Sodium carbonate is prepared on large scale by the Solvay process. The equation for the main reaction that takes place in the carbonator is:
NaCl(aq) + NH3(g) + CO2(g)+ H2O(l) → NH4Cl(aq) + NaHCO3(s)
- Describe how the sodium carbonate is obtained from the products of the carbonator.
- One of the by-products of the Solvay process is calcium chloride. Explain how the calcium chloride is formed in this process.