Submit an Article
Become a reviewer
RU
Vol 281 Iss. 1
Pages:
174-188
In press
Review
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Prospects for the use of soda production waste in various industries

Authors:
Olga S. Kudryashova1
Natalya V. Mitrakova2
About authors
  • 1 — Ph.D., Dr.Sci. Chief Researcher Perm State National Research University ▪ Orcid ▪ Scopus
  • 2 — Ph.D. Senior Researcher Perm State National Research University ▪ Orcid
Date submitted:
2026-01-18
Date accepted:
2026-06-25
Online publication date:
2026-10-16

Abstract

This paper presents a review and analysis of scientific articles and patents addressing the disposal and processing of soda production waste. Examples of methods for reducing the toxicity of sludge, using waste in construction (including road construction), and processing it into chemical compounds are provided. Particular attention is paid to the use of sludge for soil reclamation. The ammonia-soda process (the Solvay process) for producing soda ash is the predominant method worldwide. A significant drawback of this process is the generation of hazardous production waste, which necessitates compliance with environmental requirements and regulations during storage and processing. Russian practices for managing soda production waste lag behind European ones due to low prices for primary natural raw materials, the heterogeneity of waste composition and properties, the need for preliminary waste treatment, and the low level of environmental payments by enterprises for waste disposal. Tightening environmental safety requirements for soda ash production waste and the high cost of maintaining settling ponds are driving the development of processing methods. The choice of processing method depends on the plant᾽s location, energy capacity, and the company᾽s financial condition. The use of sludge in the production of building materials is limited by the presence of chloride ions, small particle size, thixotropic properties of the material, and variability in sludge composition. Road construction is the most promising avenue in terms of disposal volumes and the use of waste without additional treatment. The use of waste for land reclamation requires a selective approach to site selection and additional research. Despite the wide range of possible applications for soda production waste, the problem of its disposal remains pressing. This is due to the volumes of soda production and the resulting waste, as well as the need for financial investment to implement disposal methods

Область исследования:
Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Keywords:
soda ash production waste areas of rational use disposal methods soil reclamation environmental safety
Funding:

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, project FSNF-2025-0011.

Go to volume 281

References

  1. Zaitsev I.D., Tkach G.A., Stoev N.D. Soda production. Moscow: Khimiya, 1986, p. 312 (in Russian).
  2. Yeginobali A. Studies on the Possible Uses of Soda Industry Waste as a Construction Material. Appropriate Waste Management for Developing Countries. Springer, 1985, p 101-109. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4613-2457-7_8
  3. Krasilnikova S.A., Blinov S.M., Krasilnikov P.A., Belkin P.A. World Experience Using of Soda Production Waste. Ecology and Industry of Russia. 2021. Vol. 25. N 12, p. 48-53 (in Russian). DOI: 10.18412/1816-0395-2021-12-48-53
  4. Pugin K.G., Pugina V.K. Features of use of the resource potential of waste products for building constructions and materials. Fundamental Research. 2016. N 9, p. 289-293 (in Russian).
  5. Kasyanov V.K., Averina Yu.M., Menshikov V.V., Strelnikova A.S. Methods of processing distiller liquid as waste of production of calcinated soda with ammonium method. Sciences of Europe. 2018. N 28, p. 12-15 (in Russian)
  6. Kalinina E.V., Rudakova L.V. Decrease of toxic properties of soda production sludge and its utilization. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering. 2018. Vol. 329. N 6, p. 85-96 (in Russian).
  7. Kurbangaleeva L.R., Daminev R.R. Use of ion exchange resins in demineralization of liquid waste from soda ash production. Vestnik Bashkirskogo universiteta. 2010. Vol. 15. N 4, p. 1150-1152 (in Russian).
  8. Gołub A., Piekutin J. Removal of inorganic impurities from wastewater after production of soda ash on selected sorbents. Scientific Reports. 2020. Vol. 10. N 4624. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61429-w
  9. Sabitov K.B., Voronin A.V. Prospects of use of solid waste of production of the calcinated soda of JSC BSK in quality carbonate component of raw materials for production of cement. Herald of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Bashkortostan. 2016. Vol. 21. N 3 (83), p. 86-95 (in Russian).
  10. Zagidullin R.N., Zagidullina G.R., Mukhametov A.A. Patent N 2589483 RF. Method of processing distilled liquid from soda production by ammonia. Publ. 10.07.2016. Bul. N 19 (in Russian).
  11. Lotosh V.E. Cold bonding of fine materials and fines of mineral resources. Ekaterinburg: Filantrop, 2009, c. 525 (in Russian).
  12. Latipova Z.B., Khalikov R.M., Glazachev A.O., Davletberdin D.D. Geoecological aspects of the use of lime-containing large-tonnage soda production waste in Bashkortostan. Regional Environmental Issues. 2023. N 4, p. 68-72 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24412/1728-323X-2023-4-68-72
  13. Serpichev A.S., Sycheva L.I. The use of man-made waste in the production of belitsulfoaluminate cement. Uspekhi v khimii i khimicheskoi tekhnologii. 2022. Vol. 34. N 3, p. 130-133 (in Russian).
  14. Xianhui Zhao, Chunyuan Liu, Li Wang et al. Physical and mechanical properties and micro characteristics of fly ash-based geopolymers incorporating soda residue. Cement and Concrete Composites. 2019. Vol. 98, p. 125-136. DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.02.009
  15. Uçal G.O., Mahyar M., Tokyay M. Hydration of alinite cement produced from soda waste sludge. Construction and Building Materials. 2018. Vol. 164, p. 178-184. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.12.196
  16. Karimov N.Kh., Agzamov F.A., Akchurin Kh.I. et al. Patent N 2136845 RF. Grouting mortar. Publ. 10.09.1999 (in Russian).
  17. Shatov A.A., Dryamina M.A. Special Plugging Compositions for Low-Temperature Wells on the Basis of Secondary Soda Resources. Chemistry for Sustainable Development. 2005. Vol. 13. N 5, p. 663-667 (in Russian).
  18. Dzhandullaeva M.S., Atakuziev T.A. Physicomechanical properties of silicate materials based on solid soda production waste. Khimicheskaya promyshlennost. 2017. Vol. 94. N 1, p. 31-33 (in Russian).
  19. Hai-lei Kou, Wen-gang Zhang. Strength Characteristics of Soda Waste Treated with Fly Ash and Lime. Geotechnical Engineering. 2018. Vol. 49. N 3, p. 1-3. DOI: 10.14456/seagj.2018.17
  20. Mingazova G.G., Kornilov A.V., Khatsrinov A.I. Аpplication of soda ash production waste for preparation of ceramic materials. Herald of Technological University. 2023. Vol. 26. N 11, p. 87-91 (in Russian). DOI: 10.55421/1998-7072_2023_26_11_87
  21. Jiang Q., Zhan QW, Hu H.T., Wang X.Y. Solid waste-based cementitious material for ground granulated blast furnace slag based on soda residue activation: Preparation, properties and mechanism. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2025. Vol. 13. Iss. 6. N 120302. DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2025.120302
  22. Zaihua Yang, Yongliang Chen, Quan Wang et al. The utilization of ammonia soda residue in building materials: A review. Journal of Building Engineering. 2024. Vol. 98. N 111122. DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111122
  23. Qiang Wang, Xianjun Lyu, Qing Liu et al. Recycle of soda waste sludge as the limestone material for Portland cement: Chemical composition, physical properties and hydration mechanism. Construction and Building Materials. 2024. Vol. 422. N 135790. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135790
  24. Dong Xu, Wen Ni, Qunhui Wang et al. Ammonia-soda residue and metallurgical slags from iron and steel industries as cementitious materials for clinker-free concretes. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2021. Vol. 307. N 127262. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127262
  25. Kozlov S.G., Vyazovikova I.V., Chernyy S.A., Krepysheva I.V. Utilization of soda ash production waste in road construction. Fundamental Research. 2013. N 10, p. 2604-2611 (in Russian).
  26. Kalinina E.V. The Best of Available Techniques for Soda Production Slurry Recovery. Ecology and Industry of Russia. 2013. N 11, p. 43-47 (in Russian). DOI: 10.18412/1816-0395-2013-11-43-47
  27. Xiaoqing Zhao, Tianfeng Yang, Jianzhuang Xiao et al. Mechanical properties and field test of lime-soda residue stabilized soil for subgrade. Construction and Building Materials. 2024. Vol. 419. N 135489. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135489
  28. Plotnikova S.E., Peregudov Yu.S., Gorbunova E.M., Niftaliev S.I. Prospects for the use of liquid waste from the production of sodium carbonate as a coolant based on the ternary system CaCl2-K2Cr2O7-H2O. Proceedings of the Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies. 2020. Vol. 82. N 3, p. 233-238 (in Russian). DOI: 10.20914/2310-1202-2020-3-233-238
  29. Titov V.M., Voronin A.V., Shatov A.A. et al. Patent N 2243248 RF. Antiicing composition. Publ. 27.12.2004 (in Russian).
  30. Konstantinova M.S., Kalinina E.V. Research use distilled liquid as the liquid icemelter. Vestnik Permskogo natsionalnogo issledovatelskogo politekhnicheskogo universiteta. Urbanistika. 2013. N 4, p. 134-143 (in Russian).
  31. Canzhu Gao, Yuan Dong, Hongjuan Zhang, Jiaming Zhang. Utilization of distiller waste and residual mother liquor to prepare precipitated calcium carbonate. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2007. Vol. 15. Iss. 15, p. 1419-1425. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2006.06.024
  32. Kurbangaleeva L.R., Bykovsky N.A., Daminev R.R. Producing of calcium hydroxide and hydrocloric acid from the distilled liquid. Bashkirskii khimicheskii zhurnal. 2012. Vol. 19. N 2, p. 36-39 (in Russian).
  33. Bykovsky N.A., Kurbangaleeva L.R., Daminev R.R. Distiller fluid treatment to obtain commercial products. Fundamental Research. 2012. N 6, p. 209-213 (in Russian).
  34. Bikbulatov I.Kh., Nasyrov R.R., Daminev R.R., Bakiev A.Yu. Method of utilization of the main vast of soda ash obtaining. Oil and Gas Business. 2007. N 2, p. 9 (in Russian).
  35. Nasyrov R.R., Daminev R.R. Method of processing of main soda ash production waste. Bashkirskii khimicheskii zhurnal. 2008. Vol. 15. N 3, p. 95-100 (in Russian).
  36. Daminev R.R., Nasyrov R.R., Sharipov A.K. Improving the environmental safety of soda ash production. Bashkirskii khimicheskii zhurnal. 2008. Vol. 15. N 4, p. 28-30 (in Russian).
  37. Gordenchuk A.D., Elokhov A.M., Kudryashova O.S., Polyakov A.Yu. Patent N 2665469 RF. Method of obtaining calcium formate. Publ. 30.08.2018. Bul. N 25 (in Russian).
  38. Gordenchuk A.D., Kudryashova O.S. A Conversion Method for the Preparation of Calcium Formate. Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering. 2019. Vol. 53. N 4, p. 591-595. DOI: 10.1134/S0040579518050147
  39. Zagidullin S.Kh., Daut V.A., Majer V.V. et al. Patent N 2078758 RF. Method for production of sodium formiate. Publ. 10.05.1997 (in Russian).
  40. Samokhvalov I.I., Avramenko E.V., Bibakova T.A., Kudrjashova O.S. Patent N 2440168 RF. Method of processing commercial pentaerythritol-formiate mother solution. Publ. 20.01.2012. Bul. N 2 (in Russian).
  41. Bayurova Yu.L., Nesterov D.P., Korneva E.A. et al. Artificial geochemical barriers as a way to solution of ecological and technological problems. Vestnik of MSTU. 2013. Vol. 16. N 3, p. 536-541 (in Russian).
  42. Environmental safety of mineral resources development / Ed by. E.A.Khayrulina. Perm: Permskii gosudarstvennyi natsionalnyi issledovatelskii universitet, 2022, p. 175 (in Russian).
  43. Kudryashova O.S., Khayrulina E.A. Patent N 2743977 RF. Composition for reducing water permeability of rocks (embodiments) and method of plugging water permeability of rocks. Publ. 01.03.2021. Bul. N 7 (in Russian).
  44. Manoilo E.V., Manoilo Yu.A., Moiseev V.F. Application of wastes of soda production. Vostochno-Evropeiskii zhurnal peredovykh tekhnologii. 2010. Vol. 6. N 6 (48), p. 13-17 (in Russian).
  45. Kalinina E.V., Vajsman J.I., Rudakova L.V. Patent N 2546155 RF. Material for biological reclamation of disturbed soils. Publ. 10.04.2015. Bul. N 10 (in Russian).
  46. Yu Yang, Bo Li, Tao Li et al. A review of treatment technologies for acid mine drainage and sustainability assessment. Journal of Water Process Engineering. 2023. Vol. 55. N 104213. DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104213
  47. Nureev R.R., Pashkevich M.A., Kharko P.A. Assessment of the impact of copper ore processing waste on surface and groundwater. Geology and Geophysics of Russian South. 2022. Vol. 12. N 4, p. 169-179 (in Russian). DOI: 10.46698/VNC.2022.37.95.013
  48. Johnson D.B., Hallberg K.B. Acid mine drainage remediation options: a review. Science of the Total Environment. 2005. Vol. 338. Iss. 1-2, p. 3-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.09.002
  49. Jianbo Liao, Zewei Wen, Xuan Ru et al. Distribution and migration of heavy metals in soil and crops affected by acid mine drainage: Public health implications in Guangdong Province, China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2016. Vol. 124, p. 460-469. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.023
  50. Akcil A., Koldas S. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD): causes, treatment and case studies. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2006. Vol. 14. Iss. 12-13, p. 1139-1145. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2004.09.006
  51. Pashkevich M.A., Kharko P.A. The use of a composite mix to remove metals from acidic drainage waters at tailings facilities. Obogashchenie rud. 2022. N 4, p. 40-47 (in Russian). DOI: 10.17580/or.2022.04.07
  52. Yakovlev N.M., Smirnov Yu.D., Matveeva V.A. Sapropel-based adsorbent formulation for fine purification of acid drain water. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2026. N 3, p. 32-48 (in Russian). DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2026_3_0_32
  53. Alakangas L., Andersson E., Mueller S. Neutralization/prevention of acid rock drainage using mixtures of alkaline by-products and sulfidic mine wastes. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2013. Vol. 20. Iss, p. 7907-7916. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1838-z
  54. Kefeni K.K., Msagati T.A.M., Mamba B.B. Acid mine drainage: Prevention, treatment options, and resource recovery: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2017. Vol. 151, p. 475-493. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.082
  55. Hongping Chen, Yulu Ai, Yufei Jia et al. Effective and simultaneous removal of heavy metals and neutralization of acid mine drainage using an attapulgite-soda residue based adsorbent. Science of the Total Environment. 2022. Vol. 843. N 157120. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157120
  56. Tolonen E.-T., Sarpola A., Hu T. et al. Acid mine drainage treatment using by-products from quicklime manufacturing as neutralization chemicals. Chemosphere. 2014. Vol. 117, p. 419-424. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.07.090
  57. Kostin A.S., Krechetov P.P., Chernitsova O.V., Terskaya E.V. Data on physico-chemical characteristics and elemental composition of gray forest soils (Greyzemic Phaeozems) in natural-technogenic landscapes of Moscow brown coal basin. Data in Brief. 2021. Vol. 35. N 106817. DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2021.106817
  58. Fernández-Caliani J.C., Barba-Brioso C., González I., Galán E. Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils Around the Abandoned Mine Sites of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (Southwest Spain). Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 2009. Vol. 200. Iss. 1-4, p. 211-226. DOI: 10.1007/s11270-008-9905-7
  59. Mitrakova N.V., Khayrulina E.A., Poroshina N.V. et al. Formation of Acid Sulfate Soils under the Influence of Acid Mine Waste in the Taiga Zone. Eurasian Soil Science. 2023. Vol. 56. Iss. 2 (Suppl.), p. S183-S193. DOI: 10.1134/S106422932360152X
  60. Xiao-bin Wang, Xiang Yan, Xiu-ying Li. Environmental risk for application of ammonia-soda white mud in soils in China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture. 2020. Vol. 19. Iss. 3, p. 601-611. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62745-0
  61. Jae E. Yang, Skousen J.G., Yong-Sik Ok et al. Reclamation of Abandoned Coal Mine Waste in Korea using Lime Cake By-Products. Mine Water and the Environment. 2006. Vol. 25. Iss. 4, p. 227-232. DOI: 10.1007/s10230-006-0137-z
  62. Blinov S.M., Khozjajkin A.I., Usoltseva S.P., Domozhirova S.A. Patent N 2336684 RF. Method revegetation of affected soils. Publ. 27.10.2008. Bul. N 30 (in Russian).
  63. Maksimovich N.G., Kryukova O.S. Development of processes of mutual neutralization of soda manufacture waste products, acidic mine waters and mine dumps for region environment protection. Modern Problems of Science and Education. 2012. N 1, p. 8 (in Russian).
  64. Maksimovich N.G., Pyankov S.V. The Kizel coal basin: ecological problems and solutions. Perm: Raritet-Perm, 2018, p. 288 (in Russian).
  65. Mitrakova N.V., Khayrulina E.A., Blinov S.M., Perevoshchikova A.A. Efficiency of acid sulphate soils reclamation in coal mining areas. Journal of Mining Institute. 2023. Vol. 260, p. 266-278. DOI: 10.31897/PMI.2023.31
  66. Mitrakova N.V., Khayrulina E.A., Perevoshchikova A.A. et al. Chemical and ecological properties of soils and the NDVI analysis on reclaimed sulfide coal waste dumps in the boreal zone. Mining Science and Technology. 2024. Vol. 9. N 4, p. 406-419. DOI: 10.17073/2500-0632-2024-04-206
  67. Akanova N.I., Orlov P.M., Nedoseko I.V., Zinatullin R.R. Efficiency of waste soda production as a lime reclamation agent for agriculture. International agricultural journal. 2023. Vol. 66. N 3 (393), p. 301-305 (in Russian). DOI: 10.55186/25876740_2023_66_3_301
  68. Ye Yang, Binxiong Hu, Tao Li et al. Application of soda residue based material in a vertical flow constructed wetland for the simultaneous removal of tetracycline and phosphorus from freshwater aquaculture effluent. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2025. Vol. 13. Iss. 6. N 120119. DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2025.120119
  69. Hongping Chen, Yufei Jia, Jing Li et al. Enhanced efficiencies on purifying acid mine drainage in constructed wetlands based on synergistic adsorption of attapulgite-soda residue composites and microbial sulfate reduction. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2024. Vol. 470. N 134221. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134221
  70. Yonglan Zong, Jiantao Gong, Jilai Zhang et al. Research status of soda residue in the field of environmental pollution control. RSC Advances. 2023. Vol. 13. Iss. 41, p. 28975-28983. DOI: 10.1039/d3ra04863b
  71. Atamuratov T.J. Creation of complex processing technology for industrial waste from soda ash production. Science and innovation. 2024. Vol. 3. Iss. 9, p. 39-46. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13828038
  72. Rahimpour H., Fahmi A., Zinatloo-Ajabshir S. Toward sustainable soda ash production: A critical review on eco-impacts, modifications, and innovative approaches. Results in Engineering. 2024. Vol. 23. N 102399. DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102399
  73. Wenzel T., Fogel S., Kryk H., Hampel U. Cleaner soda ash production: A techno-economic assessment of electrochemically-based alternatives to the Solvay process. Energy Conversion and Management. 2026. Vol. 348. Part C. N 120757. DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2025.120757
  74. Meshalkin V.P., Shulaev N.S., Bykovsky N.A., Aristov V.M. Physicochemical Foundations of an Energy and Resource Efficient Combined Technology for Processing of Soda Ash Production Wastewater. Doklady Chemistry. 2020. Vol. 494. N 1, p. 145-148. DOI: 10.1134/S0012500820090025
Access statistics
Abstract Views
91
Full-Text Views
14
Cited
Scopus:
0
Crossref:
0
Article Menu

Similar articles

Statistical modeling of metal migration in soils of oil and gas condensate fields in the north of Western Siberia
2026 Anatolii Yu. Opekunov, Marina G. Opekunova, Stepan Yu. Kukushkin
Development of technosol substrates based on mining waste and sewage sludge
2026 Tatyana K. Ivanova, Evgeniya A. Krasavtseva
A cluster approach to the resource and environmental assessment of technogenic waste disposal
2026 Ekaterina V. Kolodezhnaya, Irina V. Shadrunova, Olga E. Gorlova, Natalya N. Orekhova
Production of fertilizers from wastes of various origins for the reclamation of disturbed lands and improvement of territories
2026 Marina V. Bykova, Dmitrii M. Malyukhin
Cadastral registration of technogenic mineral formations in Russia: genesis and development issues
2026 Vera V. Yurak, Margarita N. Ignatyeva, Boris V. Frantsuzov
The chemical composition and environmental damage of cyanidation waste from the Berikul gold mining plant (Kemerovo Region)
2026 Natalia V. Yurkevich, Sophiya P. Mishenina, Svetlana B. Bortnikova, Irina V. Provornaya