| abstract |
Free-flowing spherules of sodium bicarbonate are prepared from a sodium carbonate or from salt brine, substantially saturated with ammonia, by carbonating the sodium carbonate solution, or the ammonia-saturated brine with carbon dioxide in the presence of from 200 to 2500 parts per million of a water soluble alkaline phosphate. Spherules of sodium bicarbonate crystallizing from the solutions are separated as a product having a bulk density between about 32 to 48 pounds per cubic foot, and a screen size substantially between 14 and 100 mesh. Sodium carbonate spherules are also readily obtained by calcining the sodium bicarbonate spherules. |