Sodium Sulphate Anhydrous (SSA)
Sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), also known as thenardite and salt cake, is a white, solid, crystalline compound. Its natural form is the mineral Thenardite, commonly found in Chile and Spain, and used in the manufacturing of paperboard, glass, and freezing mixtures.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Chemical name: Sodium sulphate anhydrous
CAS No.: 7757-82-6
Molecular formula: Na2SO4
Standard executed: GB/T 6009-2014
Packaging: in 50KG/1000KG/1250KG PP woven bag with PE liner
Technical specification
| Items | Standards: TOP | Standards: 1st | Standards: 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Purity (Na2 SO4) % |
≥99.6 |
≥99.0 |
≥98.0 |
|
Water insoluble matter content % |
≤0.005 |
≤0.050 |
≤0.100 |
|
Ca2+ Mg2+ content % |
---- |
≤0.15 |
≤0.30 |
|
Chloride (CI)content % |
≤0.05 |
≤0.35 |
≤0.7 |
|
Ferric (Fe) content % |
≤0.0005 |
≤0.0020 |
≤0.0100 |
|
Moisture content % |
≤0.050 |
≤0.200 |
≤0.500 |
|
Whiteness % |
≥85 |
≥82 |
≥82 |
|
Melting point |
884 °C (1,623.2 °F; 1,157.15 °K) in standard state (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
884 °C (1,623.2 °F; 1,157.15 °K) in standard state (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
884 °C (1,623.2 °F; 1,157.15 °K) in standard state (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
|
Boiling point |
1,429°C (2,604 °F; 1,702 °K) in standard state (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
1,429°C (2,604 °F; 1,702 °K) in standard state (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
1,429°C (2,604 °F; 1,702 °K) in standard state (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
|
Stability |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
|
Solubility in water |
4.76g/100ml (0℃)
28.1g/100mL (25℃)
42.7g/100mL (100℃) |
4.76g/100mL (0℃)
28.1g/100ml (25℃)
42.7g/100mL (100℃) |
4.76g/100mL (0℃)
28.1g/100mL (25℃)
42.7g/100ml (100℃) |
|
PH Range |
5.2~9.2 |
5.2~9.2 |
5.2~9.2 |
|
Density |
2.664 g/cm3 (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
2.664 g/cm3 (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
2.664 g/cm3 (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
|
Refractive index (nD) |
1.468 (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
1.468 (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
1.468 (at 25 ℃[77 °F], 100 kPa) |
|
Specific Gravity |
2.68 |
2.68 |
2.68 |
|
Shelf life/Retest |
24 months |
24 months |
24 months |
|
Storage |
Store at RT |
Store at RT |
Store at RT |
|
Appearance |
White free-flowing powder |
White free-flowing powder |
White free-flowing powder |
Description
While thenardite is the anhydrous form of Na2SO4, mirabilite is a naturally-occurring decahydrate, Na2SO4·10H2O. The white, water-soluble, solid hydrate is also known as the Glauber’s salt. It’s formed by heating sodium chloride and sulfuric acid. This compound is used in dyeing, glass production, and the preparation of sodium bisulfate.
Anhydrous sodium sulfate is found in the form of white crystalline powder with an orthorhombic or hexagonal structure. It’s hygroscopic, soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol. The decahydrate consists of colorless monoclinic crystals, soluble in water, but insoluble in ethanol.
Sodium sulfate is one of the essential sodium salts. The decahydrate was first prepared by Johann Glauber in the 17th century, in the form of a by-product while making hydrochloric acid from sulfuric acid and sodium chloride.
SSA is mainly used as the filler of synthetic detergent. In the paper industry, it’s an integral part of the Kraft Process as the atmometer during sulfate pulp production. In the glass industry, it’s a substitute for pure alkali. The chemical industry implements it as the raw ingredient for the manufacturing of sodium sulfide, sodium silicate, and similar chemical products. The application in the textile industry is in the formulation of a Vinylon spinning coagulation bath. It also has a purpose in the pharmaceutical industry, in the form of a laxative.
Other uses include ultramarine production, printing and dyeing textiles, and standardizing dyes. A principal use of anhydrous sodium sulfate is in the form of an agent to eliminate water from organic solvents and their extracts for organic synthesis and instrumental analysis. Sodium sulfate is a standard laboratory reagent that can also be used in the preparation of other sodium salts.
In the laboratory, sodium sulfate can be synthesized from the reaction between sodium bicarbonate and magnesium sulfate.
Bulk sodium sulfate is customarily purified via the decahydrate form. The anhydrous form tends to attract organic compounds and iron compounds. The anhydrous form is easily produced from the hydrated form by gentle warming.
Stability/Shelf life
Stable. Incompatible with strong acids, aluminum, magnesium, strong bases. Hygroscopic.
Recommended storage: Dry, tight-closed, ideally in its original packaging, in room temperature.
Manufacturing
The most common chemical sodium sulfate production is during hydrochloric acid production with the resulting compound known as the salt cake. The Mannheim process utilizes sodium chloride (salt) and sulfuric acid. The Hargreaves process utilizes sulfur dioxide.
Another production method neutralizes surplus sodium hydroxide by sulfuric acid. This method is regularly applied and convenient for laboratory preparation.
Industry use
SSA is mainly used as the filler of synthetic detergent. Other major applications are in the paper industry, glass industry, chemical industry, textile industry as well as the pharmaceutical industry.
Consumer use
SSA is principally used as neutral salt in synthetic detergents. Apart from being used as a laxative medicine, sodium sulfate is the antidote of barium and lead poisoning. It’s also a food additive and a common ingredient in the production of caramels.
Solubility
Soluble in water, clear, colorless.
Common synonyms
- Sodium sulphate
- Sulfate of sodium, Thenardite (mineral)
- Glauber’s salt (decahydrate)
- Sal mirabilis (decahydrate)
- Mirabilite (decahydrate mineral)
- Disodium sulfate
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In some cases, some detergent manufacturers do use Sodium chloride as a substitute of Sodium sulphate to produce concentrated synthetic detergent powder, by dry mixing method. However, it’s not recommended to use Sodium chloride to produce puffed synthetic detergent powder in a spray drying tower.
We have both available, and both are of the best quality.
STPP Group has been supplying Sodium sulphate in both ways. To most of our customers, we deliver in containers, with MOQ as low as 27 tons. We also have been delivering regularly to South Africa, Iran, and Latin Americas in bulk carriers.
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