Caustic Soda

Caustic Soda also known as lye and sodium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. It is highly soluble in water, and readily absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the air. Caustic Soda is used mainly in cleaning products for both industrial and household uses. Also can be used to adjust pH in various manufacturing processes. Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries: in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents, and as a drain cleaner. Sodium Hydroxide is available in solid form (flakes, prills, briquettes) as well as liquid form in various concentrations.

The forms of caustic soda that are supplied by Nuroil are:

Caustic Soda Pearls

white spheres, soluable in water

Caustic Soda Flakes

White Flake mass, highly hygroscopic

Various Applications of Caustic Soda

• Caustic soda for household use: One of the uses for caustic soda is for household purposes . Combined with aluminium chips in its solid form, it is used as a drain cleaner: when dissolved in water, the strong base caustic soda oxidizes the aluminium and dissolves fats and proteins through saponification. In addition, pots that are not made of aluminium can be cleaned with caustic soda when used as a hot solution. It dissolves layers of burnt cooking remnants.
• Caustic soda in the cosmetics industry: Caustic soda is also used in the cosmetics industry. Caustic soda turns into caustic soda when dissolved in water. This action regulates and stabilizes the pH value of cosmetic products. Caustic soda is also used in the production of curd soap.
• Caustic soda in the manufacturing industry: Caustic soda is also used in the manufacturing industry. For manufacturing processes, caustic soda is considered as one of the most important chemicals and is mainly used for pH regulation.
• Caustic soda and medical applications: In the medical sector, caustic soda is used in anaesthetic equipment. Together with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), it binds the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is exhaled, the so-called "respiratory calcium", ensuring the level of carbon dioxide in the inhaled air does not become too high. The same principle applies to the use of caustic soda in aerospace and diving equipment.
• Other applications of caustic soda: Caustic soda is also used in the production of detergents and bleaches, paper, textiles, food, pet food and drinking water. It is also used to extract oilseeds, which are required for the production of oil (both for human and animal consumption) and biofuels. Other applications include mining, the production of rubber, caoutchouc, lubricants, glass and ceramics, paints and fuel cells. It is also useful in oil and gas processing, coatings and construction.

Difference between Caustic Soda Perals Vs Flakes

The physical form or shape of caustic soda pearls and caustic soda flakes is the most significant distinction. Caustic soda pearls are granular, whereas caustic soda flakes are lamellar. This means that caustic soda pearls look very similar to fish eggs or caviar, while caustic soda flakes look like small flakes.

Caustic soda flakes and caustic soda pearls are produced in different ways. Caustic soda is produced through the chloralkali technique, which involves electrolysis of sodium chloride using one of three cell types: mercury, diaphragm, or membrane. It is possible to produce up to 1.1 tonnes of caustic soda for every tonne of chlorine produced. Technical sodium hydroxide flakes, on the other hand, are obtained by evaporating of liquid caustic soda.