SOLVAY PROCESS best condition for Solvay process. Explain how certain reaction conditions represent a compromise that will give maximum yield in a short time. The Solvay Process

Solvay Process

Also known as ammonia-soda, the Solvay Process is an industrial process that produces soda ash (sodium carbate). The history of this process is long, dating back to 19th-century Belgium when Ernest Solvay was the first to develop it. It is still widely used and the most economical method to make soda ash. Solvay Process is a reaction between brine (sodium salt solution) and ammonia (CO2) (Mourad, 2021). To achieve desired quality and yield, the reaction conditions should be considered carefully. All factors that affect the reaction include the temperature, pressure, concentration, and time. In general, temperatures of around 200 °C and pressures of around 100 atmospheres are required to achieve maximum yields in a short time. However, the reaction is highly exothermic and can lead to runaway conditions if the temperature is too high (Czaplicka & Konopacka-?yskawa, 2019). The reaction rate depends on pH. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between temperature and pH in order to get maximum yields within a limited time. Between pH and temperature should be maintained. Cont…