Caustic Soda

Caustic soda is a common name for sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye. Its common name comes from its chemical individuality as a sodium hydrate, as well as the fact that it is caustic or destructive. Caustic soda is a waxy, white solid when pure. It absorbs water quickly and forms aqueous solutions. Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide that is commercially available is usually sodium hydroxide monohydrate, NaOH.H2O.

Because this chemical is relatively difficult to obtain, you may have to buy it in bulk. You might be able to locate other people who require the chemical and split the cost with them. It’s not a particularly expensive item, but you probably don’t require several pounds of it. Maintain the container’s seal and keep it away from moisture.

Caustic Soda Physical Properties

• It is found in its purest form as a white crystalline solid.
• It has no odour, a density of 2.13 g.ml, and a melting point of 318 degrees Celsius.
• It is easily dissolved in water, ethanol, and glycerol.
• When dissolved in water, it produces a highly exothermic reaction.
• It has a viscosity of 78 mPas, which is greater than that of water.
• It has the ability to form hydrates.
• It absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide and water from the air.
• It is available in liquid form.

Uses Of caustic soda

Cleaning and disinfectant products containing sodium hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is used in the production of soaps and a wide range of detergents used in both residential and commercial applications. By mixing some chlorine and sodium hydroxide, chlorine bleach is created. Sodium hydroxide-based drain cleaners convert fats and grease that really can clog pipes into soap that also dissolves in water.

In Pharmaceuticals and Medicine, Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is used in the production of a wide range of medicines as well as pharmaceutical products, from prevalent pain relievers such as aspirin to anticoagulants that help prevent blood clots and cholesterol-lowering medications.

Wood and Paper Products Containing Sodium Hydroxide

Wood is considered with a solution containing sodium sulphide and sodium hydroxide in many paper manufacturing processes. This aids in the dissolution of the majority of the contaminants in the wood, resulting in relatively pure cellulose, which serves as the foundation of paper. Sodium hydroxide is used in the paper recycling process to separate the ink from the paper fibres, allowing the paper fibres to be reused.

Aluminum Ore Processing with Sodium Hydroxide

Alumina is used to make aluminium, as well as foil, cans, kitchen utensils, beer kegs, and aeroplane parts. Aluminum is used in building and construction materials such as building facades and window frames.

In Water Treatment, Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide is used in municipal water treatment facilities to control the water acidity and to help eliminate heavy metals from water. Sodium hydroxide is also used to make sodium hypochlorite, which is used to disinfect water.

Sodium Hydroxide in Food Manufacturing

Sodium hydroxide is used in a variety of food processing applications, including curing foods like olives and assisting in the browning of Bavarian-style pretzels, which gives them their characteristic crunch. Sodium hydroxide is used to remove the skins from tomatoes, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables for canning, as well as in food preservatives that help prevent molud and bacteria from growing in food.

Preparation of caustic soda

It has a strong foundation and is widely used in laboratories and industries. In general, it is made by electrolyzing brine solution in a diaphragm and otherwise mercury cell.

The following are some of the other processes that produce sodium hydroxide:

The Leblanc method

It is a manufacturing process that uses sodium chloride, sulfuric acid, coal, and calcium carbonate to produce sodium carbonate.

It consists of two stages: sodium sulphate production from sodium chloride and sodium carbonate production from the reaction of sodium sulphate to coal and calcium carbonate.

NaOH is produced as a byproduct of this process, along with chlorine gas, which is produced on a large scale. Examine the procedure;

4HCl + MnO₂ → 2Cl₂ + Mn²⁺ + 2H₂O

Lowig’s Method

Sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) is used as a starting material in this reaction, which results in the formation of sodium ferrate (Na₂Fe₂O₄). The chemical reaction that takes place is described below;

Na₂CO₃ + Fe₂O₃ → 2NaFeO₂ + CO₂

Calcination is used to carry out the above reaction. The carbon dioxide produced in the preceding reaction escapes, whereas the sodium ferrate remains in the furnace. To remove the soluble particles, the mass is cleaned with cold water. Following that, at 90 degrees Celsius, water is passed over the sodium ferrate to decompose it and form sodium hydroxide and iron oxide. The chemical reaction is depicted below.

2NaFeO₂ + H₂O → 2NaOH + Fe₂O₃

As a result, the sodium ferrate created in the first reaction is decomposed with water, and the resulting solution is filtered and evaporated to yield sodium hydroxide flakes.

The Electrolytic Method (Chlor-alkali process)

It is the most widely used method, which involves electrolysis of brine solution. This is known as the chlor-alkali process. It entails electrolysis of a Brine (NaCl) solution to generate NaOH. Titanium and steel or nickel rods serve as anode and cathode, respectively, with NaCl serving as an electrolyte.

Sodium ions as well as chlorine ions are produced when current is passed. Positively charged hydrogen ions move towards the cathode, which has a negative charge. The negatively charged chlorine ions, on the other hand, move towards the positively charged anode.

Conclusion

Sodium Hydroxide is a non-metallic compound composed of sodium cations and hydroxide anions. At room temperature, it is a strong base that exists as a white solid. It has the chemical formula NaOH and is also known as caustic soda or lye. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a monoacidic base because it contains only one OH- ion, which can replace or neutralise one H+ ion of an acid.

You could be able to substitute a similar chemical strong base, potassium hydroxide, depending on the purpose (KOH). If you’re really dedicated, you can make this chemical by soaking wood ashes in water. Soak a large amount of ashes in a small amount of water to accomplish this.