Sodium carbonate and bicarbonate production

Sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, or bicarbonate, are important compounds which were among the first to be produced industrially. Sodium bicarbonate can be used to neutralise acid solutions, in cooking, or as an antacid medicine.

Sodium bicarbonate can be conveniently produced by reacting sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide: NaOH + CO2 → NaHCO3.

Sodium bicarbonate decomposes by heat into sodium carbonate, water and carbon dioxide: 2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2.

• Iron stand — 5404.52
• Universal clamp — 5416.20
• Right angle clamp — 5401.16
• Conical flask 150 ml — 1322.10
• Rubber stopper, 2 holes — 5450.80
• Dropping funnel — 1359.00
• Right angle bent glass delivery tube — 1468.07
• Connection for glass delivery tubes — 5449.43
• Glass delivery tube — 1468.02
• Beaker 100 ml — 1118.20
• Beaker 250 ml — 1118.35
• Spatula — 5460.34
• Spirit burner — 5415.10
• Test tubes — 1473.60
• Test tube holder — 5423.30
• Parafilm — 1646.00

• Calcium carbonate
• Hydrochloric acid — R:34-37 S:26-45
• Sodium hydroxide — R:35 S:26-37/39-45
• Distilled water

• Take care when using the burner and hot glassware.

• What does the precipitate consist of?
• Are the two deposits different?