substance

Sodium carbonate

Formula: Na2CO3
CAS: 497-19-8
InChIKey: CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L
ChEBI: CHEBI:29377

Show in the process graph →

Made by

Soda ash by the Solvay ammonia-soda process (1000 t/d light ash, concept)Main productConcept · not reviewed

Used by

Chlor-alkali by membrane-cell electrolysis (100 kt/a Cl2, 50 wt-% caustic soda, hydrogen)FeedstockConcept · not reviewed
Sodium nitrite from ammonia oxidation and soda absorption (with sodium nitrate by inversion)FeedstockConcept · not reviewed

Takes part in

2NaHCO₃givesNa₂CO₃+CO₂+H₂OProduct · Bicarbonate calcination (steam calciner) · one process
2Na₂S+2CO₂+3O₂gives2Na₂CO₃+2SO₂Product · Sulfur release as SO2 to the flue gas · one process
Na₂CO₃+2HClgives2NaCl+H₂O+CO₂Reactant · Neutralisation of excess carbonate with hydrochloric acid · one process
2NaEXT+53O₂givesNa₂CO₃+39CO₂+29H₂OProduct · Combustion of resin soap · one process
2NaISA+12O₂givesNa₂CO₃+11CO₂+11H₂OProduct · Combustion of sodium isosaccharinate · one process
2NaLIG+23O₂givesNa₂CO₃+19CO₂+11H₂OProduct · Combustion of sodium lignate · one process
2NaOXL+22O₂givesNa₂CO₃+19CO₂+11H₂OProduct · Combustion of oxidised sodium lignate · one process
Na₂CO₃+CaH₂O₂givesCaCO₃+2NaOHReactant · Causticizing · one process
CaSO₄+Na₂CO₃givesCaCO₃+Na₂SO₄Reactant · Calcium removal with soda ash · one process
CO₂+2NaOHgivesNa₂CO₃+H₂OProduct · Carbonation of residual alkali in the furnace · 2 processes
COCl₂+4NaOHgivesNa₂CO₃+2NaCl+2H₂OProduct · one process
Na₂CO₃+2HNO₃gives2NaNO₃+CO₂+H₂OReactant · Neutralisation of the residual carbonate with nitric acid · one process
Na₂CO₃+2NO₂givesNaNO₂+NaNO₃+CO₂Reactant · Absorption of excess NO2 in soda solution to nitrite and nitrate (side reaction) · one process
Na₂CO₃+NO+NO₂gives2NaNO₂+CO₂Reactant · Absorption of equimolar NO + NO2 (N2O3) in soda solution to nitrite · one process

Routes compared

One route in the Atlas makes Sodium carbonate: nothing to compare yet. A comparison appears when a second route is added.

Per 1 kg of Sodium carbonate: inventory from each route's LCI dataset, unallocated; footprints per the functional unit of their own LCA.

Route	Tier, design maturity, review status	Geography, year	Energy	Feedstocks	Key emissions	Footprint	Comparability
Soda ash by the Solvay ammonia-soda process (1000 t/d light ash, concept)Solvay ammonia-soda process: mixed-feed shaft lime kiln, ammoniation, carbonating towers, rotary vacuum filter, steam calciner, ammonia distiller with milk of lime; 1000 t/d light soda ash	flowsheet or hand-writtenDesign maturity: Concept (research)Not independently reviewedDataset review: unreviewed	GLO, 2026	HP steam 3000 kPa(a) to the calciner (condensate returned): 0.676 kWh Electric power: 0.112 kWh	Limestone (crushed and screened): 1.08 kg Coke (kiln fuel): 0.0876 kg Kiln combustion air: 0.983 kg (free) Purified saturated brine at battery limits: 5.78 kg Ammonia make-up (liquid): 0.002 kg Process water: 3.48 kg LP steam 450 kPa(a), live steam to the distiller: 1.88 kg	CO2 to the environment: 0.306 kg NH3 to the environment: 0.0005 kg	0.306 kg CO2-eq0.209 to 0.445 (95 %)Climate change per 1 kg sodium carbonate	–

ISO 14044 requires a critical review (by a panel of interested parties, ISO/TS 14071) of a comparative assertion intended to be disclosed to the public. These routes are listed side by side for screening; a statement that one is better than another needs that review. None of these routes has had such a review.