The Oil Industry Many Solvay products contribute to the drilling and extraction of oil, and its processing into gasoline or lubricants. Calcium chloride accelerates the hardening of the walls of oil wells and is used in drying hydrocarbons. Ammonium bifluoride cleans drilling mandrels by dissolving the silica which attaches to them causing them to block. Both products increase extraction productivity. Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate are used to adjust the viscosity and density of drilling mud, whose main constituent is bentonite.
Magnesium carbonate is an additive for lubricants.
Nuclear Power Solvay provides a specific grade of polyvinyl chloride sheet for the beds of nuclear power plant cooling ponds. The safety and health of coal miners depends on the effective fixing of coal dusts and silica. Calcium chloride helps to fix the dusts in the mines, thus reducing the risks of explosion and preventing miners from developing silicosis. Solvay S.A. Updated September 7, 1999. If you have any comments on this Website, please contact the Webmaster .