Sodium carbonate

The chemical formula is Na2CO3, commonly known as soda, soda ash, alkali ash, disodium carbonate, or washing soda. It typically appears as a white powder, is a strong electrolyte, has a density of 2.532 g/cm³, a melting point of 851°C, is highly soluble in water and glycerol, slightly soluble in anhydrous ethanol, and poorly soluble in propanol^[10]. It exhibits general salt properties and is classified as an inorganic salt. In humid air, it absorbs moisture and cakes, partially converting to sodium bicarbonate. Methods for producing sodium carbonate include the combined soda ash process^[12], the ammonia-soda process^[11], the Leblanc process^[13], and it can also be refined from natural soda ash. As an important inorganic chemical raw material, it is primarily used in the production of flat glass, glass products, and ceramic glazes. It is also widely used in household cleaning, acid neutralization, and food processing. In terms of environmental impact, sodium carbonate is generally considered relatively harmless to ecosystems. However, large-scale discharges may still affect the pH and total alkalinity of water bodies, so appropriate management and regulation are necessary during use and disposal.