Hlieb V.

asked • 11/13/21

What is the yield of the Solvey process?

If the summarised chemical equation is: 2NaCl(aq) + CaCO3(g) → Na2CO3(s) + CaCl2(aq)

What would be the theoretical yield and what would be the actual yield f none of the reactants are excess?


Robert S.

tutor
Is there any data (e.g., kg produced and consumed)? Without data, the yield is 100%, or more if you are my labmate.
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11/13/21

Stanton D.

I think the *molar* theoretical yield would just be the reaction as written, 100%. Process engineers use "theoretical yield" in a different sense, to be total mass of useful products divided by total mass of reactants. For that, if CaCl2 is considered to NOT be a useful product, then this value is something around 49%. If CaCl2 IS considered to be a useful product, then 100% (matter is conserved within the equation!). However, the detailed cycle, with calcination of the CaCO3, use of NH3 to keep the solution alkaline and allow NaHCO3 precipitation, the calcination of the NaHCO3 to Na2CO3, the diversion of impurity ions to entrapment as carbonates, etc., etc. ensure that that yield number is not attained. I didn't find any conveniently accessible data for typical actual yield. Note also that the Solvay (note spelling!) process is no longer used in the USA, we have cheaper trona deposits available. --Cheers, --Mr. d.
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11/17/21

1 Expert Answer

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Liz H. answered • 11/21/21

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5 (7)

Experience with High School Chem. AP Chem; Gen Chem 1 College
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I do not think there is enough information provided to answer this question you need to know the mass or number of moles of one of the reactants m order to determine the mass or number of moles of the desired product.in this process that is usually the sodium carbonate. From the equation 2 mol sodium chloride would yield 1 mole sodium carbonate

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