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Sodium hydroxide

Sodium hydroxide (E524 nutritional supplement, caustic natron, sodium hydroxide, the caustic soda) – the firm alloyed mass of yellowish or white color. On the Порошок натрия гидроксидchemical properties sodium hydroxide belongs to strong alkali.

General properties of sodium hydroxide

Caustic natron usually is produced in the form of transparent colourless solution or in the form of paste.

The caustic soda is perfectly dissolved in water, generating heat. At interaction with air this substance spreads therefore it goes on sale in a hermetically sealed container. In nature the hydroxide of sodium is a part of mineral of brucite. Temperature of boiling of a hydroxide of sodium makes 1390 °C, melting temperature – 322 °C.

Receiving sodium hydroxide

In 1787 the doctor Nikola LeBlanc developed convenient metol of receiving sodium hydroxide from chloride sodium. Later LeBlanc's method was forced out by an electrolytic way of receiving caustic natron. In 1882 the ferritic way of receiving sodium hydroxide based on use of the calcinated soda was developed.

Now sodium hydroxide is received most often by electrolysis of saline solutions. The ferritic way of receiving the caustic soda is now used rather seldom.

Sodium hydroxide use

Sodium hydroxide – incredibly popular and widely used chemical compound. About seventy million tons of caustic natron are annually produced.

The caustic soda is used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food industry, and also in cosmetic and textile. Caustic natron is applied at production of synthetic phenol, glycerin, organic dyes, medicines. This connection can neutralize the components, harmful to a human body, which are contained in air. Therefore sodium hydroxide solutions quite often use for disinfection of rooms.

In the food Натрия гидроксид в мешкеindustry the hydroxide of sodium is used as the acidity regulator interfering balling up and caking. E524 nutritional supplement supports a necessary consistence of products by production of margarine, chocolate, ice cream, butter, caramel, jelly, jam.

Bakery products before pastries process solution of the caustic soda for receiving a dark brown crisp. Besides, E524 nutritional supplement is applied to refinement of vegetable oil.

Harm of sodium hydroxide

Caustic natron – the toxic destroying a mucous membrane and integuments. Burns from sodium hydroxide very slowly heal, leaving hems. Hit of substance in eyes most often leads to sight loss. At hit of alkali on integuments it is necessary to wash out the struck areas a water stream. At hit in an organism caustic natron causes burns of a throat, oral cavity, stomach and gullet.

All works with a hydroxide of sodium should be carried out in goggles and in overalls.

 
 
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