[News & Trends]:The difference and use of alkali and soda ash

White alkali and soda ash are common alkaline compounds that have important applications in many aspects. However, there are certain differences in their chemical properties, production processes, and uses


The chemical properties of alkali and soda ash are different. White alkali, also known as caustic soda, has a chemical formula of NaOH. It is a colorless and odorless solid that can dissolve in water, producing strong alkaline hydroxide ions and corresponding sodium ions. White alkali has a high solubility in water and can quickly react with acid in the solution to neutralize it. Soda ash, with the chemical formula Na2CO3, also known as sodium bicarbonate. It is a white crystalline solid with high solubility. After the dissolution of soda ash, carbonate ions and corresponding sodium ions are produced, exhibiting moderate alkalinity


The preparation processes of alkali and soda ash are also different. White stone alkali is mainly prepared by sodium chloride electrolysis method, which is obtained by electrolysis reaction using sodium chloride as the raw material. Soda ash is mainly prepared by reacting sodium chloride with ammonia to produce sodium bicarbonate, which is then decomposed by heating to form soda ash. Both preparation processes require high temperature and special equipment, and may produce some by-products


White alkali and soda ash also differ in their application fields. White alkali, as a strong alkali, is widely used in industries such as metallurgy, petrochemicals, textiles, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, etc. In metallurgy, white alkali is used as a desulfurizer in aluminum smelting and steelmaking processes. In pharmaceuticals, it is used to produce various pharmaceutical raw materials. Soda ash is mainly used in fields such as glass manufacturing, detergent production, and water treatment. In glass manufacturing, soda ash is used as the main raw material for glass composition; In detergents, caustic soda can be used for decontamination and pH adjustment; In water treatment, soda ash can be used to soften water quality


In summary, there are differences in chemical properties, preparation processes, and application fields between white alkali and pure alkali. Understanding their characteristics and uses can help us choose and apply alkaline compounds correctly, enabling them to achieve optimal results.