Sodium Sulphate Anhydrous

Product Details:

Sodium Sulphate Anhydrous (Na₂SO₄) is a chemical compound consisting of sodium, sulfur, and oxygen. It is commonly used in various industrial applications due to its versatile properties.

• Chemical Formula: Na₂SO₄
• Molecular Weight: 142.04 g/mol
• Appearance: White, odorless, crystalline powder or solid.
• Melting Point: 884°C (1623°F)
• Boiling Point: 1,429°C (2,604°F)
• Density: 2.663 g/cm³

Sodium sulfate is commonly found in two forms: anhydrous (without water) and decahydrate (with 10 molecules of water). The anhydrous form is the one discussed here and is typically used in industrial applications due to its stability and ease of handling.

Sodium sulfate anhydrous is typically produced by one of two methods:

1. Byproduct of the Kraft Process:

   • In paper production, sodium sulfate is produced as a byproduct of the Kraft process, where sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) are used to process wood pulp. The sulfate is recovered and processed into sodium sulfate.

2. Synthetic Production:

   • Sodium sulfate can also be synthesized by reacting sodium chloride (NaCl) with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) in the Contact Process to form sodium bisulfate (NaHSO₄), which is then heated to produce sodium sulfate.
   NaCl+H2SO4→NaHSO4+HClNaCl + H₂SO₄ → NaHSO₄ + HClNaCl+H2​SO4​→NaHSO4​+HCl NaHSO4→Na2SO4+H2ONaHSO₄ → Na₂SO₄ + H₂ONaHSO4​→Na2​SO4​+H2​O

1. Detergent Industry:

   • Filler in Powdered Detergents: Sodium sulfate anhydrous is widely used as a filler in powdered laundry detergents. It is inexpensive and helps in controlling the powder's consistency and flow.

2. Textile Industry:

   • Dye Fixative: It is used in the textile industry to fix dyes on fabrics. It helps in maintaining the proper color intensity by enhancing the absorption of dye in the fabric.

3. Glass Manufacturing:

   • Sodium sulfate is used in the production of glass, especially in the manufacturing of flat glass, containers, and fiberglass. It is used as a fluxing agent to help reduce the melting temperature of raw materials.

4. Chemical Synthesis:

   • Sodium sulfate is used as a drying agent in chemical reactions, especially for drying organic solvents. It absorbs water from the organic solvents, leaving behind a drier compound.
   • It is also used in the production of other chemicals, such as sodium silicate, in which it reacts with silica.

5. Food Industry:

   • Food Additive: It is used as a food additive in some applications, although its use is relatively limited in comparison to other compounds.

6. Oil and Gas Industry:

   • Drilling Fluid Additive: In the oil and gas industry, sodium sulfate is used as a dispersing agent in drilling fluids to control the viscosity and stability of the fluid.