HSC Chem Option: Industrial IVthe BEST kept secrets of the HSC!

TALENT 100

INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY IV
HW SOLUTIONS
a) i)

1 Gives correct balanced equation with states

2 NaC l (aq)+ CaC O3 (s) CaC l 2(aq) + N a 2 C O3 (s)

ii)

2 Shows appropriate working and gives correct answer

2.45 x 106
n(NaCl)=
22.99+35.45
4
4.19 x 1 0 mols

1
n( N a 2 C O3 )= x 4.19 x 10 4
2

2.10 x 1 04 mols
4
m(N a2 C O3)=2.10 x 10 x( 2 x 22.99+12.01+ 3 x 16)

2.23 tonnes

iii)

2 Gives 2 correct balanced equations with states

1 Gives 1 correct balanced equation with states

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(aq)
+

H HC O 3 (aq)
N H 3(aq) +C O 2 (g) + H 2 O (l) N

+ NaHC O3 (s )

+ N a(aq)

HC O3 (aq)

Note that there are several possible answers which give the overall equation:

NaCl(aq)+ N H 3 (g)+ H 2 O(l )+C O2 (g) N H 4 Cl(aq)+ NaHC O3 (aq)

3 Gives correct balanced equation with states

Identifies that the equilibrium would shift the right
Explains this by referring to Le Chateliers Principle

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

iv)

2 NaHC O3(s) N a2 C O3(s )+C O2(g) + H 2 O( g)

The removal of carbon dioxide decreases the concentration of carbon dioxide. According to
Le Chateliers principle, the equilibrium will shift to the right to counteract the decrease in
carbon dioxide concentration by increasing the yield of products.

v)

5 Explains ONE environmental issue

AND

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Explains how the issue is addressed

AND
Explains a second environmental issue
AND
Explain how the issue is addressed
AND
Explains a third environmental issue

4 4 of the above

3 3 of the above

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

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The Solvay process is used to produce sodium carbonate from the raw materials sodium
chloride and calcium carbonate.

2 NaC l (aq)+ CaC O3 (s) CaC l 2(aq) + N a 2 C O3 (s)

The process involves reacting ammonia with concentrated brine (NaCl) in the Solvay tower.
The ammoniated brine then reacts with carbon dioxide and water to form hydrogen-
carbonate ions which crystallises out as solid sodium hydrogen carbonate. This is filtered and
washed to remove adhered ammonium and chloride ions, before being heated strongly to
decompose it to sodium carbonate. Three environmental issues that arise from this process
include:

Disposal of Calcium Chloride: the major environmental concern associated with the Solvay
process is the production of waste CaCl2. There are several methods available for dealing
with this:
o Re-using CaCl2: it can be recovered then purified and used as an industrial drying
agent or for de-icing roads. This does not have great application in Australia.
o Discharge into ocean: CaCl2 can be dumped into the ocean by coastal plants because
the calcium and chloride ions will not greatly affect the balance of ions.
o Discharge into inland water bodies: CaCl2 cannot be dumped into inland rivers or
lakes because the calcium ion will contribute to water hardening and the chloride ion
will cause salinity.
o Bury as solid: CaCl2 can be buried as solid however this may leach into the water
table and cause future salinity problems.

Ammonia Losses: Ammonia is a toxic air pollutant that must be monitored. It is released by
leakage from the saturator and the carbonator, or from the evaporation of ammonia
adsorbed to solid sodium hydrogencarbonate. Great care is taken to ensure that losses of
ammonia are minimised by having efficient plant equipment and ammonia recovery:

OH 2 (s)+ N H 4 Cl(aq) CaC l 2(aq)+2 H 2 O(l)+ 2 N H 3 ( g)

Ca

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Waste Heat: there are several reactions in the Solvay process that are exothermic and
produce large amounts of waste heat e.g. the reaction of ammonia and brine is exothermic.
If cooling water were released directly into inland water bodies, this can lead to thermal
pollution and Eutrophication by reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. As
such, proper dilution of cooling water is necessary. This problem can be overcome more
effectively by discharging cooling water into the ocean where heat is dissipated more easily.

Though there are several environmental issues associated with the Solvay process, proper
management strategies can be implemented to minimise any particularly adverse environmental
impacts.

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6 Identifies the range of factors that must be considered when assessing the
location of industrial plants
Applies these factors to the Solvay process
Provides a detailed assessment of each of the sites A, B and C (1 mark each)
Provides an overall judgement of the suitability of the three sites.

5 5 of the above

4 4 of the above

3 3 of the above

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

b)

The location of a Solvay plant should be determined by a range of factors which include the
proximity to raw materials, the availability of a skilled labour force, transport, energy, waste-
disposal options and markets.

The Solvay process is used to produce sodium carbonate. It requires the raw materials brine
(saturated sodium chloride solution), ammonia and calcium carbonate (limestone). The
overall reaction is:

2 NaC l (aq)+ CaC O3 (s) CaC l 2(aq) + N a 2 C O3 (s)

Site A is situated close to a supply of raw material (limestone). Since it is located near a major
highway, transport costs will be reasonable for the delivery of other raw materials and
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finished product to markets. It also has the advantage of being well away from human
settlement so that the effects of pollution are minimised.

However, Site A is not in the close proximity of a skilled workforce. It is also a substantial
distance from the coast, meaning that waste calcium chloride and cooling water could not
simply be discharged into the ocean. Due to its geographical remoteness, Site A would not be
suitable for the production of sodium carbonate.

Site B is situated within the close proximity of a skilled workforce from the major city, as well
as a reliable electricity supply. It is also within proximity of a port which could be used to
transport finished product to markets, or to receive imports of starting materials. In addition,
it is located near a major highway and railway line which also has transport benefits. Being
near the coast there is easy access to brine, as well as allowing for the relative ease of
discharging waste calcium chloride and cooling water. The only disadvantage of Site B is its
closeness to the major city which could potentially cause adverse pollution effects. However,
provided there are proper management strategies in place, Site B is the most suitable
location for the production of sodium carbonate.

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Site C is not suitable for the production of sodium carbonate. It is situated well away from
any major transport links, raw materials, labour force and market access. Since it is near a
marine park, the discharge of waste calcium chloride and cooling water would also be
prohibited.

Therefore, assessments of the three sites in terms of the factors which determine the
location of a Solvay plant indicate that Site B is the most suitable location.

c) i)

1 Gives correct definition

An emulsion is a mixture consisting of a dispersion of small droplets of one liquid throughout

another liquid (e.g. oil in water).

ii)

3 Describes correct experimental procedure

Identifies safety precautions
Describes results

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

The emulsion we made was mayonnaise. This consisted of a mixture of oil, vinegar and water
with egg. We studied several properties of the emulsion including appearance, colour,
texture, time taken to separate into layers, scattering of light and filtration ability. We
compared these properties with a control salt water solution.

Overall this was a low risk experiment. Safety issues considered included working with
glassware, and safety glasses whilst working with vinegar (an acid)

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Table of Results:

Property Mayonnaise Salt Water

Colour, appearance and Creamy, homogenous Clear, homogenous

texture

Time taken to separate Layers separated slightly after No change in appearance

into layers standing for 2 days after standing for 2 days

Filtration ability Slow filtration with some oil No separation of

droplets remaining in the filter components during
paper filtration

Scattering of light Scatters light well No scattering of light

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d)

3 Describes correct experimental procedure

Describes results obtained
Relates results to an appropriate conclusion.

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate that soap is an emulsifier. We carried this out
by adding together 5mL of water and 2mL of oil to two separate test tubes. To one of the
tubes we also added 5mL of soap. Then after shaking the tubes, we observed them.

In the tube without the soap, the oil and water briefly mixed but then re-separated. In the
tube with the soap, a cloudy solution was formed.

This cloudy solution shows that the oil and water have mixed. The small oil particles scatter
the light causing the cloudiness. This means an emulsion has formed, and as such, soap must
be an emulsifying agent.

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e)

5 Identifies and describes the three classes of synthetic detergents as well as

soaps
Discusses and evaluates THREE environmental issues that arise (1 mark each)
Provides an overall judgement

4 4 of the above

3 3 of the above

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

Whilst soap has little environmental impact since it is biodegradable, the three classes of
synthetic detergents have a number of environmental impacts:

Biodegradability: Early branched chain anionic detergents were not biodegradable and
as such were high foaming. They caused significant damage to aquatic life because foam
covers the surface of water and prevents oxygen and light penetration. However this
issue was addressed by the development of low-foaming linear-chained and non-ionic
detergents.

Biocidal Property: At high concentrations, cationic detergents have a biocidal property

and as such can kill the bacteria in water-ways that decompose sewage. Since their usage
is more specialised and sparse, this does not cause significant or wide-spread
environmental damage.

Phosphate Builders: Many synthetic detergents contain phosphate builders used to tie
up calcium and magnesium ions and increase the effectiveness of the surfactant.
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Phosphate content is the major environmental concern associated with synthetic

detergents. High phosphate concentration in water ways can lead to algal blooms and
Eutrophication. This problems is partially, but not adequately, addressed by having a
voluntary code on phosphate content in Australia. Sodium zeolite is also increasingly
being used to replace phosphate.

In conclusion, it can be seen that soaps and non-ionic detergents seem to have a relatively
lower environmental impact compared to anionic and cationic synthetic detergents.
However, the environmental impact of soaps and detergents can be minimised with proper
management strategies.

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f)

2 Identifies TWO correct uses of sodium carbonate

1 Identifies ONE correct use of sodium carbonate.

Two current uses of sodium carbonate:

Sodium carbonate is used to make washing soda- Na 2CO3.10H2O: sodium carbonate

decahydrate.
Sodium carbonate is used in glass making for windows and bottles by heating a mixture
of Na2CO3, CaCO3 and SiO2.

g)

4 Explains the chemistry involved in ammonia recovery.

Uses correct balanced chemical equations
Explain TWO justifications for recycling ammonia (1 mark each), relating to the
environment

3 3 of the above

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

The first step to ammonia recovery/recycling is the formation of calcium hydroxide by adding
water to the calcium oxide (produced by the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate):

OH 2 (aq)
CaO( s)+ H 2 O(l) Ca

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Then the calcium hydroxide is the reacted with the ammonium chloride (waste product from
the Solvay tower) to recycle the ammonia as per the following equation:

OH 2 (s)+ N H 4 Cl(aq) CaC l 2(aq)+2 H 2 O(l)+ 2 N H 3 ( g)

Ca

There are two justifications for ammonia recovery:

Recycling ammonia is economically beneficial since expensive ammonia does not need to
be repurchased.

Recycling ammonia reduces the discharge of environmentally harmful ammonia gas which is an air
pollutant.

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h)

3 Describes correct experimental method and risk assessment

Identifies at least ONE difficulty associated with the procedure.
Explains how this difficulty was addressed

2 2 of the above

1 1 of the above

We modelled the thermal decomposition of sodium hydrogen carbonate:

2 NaHC O3(s) N a2 C O 3(s )+C O2(g) + H 2 O(l)

A side-arm test tube and stopper was weighed. 1.0g of NaHCO 3 was weighed out into the
test-tube; it was stoppered and then heated. The gas delivery tube was submerged in
limewater solution. After heating, the mass loss of NaHCO 3 was calculated.

During heating, the limewater solution turned white and cloudy due to the production of
carbon dioxide gas.

Safety precautions we took included wearing safety glasses and only handling the heated
glassware with a test-tube holder.

One of the main difficulties when encountered when using the limewater was ensuring that
we removed the rubber hose from the limewater before we stopped heating the solid. If the
heat is removed first this creates a vacuum effect and shatters the glass test tube since
limewater can travel up the rubber tube and causes excessive pressure.

Overall, the difficulties associated with this experiment can be effectively managed.

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End of paper

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