Producing soda ash from waste sodium sulfate
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This post was last edited by qqgd on 2024-9-24 09:12. Many large-scale chemical industry zero-emission projects, including those in the petrochemical and coal chemical sectors, generate considerable amounts of industrial waste salts during relevant water treatment processes (process water, wastewater, recycled water, sewage, etc.), including sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. Are there any companies in China that currently have mature applications in such zero-emission projects, where waste sodium sulfate is converted into sodium bicarbonate using the ammonia-alkali process and then into sodium carbonate, while the sulfate ions are transformed into ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer? This method is similar to the process used for producing soda ash from sodium chloride; there are significant similarities in terms of the process flow as well as in the products produced. However, there are likely substantial differences in the process conditions and operational controls. Are there also any differences in the equipment used and the automatic control instruments?
It seems reasonable; it’s much more expensive than the cost of double-alkali
From a chemical perspective, there are no issues. In terms of equipment configuration, operation, and monitoring and control, compared to the production of soda ash from sodium chloride, the costs and yields differ significantly. But for zero emissions, is it worth installing a set of such equipment?
Currently, there are indeed some enterprises in China that use such methods to convert waste sodium sulfate into soda ash and ammonium sulfate. This technology primarily involves treating waste sodium sulfate using the ammonia-alkali process: it is first converted into sodium bicarbonate, and then further transformed into sodium carbonate, while the sulfate ions can be converted into ammonium sulfate for use as a fertilizer. Compared with the traditional process of producing soda ash from sodium chloride, this new process differs in terms of operating conditions and control; moreover, the equipment used as well as the automation control systems may have specific requirements and differences. Such technologies not only enable the recycling of waste but also help reduce the environmental impact of enterprises. .
Taking into account the costs associated with using sodium sulfate for treatment, it should be acceptable.
The cost of producing soda ash from sodium sulfate is high, but from an environmental perspective, waste sodium sulfate needs to be treated, and the costs associated with this treatment can offset some of the production costs.
Electrolysis of sodium sulfate can be used to produce caustic soda and acid, but its economic viability has not been proven. An increasing number of lithium hydroxide production projects generate large amounts of sodium sulfate as a by-product; if sodium sulfate could be converted into caustic soda, it would seem like a very good approach, yet its economic viability is not sufficient.
Thank you for sharing. We also have plenty of mirabilite here, and I’d like to learn more about it