Soda Ash
Soda Ash which is a Sodium Carbonate Compound is also called commercially washing Soda or Soda Crystals, historically was extracted from the ashes of Sodium Soil Plants. Since the ashes of these plants were different from wood ashes, sodium carbonate became known as Soda Ash. Scientifically, only after dissolving Soda ash in water and obtaining crystalline shape, then it becomes washing soda.
There are three kinds of Soda Ash all with the chemical composition of Na2CO3, one is an alkali chemical refined from the mineral trona or naturally occurring sodium carbonate (both referred to as natural Soda Ash), Second is the mineral nahcolite (referred to as natural sodium bicarbonate, from which Soda Ash can be produced from), or manufactured from one of many chemical processes to produce Synthetic Soda Ash.
Production and Composition
Since the 19th century there has been many plants and methods to produce sodium carbonate and further advanced to more modern methods and large scale industry. Primary there were concentrated explored resources in USA and Turkey but nowadays the resource availability has expanded to many countries including Iran.
Several steps are required to produce soda ash from the ore. First the ore from is crushed and screened. The material then is fed to a rotary calciner and heated during the process. The trona decomposes to form crude soda ash, which is solvable in water. The insoluble shales are separated through settling and filtration steps. Further, the solution is provided to crystallizers where water is evaporated and sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals are formed. Finally, product is screened and sent to storage silos.
There are basically different forms of heavy and light sodium carbonate. Light sodium carbonate should contain less than 0.5% sodium chloride. Heavy sodium carbonate on the other hand is obtained through conducting light sodium carbonate to monohydrate state (Na2CO3.H2O) and then by dehumidification to increase the density and then increasing the crystal size.
Iran Supply of Soda Ash
Considering the vast availability of the base ore resources in Iran, it has made the Iran one of the sources of Natural Soda Ash in the region. The industry has been growing since 2005 and still is growing as per high local consumption along with stable export markets specifically for Iranian Soda Ash.
At Zista group we implement our commercial and financial experience and power to provide suitable allocation from reputable Soda Ash manufacturers in Iran, especially that Zista Group has a regular volume glass business which consumes Soda ash as raw material. Respectively, the relationships and transaction system are in place to provide more economical and stable supply to meet stable demands.
Iran Soda Ash Supply details are as below:
Specification of Soda Ash
Heavy
Light
Packing: 50 kg bags (palletized & Stretch Wrapped upon request) and Jumbo bags
Appearance: White powder
Soda Ash Applications
Soda Ash is used in numerous industries including glass production which is largest application. Other industries are:
- Chemical production such as removal of sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid from stack gases
- Air and Water Purification and Softening
- Paper Production
- Soap Production
- Corn Sweeteners
- Household Detergents
