Sodium Bicarbonate

what is Sodium Bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate, or NaHCO₃, commonly known as baking soda, is a white crystalline powder with a slightly alkaline taste. It is a chemical compound comprising sodium (Na), hydrogen (H), carbon (C), and oxygen (O). Sodium bicarbonate is highly versatile and has a variety of uses in both industrial and household applications.

Properties of Sodium bicarbonate

Physical Properties:

• Appearance: Sodium bicarbonate exists as a white crystalline solid, but is most commonly encountered as a fine powder.
• Odor and Taste: It’s odorless and has a slightly salty or alkaline taste, similar to baking soda (which it is!).
• Density and Thermal Properties:  Sodium bicarbonate has a density of 2.2 grams per cubic centimeter. Curiously enough, unlike most substances, it does not melt at approximately 50°C but rather decomposes. At this temperature, it starts to release carbon dioxide gas. When it is further heated to 851°C, it attains its boiling point.
• Solubility: It exhibits moderate solubility in water. At room temperature (20°C), around 9.6 grams of sodium bicarbonate can dissolve in 100 milliliters of water. In contrast, it’s insoluble in alcohol.

Chemical Properties:

• Weak Base: When dissolved in water, sodium bicarbonate forms a mildly basic solution with a pH of around 8.3.
• Decomposition and Gas Release: One of the important properties of this salt is its behavior upon heating. As described above, heating above 50°C decomposes it to give out carbon dioxide gas and changes into sodium carbonate-washing soda. It is due to this reaction that baked goods rise when baking soda is used as a leavening agent.
• Acid-Neutralizing Reactions: Bicarbonate of soda is said to react with acids to neutralize them. This also releases carbon dioxide gas. This property is behind its use for indigestion and heartburn relief because it helps neutralize excess stomach acid.

Buffering Agent: As sodium bicarbonate can react with acids and bases to a certain extent, it acts as a good buffering agent. In other words, it resists any change in the pH of a solution when small amounts of acids or bases are added to it by maintaining a constant pH.

Various grades of Sodium Bicarbonate

bicarbonate of soda, commonly known as baking soda, are produced in various grades to meet different industrial and commercial needs. Here are some of the common grades:

Food Grade:

Food-grade bicarbonate of soda is the finest and purest quality, suited for applications in food and beverages. It meets the high level of regulatory standards among agencies responsible for the safety of food and is presented as non-toxic for human consumption. It finds wide application as a leavening agent in baking, as well as an additive in many kinds of food products.

Pharmaceutical Grade:

Pharmaceutical-grade sodium bicarbonate is produced to meet the purity and safety standards required for pharmaceutical applications. It’s used in medications such as antacids and oral rehydration solutions.

Technical Grade:

Technical-grade bicarbonate of soda is of lesser purity compared to food or pharmaceutical grade and thus may be impure. It is mainly used for water treatment, in the manufacture of chemicals, and for other uses of manufacture where high purity is not called for.

Industrial Grade:

The industrial grade of sodium bicarbonate is usually the least pure and can even have higher impurity levels. It finds application in huge and bulk industrial uses where the level of purity may not be that high, such as in the treatment of flue gases, animal feed additives, and cleaning agents.

These grades ensure that sodium bicarbonate is suited for each application by fulfilling the purity, safety, and regulatory requirements for each use case.

Application of Sodium bicarbonate

Baking and Cooking:

It is a very important leavening agent in baking. It produces carbon dioxide gas upon reaction with acidic ingredients; hence, dough and batter rise. Examples include the addition of buttermilk yogurt and lemon juice. These develop a bubble in creating lighter textures in items such as cakes, cookies, and bread. Beyond baking, it is used in cooking to tenderize tough cuts of meat, reduce acidity in dishes, and generally improve the texture of some foods like beans.

Cleaning:

Owing to its simple abrasiveness and odor-eating qualities, baking soda can be used in a multi-purpose manner. It can be active in scrubbing surfaces without scratching, removing stains from fabrics, carpets, and upholstery, and deodorizing particular things, such as shoes, trash cans, and refrigerators. It can also provide a highly effective natural cleaner combined with water or vinegar on kitchen and bathroom surfaces, floors, and appliances.

Personal Care:

It finds its application in hygiene products and hygiene practices. When one tries to remove plaque, neutralize acid in the mouth, or is trying to freshen breath, this ingredient is used in toothpaste and mouthwash. It is applied as a natural deodorant because it absorbs moisture and neutralizes bacteria that cause odors. Because of its effervescent and cleansing nature that leaves skin feeling refreshed and revitalized, baking soda can be found in bath bombs and foot soaks.

Medical Uses:

Medicinally it is used as sodium bicarbonate for numerous purposes. As an antacid, it relieves heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach caused by excess acid in the stomach. Given intravenously, it is effective in treating some acid-base and metabolic disturbances. Sodium bicarbonate is also taken in mouthwashes and toothpaste to neutralize plaque acids, and it is an ingredient in many over-the-counter antacids. It is a component in some FIRST AID procedures to neutralize acid from insect bites or stings.

Fire Extinguisher:

Such fire extinguishers, whose base is sodium bicarbonate, rate very effectively to extinguish fires related to flammable liquids, grease, oil, and electrical equipment. When the propellant is discharged, the smothering powder of sodium bicarbonate that releases carbon dioxide is displaced by oxygen and ruptures combustion.

Water Treatment:

It is used in water treatment, such as neutralization of acidity, raising of pH, and precipitation of impurities like chlorine and heavy metals. It is added into pools and spas to keep the balanced water chemistry to avoid skin and eye irritation.

Industrial Applications:

Industrial uses of bicarbonate of soda include such sundry purposes as the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, and wastewater treatment. Many industrial applications make use of it as a buffering agent, neutralizer, and pH regulator.

In general, the wide range of applications of sodium bicarbonate points to its versatility and importance in many aspects of everyday life, from culinary pursuits to household chores, further to personal hygiene, and on to a whole series of industrial processes.

Packing

Sodium carbonate is packed in 25 or 50 kg sacks. Based on customer order sodium bicarbonate sacks are put on pallets or in jumbo bags.

technical specification