Question

List a few of the major applications of the products resulting from the Solvay process and the chlor-alkali process.

Answer 1

In Solvay process, sodium carbonate is the major product and calcium chloride is the valuable byproduct.

Sodium carbonate:

1) It is used in the manufacture of glass, soap, borax and caustic soda.

2) It is used in water softening in lundary and cleaning.

3) It is an important reagent both in quantitative and qualitative analysis.

4) It is used in paper, paints and textile industries.

Calcium chloride:

1) It depresses the freezing point of water, and prevents ice formation. Hence, it is used to de-ice.

2) Calcium chloride is hygroscopic and its hydrates have tackiness property. A concentrated solution of calcium chloride keeps liquid layer on the surface of dirt roads, and suppresses formation of dust.

3) It increases the water hardness in swimming pools.

The chlor-alkali process is the electrolysis of NaCl. It is used to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide.

Chlorine

1) It is a bleaching agent in textile and paper industry.

2) It is used for sterilization of municipal supply water.

3) It is used in the extraction of gold and platinum.

4) It is used in the manufacture of bleaching powder.

Sodium hydroxide

1) To prepare sodium metal, soap, rayon, paper dyes and drugs.

2) It is used in petroleum refining

3) It is used as a reagent in the laboratory.