Industry Uses of Caustic Soda
It seems contradictory that a highly toxic, crystalline, alkaline chemical such as sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda and lye) is a main ingredient in traditional hand soaps. Such is the case with caustic soda, or NaOH. This strong, odorless, water-soluble, inorganic compound has industrial uses from textiles to foods and beverages. Read below to find how industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem’s pure caustic soda can benefit your industry.
Alumina
During the Bayer process of production, caustic soda catalyzes the refining of bauxite to the product alumina, which eventually becomes aluminum. Also, strong bases will ultimately destroy aluminum, so during any etching, caustic soda erodes specific areas. Likewise, caustic soda transforms a polished aluminum surface to a satin-smooth finish.
Biodiesel
Anhydrous caustic soda catalyzes the transesterification of methanol and triglycerides.
Cement
The plasticity of cement mix brought about by caustic soda homogenizes the ingredients and decreases the amount of water necessary to spread the product.
Chemical Intermediary
As a strong base, varying strengths of caustic soda easily regulate many chemicals and their reactions.
Cleaning
When caustic soda is added to water and heated, it is a powerful cleaner for process equipment and storage tanks. Glass and stainless steel soaked in caustic soda clean much more rapidly. Many oven cleaners contain caustic soda as an ingredient.
Detergents and Soaps
Cold process soap-making (saponification) was a traditional use of caustic soda. The product, lye soap, is still created today in small markets. Its ability to destroy proteins, fats, oils, and grease give caustic soda a leading role in removing stains from hands as well as industrial textiles.
Foods and Beverages
Fruits and vegetables are cleaned and chemically peeled with caustic soda. Other uses include the processing of cocoa and its products, scalding poultry, increasing ice cream viscosity, and soft drink processing. Caustic soda softens olives and, in contrast, is used in the glaze of pretzels and hard rolls to make them crisp and shiny.
Paper and Pulp
An astonishing 25% of all caustic soda manufactured around the world is utilized in the paper industry. Caustic soda alters plant tissues, such as the separation of lignin from cellulose in the kraft process of paper manufacture. As pulp is purified, the second role of caustic soda is noted: it bleaches the resulting brown pulp into the white slurry that we recognize as paper.
Petroleum Refineries
Caustic soda increases alkalinity and viscosity in bentonite mud systems as it neutralizes acidic gases that rise from the earth with drilling.
Water Treatment
Increasing the pH in water supplies protects plumbing from corrosion and reduces the amount of dissolved toxic metals. Caustic soda also takes on this role of pH adjuster in water treatment systems.
Bell Chem is your industrial chemical supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products, such as caustic soda, stocked in its 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.