Solvay process

Sol·vay process

noun \ˈsäl-ˌvā-\

Definition of SOLVAY PROCESS

: a process for making soda from common salt by passing carbon dioxide into ammoniacal brine resulting in precipitation of sodium bicarbonate which is then calcined to carbonate

Origin of SOLVAY PROCESS

Ernest Solvay †1922 Belgian chemist

First Known Use: 1884

Solvay process

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Modern method of manufacturing sodium carbonate (soda ash), devised and commercialized in Belgium by Ernest Solvay (1838–1922). Common salt (sodium chloride) is treated with ammonia and then carbon dioxide, under carefully controlled conditions, to form sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. When heated, the bicarbonate yields sodium carbonate, the desired product; the ammonium chloride is treated with lime to produce ammonia (for reuse) and calcium chloride. The process proved of great commercial value, since large quantities of soda ash are used in making glass, detergents, and cleansers. See also caustic soda.

Variants of SOLVAY PROCESS

Solvay process or ammonia-soda process