Abstract: A thick suspension of sodium carbonate anhydride is obtained by countercurrent contacting of a high pressure steam and a suspension of sodium bicarbonate or sodium sesquicarbonate in a concentrated solution of sodium carbonate. The decomposition reaction is promoted to near completion by maintaining the reaction temperature above 150.degree. C. to realize a high HCO.sub.3.sup.- ion concentration in the solution. The sodium carbonate anhydride suspension is cooled to cause transition of the anhydride to the monohydrate, followed by the separation of the crystalline monohydrate from the mother liquor. Calcination of this monohydrate gives a dense soda ash featuring a high purity and a uniform particle size, while the mother liquor is recycled for the preparation of the sodium bicarbonate suspension.