Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, $NaOH$) - is a strong alkaline compound that appears as a white, granular or flaked, odorless crystalline substance. It has high hygroscopicity (it actively absorbs moisture and carbon dioxide from the air) and dissolves well in water, releasing a large amount of heat.
Areas of application
Chemical industry: production of detergents, soap, synthetic resins, mineral fertilizers, and organic compounds.
- Pulp and paper industry: delignification of wood during the production of pulp, cardboard, and paper.
- Oil refining and energy sector: purification of petroleum products from acidic impurities, neutralization of acids, water treatment, and regeneration of ion-exchange resins.
- Food industry (grade E524): washing and disinfection of technological equipment, pipelines, and tanks (CIP cleaning).
- Metallurgy: etching of aluminum and its alloys, metal processing.
