The applications of liquid soda

Caustic soda has many applications in different industries because it is a strong alkaline material and has high reactivity. For example, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, burning soda) is used in paper and pulp industries, aluminum production, wastepaper deinking, water purification, and many other industries. Caustic soda is the raw material for many chemicals. Caustic soda,which is an intermediate and reactant material, is used in processes in which many materials are produced such as solvents, plastics, synthetic fibers, bleaching agents, adhesives, coatings, inks, dyes, herbicides, and pharmaceuticals including aspirin.Caustic soda is also used in soap and detergent production, oil and gas industries, ceramic industry, neutralization of acidic wastewaters, and the cleaning and removal of acidic compounds from the exhaust gases.

Some applications of caustic soda

Paper pulp and paper production

The oldest and most important application of caustic sodais in the paper industry which both reduces its production costs and improves transparency and whiteness of paper. Paper pulp produced by the sulfate and sulfite methods is purified by the removal of lignin compounds using multiple extraction units through liquid soda. Also, in some factories in which the kraft process is used to produce paper, liquid soda is applied. Caustic sodais also used to remove ink from recycled papers.

Producing chemicals

In the chemical industries, about 40% of produced caustic soda is consumed as a raw material to produce many chemicals.

Cellophane and rayon

The production of fibers by using the viscose process in two main stages needs caustic soda. Cellulose is processed to increase the strength and shine and therefore to produce alkaline cellulose by liquid soda.Then, the obtained cellulose is solved in dilute liquid caustic sodato produce viscose material which is used to extrude the fibers of cellophane and rayon.

Aluminum extraction

Caustic soda is used in the aluminum industry to dissolve bauxite ore, which is the raw material for aluminum production, and alumina deposition. It is also used as a chemical polisher of aluminum products.

Soap making

Caustic soda converts fats into water-soluble sodium soaps (soap making process).

Fabrics

In this industry, caustic soda is used to clean, whiten, and enhance the shine and strength of fabrics.

Oil production and refinery industry

Caustic soda is used as anabsorbentof carbon dioxide in light cuts and alsoas an adsorbent ofsulfides in the purification of various oil cuts.It is also used with chlorine to the hypochlorite sweetening process that is a process to remove different sulfur compounds.
Usage instead of ashsoda: Caustic soda is used as an alternative to ash sodain the glass, paper, pulp, phosphate, and silicate industries.
Renewable fuels: Caustic soda is used to regulate pH and produce sodium methylate in the bioethanol and biodiesel production processes.