HSC Chem Industrial Chem IV - Teacher

HSC ChemistryOption: Industrial Chemistry IV TALENT 100
REVIEW OF LAST WEEK

PRODUCING SODIUM HYDROXIDE
All three methods of producing sodium hydroxide release toxic chlorine gas into the atmosphere
They also all require large amounts of electricity
THE MERCURY PROCESS

The cathode is the mercury
Chloride ions are oxidised at the anode
Sodium ions are reduced at the cathode
Sodium reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide:
2 () + 22 () 2 () + 2 ()
Mercury is toxic and it accumulates in the tissue of aquatic organisms when it is discharged into
the ocean
THE DIAPHRAGM PROCESS

At the cathode, water is reduced to form hydroxide ions
This process produces sodium hydroxide of reduced purity in comparison with the membrane
process
The diaphragm is made out of asbestos which is carcinogenic
The membrane process uses a selective cation exchange membrane, which only allows the
passage of sodium
ELECTROLYSIS OF SODIUM CHLORIDE

When dilute sodium chloride is electrolysed, water is reduced at the cathode and water is
oxidized at the anode.
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When concentrated sodium chloride is electrolysed, water is reduced at the cathode and
chloride ions are oxidised at the anode because there is only a small difference between the
standard potentials of chloride and water.
When molten sodium chloride is electrolysed, sodium is reduced at the cathode
Concentrated NaCl: Na+ reduced, Cl- oxidised

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SAPONIFICATION
Saponification is the conversion, in basic solution, of fats and oils to glycerol and salts of fatty
acids
The industrial preparation of soap has the following differences to the school laboratory
method:
o Different oils
o Higher temperatures
o Stirring using steam
o Additives
o Glycerol is extracted by distillation
THE CLEANING ACTION OF SOAP

The dissociation of soap can be represented like so:
+ +
The non-polar part of the fatty acid anion enters the grease, but the polar part remains at the
edges, attracting water molecules.
Hence, the soap brings the water and grease together in an emulsion
DETERGENTS
There are three different types of detergents: anionic, cationic and non-ionic
Detergents do not form soap scum in hard water

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In this, the final lesson in industrial chemistry, you will learn about the practicals carried out in the
saponification topic, as well as the Solvay process from which sodium carbonate a very important
chemical is manufactured.
PRACTICAL
SAPONIFICATION
Aim: To carry out saponification and test the product
Method: Weve already discussed this in lesson three, but to refresh your memory:
1. Add 5mL of olive oil and several pellets of solid sodium hydroxide into a small beaker
2. Cover with a watchglass
3. Heat with a bunsen burner or hotplate
4. Wait until the olive oil is no longer visible
5. Allow the mixture to cool and then pour it into brine to precipitate the soap
6. Filter the mixture through cheesecloth and collect the solid residue. This is soap.
7. Test the reaction product by adding it to water and shaking.
Results: When the solid residue was added to water and shaken it lathered. This test is sufficient to
confirm that saponification has occurred.
Discussion: Assuming you used oleic acid in the olive oil, the reaction products are sodium oleate
and glycerol. What is actually happening in this reaction? The bonds that hold the three chains of the
oleic acid break, form three separate sodium
oleate molecules:

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Conclusion: Saponification was successfully performed and product was tested and proved to be
soap as it lathered in water.
FATS AND OILS USED IN SOAP-MAKING

Soaps are made from a variety of fats and oils. The fats used are beef tallow and pig lard, whilst the
oils used are olive oil, castor oil and coconut oil.
MOISTURISING CREAM AN EMULSION IN THE REAL WORLD

You are required to identify an emulsion and identify its properties. Moisturising cream is one of
many examples. The point of moisturising cream is to hydrate the skin. The outer layer of skin the
epidermis, is waterproof. It does, however, allow non-polar substances to pass through.
Moisturising cream is a water-in-oil emulsion, so it passes through the skin better than normal
water does. The oil also acts as a barrier to evaporation.
Question 1 (3 marks)
Emulsions have important uses in society
Assess this statement in reference to ONE emulsion that you have studied.
1 Explains the characteristics of a named emulsion

1 Explains why the emulsion is useful
1 Makes an assessment of the statement
Moisturising cream is an emulsion that is useful because it contains water in a lipid vehicle. This is
important because the epidermis is impermeable to water, but permeable to lipids. This means the
cream can penetrate into the skin and nourish it.

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The oil also acts as a barrier to prevent evaporation of the water in the cream.
Moisturises hydrate the skin, keeping it healthy and preventing it from cracking and peeling,
therefore the statement is correct.

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PRACTICAL
THE EFFECT OF SOAP AS AN EMULSIFIER
Aim: To demonstrate that soap is an emulsifier
Method: The method of this experiment is quite straightforward:
1. Take two test tubes and in each add 5mL water

2. Add 2mL of oil
3. To only one of the tubes add 5mL of soap
4. Stopper the tubes
5. Shake the tubes carefully
6. Observe what happens
Results: In the tube without the soap, the water and oil mix briefly, but they re-separate. In the tube
with the soap, a cloudy solution is formed.
Discussion: Oil is hydrophobic meaning it is afraid of water. It will not usually mix with water,
even if you shake the tube. This is due to the individual water and oil molecules being unable to mix
because water is polar and the oil is non-polar.
When you add soap, however, an emulsion, which appears cloudy, is formed. The emulsion exists
because the soap has the ability to bring the polar and non-polar molecules together.
Conclusion: It was successfully demonstrated that soap is an emulsifier

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In class you performed a first-hand investigation to prove that soap is an emulsifier.
a) Explain how you achieved the aim of this experiment 3

1 Describes addition of water and oil
1 Describes result in tube A
1 Describes result in tube B
Explains how the aim was achieved
The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate that soap is an emulsifier. We carried this out by
adding 5mL of water and 2mL 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.
b) Assess the validity of the method you used 2
The experiment was valid because the only difference between the two tubes was the addition
of soap. All other variables were controlled.

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SOAPS AND DETERGENTS

Soap has little environmental impact, because it is biodegradable. This means it is decomposed by
organisms such as bacteria and fungi. When soap is washed down drains into waterways, high
concentrations could increase the pH of the water, which could affect plants, fish and other aquatic
organisms which are pH sensitive.
Detergents, on the other hand, are more dangerous to the environments. This is because they
contain phosphate builder molecules to help them lather in hard water. When detergents are
decomposed, phosphate molecules may accumulate in waterways. Phosphate accelerates algal
growth, and this can lead to a process known as eutrophication, which is a world-wide problem.
Large quantities of oxygen are required by aquatic micro-organisms to decompose algae that die
after overgrowth (the biochemical oxygen demand). Since the micro-organisms consume significant
oxygen, there is a reduced concentration of dissolved oxygen available for aquatic plants and
animals, and this can cause their death. Additionally, some algal blooms can be directly toxic to
other aquatic flora and fauna.
Secondly, some detergents are not biodegradable (branched chain detergents) causing foam to
cover the surface of waterways preventing aquatic plants from photosynthesising. In this case, low
foaming (non branched chain detergents) detergents are better for the environment.
Cationic detergents are biocides (antiseptic properties) making them very useful as disinfectants.
However this is harmful to the bacteria in underground pipes which normally break down organic
matter. As a result sewage is not broken down and can build up if cationic detergents are used
excessively in an area.

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The invention of detergents has had a purely positive impact on society
Evaluate this statement for its validity.
1 Identifies statement as invalid

1 Explains why detergents have had a positive impact
1 Explains why detergents have had a negative impact
This statement is not valid. Detergents have had positive impacts but also some negative impacts,
particularly on the environment.
Detergents have allowed us to clean various things, such as cutlery, crockery, laundry, cars and many
other household items. This is because of their ability to form emulsions between grease and water.
This is a positive impact.
Unfortunately, detergents cause eutrophication, because they often contain phosphate which is a
nutrient that encourages algae growth. Excessive algae growth leads to a reduction in water quality,
particularly in terms of the dissolved oxygen because of an increase in biochemical oxygen demand.
This can lead to a loss of aquatic species, as can direct toxicity from certain algal blooms. These are
obvious negative impacts.
It is not valid to say that detergents have had a purely positive impact on society, because they have
had both positive and negative impacts.

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THE SOLVAY PROCESS

The Solvay process is the predominant process to produce sodium carbonate, which as you will find
out, is a very important industrial chemical.
THE RAW MATERIALS USED IN THE SOLVAY PROCESS

Brine
Limestone (Calcium carbonate 3)
Water
Ammonia (3)
Ammonia is also used in the process however it is recycled.
THE PRODUCTS OF THE SOLVAY PROCESS

Sodium carbonate (2 3)
Calcium chloride (2)
THE USES OF SODIUM CARBONATE

Because sodium carbonate is a weak base, it can be used for titration (you may have used it in the
acidic environment) and it can be used to clean up acid spills.
Sodium carbonate contains carbonate ions which can be used to soften hard water. Hard water
contains calcium ions, and the addition of sodium carbonate causes the calcium to precipitate as
calcium carbonate:
2+ () + 3 2 () 3 ()
Sodium carbonate is also used in the manufacturing of:
Glass: sodium carbonate is used as a flux in order to reduce the boiling point of reagents
Soaps and detergents: often used instead of sodium hydroxide which is highly caustic
Paper: to separate dark brown lignin from cellulouse
As you may appreciate, it is a very important industrial chemical!

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Page 12 of 31
While in class, a student makes the statement that sodium carbonate is a weak base, so its really
not that useful. Assess the accuracy of this statement.
1 Agrees that sodium carbonate is a weak base

1 Outlines uses of sodium carbonate
1 Assesses the accuracy of the statement
This statement is half correct, and half incorrect. Firstly, the student is right in saying that sodium
carbonate is a weak base. However, it is a very useful chemical. It has multiple uses including:
Titration
Neutralising acid spills
Softening hard water
The manufacture of glass, ceramics, paper, soaps and detergents.
With these many and varied uses, it is incorrect to say that sodium carbonate is not that useful. This
statement is only half accurate.

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THE CHEMISTRY OF THE SOLVAY PROCESS

The syllabus states that you will be aided by a flow chart to describe the Solvay process. In these
notes, we will look at the process without the flowchart to begin with, to familiarise ourselves with
the steps and the chemical equations that take place.
1. Brine Purification
As you may have guessed, to make sodium carbonate, sodium is required. The most plentiful
source of sodium is brine (sodium chloride solution sea water). The brine must be purified.
This is done by precipitation and evaporation. Firstly, carbonate and hydroxide ions are added
to remove the calcium, magnesium and iron ions respectively. For example:
2+ () + 32 () 3 ()
2+ () + 2 () ()2 ()
The next step in brine purification is evaporation. Some salts such as calcium sulphate
precipitate before sodium chloride does. So the other salts are removed, whilst the sodium
chloride is collected, and then re-dissolved to make pure brine. Any solids are filtered off.
2. Formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate

The next step is the formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate. Firstly, calcium carbonate is
thermally decomposed in a kiln. In this same kiln, the combustion of coal (carbon) is carried out
which also produces carbon dioxide.
3 () () + 2 ()
() + 2 () 2 ()
Once there is sufficient carbon dioxide, this is added, along with ammonia to the brine. This is
done in a large carbonator tower, which has the gases floating upwards, and the brine flowing
down. It is a clever method which increases the surface area for the reaction, which is as follows:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()

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The reaction is cooled to near freezing temperatures, so that the sodium hydrogen carbonate
precipitates this particular compound precipitates fastest at low temperatures. The solution is
filtered to remove the precipitate and the ammonium chloride is used to recycle the ammonia
(more on this later).

Page 15 of 31
3. Formation of sodium carbonate

Once the solid sodium hydrogen carbonate has been filtered out, it is thermally decomposed at
temperatures of about 300OC in a kiln or converter. This leads to the production of sodium
carbonate, which is collected, sold and then used for a variety of things which we have already
discussed.
Here is the equation for the sodium carbonate production:
23 () 2 3 () + 2 () + 2 ()
4. Ammonia recovery
Remember that the first reaction of the formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate was the
thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate:
3 () () + 2 ()
And, if you recall, when sodium hydrogen carbonate was made, ammonium chloride was the
other product. Here is that equation again:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
So from these two reactions we have calcium oxide and ammonium chloride, which are the two
chemicals required to recycle ammonia.
The first step in ammonia recycling is the creation of calcium hydroxide by adding water to the
calcium oxide in the slaker.
() + 2 () ()2 ()
Then the calcium hydroxide is the reacted with the ammonium chloride to recycle the ammonia
as per the following equation:
()2 () + 4 () 2 () + 22 () + 23 ()

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a) Using the flowchart provided, name the two most important raw materials for sodium 5
carbonate production and describe the first two steps in its industrial production.
1 Identifies the two raw materials (sodium chloride and calcium carbonate)
1 Explains how brine is purified by precipitation
1 Explains how sodium chloride is isolated by crystallisation
1 Explains the origins of carbon dioxide in the second step
1 Describes the formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate
The two most important raw materials for sodium carbonate production are sodium chloride (or
brine) and calcium carbonate.
The first step in sodium carbonate production is brine purification. This is done by the addition
of carbonate and hydroxide ions to precipitate out the calcium and magnesium impurities in the
brine:
2+ () + 32 () 3 ()
2+ () + 2 () ()2 ()
Page 17 of 31
Furthermore, the water of the brine is evaporated, and some salts such as calcium sulphate will
precipitate before sodium chloride, so the other salts are collected and removed. The pure
sodium chloride that remains is re-dissolved.
The second step is the production of sodium hydrogen carbonate which begins with the creation
of carbon dioxide by two reactions: the thermal decomposition of formation of calcium
carbonate and combustion of coke:
3 () () + 2 ()
() + 2 () 2 ()
The newly formed carbon dioxide is then reacted with ammonia and the brine in towers. The
liquid brine flows down and the gases are passed into it and the reaction proceeds as follows:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
b) In the flow-chart on the previous page, identify X and describe the final step in its production. 2
X stands for sodium carbonate. It is formed from the thermal decomposition of sodium
hydrogen carbonate at temperatures of approximately 300oC. This is carried out in a kiln or a
roaster. The chemical equation is given below.
23 () 2 3 () + 2 () + 2 ()

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Ammonia is recycled in the Solvay process. Outline how this is done and justify the use of this
procedure.
1 Explains the origin of ammonium chloride

1 Explains the origin of calcium oxide
1 Explains how ammonia is recycled by combining the two
1 Justifies the process
Ammonia is used in the Solvay process to form sodium hydrogen carbonate, and ammonium
chloride is another product of this reaction:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
It is recycled using waste products calcium oxide and ammonium chloride. Calcium oxide is formed
during thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate:
3 () () + 2 ()
Addition of water to calcium oxide yields calcium hydroxide which is then used to produce ammonia.
These two steps are given below as equations:
() + 2 () ()2 ()
()2 () + 4 () 2 () + 22 () + 23 ()
So ammonia is recycled as it is both a reactant and a product in parts of the Solvay process. This
process is justified because it uses a waste product (calcium oxide) to recycle the ammonia, which
otherwise would need to be purchased. Recycling ammonia is both of economic benefit and also
reduces waste.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RAISED BY THE SOLVAY PROCESS

As we have seen before in this option topic, industrial chemistry has environmental issues which
need to be addressed. The Solvay process is no exception.
There are five main issues
1. Calcium chloride as a waste product

2. Thermal pollution
3. Solid waste
4. Ammonia
5. Dust
The following table outlines how these arise and what is being done to address them
Environmental issues How it arises Plans to address them

Calcium chloride The recycling of ammonia It is hard to dispose of but has a few uses
in the manufacture concrete, and to melt
ice. However, it is discharged into the
ocean, which contains plentiful calcium
and chloride anyway. If the plant is not
near the ocean, the 2 is evaporated
to dryness and buried underground. Some
can leach into waterways where it is
harmful (forms salts).
Thermal pollution The entire process is Allow the water to cool before discharging
exothermic, so the water it back into the ocean.
used will get heated up
Solid waste Unused calcium carbonate There are no real plans in place. Research
and waste from the kiln into alternate uses for the wastes is taking
end up as solid waste place.
Ammonia Ammonia can be lost into Monitoring of ammonia levels is critical,
the atmosphere. It is and scrubbers should be installed if they
poisonous are too high. Scrubbers are filters which
contains chemicals that react with and
neutralise the ammonia or other
chemicals.
Dust Most industrial sites can Better loading practices, scrubbers and air
produce dust from things filters.
like truck loading and using
unsealed roads
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Discuss the environmental issues associated with the Solvay process and explain how they are
addressed in Solvay plants.
1 One mark to be awarded for each environmental issue AND a management strategy
The Solvay process has five major environmental issues. Each plant must manage each issue as to
not cause excessive environmental damage.
Calcium chloride is a waste product of the Solvay process and comes mostly from the ammonia
recycling process. It is used for a few things such as concrete manufacture, but mostly it is
discharged into the sea which contains enough calcium and chloride anyhow. This limits the damage.
The Solvay process is exothermic and heats up the water that is used. This water can be dangerous
to heat-sensitive marine organisms if discharged immediately, so it must be allowed to cool before it
is released back into the ocean.
Solid waste is possibly the only waste product for which there is no convenient method of disposal.
It arises from the kiln and research is being carried out for alternative uses, but at the moment it
remains as waste.
Ammonia is lost into the atmosphere during the Solvay process, so levels must be carefully
monitored so they do not exceed dangerous levels. If these levels are too high, then ammonia
scrubbers must be installed.
Dust is produced by trucks and unsealed roads. Better loading practices, improved filters and
scrubbers can be used to combat dust pollution.

Page 21 of 31
PRACTICAL
MODEL A STEP OF THE SOLVAY PROCESS
Aim: To carry out a chemical step of the Solvay process and identify any hazards and difficulties
associated with carrying it out in a school laboratory.
Method: There are several steps you can model, but the one outlined here is the formation of
sodium hydrogen carbonate.
1. In a conical flask mix 10mL of 30% ammonia solution, some ammonium chloride crystals and
10mL of brine. Add ammonium chloride crystals until no more can dissolve the solution is now
saturated. This solution is called ammoniated brine.
2. Add 15g dry ice (CO2) to the solution
3. Observe the solution to see whether a precipitate forms. If not, place it in the fridge and come
back the next day.
Results: A white precipitate will have formed. This is sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Risks and difficulties. The primary hazards here are the ammonia and the dry ice. The ammonia is
toxic, and carrying out the reaction in a fume cupboard will minimise its release into the
atmosphere. Dry ice is often at temperatures below -80OC, so must be handled carefully using
tongs, not bare hands.
Now in the real Solvay process, large amounts of carbon dioxide are formed from the thermal
decomposition of calcium carbonate. The school laboratory lacks equipment that could generate
sufficient heat to thermally decompose calcium carbonate. This is why dry ice was used. Another
difficulty is that there are not enough safety measures in the lab to allow the use of gaseous
ammonia. Ammonia solution and ammonium chloride crystals are safer, and when they are added to
water, they form ammonia:
4+ () + 2 () 3 () + 3 + ()

Page 22 of 31
Discussion: The equation that was modelled was this one:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
Since the ammonia we used was in solution, not gaseous, a slight adjustment needs to be made, so
our reaction was actually:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
3 is a white precipitate, and remember it forms more readily at cool temperatures. If no

precipitate is formed, placing the reaction vessel in the fridge will aid the process.
Conclusion: After identifying hazards and difficulties, we modeled a step of the Solvay process in our
school laboratory.

Page 23 of 31
The Solvay process is used to manufacture sodium carbonate. In class, you modeled a step of this
process. Describe the limitations of modeling the step in your school laboratory.
1 Explains how the step is performed in the actual Solvay Process

1 Outlines one limitation
1 Outlines a second limitation
In class, we modelled the formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate. In the Solvay process, this is
done by passing ammonia and carbon dioxide up through a tower and allowing the brine to flow
down from the top. The carbon dioxide is produced from thermal decomposition of calcium
carbonate.
As we didnt have a tower and using gaseous ammonia was too dangerous, we did this by creating a
solution of ammoniated brine, which contains aqueous ammonia, aqueous sodium chloride, water
and dissolved ammonium chloride crystals. To the ammoniated brine we added solid carbon dioxide
(dry ice) because we did not have equipment to heat the calcium carbonate to high enough
temperatures.
We produced sodium hydrogen carbonate by the following equation:
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
So in conclusion the model was limited by:
The lack of sufficiently powerful heating equipment

The fact that it was too dangerous to use gaseous ammonia
We did not have an absorption tower

Page 24 of 31
QUANTITATIVE CALCULATIONS BASED ON THE SOLVAY PROCESS

This dot point requires you to carry out calculations which relate to the Solvay process. Most of
these calculations will work with moles, so make sure you are comfortable with those sorts of
questions.

Talent Tip: These questions will often be based on the =
formula. Because these are usually

quite easy, the examiners will try to trick you by using units such as tonnes. The = formula

requires you to convert the mass into grams make sure you do this!
Worked Example 1
At a Solvay process plant 300 tonnes of calcium carbonate are thermally decomposed per year.
What volume of carbon dioxide is produced from that calcium carbonate over the period of a year if
it was at 25OC and 100kPa?
Solution
The first thing to do is to write the balanced chemical equation:
3 () () + 2 ()

Now we must work out how many moles of 3 there are. This done by =
.
The molar mass of calcium carbonate is (40.08 + 12.01 + 3x16.00) = 100.09.
300 000 000

So the number of moles = 100.09
= 2 997 302.4278 moles.

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Now since 1 mole of calcium carbonate produces 1 mole of carbon dioxide, we also have 2 997
302.4278 moles of carbon dioxide.
1 mol of gas produces 24.79L, so the total volume is equal to 2,997,302.4278 x 24.79 =
74303127.18553L
So the plant produces approximately 74,303,127L of carbon dioxide each year from the thermal
decomposition of calcium carbonate.

Page 26 of 31
Each day, special evaporation basins collect 1,500 tonnes of sodium chloride which is re-dissolved
into brine and sold to a Solvay process plant. What is the theoretical maximum mass of sodium
carbonate that can be manufactured from this mass of salt per day assuming all other reactants in
excess?
1 Calculates mole ratio

1 Calculates moles of sodium carbonate
1 Calculates mass of sodium carbonate
() + 3 () + 2 () + 2 () 4 () + 3 ()
23 () 2 3 () + 2 () + 2 ()
The mole ratio is 2:1; i.e 2 moles of NaCl give you one mole of sodium carbonate.
1 500 000 000

Using =
; Moles of sodium chloride = 58.44
= 25667351.1293 moles.
25667351.1293
Moles of sodium carbonate = = 12833675.564
2
The molar mass of sodium carbonate is 100.09g, so the total mass = 12833675.564 x 100.09 =
1284522587.268g 1284.52 tonnes.
The theoretical maximum mass of sodium carbonate that can be produced is 1284.52 tonnes.

Page 27 of 31
A Solvay process plant corporation states that it wants to recycle 500L of ammonia per day of
operation.
What mass of calcium oxide is required to recycle this volume of ammonia gas? Assume all other
reactants are in excess, and that all reactions occur at standard laboratory conditions (SLC).
1 Calculates moles ammonia needed to be recycled

1 Calculate the number of moles of calcium hydroxide required
1 Calculates mass of calcium oxide required
() + 2 () ()2 ()
()2 () + 4 () 2 () + 22 () + 23 ()
Moles ammonia = 500/24.79 = 20.16942
Therefore moles calcium hydroxide required = 20.16942/2 = 10.08471 (MR = 1:2)
Therefore moles calcium oxide required = 10.08471
Mass calcium oxide = 10.08471 x 56.077 = 565.52037 = 566 grams.

Page 28 of 31
SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL PLANTS

This dot point will require you to outline the characteristics of a suitable location for a Solvay process
plant, sometimes even on a map. There are five main considerations to take into account.
Proximity to raw materials
The plant must be close to raw materials. Going back to the money rule, owners do not want to be
paying large amount of money to transport raw materials from interstate or overseas. The raw
materials are brine and calcium carbonate. Ideally, the plant should be close to the ocean for brine
and reasonably close to a limestone quarry. Note that it is a lot easier to transport limestone than
brine.
Waste disposal
Waste must be easily disposed. Again, it is unnecessary to waste money transporting waste across
the country. The calcium chloride and other wastes are often dumped into the sea, so it is important
to locate the plant close to the ocean.
Proximity to residential areas
Workers will not travel 50km every day to work. The plant should be relatively close to a residential
area (but not too close because of pollution), and have good road access.
Transportation
It is also likely that railway tracks are required, because this is a good way to transport the calcium
carbonate or any other required products, and a good way to export the sodium carbonate that has
been manufactured. Another form of transport is by ship so the plant should be located near ports
as well as railroads.
Availability of Sufficient Energy
It is important for the plant to have access to electricity in order to run its production processes.
Solvay plants require a steady supply of electrical energy, obtained from power stations.

Page 29 of 31
You are the planning chief of a large international company which wishes to build a Solvay process
plant in Australia. The government has provided you with a map, and allows you to build at only 4
designated sites: A, B, C and D. The area south of D is uninhabited.
Choose which of the sites would be best for you to build the plant and explain why that site is best.
In your answer, explain why the other sites are unsuitable. Also outline ONE other requirement of
this plant.
1 Identifies C as the best choice

1 Explains why proximity to the ocean is important
1 Explains one other reason for C being the best choice

Page 30 of 31
1 Sufficiently excludes B
1 Sufficiently excludes D
1 Sufficiently excludes A
1 Identifies the additional requirement
Site C is the best choice for the Solvay process plant.
As the Solvay process requires large amounts of brine and waste disposal, it is imperative that the
plant be located in a coastal area. This rules out site A, despite its proximity to the limestone quarry.
Site B, whilst coastal, is adjacent to the marine park. It is illegal to dump waste into the marine park,
so site B is not a good option. It is surprising that the government offered it in the first place!
Site D is coastal, but it is located far away (approx 75km) from even the nearest small town. This
means there is nowhere for the workers to live. It is also very far from the limestone quarry.
Site C is coastal, and it is in reasonably close proximity to the major city and the small town. It is not
close enough to cause serious pollution and is about 150km from the limestone quarry, so
transportation will not be overly expensive.
The one other requirement would be a railway line. A line between the quarry and the plant would
be ideal, and one to a nearby port would also be useful for exporting the sodium carbonate that is
produced.

Page 31 of 31

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HSC ChemistryOption: Industrial Chemistry IV TALENT 100

REVIEW OF LAST WEEK

THE MERCURY PROCESS

THE DIAPHRAGM PROCESS

ELECTROLYSIS OF SODIUM CHLORIDE

TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

THE CLEANING ACTION OF SOAP

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TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

FATS AND OILS USED IN SOAP-MAKING

MOISTURISING CREAM AN EMULSION IN THE REAL WORLD

Emulsions have important uses in society

1 Explains the characteristics of a named emulsion

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TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

Method: The method of this experiment is quite straightforward:

1. Take two test tubes and in each add 5mL water

Conclusion: It was successfully demonstrated that soap is an emulsifier

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In class you performed a first-hand investigation to prove that soap is an emulsifier.

a) Explain how you achieved the aim of this experiment 3

b) Assess the validity of the method you used 2

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SOAPS AND DETERGENTS

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The invention of detergents has had a purely positive impact on society

Evaluate this statement for its validity.

1 Identifies statement as invalid

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THE SOLVAY PROCESS

THE RAW MATERIALS USED IN THE SOLVAY PROCESS

THE PRODUCTS OF THE SOLVAY PROCESS

THE USES OF SODIUM CARBONATE

Sodium carbonate is also used in the manufacturing of:

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TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

1 Agrees that sodium carbonate is a weak base

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THE CHEMISTRY OF THE SOLVAY PROCESS

2. Formation of sodium hydrogen carbonate

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TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

3. Formation of sodium carbonate

Here is the equation for the sodium carbonate production:

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1 Explains the origin of ammonium chloride

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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES RAISED BY THE SOLVAY PROCESS

There are five main issues

1. Calcium chloride as a waste product

Environmental issues How it arises Plans to address them

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TALENT 100: HSC SUCCESS. SIMPLIFIED

Discussion: The equation that was modelled was this one:

3 is a white precipitate, and remember it forms more readily at cool temperatures. If no

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1 Explains how the step is performed in the actual Solvay Process

We produced sodium hydrogen carbonate by the following equation:

So in conclusion the model was limited by:

The lack of sufficiently powerful heating equipment

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QUANTITATIVE CALCULATIONS BASED ON THE SOLVAY PROCESS