FMC Corporation

Alkali Chemicals Division

1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

PH Adjustment / Acid Neutralization

Soda Ash is used to regulate pH in many chemical process streams. The superior buffering capacity of soda ash versus
caustic soda offers advantages in certain and plant wastewater pH ranges. The following graph depicts the pH of various
concentrations of soda ash solutions.

PH Values of Solutions of Alkali Products

Soda ash is also used to neutralize acid as shown in the following graph.

Acid Neutralization Capacity

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.
FMC Corporation
Alkali Chemicals Division
1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

Sodium Chemicals Manufacture

Soda ash provides the sodium source for the manufacture of many sodium salts including sodium phosphates, sodium
sulfate, sodium sulfite, sodium acetate, sodium nitrite, sodium silicate and sodium citrate. When replacing caustic soda
in such applications, a weight ratio of 1.325/1 of soda ash to caustic soda must be used because of the lower sodium
oxide (Na2O) content of soda ash.

Kraft Pulping
The use of soda ash for alkali make-up in the kraft pulping process is well known. Instead of adding caustic soda to the
white liquor, soda ash is added to the green liquor. Soda ash use in this application requires that the caustization
equipment and lime kiln have sufficient excess capacity to handle the increased quantities of sodium carbonate.

In evaluating the economic feasibility of soda ash for alkali make-up it is important to consider the additional lime kiln
energy costs in addition to the, delivered cost of soda ash versus caustic soda. Keeping in mind this application will require
1.325 times as much soda ash as caustic soda.

Other Pulp and Paper Applications

Soda ash is used as the sodium source for sodium sulfite/bisulfite pulping liquors used in the sulfite, CMP, and
CTMP processes, and in NSSC pulping. The following graph shows the mixture of products at various pH levels
when soda ash is reacted with sulfur dioxide.

Sodium Sulfite Production from Soda Ash and Sulfur Dioxide

It is also possible to replace a portion of the caustic soda in many pulp bleaching applications such as caustic extraction or
hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical or chemical pulps. However, the higher pH requirements of these applications
may necessitate the continued use of some caustic soda.

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.
FMC Corporation
Alkali Chemicals Division
1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

Flue Gas Desulfurization

In solution form, soda ash is used to remove sulfur dioxide (S02) from flue gas streams in wet scrubbers. In addition, soda
ash is effective in removing H2S. Again, this application will require 1.325 times as much soda ash as caustic soda.

Soda Ash Storage and Handling

The use of soda ash in most applications replacing caustic soda requires that it be in a solution form. Since the delivery of
soda ash solution is usually not practical because of the transportation costs, a key to the effective use of soda ash is
designing a system to efficiently convert dry soda ash into solution at the user's site.

Recognizing that there are many different systems to accomplish this task, FMC has complied several option for your
review in our technical brochure : "FMC Soda Ash, Storage Options and Technical Data". An electronic version of this file
is available for download. It is important to note that soda ash storage and handling needs are very site specific.

Solubility of Pure Na2CO3 in Water

The solubility of soda ash in water is shown in the phase diagram below. The solubility increases with increasing
temperature until 36°C, after which the solubility gradually decreases. A saturated solution at temperatures of 36°C and
above varies from 30 to 33% Na2CO3.

Solubility of Pure Na2CO3

When dry soda ash (anhydrous) is mixed with water, it
dissolves until saturation is reached. Any soda ash
added beyond saturation converts to the monohydrate
form (Na2CO3 · H20) at temperatures above 36°C.
This process is exothermic and generates heat that
warms the temperature of the slurry/solution. If more
water is added, the monohydrate will dissolve
exothermically and add heat to the system.

When storing soda ash as a slurry or concentrated

solution, it is very important that the temperature of the
solution or slurry not drop below 36°C.. If this occurs,
heptahydrates and decahydrates of sodium carbonate
will precipitate from solution and these higher hydrates
are more difficult to re-dissolve than monohydrate.

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.
FMC Corporation
Alkali Chemicals Division
1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

Densities and Concentrations of Sodium Carbonate Solutions

Concentration of Sodium Carbonate Solutions
at Varying Densities and Temperatures

The chart shown here depicts sodium carbonate solution

concentrations in order to allow determination of the amount of
solution needed for an application, or to determine storage tank
requirements.

Unloading and Dissolving

FMC can assist in the design of a wide variety of systems

tailored to specific customer requirements. See technical
brochure : "FMC Soda Ash, Storage Options and Technical
Data". An electronic version of this file is available for
download. Unloading methods are described in more detail in
this brochure.

Storage Tank Requirements

The storage tank design in many cases is determined by the equipment available at the manufacturing site, and/or
customer usage level, and inventory requirements. The tank can be of mild carbon steel construction. It must be outfitted
to ensure that the temperature is always maintained above 36°C to prevent formation of heptahydrates and decahydrates.
The minimum recommended storage temperature is 43°C to 46°C. Precautions similar to those taken with 50% caustic
soda tank storage (insulation, steam-tracing' heating coil, etc.) are typically sufficient. If rail delivery is desired, the tank
should be located as close as possible to the rail siding to minimize the distance of pneumatic conveying of the granular
soda ash. The following table outlines the typical equipment requirements for various soda ash consumption levels.

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.
FMC Corporation
Alkali Chemicals Division
1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

As a Continuous
Annual Soda Ash Daily Soda Ash As a Slurry
Delivery Solution Typical Tank Saturated Solution
Requirement Requirement System
Mode System Size Pumping Rate
(tons) (tons) (tons)
(tons) (GPM)
Pneumatic
5,000 14 70 25 12' D x 20' H 5.5
Truck
Hopper Car
10,000 27 200 70 20' D x 20' H 11
Hopper Car
20,000 55 255 90 20' D x 24' H 22

FMC can assist in the design of several systems that unload dry soda ash from a railcar or pneumatic trailer, transfer it to
a dry storage silo, and meter it into a batch solution make-up tank where solution is prepared and then fed directly to the
process use point or another storage tank. Contact Jim Wilson at 307- 872- 2271 or e-mail at Jim_Wilson@FMC.com.

Unloading, Transfer and Storage

The soda ash is transferred from the delivery vehicle using either pneumatic or mechanical methods. If pneumatic transfer
is used, the silo must be equipped with a bag type vent filter to remove any solids from the conveying air before it is
discharged to the atmosphere. Typically any solids separated in the vent are discharged back into the silo.
The storage bin is of A welded carbon steel construction. Typical minimum size for pneumatic truck delivery is 11'5"
diameter by 16'straight wall with a 600 cone for total volume of 2,000 cubic feet and a net working volume of 1,650 cubic
feet. A typical minimum size for rail hopper car delivery is by diameter by 36' straight wall with a 600 hopper for a total
volume of 5,696 cubic feet and a net working volume of 5,053 cubic feet.

Batch Solution Make-up

The soda ash from the silo is metered volumetrically to a batch make-up tank using a screw conveyor with a feeder
section or a volumetric rotary valve, or other suitable feeder device. The batch make-up tank can be of carbon steel
construction and is typically sized so that only one batch make-up per shift is required. It is very important that the tank has
adequate mixing capability to ensure complete dissolution of the soda ash. Once the batch is completed and tested to
verify the concentration, it can be fed to the process.

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.
FMC Corporation
Alkali Chemicals Division
1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

Delivery and Unloading Options

The choice of delivery and unloading method for soda ash depends on size of requirements, transportation costs, rail
service, and storage tank location. This section is a brief description of the delivery vehicles commonly used.

Railcar Delivery
Soda ash is typically delivered in 100 ton capacity covered hopper cars and gravity discharged through rack and pinion
slide gates. FMC maintains the soda ash industry's largest private rail fleet with approximately 1800 owned and leased
cars of this type. In addition, soda ash can also he delivered using covered hopper cars equipped with connections for
vacuum pneumatic unloading or pressure differential (PD) covered hopper cars which use a positive pressure pneumatic
system to airvey product to bulk storage. Availability of both of these car types is limited and may require special
arrangements.

Mechanical Unloading

Mechanical systems to unload soda ash should be evaluated when large unloading rates (> 25 tons per hour) and
minimal product degradation are advantageous. Such systems are not normally used in applications where soda
ash is used in solution form because of high capital costs, restrictive design parameters and operating conditions.
If mechanical unloading is desired, gravity discharge cars must be used. Various mechanical systems exist to
unload soda ash from these cars, including belt conveyors, screw conveyors, drag conveyors, bucket elevators,
and combinations thereof.

Pneumatic Unloading

Pneumatic systems to unload soda ash from railcars are used in a wide variety of applications. In general,
pneumatic unloading and transfer offers the following advantages:

• Low capital cost vs. mechanical systems

• Flexible design and operating parameters
• Less prone to water incursion and eliminates spurious dusting

Pneumatic systems are best used for unloading rates below 25 tons per hour and when the storage tank can be
located in close proximity to the rail unloading point.

There are two basic types of pneumatic unloading packages, vacuum-positive pressure or positive pressure. The
vacuum-positive pressure method, which uses a vacuum to puff soda ash from the car to the unit (which in turn
uses positive pressure to blow product to storage) can be used with both the standard gravity discharge railcars
and with railcars equipped for pneumatic unloading. The positive pressure method can be used with standard
gravity discharge railcars and with pressure differential (PD) pneumatic railcars. These systems require readily
available pneumatic transfer packages. FMC can assist in the selection of a vendor of such equipment.

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.
FMC Corporation
Alkali Chemicals Division
1735 Market Street Visit our E-Commerce Site at
Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fmcchemicals.com/division_alkalichemicals.asp
Phone: 1-215-299-6000

Pneumatic Trailer Delivery

In many cases, pneumatic trailers offer the best delivery alternative for soda ash, especially for annual requirements below
10,000 tons. These trailers are self contained, non-coded pressure units designed to convey product via a four inch line to
the storage container. Trailer capacities up to 1600 cubic feet are available, but a delivery is typically controlled by highway
weight limits to 45,000 pounds. These units use a positive displacement rotary blower driven by the power take-off from
the tractor to pneumatically convey the soda ash to storage. A typical delivery of 45,000 pounds takes 1.5 to 2 hours to
unload.

While there are usually additional transportation costs for truck vs. rail direct shipments, pneumatic trailer delivery provides
several advantages including:

• Trailers are self-contained units, making the purchase of a pneumatic unloading package unnecessary, therefore
resulting in equipment cost savings.
• The unloading operation is normally handled completely by the truck driver, eliminating the need for the user to
provide an operator.
• Lead-time from order placement to delivery is minimal so plant inventories can be reduced or changes in
production schedules can be more readily accommodated.
• Pneumatic trailer deliveries usually permit a great deal of design flexibility of the storage bin location.
• The closed positive pressure airveying operation exclude water incursion and eliminates spurious dusting.

The information contained herein is, to our knowledge, true and accurate. Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or
representation, expressed or implied. Nothing contained herein should be construed as permission or recommendation to infringe any patent. The
intellectual property and formulas contained in this document are copyrighted© 1991 by FMC Wyoming Corporation. All rights and privileges are
reserved. No agent, representative, or employee of this company is authorized to vary any of the terms of this notice.