B201 98
B201 98
ANSI/AWWA B201-98
(Revision of ANSI/AWWA B201-92)
AWWA STANDARD
FOR
SODA ASH
CAUTION NOTICE: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval date on the front
cover of this standard indicates completion of the ANSI approval process. This American National
Standard may be revised or withdrawn at any time. ANSI procedures require that action be taken
to reaffirm, revise, or withdraw this standard no later than five years from the date of publication.
Purchasers of American National Standards may receive current information on all standards by
calling or writing the American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036;
(212) 642-4900.
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Consumer Members
Producer Members
* Liaison, nonvoting
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All AWWA standards follow the general format indicated subsequently. Some variations from this format may be
found in a particular standard.
I. Introduction.
I.A. Background. Soda ash is the common name for the technical grades of
anhydrous sodium carbonate (Na 2CO3). Light and dense soda ash differ in physical
characteristics only, such as density (weight of unit volume), angle of repose, and size
and shape of particles. Light soda ash is a powder; dense soda ash is granular.
Soda ash is an anhydrous material having a sodium carbonate content of more
than 99 percent and a sodium oxide (Na2O) equivalent of more than 57.9 percent.
Sodium carbonate, although readily soluble in water, has the unusual characteristic
of attaining maximum solubility at 95.7°F (35.4°C). At this temperature, 100 parts of
water dissolve 49.7 parts of sodium carbonate. The solubility of sodium carbonate
decreases at temperatures above and below 95.7°F (35.4°C).
I.B. History. The first edition of this standard for soda ash was prepared
under the direction of the AWWA Water Purification Division. The standard was
approved by the Executive Committee of the Water Purification Division and by the
Water Works Practice Committee and received approval of the AWWA Board of
Directors on July 1, 1949. Additional reviews resulted in an edited copy that was
reaffirmed and approved as “Tentative” by the AWWA Board of Directors on Oct. 15,
1951. The initial document was made standard on May 15, 1953. This standard was
revised by the AWWA Standards Committee on Softening and Conditioning
Chemicals. Subsequent editions of AWWA B201 were approved on Jan. 26, 1959; Jan.
28, 1974; Jan. 28, 1980; June 14, 1987; and Jan. 26, 1992. This edition was approved
by the AWWA Board of Directors on Jan. 25, 1998.
I.C. Acceptance. In May 1985, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) entered into a cooperative agreement with a consortium led by NSF
International (NSF) to develop voluntary third-party consensus standards and a
certification program for all direct and indirect drinking water additives. Other
members of the original consortium included the American Water Works Association
Research Foundation (AWWARF) and the Conference of State Health and Environ-
mental Managers (COSHEM). The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and
the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) joined later.
In the United States, authority to regulate products for use in, or in contact
with, drinking water rests with individual states.* Local agencies may choose to
impose requirements more stringent than those required by the state. To evaluate
the health effects of products and drinking water additives from such products, state
and local agencies may use various references, including two standards developed
under the direction of NSF, ANSI†NSF‡ 60, Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals—
Health Effects, and ANSI/NSF 61, Drinking Water System Components—Health
Effects.
*Persons in Canada, Mexico, and non-North American countries should contact the
appropriate authority having jurisdiction.
†American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036.
‡NSF International, 3475 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106.
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ANSI/AWWA B201-98
(Revision of ANSI/AWWA B201-92)
SODA ASH
SECTION 1: GENERAL
Sec. 1.1 Scope
This standard covers soda ash for use in the treatment of municipal and
industrial water supplies.
SECTION 2: REFERENCES
This standard has no applicable information for this section.
SECTION 3: DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall apply in this standard:
1. Manufacturer: The party that manufactures, fabricates, or produces
materials or products.
2. Purchaser: The person, company, or organization that purchases any
materials or work to be performed.
SECTION 4: REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 4.1 Physical Requirements
The soda ash furnished shall be a dry, white powder containing no large lumps
or crystals. It shall be free-flowing and suitable for storage in closed, hoppered bins
and for feeding with a standard dry feeder.
4.1.1 Density. The apparent density of light soda ash shall range from 0.5 g/mL
to 0.9 g/mL or from 31.2 lb/ft3 to 56.2 lb/ft3 (500 kg/m 3 to 900 kg/m 3). The apparent
density of dense soda ash shall range from 0.9 g/mL to 1.1 g/mL or from 56.2 lb/ft 3 to
68.7 lb/ft3 (900 kg/m3 to 1,100 kg/m3).
SECTION 5: VERIFICATION
Sec. 5.1 Sampling
5.1.1 Sampling point. Samples shall be taken at the point of destination.
5.1.2 Sampling precaution. To avoid exposed surface areas that might have
absorbed moisture and carbon dioxide, samples shall be taken from at least 12 in.
(300 mm) below the surface in bulk shipments and from the center portion of bagged
materials.
5.1.3 Sampling procedures.
5.1.3.1 If the soda ash is handled by conveyor or elevator, a mechanical
sampling arrangement may be used.
5.1.3.2 Soda ash may be sampled from carload shipments in bulk or from
packages by the use of a sampling tube at least 3⁄4 in. (20 mm) in diameter.
5.1.3.3 With packaged material, 5 percent of the packages shall be sampled.
No sample shall be taken from a broken package.
5.1.3.4 The gross sample, weighing at least 10 lb (5 kg), shall be mixed thoroughly
and divided to provide three 1-lb (0.5-kg) samples. Each sample shall be sealed in an
airtight, moisture-proof glass container labeled for identification with the label dated
and signed by the sampler.
5.1.3.5 Two samples shall be retained by the purchaser for not less than 30
days after the date of receipt of the shipment, for use by the supplier and the referee
laboratory if needed.
5.1.4 Preparation of sample. The sample shall be collected in accordance with
Sec. 5.1. The sample shall be quartered to approximately 100 g. After thorough
mixing, the sample shall be stored in an airtight container. Weighing of any portion
of the sample shall be done as rapidly as possible to avoid changes in moisture
content.
Sec. 5.2 Apparent Density
5.2.1 Procedure.
5.2.1.1 Pour, without packing, 30 g of the sample into a 100-mL graduated
cylinder and read the volume of the sample.
5.2.1.2 Calculation:
SECTION 6: DELIVERY
Sec. 6.1 Marking*†
6.1.1 Required. Each shipment of material shall carry with it some means of
identification. Each unit package shall be legibly identified as light or dense soda
ash. Each unit package shall be marked with the net weight of the contents, the
name of the manufacturer, the brand name, if any, and other markings as required
by applicable laws and regulations. When shipped in bulk, this marking information
shall be provided according to applicable regulations.
6.1.2 Optional. At the option of the manufacturer, packages may also bear
the statement, “This material meets the requirements of AWWA B201, Standard for
Soda Ash,” provided that the requirements of this standard are met and the material
is not of different quality in separate agreement between the supplier and purchaser.