Strategic mineral utilization: Turkmenistan’s capacity for soda ash and ammonium sulfate production

This study investigates the synthesis of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) from mirabilite utilizing mineral resources from Garabogaz Bay, Turkmenistan, with ammonium sulfate generated as a byproduct of the chemical process. Experimental results demonstrate a direct correlation between carbonation duration and NaHCO₃ yield, with optimal production efficiency achieved at 90 minutes of reaction time. Under these conditions, sodium bicarbonate yield reached 96.318%, representing near-complete conversion of reactants with minimal residual components. The methodology presents an efficient approach for concurrent production of two industrially significant compounds while utilizing indigenous mineral resources. These findings provide critical parameters for scaling the process to industrial production levels, with particular relevance for regions possessing similar geological resources.