DEMONSTRATION of the SOLVAY PROCESS A. W. HOOTON University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
HE, purpose of this experiment is to produce of the first condenser, C. This condenser is connected, sodium carbonate in the laboratory in a manner by means of a piece of rubber tubing, to a condenser similar to that used in industry. Since there is water jacket, designated as D. The water jacket is little material in the literature concerning the Solvay filled with glass tubing, cut into pieces about one inch long. The upper openprocess, the experiment should be of interest to the ing of the water jacket student in beginning chemistry. The operation of the is connected to a supSolvay tower is an excellent example of counter-current ply of ammonia, and absorption and of complex solution. The apparatus the lower opening to for the experiment may be made a t small cost and it a supply of carbon includes the chief essentials of the industrial method. dioxide. The opening If it is constructed carefully and operated as described a t the bottom of the a good yield will result. water jacket, E, is The demonstration apparatus shown in the drawing fitted with a cork in is an approximation of the commercial equipment, and which there is a short is made from ordinary laboratory materials. I t empiece of glass tubing. bodies the three main features of the commercial plan, A beaker receives the namely: brine storage, ammonia absorber, and carliquor and precipitate bonating column. A separatory funnel, A , is connected as they come through. to a two-hole cork in the top of the first condenser at A small amount of B. One hole is left open to provide for the escape of water (enough to reach excess gases. Cooling water flows through the jacket the bottom of the glass Snort Aeces of tubing) is placed in G/OJS T*,h9 the beaker to urevent leakage of gas a t this
T
tdCq
