Sodium Bicarbonate

what is Sodium Bicarbonate?

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It’s a white crystalline powder that is commonly used in baking as a leavening agent, which helps baked goods rise. When mixed with an acid (like vinegar or lemon juice) and a liquid, it releases carbon dioxide gas, which causes dough or batter to expand and rise, resulting in a lighter texture.
Aside from baking, sodium bicarbonate has many other uses. It’s used as an antacid to relieve heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid. It’s also used in cleaning and deodorizing due to its ability to neutralize odors and its mild abrasive properties. Additionally, sodium bicarbonate is sometimes used in medical applications, such as in certain types of antacids and as a treatment for certain overdoses and poisonings.

Sodium bicarbonate History

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, has a long history. Ancient civilizations used natron, a natural source containing sodium bicarbonate, for cleaning and preserving. In the 18th century, Nicolas Leblanc developed a method to produce sodium carbonate, a precursor to baking soda. Commercial production began in the 19th century, and baking soda gained popularity as a leavening agent in baking. Over time, its uses expanded to include cleaning, deodorizing, and medical applications like relieving heartburn. Today, it’s a versatile compound found in baking, cleaning products, and more.

Properties of Sodium bicarbonate

Physical Properties:

• Appearance: Sodium bicarbonate exists as a white crystalline solid, but 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. It’s interesting to note that unlike many substances, it decomposes around 50°C instead of melting. At this temperature, it starts releasing carbon dioxide gas. If heated further to 851°C, it reaches 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: A key property is its behavior when heated. As mentioned earlier, heating above 50°C causes it to decompose, releasing carbon dioxide gas and transforming into sodium carbonate (washing soda). This reaction is what makes baked goods rise when baking soda is used as a leavening agent.
• Acid-Neutralizing Reactions: bicarbonate of soda reacts with acids to neutralize them. This process also releases carbon dioxide gas. This property is behind its use for indigestion and heartburn relief, as it helps neutralize excess stomach acid.
• Buffering Agent: Due to its ability to react with both acids and bases to some extent, sodium bicarbonate acts as a good buffering agent. In other words, it helps maintain a stable pH in a solution by resisting changes caused by the addition of small amounts of acids or bases.

Various grades of Sodium Bicarbonate

bicarbonate of soda, commonly known as baking soda, is 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 highest quality and purity level suitable for use in food and beverages. It meets strict regulatory standards set by food safety agencies and is safe for human consumption. It’s commonly used as a leavening agent in baking and as an additive in various 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 less pure than food or pharmaceutical grades and may contain impurities. It’s primarily used in industrial applications such as water treatment, chemical synthesis, and manufacturing processes where high purity is not essential.

Industrial Grade:

Industrial-grade sodium bicarbonate is the least pure grade and may contain higher levels of impurities. It’s typically used in large-scale industrial processes where purity requirements are lower, such as flue gas treatment, animal feed additives, and cleaning agents.

These grades ensure that sodium bicarbonate is tailored to specific applications, meeting the required purity, safety, and regulatory standards for each use case.

Application of Sodium bicarbonate

Baking and Cooking:

bicarbonate of soda serves as a crucial leavening agent in baking, causing dough and batter to rise by releasing carbon dioxide when exposed to acidic ingredients like buttermilk, yogurt, or lemon juice. This reaction creates bubbles, resulting in light, airy textures in baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and bread. Beyond baking, it’s also used in cooking to tenderize tough cuts of meat, reduce acidity in dishes, and improve the texture of certain foods like beans.

Cleaning:

Baking soda’s mild abrasive nature and ability to neutralize odors make it a versatile cleaning agent. It’s used to scrub surfaces without scratching, remove stains from fabrics, carpets, and upholstery, and deodorize various household items such as shoes, trash cans, and refrigerators. Mixed with water or vinegar, it forms a natural and effective cleaner for kitchen and bathroom surfaces, floors, and appliances.

Personal Care:

Sodium bicarbonate finds applications in personal hygiene products and routines. In toothpaste and mouthwash, it helps remove plaque, neutralize acids, and freshen breath. As a natural deodorant, it absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria. Baking soda is also used in bath bombs and foot soaks for its effervescent and cleansing properties, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Medical Uses:

In medicine, sodium bicarbonate is employed for various therapeutic purposes. As an antacid, it helps alleviate heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach by neutralizing excess stomach acid. Intravenously, it’s administered to treat certain acid-base imbalances and metabolic conditions. It’s also used in first aid to neutralize acids from insect stings and bites.

Fire Extinguisher:

Sodium bicarbonate-based fire extinguishers are effective in combating fires fueled by flammable liquids, grease, oil, and electrical equipment. When discharged, the sodium bicarbonate powder smothers the fire by releasing carbon dioxide, displacing oxygen and interrupting the combustion process.

Water Treatment:

bicarbonate of soda is utilized in water treatment processes to adjust pH levels, neutralize acidity, and remove impurities such as chlorine and heavy metals. It’s added to swimming pools and spas to maintain balanced water chemistry and prevent skin and eye irritation.

Industrial Applications:

In industrial settings, bicarbonate of soda is used in various processes, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical synthesis, and wastewater treatment. It’s employed as a buffering agent, neutralizer, and pH regulator in diverse industrial applications.

Overall, the wide-ranging applications of sodium bicarbonate highlight its versatility and importance in numerous aspects of everyday life, from culinary endeavors and household chores to personal hygiene and industrial processes.

Packing

Sodium carbonate is packed in 25 or 50 kg sacks. And based on customer order sodium bicarbonate sacks put on pallet or in jumbo bag.

technical specification

Item	Result
Total alkali content (as NaHCO3)	Min 99%
Sodium Carbonate	Max 1%
Heavy metals(as Pb)	Max 0.0005%
Arsenic(As)	Max 0.0001%
Loss on drying	Max 0.04%
Chlorides(as Cl)	Max 0.2%
PH value (10 g/L  solution)	Max 8.6