Page 11 - 10-Chem-16 CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES
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16. CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES eLearn.Punjab
(vi) Ammonia recovery tower:
Ammonia is recovered in this tower from ammonium chloride solution produced in the carbonated
tower and calcium hydroxide formed in lime kiln.
In fact, all ammonia is recovered in this tower and is reused in the process. There are minor losses
of ammonia in the process which are compensated by using some fresh ammonia.
Fig. 16.8: Flow sheet diagram of Solvay’s Process for the manufacturing of sodium carbonate.
Advantages of Solvay’s process
(i) It is a cheap process as raw materials are available at very low prices.
(ii) Carbon dioxide and ammonia are recovered and reused.
(iii) Process is pollution free, because the only waste is calcium chloride solution.
(iv) Sodium carbonate of very high purity is obtained.
(v) Consumption of fuel is very less since no solution is to be evaporated.
Pakistan is self-sufficient as far as demand of sodium carbonate is concerned. Imperial
Chemical Industries (ICI) Khewra (Jhelum) is producing enough sodium carbonate. This unit
was established in 1944 in Khewra because abundant raw material sodium chloride is available
here. Sindh alkalies limited was established near Karachi in 1966. Sodium carbonate and sodium
bicarbonate are important industrial chemicals and are used by many industries.
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