Sub-Product

Main Product: Sodium Chloride
Segment: Chemicals
Main-Family: Inorganics
Sub-Family: Inorganic Chlorine Compounds
Physical State: Solid

Sub-Product

Washed Solar Salt

Abbreviation

NaCl

Alt. Names

Solar Sea Salt

Description

Washed solar salt is a type of salt produced by evaporating brine using sunshine. It is often made from seawater and may also be referred to as Solar Sea Salt. The manufacturing process involves pumping water into underground salt deposits to dissolve the salt, then pumping the brine into large outdoor ponds where it is exposed to sunlight to evaporate the water, leaving behind salt crystals^[1].

Key Features

Higher purity: Washed solar salt is more soluble than other types of salt and can be found in up to 99.5% pure form.
Fewer impurities: The evaporation process removes many salt impurities, making it a purer product than rock salt.
Unique pellet form: The salt has been washed and compressed into pillow-shaped pellets, making it a convenient and easy-to-use form for water softeners^[1].

Comparison to Other Types of Salt

Washed solar salt is distinct from rock salt, which is mined from underground salt mines and may contain significant amounts of calcium sulfate^[1].

The following table shows the typical compositions of sodium chloride used in chlor-alkali electrolysis^[2]:

Component	Salt Source
Component	Rock Salt	Washed Solar Salt	Vacuum Salt
NaCl	93-99%	99%	99.95%
SO₄^2-	0.2-1%	0.2%	0.04%
Ca²⁺	0.05-0.4%	0.04%	0.0012%
Mg²⁺	0.01-0.1%	0.01%	0.001%