Sodium hydroxide is a strong chemical compound that is used in various industries as a strong alkali. Due to the unique properties of this compound, it has wide applications in various industries including glass making, mining industry, water softener, and food industries. In this article, we will examine and explain the uses of perk interest. Sodium hydroxide is used in chemical industry, glass making, water purification. In the chemical industry, it is used as a raw material in the production of soap, glass, medicines, paints, varnishes, adhesives, plastics and detergents. Also, it is used in the glass industry to reduce the melting temperature of glass and to harden it. In the mining industry, caustic soda is used in the extraction and refining of metals from ores. And in the water desalination industry, it is used as a material for water purification and desalination.
What is Caustic soda?
Baking soda or caustic soda or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is one of the most important chemical compounds used in various industries to produce various products. This compound is used as one of the main chemicals used in the production of soap, detergents, rinses, paper, plastic, agricultural pesticides, as well as in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries.
The combination of Caustic soda interacts strongly with acids and alkaline substances and can cause burns, eye and skin irritation, shortness of breath and even hand and foot burns. Therefore, when using caustic soda, the mucous membrane and skin should be protected and kept out of the reach of children and pets. Due to its high alkalinity, caustic soda can cause damage to sensitive surfaces such as plastic, fine metals, and leather.
Arax Chemical Group, among the best and well-known producers in the world, produces Caustic soda with unique quality, in accordance with chemical analysis and without any impurities.
Chemical characteristics
- Chemical formula: NaOH
- Molecular weight: 40.00 g/mol
- Chemical composition: one sodium atom (Na) and one hydroxyl group (OH)
- Melting point: 318 degrees Celsius
- Boiling point: 1,388 degrees Celsius
- Density: 2.13 grams/cubic centimeter
- Solubility in water: soluble in water and in this case it forms sodium (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions.
- pH: around pH 14, which indicates its strong alkalinity.
- Chemical properties: Caustic soda is a strong alkali and has the ability to precipitate, neutralize acids and break down fats.
Physical characteristics
- Appearance: crystalline solid
- White color
- Odor: Odorless
- Taste: Bitter alkaline taste
- Physical state: solid at room temperature and liquid in water solution
- Density: about 2.13 grams per cubic centimeter
- Solubility: Caustic soda is soluble in water and in this case it forms sodium (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-) ions.
Production of caustic soda
Caustic soda is produced using solid sodium hydroxide. Solid caustic soda is actually produced from liquid caustic soda with a purity of 30% to 50%. The production process of caustic soda is as follows: first, liquid sodium hydroxide with a purity of 50% is transported by special tankers to factories producing caustic soda. Then, in the concentration lines, the water in the liquid sodium hydroxide evaporates, and by going through several stages and with careful monitoring, the liquid sodium hydroxide turns into caustic soda with a purity of 98-99%.
Different types of caustic soda production
Mercury cell method
It is used to produce caustic soda, but it has limitations. Mercury is a dangerous substance for the environment and there is no safe technology to work with it. In this method, mercury plays the role of the cathode, and with the production of sodium, sodium hydroxide is produced. But due to the dangerousness of mercury and safety restrictions, the use of this method is now less.
Diaphragm method
It is used with asbestos separator to produce sodium hydroxide and chlorine. This method includes the use of cell drinks that contain sodium hydroxide and salt. To prepare sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 50%, lime is evaporated to increase the concentration and remove excess salt. Diaphragm cells can be more economical than mercury cells in cases where the price of steam is low and also cost less to build. You can refer to the diaphragm method article for more information
Electrolysis method
In the electrolysis process, a salt solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) is used as a raw material. In this process, an electrolysis cell is used, which includes two electrodes (anode and cathode) and a salt solution. In the anode of the electrolysis cell, sodium chloride (NaCl) is oxidized to chlorine (Cl2). This chlorine is collected in a part of the cell. In the cathode of the electrolysis cell, sodium ions (Na+) are reduced to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen (H2). Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is formed in the solution. By combining the collected chlorine and caustic soda, it is possible to produce chlorine-alkali (chlorine and caustic soda), which is used in various industries.
Membrane method
The membrane method uses an electrolysis cell system to produce caustic soda, using numerical membranes. In this cell, the salt solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) is divided into two parts, anode and cathode. At the anode, chloride ions are oxidized to chlorine, and at the cathode, sodium ions are converted to sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and hydrogen. Numeric membrane prevents chlorine ions from passing to the cathode and caustic soda accumulates in the cathode. This method is better than the traditional electrolysis method in terms of energy and efficiency and is used as a stable and dynamic method in the production of caustic soda in various industries.
General characteristics of sodium hydroxide:
Sodium hydroxide is a very strong alkali. Although there is no risk of explosion or flaming. Sodium hydroxide reacts with acids such as hydrochloric acid, neutralizes and produces a lot of heat.
It causes corrosion of metals such as aluminum, tin and zinc. During this process it produces hydrogen, which has the potential to behave as an explosive gas.
They are highly hygroscopic and absorb moisture, carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide in the air. When liquid caustic soda is diluted, it produces a significant amount of heat. Because this quickly generates intense heat and if water is carelessly poured into it, the resulting solution may splash, so be careful when doing this.
Now it’s time to learn more about the uses of this strong alkaline substance
20 applications of caustic soda
Caustic soda is used in chemical industry, glass making. In the chemical industry, it is used as a raw material in the production of soap, glass, medicines, paints, adhesives, plastics and detergents. Also, in soda glass industry. Caustic soda is also used in water purification.
1.Glassmaking
Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is used in the glassmaking industry as the main ingredient in the production and cleaning of glass. In glass production, caustic soda is used to reduce the melting temperature of glass and adjust its properties. Also, adding caustic soda to the glass production process can increase the flexibility of the glass and help shape it. Caustic soda is also used to purify glass smoke and improve the transparency of glasses.
2.Water treatment
Municipal water treatment facilities use caustic soda to control water acidity and help remove heavy metals from water. Sodium hydroxide is also used to produce sodium hypochlorite, a water disinfectant
3.Soap production
Caustic soda is used in soap making as a softener, buffer and cosmetic. This combination softens the soap and improves its cleaning ability. Also, by adjusting pH, it improves soap performance and absorbs unpleasant odors. Caustic soda also creates air bubbles in the soap and improves the aroma of the soap. In general, the use of soda ash in soap making improves the quality and properties of soap and improves the experience of using it.
4.Pharmaceuticals
Sodium hydroxide is used as an important ingredient in pharmaceuticals. Its applications include: preparation of drugs, pH adjustment in drug formulations, cleaning and disinfection of pharmaceutical equipment, preparation of bile, and use in drug manufacturing processes. For more information, refer to the article Caustic soda in medicine and pharmaceuticals
5.Color production
caustic soda is used in the production of colors as an acidifying agent, pH regulator, auxiliary agent in coloring, antioxidant, plating agent and color regulator, dyeing indestries
6.Glue production
caustic soda is used in the glue industry for
- Adjusting the pH of the adhesive mixture
- Increased adhesion strength
- Stimulating performance during drying and glue strengthening
- Adhesive protection against oxidation and discoloration
- Adjustment of glue viscosity
7. plastic industry:
- Descaling and cleaning of plastic surfaces.
- Purification and disinfection of plastic.
- Plastic surface treatment.
- Used as a raw material in the production of plastic chemicals.
- Controlling chemical processes in plastic molding and forming.
8.Detergent
Sodium hydroxide is used in the detergent industry as a strong cleaning agent. Its main uses include washing clothes, cleaning surfaces, cleaning household appliances, cleaning glass and mirrors, and cleaning pipes and irrigation systems. However, in using caustic soda, you must observe safety precautions and follow the relevant instructions.
9.Textile
It is used to process cotton and dye synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester.
Bleach production. It is used to make bleach, which has industrial and consumer applications such as controlling mold and mildew around the home
10.Aluminum production
It is used to dissolve bauxite ore, the raw material for aluminum production
11.Petroleum products
:used for exploration, production and processing of oil and natural gas.
12.Pulp and paper
the largest use of Caustic Soda worldwide. Applications include pulping and bleaching processes, deinking of waste paper and water treatment
13.Energy
:In the energy sector, sodium hydroxide is used in fuel cell production. Fuel cells work like batteries to produce clean and efficient electricity for a wide range of applications, including transportation. material transfer; and fixed, portable and emergency backup power plans. Epoxy resins produced with sodium hydroxide are used in wind turbines.
14.Catalytic activity
Sodium hydroxide is used as a catalyst in many chemical processes. For example, when in any reaction, a base is needed as a catalyst to proceed. For such activities, the most common use of NaOH in laboratories is as a catalyst.
15.Food industry
- Sodium hydroxide is used for chemical peeling of green fruits and vegetables.
- It is also used to process chocolate, soft drinks and to thicken ice cream.
- Olives are softened by soaking them in caustic soda solution.
- German pretzels and bagels can be made crispy by using caustic soda.
- Lemon juice is also used in cooking Chinese moon cakes and Chinese noodles.
- It is used in the production of century eggs for a jelly appearance.
- Caustic soda is used in Norwegian cuisine or lutefisk.
- It is used to achieve the sweet taste of Zongzi.
- It is also used to remove the skin of vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes).
16. Synthesis of organic chemicals
Sodium hydroxide is used in industrial organic synthesis such as pH control, gasless cleaning, dechlorination and acid neutralization. It also acts as a catalyst during the industrial synthesis of organic compounds. It is used in the production of emulsion polymer isocyanates (EPI) and dechlorination of epoxy resins.
Sodium hydroxide is used in the formation of chelating agents by maintaining the pH of the solution. It is used in the synthesis of cellulose ether through the reaction with cellulose and sodium monochlorostate. It is used in the production of cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose.
17.Production of Minerals
Sodium hydroxide is used to produce sodium hypochlorite (bleaching chemicals). It synthesizes sodium cyanide and zeolite. It is also used to produce filler compounds such as sodium silicate and sodium phosphate.
18.Refinement of vegetable oil
The first step is the neutralization of trans fatty acids in the synthesis of vegetable oil. For this purpose, editable oils are treated with a 10% caustic soda solution and then further processed for bleaching and deodorization.
19.Dissolution of metals and amphoteric compounds
Sodium hydroxide is a basic medium for dissolving metals and amphoteric compounds such as aluminum, zinc and lead. For example, when caustic soda reacts with aluminum and water, it produces hydrogen gas and sodium aluminate as end products.
Sodium aluminate is very useful for the production of most compounds at an industrial level. Similarly, caustic soda reacts with zinc and lead to form sodium zincate and sodium plumate, respectively.
20.Cement industry
caustic soda is used in cement production for various purposes. It helps to reduce the segregation of silica and cement. It also reduces the amount of water required in the cement mixture. This increases the strength of cement products.
This was just some of caustic soda uses. Sodium hydroxide has more diverse applications such as olive sweetening, household consumption, dairy industry and industrial gas purification.
last word
Sodium hydroxide uses is a very diverse chemical substance in different industries. This powerful compound is used as a powerful cleaning agent in the detergent industry. Also, it has important applications in the mining industry. Sodium hydroxide is used as an auxiliary material in mining, glue production, water purification… Among the applications of Sodium hydroxide, we can mention the processing of minerals, accelerating the dissolution process, adjusting pH and controlling water activity.
The importance of caustic soda in industries shows that this substance has significant positive effects. With proper use and compliance with safety guidelines, caustic soda can be used as an efficient tool in mining industries and help improve performance and reduce pollution in these industries. Therefore, Sodium hydroxide, as a chemical substance with wide applications and high importance in various industries, is a powerful tool available to improve processes and preserve the environment.
ARAX CHEMISTRY Co is a great manufacturer of Caustic Soda Flakes that can offer its High-quality products.