Sodium Carbonate Production Research Articles

Design of Optimal Process Flowsheet for Fractional Crystallization Separation Process

A procedure is presented that synthesizes fractional crystallization separation processes to obtain pure solids from multi-component solutions. The method includes a procedure to generate a network flow model to identify alternative process designs for fractional crystallization. The main advantage of this systematic procedure with respect to other reported procedures is using non-equilibrium solubility values for crystallizers and mixing tanks as process points. By employing an approach factor to show the distance from equilibrium, a non-linear programming model is obtained. Solving the non-linear programming model, optimal process flowsheet and the corresponding non-equilibrium solubility values for process points are presented. The proposed procedure is used to design an optimal flowsheet for production of sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate from Burkeite. The results show that when the approach factor goes to unity, the maximum efficiency of separation process is attained which corresponds to the minimum total flow rates and total cost of the process.

Investigation of Mutual Solubility in the NH4VO3−NH4NO3−H2O system

The solubilities of ammonium vanadate and ammonium nitrate in the NH4VO3−NH4NO3−H2O system were investigated at 293, 303, 313, and 323 K by the method of isothermal saturation of solutions. A section of the solubility isotherm for the investigated system was plotted based on the obtained data. Knowledge of that dependence is necessary for developing the new method of using the postfiltration liquor from the soda−chlorine−saltpeter (SCS) method of sodium carbonate production, based on an equilibrium plot for the quaternary system of pairs of the exchange salts NH4NO3−NaVO3−H2O.

Contact angle and bubble attachment studies in the flotation of trona and other soluble carbonate salts

Trona, Na 2CO 3 · NaHCO 3 · 2H 2O, is mined as the primary source for sodium carbonate production in the United States. Recent studies have shown that the flotation method can be used for pre-processing of trona ore to remove insoluble mineral contaminants for the production of soda ash (sodium carbonate). Studies with carbonate salts suggest that certain important factors can affect their flotation response, including viscosity of the brine and interfacial water structure. Flotation studies showed that contrary to the strong flotation of NaHCO 3 with both anionic and cationic collectors, Na 2CO 3 does not float at all. Based on the analysis of interfacial water structure in saturated brines, Na 2CO 3 was found to act as a strong water structure maker, whereas NaHCO 3 acts as a weak water structure maker. Bubble attachment time measurements suggest that collector adsorption at the surface of NaHCO 3 induces flotation; this is not the case for Na 2CO 3. Contact angle measurements indicated that the surface of Na 2CO 3 is hydrated to a great extent, whereas the NaHCO 3 salt surface is less hydrated. These results reveal that there is a strong relationship between the interfacial water structure and the contact angle of these salts. The less stable NaHCO 3 surface is ascribed to the interfacial water structure which allows for NaHCO 3 flotation with both anionic and cationic collectors.

Production of sodium carbonate from soda ash via flash calcination in a drop tube furnace

This paper described the production of sodium carbonate via flash calcination of Turkish trona ore in a drop tube furnace. It has been observed that the loss of weight also increases with the increasing temperature of calcination. The production of sodium carbonate from the saturated solution of raw soda has been realized by a crystallization process in vacuum at 360 K. As a result, dense soda ash of 99.8% purity has been produced.

Obtaining magnesia in the production of sodium carbonate by the solvay process and the manufacture of magnesia refractories based on IT

Obtaining magnesia in the production of sodium carbonate by the solvay process and the manufacture of magnesia refractories based on IT

Societies and Academies

PARIS. Academy of Sciences, August 26.—M. Emile Roux in the chair.—P. Appell; The integration of the simultaneous differential equations verifying the Hermite polynomial Um, n.—G. Bigourdan: The astronomical station at the Petit Luxembourg. The co-ordinates of the stations of the Collége d'Harcourt.—G. Charpy and M. Godchot: The formation of coke.—M. Plancherel: The unicity of the development of a function in a series of Legendre polynomials.—M. Auric: The calculation of the energy accumulated in the sun by contraction since its formation.—C. Raveau: Is the principle of equivalence a consequence of Carnot's principle? A criticism of a recent paper by Sir Joseph Larmor.—G. Reboul: The influence of the radius of curvature of a body on the formation of hoar-frost. Hoar-frost commences to deposit more rapidly on objects the smaller the radius of curvature.—M. Collignon: The propagation of the sound of gunfire to great distances. Annual periodicity.—M. Chopin: Apparatus, for the measurement of chimney losses and the elements constituting these losses. Starting with the approximate formula giving the heat carried away by flue-gases as directly proportional to the difference of temperature between the outside air and the flue, and inversely proportional to the percentage of carbon dioxide by volume, an apparatus is described which reads off directly the percentage of heat lost. The temperature difference is measured by a thermocouple in the usual way and for the other factor use is made of the change in electrical resistance of a solution of caustic soda caused bv the absorption of carbon dioxide and the production of sodium carbonate. Each of the factors is thus reduced to a galvanometer reading, and the point of intersection of the two galvanometer needles is read off on a series of curves plotting the percentage heat loss. The apparatus in its present form is not automatic.—H. Colin and Mile. A. Chaudun: The law of action of sucrase: the hypothesis of an intermediate combination. The results of six series of experiments are given, from which it is shown that the theory of A. Brown, which assumes a combination between the sugar and the enzyme, is justifiable.—F. Kerforne: The iron minerals of Menez-Bel-Air (Côtes-du-Nord).—C. Viola: The law of Curie. Curie's law is defined as follows: The normal increases of the faces of a crystal in stable equilibrium are directly proportional to their capillary constants, and some mathematical consequences are developed.—A. Piédallu: The industrial application of the colouring matter of the glumes of the sugar sorghum. Details are given of the method of extracting the dye, and of its application with different mordants to dyeing wool, silk, and cotton.—M. Galippe; Researches on the resistance to heat of the living elements existing normally in animal and vegetable tissues.—P. Girard and R. Audubert: The electric charges of microorganisms and their surface tension.—R. Paucot: The measurement of arterial pressure in clinical practice. A criticism of current methods of measurement and suggestion of a new technique.