Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
Analysis of Soda Ash and Volumetric Analysis of a Carbonate-Bicarbonate Mixture
Buti, Mary Daphne A.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila
Abstract Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), commonly known by trade name soda ash, is a white, anhydrous, powdered or granular material that is an essential raw material used in the manufacturing of glass, detergents, chemicals, and other industrial products. In this experiment, the percent alkalinity of the unknown soda ash sample was determined by titrating it with standard HCl solution. After three trials, the researchers obtained an average percent alkalinity of 33.20% that resulted to a percent error of 12.63%. The percentage of carbonate and bicarbonate of the same unknown soda ash sample was also determined in the experiment, following the same procedures and using the same titrant that is the standard HCl solution; however, this time, the researchers made use of a pH meter. Subsequently, they acquired 22.44% of carbonate and 26.07% of bicarbonate.
Introduction
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), commonly known by trade name soda ash, is a white, anhydrous, powdered or granular material that is an essential raw material used in the manufacturing of glass, detergents, chemicals, and other industrial products [1]. It has a molecular weight of 105.989 g/mol, melting point of 851̊ C (1564̊ F) and a specific gravity of 2.533 [2]. In the year 1998, soda ash was listed as the 11th largest inorganic chemical of all the organic and inorganic chemicals in terms of production, leaving out petrochemical feedstock [3]. In fact, sodium carbonate has already been in production for more than 5,000 years now. It was used by Ancient Egyptians in making glass ornaments and vessels. The product was recovered from dry lake-bed deposits or by burning seaweed and other marine plants. Even the Romans used soda ash for baking bread, making glass and for medicinal purposes. The extraction
Buti, Mary Daphne A.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila
Abstract Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), commonly known by trade name soda ash, is a white, anhydrous, powdered or granular material that is an essential raw material used in the manufacturing of glass, detergents, chemicals, and other industrial products. In this experiment, the percent alkalinity of the unknown soda ash sample was determined by titrating it with standard HCl solution. After three trials, the researchers obtained an average percent alkalinity of 33.20% that resulted to a percent error of 12.63%. The percentage of carbonate and bicarbonate of the same unknown soda ash sample was also determined in the experiment, following the same procedures and using the same titrant that is the standard HCl solution; however, this time, the researchers made use of a pH meter. Subsequently, they acquired 22.44% of carbonate and 26.07% of bicarbonate.
Introduction
Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), commonly known by trade name soda ash, is a white, anhydrous, powdered or granular material that is an essential raw material used in the manufacturing of glass, detergents, chemicals, and other industrial products [1]. It has a molecular weight of 105.989 g/mol, melting point of 851̊ C (1564̊ F) and a specific gravity of 2.533 [2]. In the year 1998, soda ash was listed as the 11th largest inorganic chemical of all the organic and inorganic chemicals in terms of production, leaving out petrochemical feedstock [3]. In fact, sodium carbonate has already been in production for more than 5,000 years now. It was used by Ancient Egyptians in making glass ornaments and vessels. The product was recovered from dry lake-bed deposits or by burning seaweed and other marine plants. Even the Romans used soda ash for baking bread, making glass and for medicinal purposes. The extraction
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