Question:
In the Solvay process, can we obtain sodium carbonate directly by treating the solution containing (NH4) 2CO3 with sodium chloride? Explain.
Solution:
In the Solvay process, carbon dioxide is passed through a concentrated solution of sodium chloride saturated with ammonia, which forms ammonium carbonate followed
by ammonium hydrogen carbonate. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate crystals separate and they are heated to form sodium carbonate. NH3 is recovered from the
solution which contains NH4Cl is heated and treated with Ca(OH)2. The reaction of (NH4)2CO3 with NaCl gives two products, Na2CO3 and NH4Cl which are both
soluble in water which does not shift the equilibrium to the right.