How is sodium carbonate converted into sodium bicarbonate?

Sodium carbonate can be converted into sodium bicarbonate by reacting it with carbon dioxide and water. In an aqueous solution, the carbonate anion accepts a hydrogen ion from water to form the bicarbonate anion, a process represented by the following equilibrium reaction:

$${\text{CO}}_3^{2-}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\rightleftharpoons {\text{HCO}}_3^{-}+{\text{OH}}^{-}$$

While this reaction describes the chemical basis for the conversion, it is important to note that the industrial production of sodium bicarbonate typically utilizes the ammonia-soda process (also known as the Solvay process). In this method, carbon dioxide is passed through a concentrated solution of sodium chloride and ammonia, which results in the precipitation of sodium bicarbonate.123

Conversely, heating sodium bicarbonate causes it to decompose, yielding sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.1