Module: 3

Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 11 Sodium bicarbonate

Module: 3
Lecture: 11

SODIUM BICARBONATE

INTRODUCTION
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is also known as backing powder. The ancient
Egyptians used natural deposits of natron, a mixture consisting mostly of sodium
carbonate decahydrate, and sodium bicarbonate. The natron was used as a
cleansing agent like soap.

In 1791 Nicolas Leblanc, produced sodium carbonate. In 1846, John Dwight

and Austin Church, established the first commercial plant to develop baking soda
from sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide.

MANUFACTURE
Sodium bicarbonate is manufactured in the carbonation tower, same as used
in Solvay‘s Process.

Raw material
Basis: 1000kg of Sodium bicarbonate (98% yield)
Sodium carbonate = 643.74kg
Carbon dioxide = 267.28kg
Water = 109.40kg

Sources of raw material

Sodium carbonate can be manufactured by Solvay‘s process, dual process
or electrolytic process as described in Module: 3, Lecture: 9

CO2 shall be obtained from any one source as described in Module: 2,

Lecture: 2

Reaction
Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O 2NaHCO3

Manufacture

Block diagram of manufacturing process

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Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 11 Sodium bicarbonate

Diagram with process equipment

Animation
Gas outlet to
absorbers

Saturated solution
of soda ash
Carbonation tower

Water Out

Cooling
coils

Water In
CO2

Water
Filter

Hot air Drum filter Centrifuge

out
Washer
Hot air in
Sodium
bicarbonate

Figure: Manufacturing of Sodium Bicarbonate

Saturated solution of soda ash is passed from the top of a carbonating tower.
Compressed CO2 gas is admitted in counter currently from the bottom of the tower.
The temperature of the tower is maintained at 40°C by the cooling coils, provided
above the bottom of the tower. The suspension of bicarbonate formed is removed
from the bottom of the tower, filtered and washed on a vacuum rotary drum filter.
After centrifugation, the product is dried on continuous belt conveyor at 70°C to get
99.9% pure sodium bicarbonate.

Sodium bicarbonate is not manufactured by refining the crude NaHCO3

obtained from Solvay's process in the vacuum drum filters due to following reasons

 It is very difficult to dry completely

 Loss of ammonia during the process
 NaHCO3 is not as pure as obtained during Solvay's process
 Small traces of ammonia in the products makes it unfit for many applications

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Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 11 Sodium bicarbonate

BAKING POWDERS
Sodium bicarbonate is primarily used in cooking (baking), as a leavening
agent for producing aeration and lightness in breads and cakes. NaHCO3 often
impetrated an unpleasant taste or even a yellowish colour due to alkalinity of the
sodium carbonate formed, the search for better reagents continued.

Baking powders consist of a dry mixture of sodium bicarbonate with one or

more chemicals capable of completely decomposing it. The principal backing soda
used is monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, anhydrous monocalcium
phosphate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum sulphate, tartaric acid
and the acid tartrates. However, monocalcium phosphates have widely been used.
Filler or drying agent, like starch or flour, is added to the active ingredients for better
distribution throughout the dough and to serve as diluents or preventive of the
reaction until water and heat are applied.

The actions of different, backing powders can be represent, by the following

equations

Na2Al2(SO4)4 + 6NaHCO3 6CO2 + 4Na2SO4 + 2Al(OH)3

3CaH4(PO4)2 .H2O + 8NaHCO3 8CO2 + Ca3(PO4)2 + NaHPO4 + 11H2O
KH2PO4 + NaHCO3 CO2 + KNaHPO4 + H2O
NaH2PO4 + NaHCO3 CO2 + Na2HPO4 + H2O
Na2H2P2O7 + 2NaHCO3 2CO2 + 2Na2HPO4 + H2O
KHC4H4O6 + NaHCO3 KNaC4H4O6 + CO2 + H2O

Most baking powders are so made that contain 26-29% NaHCO3 and enough
of acid ingredients to decompose the bicarbonate and 14-15% CO2. The rest of
powder, 20-40%, consists of corn starch of flour.

PROPERTIES

 Molecular formula : NaHCO3

 Molecular weight : 84.01gm/mole
 Appearance : White crystal
 Odour : Odourless
 Boiling point : 8510C
 Melting point : 3000C
 Density : 2.20gm/mL (liquid)
 Solubility : Soluble in water

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Dr. N. K. Patel
Lecture: 11 Sodium bicarbonate

USES

 Sodium bicarbonate is used in cooking as baking powder

 Due to amphortic properties is used in neutralization of acids and bases in
laboratory and swimming pool.
 Heating of it release CO2, which is used to smother small fire.
 Medical uses in treatment of chronic renal failure, renal tubular acidosis,
urinary alkalization for the treatment of aspirin overdose and uric acid renal
stone etc.
 Used for personal hygiene product like toothpaste, mouth wash, deodorant
 Used as a supplement for athletes in speed based events like small to middle
distance running. But the overdose causes serious gastrointestinal irritation.
 As a cleaning agent
 As a bio-pesticide to control fungus growth
 As a cattle feed supplement
 In preparation of carbonated water

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