Reaction between Sodium Carbonate and Silica Sand at 874°C < T < 1022°C

This paper is concerned with the mechanism of the reaction between sodium carbonate and silica sand at 874° to 1022deg;C. A reaction path which evolves in four stages, i.e., decarbonization, dissolution of orthosilicate, dissolution of metasilicate, and final dissolution of silica, is dealt with in detail, including mass balances. Formulas for dissolution rates in the first two stages are suggested, and the effect of wetting the grains by the melt, amount and distribution of the melt, and nonuniform dissolution (e.g., segregation) on the dissolution rate of silica grains are discussed. The need for more detailed experimental studies is stressed.