Mixed Solvent Reactive Recrystallization of Sodium Carbonate
R.S. Gaertner
G.J. Witkamp – Promotor
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Abstract
Investigation of the reactive recrystallization of trona (sodium sesquicarbonate) and sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate (soda) in a mixed solvent led to the design of several alternative, less energy consumptive, economically very attractive process routes for the production of soda from all principal sodium carbonate sources. The kinetics of the recrystallization as well as of the superimposed chemical reaction, the decomposition of the bicarbonate ion, have been measured, a thermodynamic model for the prediction of the transition temperatures for hydrate recrystallization is presented and the different occurring recrystallization mechanisms are explained in detail. In addition, several inline purification processes for the recycle of the mixed solvent have been investigated: electrodialysis, ion exchange and reactive extraction. The formed soda of mixed solvent reactive recrystallization was also found to possess higher chemical purity, higher mechanical stability and lower bulk density than commercially available soda (dense soda ash).