BASF, University of California to advance micro-encapsulation technology

FLORHAM PARK/DAVIS, US: BASF Corporation and University of California, Davis (UC Davis) entered into a cooperative research agreement to study a patent pending micro-encapsulation technology. Developed in the lab of University associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering, Tina Jeoh, the technology secures and enhances the performance and delivery of active compounds for broad applications, including industrial, agriculture and cosmetics.

The technology combines multiple, energy-intensive processing steps into one industrially efficient and scalable spray-drying step. This captures active ingredients in Cross-Linked Alginate Microcapsules (CLAMs). As part of the project, the teams will tune the physical and chemical properties of the CLAMs to enhance protection and shelf-stability of biologically active compounds.

The research agreement is a result of the California Research Alliance (CARA) that BASF has formed in 2014. It unites BASF experts with researchers from widely varied science and engineering disciplines from the University of California, Berkeley, UC Davis, University of California, San Francisco, Stanford University, and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

“With common interests at the intersection of life sciences and engineering, the UC Davis-BASF collaboration helps bring forward the commercial benefits of transitional research in these areas,” said Dushyant Pathak, associate vice chancellor for technology management and corporate relations at UC Davis.

“Innovation and sustainability are main success factors for BASF’s long-term growth. In the highly competitive innovation environments we now face, collaboration with external partners such as UC Davis is crucial. Our aim is to leverage external expertise to match current and anticipated needs,” added Michael Pcolinski, VP advanced materials and systems research at BASF.

Read More: BASF, University of California to advance micro-encapsulation technology

New way to improve value of nanoparticles for biomedical applications

TSUKUBA, JAPAN: Nanoparticles are particles that are smaller than 100 nanometers. They are classically attained from metals and on account of their small size, they have unique properties that make them useful for biomedical applications. However, without treatment to make their surfaces biologically slow, their effectiveness is severely limited.

University of Tokyo scientists led by Kazuhiko Ishihara have found the use of MPC polymers to alter the surfaces of nanoparticles.

In an article published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, they studied current ways in which polymeric nanoparticles can be utilised to transport a sort of small nanoparticles called quantum dots into cells.

MPC polymers are huge molecules made from chains of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC). Bioactive nanoparticles whose surfaces have been altered with them can be utilised as anti-tumor compounds, gene carriers, contrast agents that improve MRI images, and protein detectors.

These polymers mimic cellular membranes and allow the delivery of bioactive molecules that are normally not very soluble in water or that might produce unwanted biological side effects. When researchers join MPC polymers to the surface of inorganic nanoparticles, they can make substances that are easily delivered into the blood or other tissue.

Ishihara's team has recently used this process with quantum dots to produce nanoparticles that can outperform traditional organic fluorescent dyes in biomedical imaging. Using a simple solvent evaporation technique, they were able to fabricate polymer nanoparticles that contained a core of quantum dots enmeshed in the nanoparticle polymer PLA (poly L-lactic acid), which was then surrounded by a layer of an MPC-polymer derivative called PMBN.

This grouping produced particles that maintained the same levels of fluorescence in a solution after being stored for more than six months at 4 degrees Celsius, and that functioned in environments of varying acidity. While traditional organic dyes lose their fluorescence with repeated illumination, the polymer quantum dot nanoparticles did not.

To be useful, nanoparticles need to be transported into cells. To achieve this, the team tested the performance of several molecules by fixing them onto the surface of the PMBN/PLA/quantum dot particles. The study showed that when the cell-penetrating peptide called R8 - an octapeptide made from eight arginine amino acids - was attached to the nanoparticles, they were taken up by cells within 4 hours and had no toxic or inflammatory effect on the cells even after three days.

Advance testing demonstrated that cells with the polymer quantum dot particles multiplied normally and that the nanoparticles spread evenly into each daughter cell upon division. Unlike organic fluorescent dyes, this did not weaken the fluorescence signal even after 30 hours of proliferation.

"This was the first report viewing the long-term retention of nanoparticles in cells. Preparation of bioactive nanoparticles with MPC polymers can be used to fabricate in-cell nanodevices whose interaction with cells can be completely controlled," noted Ishihara.

Read More: New way to improve value of nanoparticles for biomedical applications

This Diwali, illuminate your home with flickering diyas!

The month of October unfolds the happiness and zest of festival celebration across India. With Diwali round the corners, our Indian folks are busy preparing for their grand event – the festival of lights. Usually recognised by lighting of lamps and bursting of crackers, Diwali is the festival of unlimited fun, sharing love and warmth.

Recently, with the changing trends, this beautiful festival is witnessing an emphasis on the firework. The enthusiasm of bursting crackers among adults and kids are alike, adding to the increasing environmental pollution.

Let us not associate this fabulous festival by bursting of crackers alone. Beyond crackers, lies many wonderful things about Diwali! The sparkling earthen lamps says it all! The flickering diyas (earthen lamps) all around the home is not just a mesmerising view, but it also has scientific significance.

The Indian tradition of lighting ghee lamps and the science behind it

Undoubtedly, the ghee lamps create a pleasant, relaxing ambience with their spectacular view. Also, they have hidden science which most of us are not aware of. The light radiating from the diyas produce electromagnetic force which energisethe molecules present in the air. These energised molecules when come in contact with our skin, penetrates deep into it and activates the nerves. Hence, we feel calm, relaxed and energised when surrounded by ghee diyas all around. It is also found that these electromagnetic forces settle on the skin and can sustain there for several hours, helping to keep diseases at bay. With so many benefits of the earthen lamps, why not light them quite often?

Super cool options for a safer Diwali

• Brighten up your homes with earthen lamps
• Decorate your home with fairy-tale lights and other alluring decorative
• Minimal use of fireworks! Diwali is the festival of lights, not pollution
• Always make sure that crackers are lit in open fields or playgrounds
• Follow all the safety instructions mentioned with regards to firework
• Proper clothing and footwear is necessary when dealing with firework
• Discard the firework in an environmentally safe manner
• Enjoy the festival by exchanging gifts and sharing love
• Ensure pet safety

It’s time we brace ourselves to celebrate a safe Diwali in an eco-friendly manner!

Read More: This Diwali, illuminate your home with flickering diyas!

Meeting global demand by raising standards

In an interview Bharat Vaghasia, Proprietor, Nova International with Chemical Today magazine gives his opinion about the changes that the dyes & pigments, synthetic & natural antioxidants and other markets are undergoing which are in turn changing the overall functioning of the chemical industry.

Nova International has developed a varied portfolio of products. Give us an idea about the company.

Nova International was established in 1999 with the aim to cater the global market in the field of intermediates for pigments, dyes and pharmaceuticals. We later added a range of anti-oxidants. Nova International has very strong customer base around the globe. We export various products to more than 45 countries including some renowned MNCs.

What is the future growth strategy of the company?

Nova has earned its reputation by providing quality products and timely service. Due to this, our customers always come up with their demand for new molecules. This has encouraged us to tie up with suppliers who have strong R&D back-up. We are planning to setup our own state-of-the-art R&D platform. This will help us deliver new molecules within the timeline. We also plan to set-up custom warehouses at some strategic locations.

Mention the trends in the dyes & pigments intermediates.

Currently, the trend is for high-performance pigments and environment friendly dyes & pigments. Therefore, demands for new intermediates are increasing. It is more of a value-based product in current times. 

Which sectors have growth potential in emerging markets related to natural and synthetic antioxidants?

Meat, poultry, sea food, beverage, bakery, confectionary, packaged food (snacks, dairy, frozen), oils, fats have great potential. Demand in bio diesel sector may also revive once fossil oil rates bounces back. These areas will fuel growth of the synthetic antioxidants. Animal feed, edible oil, bakery & confectionary, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and personal care will help grow the natural antioxidants market.

Explain the trends in the butylatedhydroxytoluene (BHT), butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA) market?

Antioxidants, commonly referred to as “shelf-life extenders,” extend the shelf-life of feed nutrients in animal feed elements such as vitamins, fats, pigments, and flavouring agents. Thus, animal feed antioxidants serve to provide nutrient security to the animals dependent on the feed. Oxidisation of animal feed leads to reduced performance and weakened health of animals. It is therefore essential to keep animal feed from getting oxidised, purpose that is aptly served by animal feed antioxidants.

The globally rising demand for livestock products such as milk, eggs and meat has led to significant rise in demand for animal feed antioxidants, along with the primary rise in demand for natural and synthetic animal feed. It is expected that livestock producers on a global front will focus on high use of antioxidants in animal feed to reduce instances of nutrient loss and deteriorated feed quality due to oxidation.

What are the future demands for BHT and BHA products?

Synthetic antioxidants may lose their market share to natural antioxidants as many European nations have either decreased the concentration of synthetic antioxidants in their final products or they have switched to natural antioxidants. However, ever increasing demand in edible application with keep BHA & BHT demand stable.

Elaborate on your focus regarding R&D and innovation related to your products.

We have tied up with private and institutional R&D centres. But very soon we will have our own R&D set up. MNCs are reducing their R&D expenses by M&A. It may create a kind of vacuum for development of new products particularly in our range of products.

Give us an overview of the challenges in the dyes & pigments markets.

Environmental issues are holding back the industry. Preferences for more environmentally friendly products need faster R&D outcome. Despite the healthy growth, even faster advances will be limited by a moderation in global vehicle production. Slow growth in printing inks due to the challenges facing the print media industry, principally due to the growing publication of information in electronic form, will restrain overall dye and pigment demand. Slowdown in the construction sector is also a big concern. Volatility in raw material rates and overcapacity in some of the items are some of the other challenges. Lastly, growing competition from Chinese companies is always a looming issue.

What are the challenges in the synthetic & natural antioxidants sector?

Increasing legal restrictions in some of the applications of synthetic antioxidants by various countries is an issue. But synthetic antioxidants are holding on to the market share owing to the fact that they are far lower cost products compared to natural antioxidants. But, consumer pressure due to health concern will continue to drive the market toward the use of natural antioxidants. Natural oxidants are far expensive. Sudden increase in the demand of natural oxidant cannot be met, as it will create demand – supply gap.

Read More: Meeting global demand by raising standards

Enabling India to achieve clean energy needs with biofuels

In an interview Dr Anjan Ray, Regional Commercial Director – Renewable Energy and Chemicals, Honeywell UOP with Chemical Today magazine discusses the ways in which biofuels can pave way for a greener world.

By Shivani Mody

Tell us about the biofuels business of Honeywell UOP

Across the world, people are concerned with energy security, agricultural and rural development, and the environment. Fuels and chemicals from renewable sources have the potential to support growing energy needs while addressing concerns regarding climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. UOP’s innovative renewable fuel technologies enables energy producers, fuel marketing and distribution companies, feedstock owners such as farmers and plantations and regulators to play a vital role in this dynamic, emerging arena. Honeywell’s UOP offers biofuel technologies and process solutions in the following categories:

A. Fuels from oils and fats: Honeywell UOP licenses technologies and provides basic engineering design, catalysts and services that enable our customers to produce high-quality drop-in renewable hydrocarbon fuels from naturally occurring oils and fats (sometimes referred to as lipids) that are pipeline compatible and freely miscible with fossil fuels.

Green Diesel: Using feedstocks such as non-edible oils, used cooking oil, animal fats, algal oils etc, Honeywell Green Diesel™ is chemically identical to petroleum-derived diesel, due to ecorefining technology, and is serving as a drop-in substitute for traditional diesel.

Green Jet Fuel: The UOP Renewable Jet Fuel Process converts non-edible feedstock such as tree borne oils (e.g. Jatropha, pongamia), inedible by-products from edible oil refining processes, oilseed plants used in crop rotation such as camelina and carinata, algae-derived oils and other naturally occurring lipids into renewable jet fuel compliant with the internationally accepted D7566 fuel standard.

B. Biomass conversion to fuels, heat and power: For clean-burning biofuel used to generate heat and power in burner applications, our Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP™) technology effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent and sulfur emissions by over 95 percent compared to fossil fuels like coal or heavy fuel oil. RTP green fuel is a replacement for heavy fuel oil in existing boilers, furnaces and kilns; it can also be co-fired with coal or fuel oil. This significantly reduces sulfur emissions and particulate matter and thereby improves air quality in addition to reducing overall carbon footprint.

What is the company’s future plan in biofuels business?

Biofuels offer opportunities to decrease the nation’s dependence on foreign energy imports. The UOP Renewables Vision is to build on UOP expertise that has made us a technology supplier of choice to the conventional petroleum refining sector. We want to produce real “drop-in” fuels that can be seamlessly transported in existing pipelines and used in existing unmodified vehicles under all conditions, instead of fuel additives/ blending components. Drop-in biofuels made with UOP technologies leverage existing hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure to lower capital costs, minimize value chain disruptions and reduce investment risk. Our focus is on a path toward advanced generation fuels based on feedstocks that minimize competition with food, land and water resources.

What are the recent trends in biofuels sector?

Biofuels are the key to deliver INDC commitments made by India to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the Paris Climate Change Conference (COP-21) in December 2015.

In a bid to curb vehicular pollution in India, the Union government announced the intent to implement stricter Bharat Stage (BS) VI emission norms from April 1, 2020 while skipping BS-V altogether. However, there are two key challenges to bring forward the nationwide rollout of BS-VI vehicular emission norms. First, the oil refineries will need substantial investments to upgrade which will allow refineries to supply fuel types that can match the BS-V and BS-VI standards. Second, the automobile manufacturers also need to align their vehicles to the new standards, potentially leading to extra costs in the design and production of compliant vehicles.

Honeywell shares this concern of air quality deterioration, and offers a range of diversified technologies to help oil refineries and automakers in India achieve BS-VI by 2020:

– More than half the country’s oil and more than 70 percent of the country’s gasoline are made with UOP refining technology that make cleaner fuels

– UOP’s Unionfining technology uses hydrogen from the refining process, with a catalyst, to remove sulfur from diesel and thus reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) levels in the atmosphere. Its Unicracking process also uses hydrogen and a catalyst to produce lighter, higher-cetane diesel fuels

– UOP renewable fuels technologies produce ultra-low-sulfur fuels (diesel, jet fuel), which can be used as a quality-enhancing blending stock or replacement for fossil fuels

– Subject to feedstock availability, Honeywell Green Diesel can enable India to raise the biofuel component in diesel to levels well over 20 percent, significantly higher than FAME biodiesel.

Tell us about the path breaking R&D and innovations happening in biofuels and green jetfuels?

In an integrated approach, for customers who want to incorporate renewable fuel production into a petroleum fuel facility, UOP biofuels technologies can utilize existing infrastructure, allowing licensees to drive down capital and operating costs, while meeting renewable fuel targets. The advantages can be even more significant for refiners who convert idled assets in a retrofit design to produce renewable fuel at a fraction of the cost of a new installation.

Honeywell Green Jet Fuel is both sustainable and practical. It has shown high energy density in flight, which allows aircraft to fly farther on less fuel, and it is clean burning because it contains low levels of aromatics and Sulphur. Honeywell Green Jet Fuel offers an impressive reduction of up to 85% in greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum-based fuels. Apart from cost saving and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Honeywell Green Jet Fuel offers several other advantages:

• It meets or exceeds key aviation fuel specifications when blended with petroleum-derived jet fuel

• It can replace as much as 50% of petroleum fuel in aircraft without changes to fleet technology or the fuel storage and delivery infrastructure.

• Honeywell Green Diesel and Honeywell Green Jet Fuel are made from second-generation feedstock’s that don’t interfere with food, land or water resources.

In what way are second generation fuels a better option than traditional biofuels?

First generation biofuels like FAME biodiesel contain oxygen and have lower energy density than the corresponding fossil hydrocarbon fuels – gasoline and diesel – respectively. Also, the quality and shelf life of FAME biodiesel can vary depending on the feedstock oil or fat used.

In contrast, Honeywell Green Diesel is superior to both petroleum based Euro V diesel and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) biodiesel on multiple counts. Because it is chemically similar to traditional diesel, Honeywell Green Diesel can be used in today’s tanks, pipelines, trucks, pumps and automobiles without infrastructure changes.

The product quality of Honeywell Green Diesel is independent of feedstock, which enables use of a much wider variety of oils and fats than FAME biodiesel and thus enhances opportunity for farmer incomes and oilseed processing jobs in rural supply chains

The key difference:

Because of these distinct advantages, automobile associations in Europe (ACEA) and Japan (JAMA) have indicated their preference for green diesel over conventional biodiesel. In fact, the installed operating base of UOP-licensed biofuels capacity worldwide exceeds the total installed base of first-generation FAME biodiesel capacity in India.

How will lignocellulosic residues in second generation fuels market benefit the industry?

Lignocellulosic biomass – primarily by-products of wood processing like sawdust and non-edible crop residues like rice straw, sugarcane bagasse or cotton stalk – represent a very large pool of renewable carbon sources. 

In India, where per capital arable land is much less than in economies like the USA, Brazil or China, growing dedicated biofuels crops such as oilseeds is not likely to be a solution in itself. Attempts to grow such crops on marginal and arid land have met with relatively limited success, especially since gestation periods to full maturity of oil-bearing trees can be several years while small farmers typically work on annual cycles.

On the other hand, crop residues from existing farms and fields are available in substantial quantities. Though not all of this is surplus – finding uses in fodder, pulp and paper production, power generation etc – several million tons of lignocellulosic biomass are still routinely burned either to make way for the next crop or for domestic energy use in cooking and heating. Open burning of such biomass causes particulate matter pollution leading to severe adverse health effects. It makes much more sense to deploy this biomass as feedstock to biofuels production and bio-energy generation.

One challenge with biomass is that it is low in bulk density – meaning that it takes 4-6 times the storage volume compared to liquid fuels. That makes it expensive to store in areas where land is scarce, or to transport over large distances. Also, stored dry biomass can be flammable at high ambient temperatures while wet biomass can attract fungi and pests. RTP technology can convert biomass to a storable, transportable liquid fuel that can be dispatched to wherever the biomass energy might be needed. It can thus help renewable carbon from biomass reach user facilities such as industrial boilers, thermal power plants, furnaces, kilns or refineries more easily and conveniently.

What are the potential growth sectors for biofuels, green jetfuels and green diesel industry?

UOP’s process technology to produce Honeywell Green Diesel is industry-leading around the globe. The company has agreements in place with organizations in China, India, Malaysia and Masdar in the United Arab Emirates for biofuel development projects that will utilize our Ecofining process along with Honeywell Green Jet Fuel technology to introduce new energy solutions and develop new biofuel economies.

Honeywell Green Jet Fuel is approved by major airframe and engine manufacturers under the internationally approved ASTM D7566 standard and is being produced on a commercial scale by our licensee. It can be used in regular passenger flights in India. There are no licensed UOP Renewable Jet process units in India at this time, though we are in conversations with potential licensees in the region.

What are the challenges faced by the biofuels market globally?

The key challenges in biofuels globally can be divided into four categories:

A. Feedstock availability and price volatility due to seasonal variations,

B. Qualification of biofuels through technical approvals by OEMs (automobiles, aircraft, gensets, boiler manufacturers etc.) and establishment of national and international standards

C. Enabling regulatory mechanisms (like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard in California) or industry initiatives (like the International Civil Aviation Organization thrust for reduced GHG emissions in commercial aviation)

D. Availability of finance for biofuels projects

Read More: Enabling India to achieve clean energy needs with biofuels

Synthetic leather made by BASF’s Elastollan makes car seats comfier

LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY: Synthetic leather made with BASF’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) Elastollan makes your car seats more comfortable than ever. The ultra-soft synthetic leather is highly scratch resistant and helps producers meet the severe volatile organic compound (VOC) standards for applications such as car seats and furniture.

A leading manufacturer of synthetic leather, Suzhou Ruigao New Material Co Ltd adopted Elastollan grade B50A12CF in the production of synthetic leather in a Chinese automaker’s latest model, due to its cost effective and environmentally friendly thermoplastic process in comparison with conventional processing technologies such as setting.

In addition to being durable and wear resistant, synthetic leather made with Elastollan is well suited for use in car seats and furniture due to its high mechanical performance. This not only enables a soft, thin and flexible layer of material but also makes it easy to dye and emboss, allowing a variety of colours and fashion designs.

The product complements BASF’s synthetic leather portfolio, which includes Haptex, a polyurethane (PU) system solution for the production of synthetic leather.

“Elastollan significantly simplifies and speeds up the production process of synthetic leather as it can be extruded onto fabric directly without a middle layer using a non-solvent based technology. This helps car makers meet the increasingly stringent VOC standards, especially for car interior applications,” said Tony Jones, head of industrial, performance materials Asia Pacific, BASF.

Read More: Synthetic leather made by BASF’s Elastollan makes car seats comfier

Interesting facts about Soda ash / Washing soda / Sodium carbonate

What is soda ash?

What is washing soda?

What is the chemical name of soda ash and washing soda?

Sodium carbonate is the chemical name for soda ash and washing soda. Major source of soda ash is trona ore. Sodium carbonate occurs naturally in arid regions. It is found in the form of deposits on locations where lakes evaporate. Sodium carbonate is one of the most basic industrial chemicals. It is found in large natural deposits and is mined in Wyoming.

Deposits of sodium carbonate are found in large quantities in different regions of the world but major locations include United States, China, Botswana, Uganda, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, India, Egypt, South Africa and Turkey. It is found both as extensive beds of sodium minerals and as sodium-rich waters (brines).

The principal applications of sodium carbonate are in the manufacture of glass and the production of chemicals. It is also used in processing wood pulp to make paper, in making soaps and detergents, in refining aluminum, in water softening, and in many other applications.

It can help remove alcohol and grease stains from clothing, as well as calcifications in everything from coffee pots and espresso makers to boilers and hot water heaters.

Soda ash can also be used to increase the alkalinity in swimming pools, helping to ensure the proper pH balance of the water. It can be used in dying to help the dye bond to the fabric effectively. Photographers also use a sodium carbonate solution as part of the photo development process.

Washing soda has significant economic importance because of its applications in manufacturing glass, chemicals, paper, detergents and many other products. It has been used since ancient times.

Sodium carbonate is having characteristics like white, anhydrous, powdered or granular material. Soda ash is an alkali that has a high ph in concentrated solutions. It can irritate the eyes, respiratory tract and skin. It should not be ingested. Soda ash is made in three important grades – light grade, intermediate grade, and dense grade.

Anhydrous sodium carbonate loses weight when heated

Na2CO3(solid) → Na2O (solid) + CO2 (gas)

Sodium carbonate although readily soluble in water and it reaches maximum solubility at the relatively low temperature of 35.4oC.

How to transport soda ash?

Light and dense soda ash is normally packaged in plastic or polyethylene lined bags, multiwall paper bags. Covered hopper cars with bottom discharge are the most common rail cars used for bulk soda ash.

Sodium carbonate is a fragile, crystalline product subject to breakage from conveying equipment. Soda ash generates micron-sized particles that require high-efficiency collectors.

Soda ash is usually stored in warehouse for a short time. It can be stored in bulk as a pile on the floor and reclaimed by a front-end loader or other bulk-handling machine.

Soda ash production

The Leblanc process, the first successful commercial process for making soda, is no longer used in the United States but played a major role in the Industrial Revolution. 

Soda ash can be made synthetically using limestone, salt and ammonia. This is known as the Solvay process, and was the main source of soda ash until the Wyoming trona deposits were discovered. However, it is more expensive than mining natural sodium carbonate deposits.

A series of refining steps are required to produce soda ash from trona ore. First the raw ore from the mine is crushed and screened. The material is then fed to rotary calciners and heated. In this process, the trona decomposes to form crude soda ash, which is dissolved in water.

The insoluble shales are separated from the solution by a combination of settling and filtration steps and the resulting insoluble tailings are taken back into the mine as backfill. The soda ash solution is treated to remove organic materials yielding a high-purity saturated solution of sodium carbonate.

Next, the solution is fed to crystallizers where water is evaporated and sodium carbonate monohydrate crystals are formed. The industry-familiar term "mono-process" originates from this process step. The crystals are dewatered and washed using cyclones and centrifuges, and the solution is recycled to the evaporator units for further recovery of soda ash. The monohydrate crystals are fed to rotary kilns where they are dried to finished soda ash. Finally, product is screened and sent to storage silos awaiting rail and truck load out.

Soda ash also is used to clean the air and soften water. As environmental concerns grow, demand increases for soda ash used in the removal of sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid from stack gases.

Chemical manufacturers use soda ash as an intermediate to manufacture products that sweeten soft drinks (corn sweeteners), relieve physical discomfort (sodium bicarbonate) and improve foods and toiletries (phosphates). Household detergents and paper products are a few other common examples of readily identifiable products using soda ash.

Light soda ash is one of the most important basic industrial chemicals. Light soda ash is used to regulate pH in many chemical process streams. The superior buffering capacity of soda ash versus caustic soda offers advantages in adjusting plant wastewater pH ranges.

Applications

Soda ash is used as the sodium source for sodium sulfite/bi-sulfite pulping liquors used in the sulfite, CMP, and CTMP processes, and in NSSC pulping.

It is also possible to replace a portion of the caustic soda with sodium carbonate in many pulp bleaching applications such as caustic extraction or hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical or chemical pulps.

It is also possible to replace a portion of the caustic soda in many pulp bleaching applications such as caustic extraction or hydrogen peroxide bleaching of mechanical or chemical pulps.

In addition, washing soda is the most widely used fixed alkali for the manufacture of other alkali products, sodium salts, glass, soap, sodium silicates, detergent, bicarbonates, bichromates, cellulose and rayon, iron and steel, aluminum, cleaning compounds, textiles and dyestuffs, drugs and many other materials. It is also used as an alkali for household purposes and as washing powder by laundries.

One of the most common products that can be made with soda ash is glass. More than 50 per cent of all sodium carbonate produced around the world is used for this purpose. When mixed in proportion with sand and calcium carbonate, heated to the right temperature, and then cooled quickly, the end result is soda-lime silica glass with excellent durability and clarity.

Soda ash is a very common industrial chemical as well. In addition to food and cosmetic products, it’s also finds major applications in agricultural sector chemicals such as fertilizers. When it comes to exhaust towers and chemical stacks, this ash can play a very important role in air purification because when sodium carbonate reacts with sulfur dioxide and hydrochloric acid, for example, less harmful compounds are produced.

In laboratories, this sodium salt serves as an excellent electrolyte in the electrolysis process. It helps to reduce the water content in the clay and makes the task of molding the clay in the shape of a brick easier. In the dyeing industry, it is used to improve the chemical bonding between the dye and the fiber.

Washing soda is a key component of laundry soaps and other household cleaning products as it can easily remove dirt and tough greasy stains from clothes, utensils, floors, and various other surfaces. It is also used as a cleansing agent for removing dirt stuck on silver and glass items. Water in the swimming pools turns acidic due to repeated addition of chlorine as a disinfectant. Washing soda is added to this water to make it chemically neutral.

Sodium carbonate is important in taxidermy for preparing hunting trophies. When added to boiling water, it helps in the removal of flesh from the skulls and bones of dead animals. Washing soda acts as a strong base and can neutralize acidic effects.

Read More: Washing Soda Formula