Thaddeus Mbaluka The Solvay Process

The Solvay process is the major industrial process for the production of sodium carbonate (soda ash, Na2CO3). The ammonia-soda process was developed into its modern form by the Belgian chemist Ernest Solvay during the 1860s.
Predicted questions.
 Name two uses of CaCl2.
 fused CaCl2 Used as a drying agent for gases.
 Used in  extraction of sodium metal to lower the boiling point.
 Name two uses of Na2CO3.
 Used in manufacture of glass.
 Manufacture of detergents.
 Used in paper industry.
 Used in softening hard water.
 Name two uses of   NaHCO3.
 Use in manufacture of baking soda.
 Used in manufacture of aerated drinks.
 Give reasons why the Solvay plant should be located near a river.
 Water is a raw material.
 Water is needed as a coolant as the reaction in the Solvay tower is highly exothermic.
 Name two materials recycled in the Solvay process.
 Ammonia and carbon (IV) oxide.
 Give the advantage of recycling.
 It minimizes production/running cost.
 It minimizes pollution.
 State two costs incurred in running the plant
 Power cost
 Maintenance cost
 Explain why K2CO3 is not preferably prepared using this method.
This is because the KHCO3 is highly soluble at lower temperature hence will not precipitate/be difficult to separate from NH4Cl . KHCO3 has similar solubility to NH4Cl at the same temperatures therefore difficult to separate.  
 Name two methods used to separate the products at the Solvay tower
Fractional crystallization
Filtration
 Explain why Solvay process is considered as a very economical process
I. The raw materials are cheap.
II. Most of the by-products like CO2 and ammonia are recycled.