| a process for manufacturing sodium carbonate whereby a concentrated solution of sodium chloride is saturated with ammonia, carbon dioxide is passed through it, and the product is calcined. |
Sol·vay process  (sŏl'vā, sôl-vā')  n. A process used to produce large quantities of sodium carbonate from sodium chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. [After Ernest Solvay (1838-1922), Belgian chemist and industrialist.] |
| Solvay process (sŏl'vā, sôl-vā') Pronunciation Key
A process used to produce large quantities of sodium carbonate. In the Solvay process, salt (sodium chloride) is treated with ammonia and then carbon dioxide, producing sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. The ammonium chloride is usually combined with lime to produce ammonia (recycled for reuse) and calcium chloride. |
