What is the primary commercial process used for the large-scale industrial manufacture of sodium carbonate, commonly known as washing soda?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Solvay process is the principal industrial method used worldwide for producing sodium carbonate from readily available raw materials including sodium chloride, ammonia, and limestone. The chemical sequence involves the precipitation of sodium hydrogen carbonate followed by thermal calcination to yield anhydrous sodium carbonate. Alternative industrial processes listed are dedicated to manufacturing ammonia, sulfuric acid, and alumina respectively. Solvay process economics rely heavily on the recovery and recycling of ammonia.