Caustic soda is an alkaline salt also referred to as Lye. Sodium Hydroxide is the common name for caustic soda. Because of the destructive idea of this soluble base salt on creature and plant tissues, this name is given. It has an expansive range of utilizations. The chemical formula for sodium hydroxide is NaOH. The density of sodium hydroxide is 2.13 g/cm3. Technical flakes of sodium hydroxide are obtained by evaporation of liquid caustic soda of A grade.
Production of Sodium Hydroxide
Commercially, sodium hydroxide is produced by varieties of the electrolytic chloralkali process as a 50 percent solution. In this method, chlorine gas is also developed. The evaporation of water obtains solid sodium hydroxide from this solution. Most widely, solid sodium hydroxide is sold as prills, cast blocks, and caustic flakes.
By treating sodium carbonate with calcium hydroxide in a metathesis response, sodium hydroxide was made. While calcium carbonate isn’t, sodium hydroxide is soluble. This technique has been called causticizing.
How Caustic Soda is prepared
Caustic soda flakes can be set up by utilizing various techniques, for example, Loewig’s, Castner-Kellner, Nelson Diaphragm.
Castner-Kellner Method
Guideline:
In the Castner-Kellner strategy, so as to acquire sodium hydroxide, saltwater arrangement electrolysis is completed.
Castner-Kellner cell
There is a steel tank. Ebonite is arranged in the tank inside. Titanium capacities as an anode and an overlay of mercury go about as the cathode at the lower part of the tank.
Brine solution ionization occurs as per the following expression:
2NaCl→2Na++2Cl−
Ionization takes place when the brine solution comes into contact with the electric charge. Positive and negative particles move towards the anodes as a result. The mercury cathode, shaping as a sodium blend, stores sodium particles. Chlorine particles move from the top toward the anode and leave the cell.
Reaction with the Anode:
2Cl−→Cl2+2e−
Reaction with the Cathode:
2Na++2e−→2Na
Forming of the NaOH
The formed amalgam is then transferred to a different chamber called a denuder. To obtain a sodium hydroxide solution, the denuder is treated with water. On the vaporization of the chemical solution, strong sodium hydroxide is framed. In order to achieve pure caustic soda, this is a very effective process.
Caustic Soda Properties
- It is a white solid substance that has a 591 °K melting point.
- Caustic soda flakes / Sodium hydroxide is a compound that is stable.
- Sodium hydroxide is bitter and has a feeling of soap to it.
- It is highly water-soluble and moderately alcohol soluble.
- In existence, caustic soda flakes are heavily alkaline.