Solvay process

noun

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.

Origin of Solvay process

First recorded in 1885–90; named after E. Solvay

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British Dictionary definitions for solvay process

Solvay process

noun

an industrial process for manufacturing sodium carbonate. Carbon dioxide is passed into a solution of sodium chloride saturated with ammonia. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated and heated to form the carbonate

Word Origin for Solvay process

C19: named after Ernest Solvay (1838–1922), Belgian chemist who invented a process using salt, limestone, and ammonia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

solvay process in Science

Solvay process

[sŏl′vā, sôl-vā′]

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.