Sodium carbonate (also named washing soda, soda ash and soda crystals, and in the monohydrate form as crystal carbonate), Na2CO3, is the water-soluble sodium salt of carbonic acid. Pure sodium carbonate is white, odorless powder that is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). It has a strongly alkaline taste, and forms a moderately basic solution in water. Soda Ash has number of uses. Glass manufacturing is the largest application for soda ash, in the form of containers, fiberglass insulation, commercial building, and automotive industries. Three grades of soda ash produced: 1. Dense Soda Ash: is an anhydrous substance. It forms an important industrial chemical, and widely used in the manufacture of different products. 2. Light Soda Ash: widely used as a pH regulator/ buffering agent in multiple industrial processes. 3. Washing soda: is an anhydrous substance that is produced by combining light soda ash along with additional molecules of water. It is used in soaps and washing detergents to improve their cleaning properties. Soda ash also used to clean the air and soften water. As environmental concerns grow, demand increases for soda ash used in the removal of sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid from stack gases. Chemical producers use soda ash as an intermediate to manufacture products that sweeten soft drinks (corn sweeteners), relieve physical discomfort (sodium bicarbonate) and improve foods and toiletries (phosphates).
