Sodium Sulfate - Definition, Structure, Uses, Preparation, FAQs

What is Sodium Sulfate?

Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) is a sodium salt of sulfuric acid. Anhydrous sulphate is seen as a white crystalline solid which is also known as mineral thenardite, while decahydrate Na₂SO₄.10H₂O is known as Glauber salt or mirabilis.Na₂SO₄.7H₂O is converted to mirabilite when cooled. Mirabilite is a natural mineral decahydrate. About two-thirds of the total world's production of sodium sulfate is found in mirabilite.

It is also produced from chemical process products such as hydrochloric acid production. In late 1625, Johann Rudolf Glauber discovered sodium sulfate in the Austrian water in the spring, when the hydrate form began to be known as Glauber's salt. Because of its medicinal properties, he named it sal mirabilis (miracle salt).

The crystals were used as a common laxative, until the 1900s. In reaction with the given potassium carbonate or potash, Glauber's salt was used as a raw material in the production of soda ash industries in the 18th century. By the nineteenth century, the demand for ash had increased too much, so the large Leblanc process that was used to produce synthetic sodium sulfate became one of the main means of the production of soda ash. At the level of food, the excretion is mainly urine. Sulfates are found in all body cells, with very high concentrations of connective tissue, bone and cartilage. Sulfates play a role in many important metabolic pathways, including those involved in metabolic processes.

There are two types of sodium sulphate

1.natural sodium sulphate and

2.synthetic sodium sulfate

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The Natural sodium sulfate is originally produced from naturally occurring bridges and crystalline deposits that are found in California and Texas. It is also found as part of salt marshes, such as the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Synthetic sodium sulfate is obtained as a product of various production processes. Both of these types of sodium sulfate have several important and useful systems in different consumer products. In a study of the top 50 basic biomarkers and inorganic products made in the United States, sodium sulfate was ranked 47th in terms of quantity produced.

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Sodium is one of the most abundant elements that is found in the Earth's crust and it ranks sixth. Sodium sulfate minerals are geologically small, especially in the post-glacial age. The compound Sodium sulfate is widespread and is commonly found in seawater and many salty or alkaline lakes. The economic storage of natural sodium sulfate is estimated at 3.3 billion tons worldwide. With global production of 2.6 million tons of natural sodium sulfate per year, goods are sufficient to meet the expectations of centuries. The given quantity of synthetic sodium sulfate also depends on the longevity of production firms that recover from the sulfate product. Drainage or ponds with no food areas and fed by spring water flowing over volcanic rocks containing sulphide minerals usually produce melted sulfur salts mixed with contact with the air to produce sulfates.

Features of Sodium Sulphate

Molecular Formula of sodium sulphate is Na₂SO₄

Molecular weight of sodium sulphate is 142.04gm / anhydrous, 322.20gm / decahydrate

Solid look of solid crystal

Smell of sodium sulphate is Odorless

Boiling point of sodium sulphate is 1429oC (anhydrous)

Flashpoint 800oC

Melting point of sodium sulphate is 884oC (anhydrous), 32.40C (decahydrate)

Density of sodium sulphate is known to be 2.664gm / ml (anhydrous), 1.464gm / ml (decahydrate)

Indicator indicator 1.468 (anhydrous), 1.394 (decahydrate)

Solubility of Sodium Sulphate

Soluble in water, glycerol and

hydrogen iodide and is insoluble internally

ethanol

Use of Sodium Sulphate

Sodium sulfate is used to dry organic beverages.

Like filling out the laundry for household appliances.

As a fining agent that removes small air bubbles from the molten glass.

Glauber's salt, decahydrate,was also used as a laxative to remove various certain drugs like acetaminophen from the body.

What makes the windows more subdivided, of carpet remodeling, starch production, as an addition to cattle feed.

In the cleaning process and in the Kraft paper milling process.

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Preparation of Sodium Sulfite

1. In laboratories the sodium sulfite is always usually prepared from the reaction between gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The chemical balance of this reaction is provided by

SO₂ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₃ + H₂O

The dissolution of the NaOH reactor can be achieved by the incorporation of a few drops of concentrated H₂SO₄, which resulted in the release of SO₂ gas.

2. In industry, Na₂SO₃ is produced by the given reaction between sulfur dioxide solution and even sodium carbonate solution. Initially, sodium bisulfite (NaHSO₃) was formed. This compound now reacts with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide to produce a sodium sulfite product. Responses can be made to:

Na₂CO₃ + SO₂ → Na₂SO₃ + CO₂

Sodium Sulfite Structures

The molar weight of this element is 126,043 grams per mole.

The non-anhydrous sodium sulfite exists as a white, odorless solid that often weighs about 2.633 grams per cubic centimeter.

The heptahydrate form has a low density of 1.561 g / cm³.

When heated to 306.5K (33.4oC), heptahydrate absorbs water from the body. The non-anhydr form dissolves at a temperature of 500o

Sodium sulfite has no place to boil because it tends to rot at high temperatures.

It is soluble in water, its solubility is about 27g / 100mL.

The water-soluble structure of Na₂SO₃ has six sides and the heptahydrate crystals have a monoclinic structure.

Chemical Properties of Sodium Sulfite

When exposed to strong or weak acids, Na₂SO₃ begins to decompose, releasing gaseous sulfur dioxide.

Sodium sulfite reacts with aldehydes to produce bisulfite adducts. However, sulfonic acids are produced by their reaction with ketones.

Sodium sulfite solutions are connected to atmospheric oxygen, producing sodium sulfate.

This mixture is insoluble in ammonia and chlorine.

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Health Risks of Sodium Sulfite

Sulfites are those compounds that contain sulfite ions which are usually composed of sodium (sodium sulfite) or even potassium (potassium sulfite). Sulfur releases an irritating gas sulfur dioxide, which acts as a protective and white agent. Also occurring naturally in other foods and in the human body, sulfites were added to certain foods to act as a natural antiseptic as they inhibit bacterial growth, preserve food color and extend shelf life. Sulfur-rich foods include wine, beer and dried fruit. They are also used to extract food starch, such as potato starch and are used in the production of certain food packaging materials such as cellophane.

Allergy to Sodium Sulfite

It is not yet clear why sulfites cause some people to react negatively but not to others. Sulfur dioxide is a non-irritating gas so it has been suggested that there should be less airways as one possible option, as most people with sulfite allergies show symptoms such as asthma.

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