Sodium Bicarbonate Buying Guide- FAQs About Buying Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is an all-around compound that has become a must-have in many industries, especially the food industry. This white powder is a versatile chemical that acts as a rising agent for baked foods and a pH buffer for beverages we take daily. It is not only used in the preparation of food but also in the fields of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial purposes.
Placing bulk orders for sodium bicarbonate can also pose several issues. They can involve anything from quality assurance and how the product is delivered to customers, the schedule that deliveries are made to customers, how application support is done after purchase, and quality assurance testing. This guide explains various problems that may arise when buying sodium bicarbonate, so in this case, you will have all the necessary information to make the correct purchase. This sodium bicarbonate buying guide covers areas such as Packaging procedures, how to assess your supplier and logistical issues to ease the buying process making every transaction run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Sodium Bicarbonate Overview
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a chemical compound made up of sodium and hydroxide, with the formula NaHCO₃. This naturally occurring crystalline compound has many other names, such as bicarbonate of soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate, etc. Due to its relatively low solubility and the peculiarities of its interaction with other chemicals, sodium bicarbonate is an irreplaceable product in various industries.
Chemical Properties:
- Looks like a white, shiny, and insoluble powder
- It is a slightly alkaline solution and has a pH value of almost 8.4
- It decomposes when heated; it bursts into producing carbon dioxide
Common Sodium Bicarbonate Names:
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Baking soda
- Bicarbonate of soda
Applications of Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate has many uses across many different industries so there are numerous applications in which it can be used. Here’s a detailed look at its key uses and why it’s essential for each sector:
1. Agriculture: Neutral Fertilizer
Sodium bicarbonate is a nitrogenous, alkaline material suitable for all classes of soils besides various crops to supply plant essential nutrients.
2. Chemical Production
Potassium Carbonate Production: Used in the ion-exchange method for the development of potassium carbonate and other carbonate reagents.
Foaming Agent for Foam Rubber: As a foaming agent, it helps to give foam rubber its typical cellular structure.
Reagent in Pharmaceuticals: Is used as an extraction agent for Vitamin B1, and an amination agent when used to synthesize intermediates such as phenylalanine for antibiotics such as ampicillin.
3. Leather Industry
Buffering Agent in Leather Tanning: Ammonium bicarbonate acts as an acidic medium that adjusts the pH during tanning to produce more desirable and long-lasting leather.
Etching Agent in Frosted Bulbs: It is used together with ammonium fluoride to give the etching and frosted light bulbs a function that enhances the diffusion of light and beauty.
4. Food Industry
Leavening Agent: It is used in baking where it helps to create fluffy cakes and biscuits by causing chemical reactions that release gases in the form of carbon dioxide when heated.
5. Other Sodium Bicarbonate Uses
A raw material in cold-wave formulations for hair styling, electrolyte preparations and phosphor production for lighting and display industries as an auxiliary agent.
6. Lithium Battery Industry
Cathode Material Synthesis: In recent years, the growth rate of the lithium battery market has gradually increased to make sodium bicarbonate become an important reagent for the preparation of positive electrode materials. As a precipitating agent, it facilitates the formation of spherical precursors like Co₀.₉Ni₀.₀₅Mn₀.₀₅CO₃ for cathode and when added to Li₂CO₃ results in the formulation of LiCo₀.₉Ni₀.₀₅Mn₀.₀₅O₂ for advanced battery technology.
How to Make Sodium Bicarbonate​
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is manufactured through three main methods, each of which varies by raw materials and the method by which carbonation occurs.
Soda Ash Process
The soda ash process is the most widely used in the preparation of sodium bicarbonate. In this process, carbon dioxide is bubbled through a solution of soda ash which on carbonation gives sodium bicarbonate.
Soda ash can be extracted directly from the mined trona ore or through separate chemical synthesis of the same product and then combined with carbon dioxide to form sodium bicarbonate. Changes in the type and quality of sodium bicarbonate can raise questions about the level of purity in production and the efficiency thereof.
Natural Soda Process
Sodium bicarbonate is produced straight from natural soda deposits in areas wherein they are found thus experiencing minimal processing. This method is eco-friendly and resource-conserving though is restricted regionally by the location of natural soda ash sources.
Ammonium Bicarbonate Method
The ammonium bicarbonate method utilizes ammonium bicarbonate as the main material input and is an ideal solution compared to the soda ash method where the latter is scarce. This process is flexible concerning industrial needs and through alternative carbonation, ammonium bicarbonate serves as the direct converter to sodium bicarbonate.
In China, some big companies are dominating the market for sodium bicarbonate production by using these methods and products are being used in the food, feed, medicine and environmental fields because of increasing market demand. Researched key producers for this product are Yuanxing Energy (Malan), Shandong Haihua Group Co., Ltd, Jin Jing Group, Bohua Yongli, Hengyang Aijie Technology Co., Ltd, and Hunan Hailian Sany Baking Soda. These companies are pivotal in the industry, leveraging advanced methods to deliver high-quality sodium bicarbonate across a range of applications.
Sodium Bicarbonate Packaging Options
25 kg Bags
Multi-layer kraft paper or plastic-lined paper pouches have a packing of 25 kgs of sodium bicarbonate. Recommended for small packing quantities, easy to manage, and suitable for stores.
Bulk Bags (FIBCs / Ton Bags)
Open-top large bags, normally come in 500 kg – 1000 kg (0.5- 1 metric ton) bulk packs of sodium bicarbonate. They are applicable for the on-set and high volumes application settings.
Each packaging type shields it from moisture and contaminants during storage and transportation while in the other’s form. One depends on the other between them depending on the customer need’s handling capacity, and the volume of usage.
Storage of Sodium Bicarbonate
Storage Conditions
Sodium bicarbonate is to be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated indoor warehouse. The storage area must be moisture-free and be located far from heat and fire sources.
Food-grade sodium bicarbonate should therefore not be stockpiled or transported near poisonous substances so that it does not get contaminated. It also has to be stored separately from acids to prevent any possible reactions, nonetheless with the product.
Handling Precautions
Being in transit, take care not to tear the bags or mishandle them in a way that the contents spill. Should bags used rupture, then make sure containment is in place to avoid scattering of powder.
If spilling occurs then cordon off the affected area for access by a limited number of people and then begin the cleaning process by shoveling the material into bags or other disposal containers. Cover your face with a dust mask, and wear special WORK clothes and shoes, to avoid direct contact with the dust.
Health and Safety Considerations
Sodium bicarbonate is actually slightly basic at room temperature; however, a raised temperature above 50°C changes sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate which is an irritant and corrosive substance. This can in turn damage the eyes, skin as well as respiratory tracts leading to inflammation.
Measures of first aid are washing the skin or eyes with running water, taking off the contaminated clothing, inhalation moving to an area of fresh air and in case of any adverse reactions consulting a doctor.
Storage Area Equipment
Make sure there are appropriate materials to deal with leakage or spillage within the storage area thanks to which, contamination and mess within the storage area will not be an issue.
Conclusion
Before we bring this buying guide on sodium bicarbonate to a close, we should mention the material quality suppliers as key to delivering a positive procurement experience.
Mondstar is a forerunner food additive supplier from China that can be taken as a model partner for distributors and importers looking for the best sodium bicarbonate.
Benefiting from their strategic relationship with the leading sodium bicarbonate producers in China, Mondstar has the advantage of delivering high-quality products that can fully compete in the international markets. Having vast knowledge of the uses of sodium bicarbonate across the economies along with the strong chainamaged supply consumers get not only the product but also the solution to your requirements.