soda Ash is often used in glass factories. Coarse granule particles like this type cause the absence of dust and impurities and reduce the possibility of particles spreading during logistics.
The density of light sodium carbonate is about 500 kg/m3 and the size of light sodium carbonate particles is about 100 microns and a common application is Oil Drilling.
Applications of Soda Ash:
Sodium Carbonate is one of the materials that have various applications in different industries. Among the uses of sodium carbonate, below are more famous:
Glass Manufacturing: Using the material in glass production reduces the temperature of glass formation and saves energy costs.
Chemical Production: Production of various chemicals such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium Silicate, sodium triple phosphate, sodium dichromate, sodium aluminate, sodium cyanide and many others
Paper production: In paper production, sodium carbonate is used as an acidity regulator and also to decolorize waste paper.
Production of soap and detergent: soda ash is used as an alkali agent in the production of soap and detergents.
Water Softening: sodium carbonate removes calcium and magnesium ions from water and reduces its hardness in the ion exchange process.
Municipal water tanks: A common additive in municipal tanks to neutralize the acidic effect of chlorine and increase PH.
Household uses: Sodium carbonate is used in households as a water softener for washing clothes.
Dyeing: It is used as a bonding agent between dyes and fibers.
Food industry: It is used as a pH regulator and preservative.
Electrolysis: As an electrolyte, it increases the rate of water decomposition.
Taxidermy: Used in the process of removing meat from bones
Chemistry laboratories: primary standard material in titration reactions
Toothpaste: Foaming agent to increase pH
Brick making: As a moistening agent in the production of dough, it decreases the amount of water consumption.
Textile industry: It is used as an anti-acid agent in silk processing.
Petrochemical and crude oil refining: Soda Ash is used as a neutralizer in petrochemical processes.
Refinement of vegetable oils: acts as a separating agent of free fatty acids.
Desulfurization of smoke: Used in the process of removing sulfur from smoke coming out of chimneys.
Handling and Safety for Soda Ash:
Upon inhaling, it should be immediately exposed to fresh air.
If it comes into contact with the skin, the skin should be washed with plenty of water.
In case of contact with the eyes, it should be washed with plenty of water for several minutes.
For further information, you can download the material safety data sheet from here (Soda Ash MSDS).
Our Supply of Soda Ash:
Zista Group supply of sodium carbonate is from large scale producers only and we are able to provide supply solutions based on spot and future allocations. Please refer to our specifications for sodium carbonate here (Dense Sodium Carbonate TDS , Light Sodium Carbonate TDS).
Available Packaging for Soda Ash:
25 kg bag
50 kg bag
One MT jumbo Bags
