Supplier of High-Quality Caustic Soda Flakes from Dubai-UAE
Introduction of Caustic soda flakes
Caustic soda flakes (sodium hydroxide flakes) are one of the most versatile and strongest alkaline chemical compounds with the chemical formula NaOH. Known as hygroscopic, these white, flat, crystalline flakes have wide applications in various industrial and commercial areas. Manufactured by the electrolysis of salt-sodium chloride through the chlor-alkali process, caustic soda flakes are jointly produced along with chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide.
What is Caustic Soda Flake?
Caustic soda flakes are white, odorless, and solid. Their hallmark is good solubility in water, with an exothermic reaction. Since they are hygroscopic, they easily absorb moisture from the air; thus, they need to be packed in airtight containers to prevent their quality from deteriorating.
Key Properties of Caustic Soda Flakes
- Appearance: White, odorless crystalline flakes.
- Chemical Formula: NaOH.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water with significant heat release.
- pH: Strongly alkaline, with pH levels between 12 and 14.
- Melting Point: 318°C (604°F).
- Boiling Point: 1,388°C (2,530°F).
- Density: ~2.13 g/cm³.
- Corrosiveness: Highly corrosive, capable of causing severe damage to organic and inorganic materials.
- Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with water, acids, and CO₂.
Product Process for Caustic Soda Flakes (Sodium Hydroxide)
The production of sodium hydroxide flakes involves a series of carefully controlled steps:
- Electrolysis of Brine: Sodium chloride dissolved in water undergoes electrolysis, producing chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and sodium hydroxide.
- Concentration and Purification: The sodium hydroxide solution is concentrated, and impurities are removed to ensure high purity.
- Crystallization and Drying: The concentrated solution is cooled and crystallized into flakes, which are then dried.
- Packaging: Flakes are packed in moisture-resistant containers to preserve quality during storage and transport.
Caustic soda flakes are widely used in industries such as soap manufacturing, water treatment, paper production, and chemical synthesis due to their strong alkaline properties.
various grades of caustic soda flakes
Technical Grade
- Purity: Typically around 96-98%.
- Applications: In general, it is utilized in industrial sectors where ultra-high purity is not demanded. It is applied in the textile, paper, and aluminum industries for specific processes such as pulp bleaching, metal cleaning, and water treatment.
Industrial Grade
- Purity: Generally 98-99%.
- Applications: This grade is suitable for more stringent industrial use, such as petroleum processing, manufacture of chemicals, and water treatment. This would, therefore, be ideal for industries requiring high caustic activity but not pharmaceutical-level purity.
Food Grade
- Purity: Generally 99% or higher.
- Applications: Food-grade caustic soda under rigid conditions may be considered suitable for use in food manufacturing. The applications include peeling fruits and vegetables, defeating cocoa and chocolate processing, and caramel color production. This grade should fulfill stringent regulatory requirements laid down for safety while in contact with food.
Pharmaceutical Grade
- Purity: 99% or higher, often meeting specific standards for chemical purity.
- Applications: It is used for the manufacture of drugs, and cosmetics, and in laboratory and pharmaceutical preparations. This category needs to follow all standards at work, governing the pharmaceutical industries to ensure the best quality to avoid contamination that can affect health.
Reagent Grade / Analytical Grade
- Purity: Very high, up to 99.5% or above.
- Applications: Commonly used in laboratories for chemical analysis and in research settings. Reagent-grade caustic soda must be highly pure and free of contaminants that could affect scientific results.
Applications and Uses Caustic Soda Flake
1. Chemical Manufacturing and Industrial Applications
- Caustic soda flakes play a vital role in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, and industrial cleaners. This involves acting as a strong alkaline agent in saponification, neutralizing acidic compounds, and helping in chemical synthesis. Their effectiveness thus ensures high-quality production for industries dealing in cleaning and hygienic products.
2. Petroleum Refining
Caustic soda flakes are used in the petroleum industry to neutralize sulfuric acid impurities in crude oil and natural gas. This enhances refinement by avoiding corrosion in the pipelines, ensuring smoother extraction and processing, and giving better-quality petroleum derivatives.
3. Water Treatment
Caustic soda flakes play a very important role in water treatment, as they increase the pH and precipitate heavy metals besides neutralizing acid pollutants. Because of their effectiveness, it makes water cleaner and safer for industrial, municipal, and agricultural use according to tough environmental and health standards.
4. Textile Industry
Caustic soda flakes cleanse and prepare fibers in textiles for efficient dye absorption and a smooth finishing process. The chemical is also applicable in mercerization, which strengthens cotton fibers and imparts a bright luster to them so that the durability of fabrics is guaranteed during the production process.
5. Paper and Pulp Industry
Caustic soda flakes in paper manufacturing provide pulping action on the wood chips and therefore result in pulp. It is also employed in the deinking of recycled paper. With all these applications, caustic soda is an indispensable factor in the sustainable manufacture of paper.
6. Food Processing
Caustic soda flakes are approved for peeling fruits and vegetables to ensure efficient removal of skins without damage to the edible portion. They are used for adjusting pH levels in food products to enhance preservative properties and maintain food safety regulations.
7. Soap and Detergent Manufacturing
The manufacture of soap remains one of the most common uses for caustic soda flakes. The caustic soda reacts with fats and oils during saponification to produce soap and glycerin. It is, therefore, one of the vital raw materials in the manufacture of household and industrial soaps and detergents.
8. Biodiesel Production
Caustic soda flakes in biodiesel production work as a catalyst for the transesterification process, whereby the oils and fats get converted into biodiesel and glycerin. This helps in creating one more renewable source of energy with less environmental impact.
9. Aluminum Production
Caustic soda flakes are used in the extraction of aluminum from bauxite ore. They work by helping dissolve aluminum oxide, therefore separating it from other impurities during refining, which is a very important step in aluminum production.
10. Industrial Cleaning and Degreasing
The caustic soda flakes have wide applications in industrial cleaning, like degreasing and cleaning machinery, tools, and equipment. In this respect, it does a great job of dissolving oils, greases, and other organic residues for smooth operations within manufacturing plants and factories.
Advantages of Caustic Soda Flakes (Sodium Hydroxide Flakes)
Caustic soda flakes, or sodium hydroxide flakes, have to be one of the most versatile and highly used chemicals throughout industries globally. This very strong alkaline compound offers many advantages that render it irreplaceable for many uses. The following are the key benefits of caustic soda flakes in industrial and commercial applications:
Highly Effective Cleaning Agent
- Caustic soda flakes are highly alkaline in nature; thus, finding great applications in water treatment and chemical processing. They neutralize acidic impurities, thus helping industries meet strict environmental standards. Caustic soda flakes play a very important role in maintaining stringent water quality through effective precipitation of heavy metals and stabilization of water chemistry for sustainable and efficient operations.
Strong Alkaline Properties for pH Control
- Being highly basic with a pH range of 12-14, caustic soda flakes are very crucial in many areas where exacting pH control is required. Great amounts are employed for neutralizing acid in waterworks and the production of chemicals, paper, and soap. This enables processes to proceed in balance for maximum efficiency, together with quality grades.
Versatile in Chemical Synthesis
- Caustic soda flakes are one of the major reagents in chemical synthesis for biodiesel, soap, synthetic fibers, and detergents. In biodiesel production, they are used as catalysts for ensuring high yield and cost-effectiveness. For soap manufacturing, they bring about saponification, whereby oils become usable as soap. The versatility is extended in textiles and polymers by promoting chemical reactions and enhancing the quality of an end product.
Effective in Water Treatment
- Caustic soda flakes are highly utilized in water treatment applications, like neutralizing acidic water, adjusting pH levels, and removing heavy metals from wastewater. They improve water quality in industries such as municipal water treatment and wastewater management.
Cost-Effective Solution
- Caustic soda flakes are relatively inexpensive and more available compared to other alkaline chemicals. This makes them very viable for such large-scale industrial processes as the manufacture of chemicals, refining of oil, and production of soap. This economic advantage further cements their position as one of the preferred chemicals in high-demand industries.
High Reactivity for Diverse Applications
- The high reactivity of caustic soda flakes will ensure effectiveness where fast and efficient chemical reactions in service are required. Common areas of application include biodiesel production, the refining of petrochemicals, and other processes that require ultimate precision and efficiency in industry.
Food Processing Applications
- Caustic soda flakes are approved for use in specific food-grade applications, such as peeling fruits and vegetables without causing any damage to the edible parts. They also contribute to maintaining the pH value of food products for a longer period, enhancing their quality and shelf life. Their compliance with international food safety standards ensures their reliability in food processing operations.
Safety Tips for Caustic Soda Flakes
- Wear PPE: Gloves, goggles, protective clothing, and respirators.
- Store Safely: Keep in airtight containers in a cool, dry area.
- Avoid Water Contact: Always add flakes to water, not vice versa.
- Skin Contact: Rinse with water for 15-20 minutes and seek medical help.
- Eye Contact: Flush eyes for 15 minutes, and get medical attention.
- Inhalation: Work in well-ventilated areas; seek fresh air if inhaled.
- Disposal: Neutralize with dilute acid and follow local disposal regulations.
- Spill Response: Evacuate, contain, and neutralize spills.
- Avoid Incompatibles: Keep away from acids and reactive metals.
Packing of Caustic Soda Flakes
- Polyethylene-Lined Bags: Typically in 25 kg bags, these multi-layered packages prevent moisture absorption and clumping.
- Jumbo Bags: Designed for bulk quantities (500-1,000 kg), these heavy-duty bags offer additional protection during long-term storage and transport.
- Drums: Sealed plastic or steel drums provide maximum protection, particularly for export or sensitive environments.
Conclusion
Caustic soda flake is one of those indispensable chemicals across many industries, serving a wide range of uses from manufacturing to environmental management. The properties of this chemical compound, its uses, and safety precautions will be paramount for any business when the need to make use of it arises. Safe use of this compound may be ensured with proper handling and being aware of its hazards, rendering caustic soda flakes appropriate and quite reliable for so many types of industrial processes.
For premium-quality caustic soda flakes, packaged with care and delivered with reliability, contact ZÜMRÜT International Kimya Co. today.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE FLAKE SOLID (CAUSTIC SODA)
| NO | PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES |
ISIRI COMPLIANT RANGE |
CCPC PRODUCT RANGE |
STANDARD REFERENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purity of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)_ % w/w |
Min 98 | Min 98 | ISIRI 364 |
| 2 | Carbonate as Na₂CO₃ _ % w/w | Max 1 | Max 0.5 | ISIRI 364 |
| 3 | Chloride as NaCl _ % w/w | Max 0.06 | Max 0.02 | ISIRI 364 |
| 4 | Sulfate as Na₂So4 _ %w/w | Max 0.01 | Max 0.005 | ISIRI 364 |
| 5 | Silicate as SiO₂ _ % w/w | Max 0.02 | Max 0.005 | ISIRI 364 |
| 6 | Iron as Fe_mg/kg | Max 30 | Max 15 | ISIRI 364 |
| 7 | Insoluble in Water _ % w/w | Max 0.1 | 0 | ISIRI 364 |
| 8 | Aluminum as Al₂O₃ _ mg/kg | Max 20 | Max 20 | ISIRI 364 |
| 9 | Heavy Metals as Pb _ mg/kg | Max 20 | Max 20 | ISIRI 364 |
| 10 | Mercury as Hg _ mg/kg | Max 0.2 | Max 0.15 | ISIRI 364 |
| 11 | Arsenic as As_mg/kg | Max 2 | Max 0.5 | ISIRI 364 |
| 12 | Appearance | White Color, Free of Visible Impurities |
OK | ISIRI 364 |
