Currently, people have already invented a fairly large number of various substances and devices that somehow affect their lives. One of these inventions was soda lime, the formula of which is quite simple, but the product itself has become quite widespread.
General Description
Before we move on to considering how it is produced or works, it is necessary to understand the basic things, such as its composition and so on. Soda lime, what is it? This is a trivial term. It was used quite widely a couple of decades ago. If you check with modern nomenclature, then it would be more correct to call it not soda lime, but soda lime, although both options are still used and are not erroneous.
The soda lime formula consists of NaOH and Ca(OH)2. Its old name is soda lime.
Features of the compound and formula
If we talk about the structure of such a substance, then it is quite similar towhite mass, which is characterized by the presence of many small pores. Sodium, which is caustic in nature, is also called caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, or simply caustic soda.
As for production volumes, today we can state the following: about 60 million tons of soda lime are produced per year. Its formula, as already known, is the following: (NaOH) + Ca(OH)2.
Due to the volumes in which this alkali is produced, it is considered the most common. In appearance, lime is a white solid. Of the distinguishing characteristics, pronounced hygroscopicity can be noted. As for solubility in the aquatic environment, it is at a very high level, and besides, quite a lot of thermal energy is released as a result of this process.
Slaked lime
In order to understand the creation process, it is worth starting with what slaked lime is. This is calcium hydroxide, which is one of the constituents of the soda lime formula. In appearance, it is a white powder, which, moreover, is rather poorly soluble in liquid.
With increasing temperature, this property will only grow stronger. It is very important to note here that there will be no chemical reaction between the two substances NaOH and Ca(OH)2. This is because both chemicals belong to the group of caustic alkalis. The most significant difference between them lies in the fact that one of the components is poorly soluble in water, and the other,on the contrary, it's good enough. It was the absence of interaction between these two alkalis that made it possible to combine them into one formula. Due to which the chemical formula of soda lime has acquired its current form.
Properties of matter
It is worth considering in more detail the properties that such a compound has.
As noted earlier, one of the key features, which is also the main property, is hygroscopicity. In other words, the ability of a substance to absorb moisture in the air. Thanks to this, two new components can be obtained. These will be sodium carbonates and calcium carbonates, the formula of which looks like Na2CO3 and CaCO3.
The first substance is soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate. It is a white substance that is odorless and also has a powder form. The hygroscopic property remains the same, and the granules are in the form of crystals.
GOST and calcium carbonate
GOST of soda lime and other compounds 9179-77. This document regulates the quality of this compound, its production, and so on. There is a fairly simple and easy-to-execute method by which you can check whether soda lime is of high quality or not. To do this, it is necessary to pierce the compound in question with pure sugar. If the result of this experiment is the release of ammonia, then the composition contains nitrogenous and nitrate s alts.
As for calcium carbonate, it occurs quite often in human life. It is commonly found in rocks such as chalk, marble and limestone. However, the release of calcium carbonate in this case will indicate the low quality of soda lime. The formula according to GOST provides only for the presence of Ca (OH) 2. If there are no CaCO3 emissions, then soda lime can be used without any fear for the purposes for which it is, in fact, intended.
Scope of use of the composition
This lime has become widespread precisely due to the fact that it can be used in different areas. The main application is associated with either the search for or elimination of carbon dioxide, in aerospace manufacturing, medicine and laboratories. The following several areas of application of such a substance are distinguished:
- The first is the absorption of carbon dioxide. First of all, as indicated, this concerns the absorption of carbon dioxide, however, if we talk about a similar effect on other substances, then it also manifests itself perfectly. Quite often, this component is used in various respiratory systems. In this case, either closed or half-closed devices are meant. These include, for example, gas masks or equipment for divers.
- Often used to absorb carbon dioxide during various medical operations. For example, such an operation is the procedure for artificial ventilation of the lungs of a person using an apparatusIVL, which has a semi-closed principle of operation.
- As mentioned earlier, used in laboratories. Most often to determine the amount of nitrogen in the composition. There are two different ways to do this. In addition, soda lime is able to immediately absorb carbon dioxide, which is formed during the test.
- Quite often such lime can replace caustic potash.
- Quite unexpectedly, but soda lime has become a good assistant in the manufacture of glass. In addition, this type of glass has become one of the most common among other types of technical transparent products.
Obtaining the substance in the laboratory
As for the preparation of this substance in the laboratory, the recipe and procedure are quite simple.
It is necessary to take a not too large porcelain container, into which pour 60 mm of water, and also pour 135 grams of sodium hydroxide. Immediately after this, without delay, you need to add another kilogram of recently burned calcium oxide to the composition. Along with this, you need to add a solution of sodium hydroxide in the amount of sixty-six grams in three hundred milliliters of H2O. During this procedure, it is very important to protect the eyes and skin from splashes.
Storage of substance
Soda lime is a compound that needs proper storage quite badly. If all conditions are not met, then there is a high chance that the substance will either be spoiled in terms of its composition, or it will take on a form in which it will be impossible to use it for its intended purpose.
Firstly, moisture, air should not get inside the 5 l canister of soda lime. Secondly, direct sunlight should not fall on it. Quite often, in order to keep this type of lime in good condition, it is poured with paraffin. Since this component is unsafe for human he alth, contact with mucous membranes or exposed skin should be avoided.
