Can you explain what inevitable connection there is between sea salt and the ammonia-soda process?

The connection between sea salt and the ammonia-soda process must be understood in the context of the development history of China’s alkali industry. The first large-scale alkali factory, Yongli Alkali Industry, was built in Tanggu, Tianjin, using sea salt. At that time, environmental regulations were not strict, which made it easy to dispose of the waste liquids and residues generated by the ammonia-soda process by dumping them into the sea. During World War II, the Japanese occupied this factory. However, the employees of Yongli rebuilt another one in Sichuan. Yet, due to the high cost of salt in the interior regions and the low utilization rate of salt produced via the Solvay process, Dr. Hou Debang began developing the “Hou’s Soda Ash Process”.

#2 9067jxhuas: Does it mean that production can still occur without salt? Or does it refer to the fact that Hou Debang’s soda-making process leaves behind some salt?

1# misnihaoma There is no inevitable connection between sea salt and the ammonia-soda process; there is only a direct relationship. Sea salt is a type of raw salt that is required as a material for producing soda ash via the ammonia-alkali process.

The main raw material for the production of soda ash via the ammonia-soda process is industrial sea salt; this process also generates large amounts of distillation waste liquid. In recent years, domestic soda ash production has been increasing year by year. However, due to adjustments in the salt industry structure and the depletion of sea salt resources, the actual output of industrial salt has been declining annually. This has posed a certain threat to the survival of soda ash manufacturers. In March 2000, the first “salt shortage” occurred, with six major alkali plants vying for the limited remaining supplies of sea salt in Shandong Province. The Lianyungang Alkali Plant was almost forced to halt production; at its lowest point, the stockpile of salt on hand amounted to just over 1,000 tons—a quantity insufficient to cover even 8 hours’ worth of production needs.