Soda Ash

Product Overview

Soda Ash, chemically identified as Sodium Carbonate (Na₂CO₃) and often referred to as Washing Soda, is a high-utility Technical Grade alkali. This white, odorless, water-soluble powder is manufactured to strict specifications (typical assay 99.6 wt%) to ensure reliable performance in demanding industrial environments. It serves as a critical agent for alkalinity management, neutralization, and processing.

Engineered for consistency, this Soda Ash features a low impurity profile with controlled limits on iron and heavy metals, minimizing the risk of discoloration in glass manufacturing and textile processing. Its high solubility allows for rapid integration into aqueous solutions for water treatment and chemical formulation. The material is supplied as a free-flowing powder, optimized for easy handling and precise dosing in bulk operations.

Key Properties

• Property Name: Assay (wt%)
• Chemical Formula: Na₂CO₃
• Molecular Weight: 105.99 g/mol
• Boiling Point: N/A (decomposes at 851°C)
• Specific Gravity: 2.53–2.55 at 20°C (typical 2.54)
• Residue After Ignition: 0.15% max (typical 0.10%)
• Chloride (Cl): 150 ppm max (typical 50 ppm)
• Nitrate (NO₃⁻): 100 ppm max (typical 20 ppm)
• Ammonium (NH₄⁺): 20 ppm max (typical 5 ppm)
• Sulfate (SO₄²⁻): 200 ppm max (typical 50 ppm)
• Phosphate (PO₄³⁻): 50 ppm max (typical 10 ppm)
• Arsenic (As): 0.1 ppm max (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Heavy Metals (as Pb): 0.5 ppm max (typical 0.2 ppm)
• Iron (Fe): 0.2 ppm max (typical 0.05 ppm)
• Copper (Cu): 0.1 ppm max (typical 0.03 ppm)
• Manganese (Mn): 0.1 ppm max (typical 0.03 ppm)
• Nickel (Ni): 0.1 ppm max (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Lead (Pb): 0.5 ppm max (typical 0.2 ppm)
• Zinc (Zn): 1 ppm max (typical 0.3 ppm)
• Aluminum (Al): 0.5 ppm max (typical 0.15 ppm)
• Chromium (Cr): 0.1 ppm max (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Cobalt (Co): 0.1 ppm max (typical 0.02 ppm)
• Calcium (Ca): 2,000 ppm max (typical 500 ppm)
• Magnesium (Mg): 1,000 ppm max (typical 200 ppm)
• Potassium (K): 500 ppm max (typical 100 ppm)
• Sodium (Na): 500 ppm max (typical 100 ppm)

Common Applications

• Glass Manufacturing: Acts as a flux agent to lower the melting point of silica, essential for viscosity control in float and container glass production.
• Water Treatment: Used for pH adjustment, neutralization of acidic streams, and precipitation of heavy metals in wastewater facilities.
• Detergent Formulation: Functions as a builder to soften water and improve the efficiency of surfactants in cleaning compounds.
• Chemical Processing: Provides alkalinity for buffering and pH regulation in various industrial chemical synthesis and precipitation reactions.
• Textile Industry: Facilitates dye fixation and maintains proper pH levels to ensure consistent fiber quality and colorfastness.

Safety and Handling

Soda Ash is a Technical Grade chemical and should be handled with appropriate industrial safety protocols. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and dust masks to prevent irritation. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from moisture and acids to avoid exothermic reactions. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent clumping. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for detailed emergency and disposal information.

Benefits

Industrial Consistency – Tight assay specifications ensure predictable performance in pH control and manufacturing.
High Solubility – Dissolves rapidly for efficient integration into water treatment and chemical batches.
Controlled Purity – Low levels of iron and heavy metals prevent contamination in sensitive applications.

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