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Sodium bicarbonate is basically a chemical compound, which is also often known as baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda and bicarbonate of soda. Students of science and chemistry have also nicknamed sodium bicarbonate as sodium bicarb, bicarb soda. Sometimes it is also simply known as bi-carb. The Latin name for sodium bicarbonate is Saleratus, which means, 'aerated salt'. Sodium bicarbonate is a component of the mineral Natron, also known as Nahcolite which is usually found in mineral springs, the only natural source of sodium bicarbonate.

Uses of sodium bicarbonate are varied and also very useful. Sodium bicarbonate is used in many different fields that range from chemical industries to household applications. This compound is also used extensively in the manufacture of medicines. Among the many benefits of sodium bicarbonate is its ability to eliminate most of the bacteria and fungi and also act as a disinfectant. These sodium bicarbonate benefits make it a very important ingredient of medicines and cleaning agents. When a chemistry student is asked, 'what is sodium bicarbonate used for?', he is bound to give us a list that goes as follows.

Index

• Sodium Bicarbonate Properties
• Sodium Bicarbonate Production
• Medical Uses
• Industrial Uses
• Anti-Pollutant
• Household Uses
• Other Bi-carb Uses

Sodium Bicarbonate Properties

The following are some chemical properties of Sodium Bicarbonate

Molecular Formula	NaHCO3
Molar Mass	84.0066 g/mol
Density	2.159 g/cm3
Odor	Odorless
Melting Point	270°C (decomp)
Solubility in Water	7.8 g/100 mL (18°C) and 10 g/100 mL (20°C)
Solubility	Insoluble in Alcohol
Acidity	10.3
Refractive Index	1.500

If you want to know the physical properties and appearance of sodium bicarbonate, just hold a pinch of baking powder on your palm and observe it. You will notice that the soluble white anhydrous substance has a crystalline appearance and a translucent white shade. You can also get some sodium bicarbonate which has a different texture of grains from a chemistry laboratory. Though the toxicity of raw sodium bicarbonate brought straight out of the lab is very low, one should never consume it.

Sodium Bicarbonate Production

Sodium bicarbonate is basically produced with the help of a process that is known as the Solvay process. Solvay process is a reaction between calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, carbon dioxide and ammonia. The reaction takes place in water. There are basically two reactions that take place in the Solvay process that produce the sodium bicarbonate formula; NaHCO₃. The following are the formulas of reactions that produce sodium bicarbonate.

In the first step the reaction between carbon dioxide and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide result into the formation of sodium carbonate.

CO₂ + 2 NaOH → Na₂CO₃ + H₂O

In the next step, the additional carbon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate and water produce the final product, sodium bicarbonate.

Na₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O → 2 NaHCO₃

Sodium bicarbonate occurs very rarely in the form of minerals that can be easily mined and processed. Among the rare sources of sodium bicarbonate, the most well known source is Piceance Basin, Colorado, which quenches the North American continent's demand for sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate in this region is basically extracted from the formation of nahcolite beds.

To know more about the components of sodium bicarbonate you may refer to

• Sodium: The Element
• Sodium Properties: Chemical and Physical Properties of Sodium

Medical Uses

The following are the many sodium bicarbonate uses in the field of medicine.

Indigestion: Sodium bicarbonate is one of the well known antacid that is used by large number of pharmaceutical companies to make medicines that treat mild indigestion problems. The most common medicine is an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate that is used to treat minor digestive disorders such as acid indigestion and heartburn.

Metabolic Acidosis: Medicines that are used to treat mild forms of metabolic acidosis like chronic renal failure and renal tubular acidosis also contains a significant amount of sodium bicarbonate.

Urinary Alkalinization: Sometimes sodium bicarbonate is also used as an ingredient of medicines that are used in urinary alkalinization, to treat Aspirin overdose and uric acid renal stones.

Acidosis: An aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate is also used to treat acidosis. This solution is administered with the help of Intravenous therapy. The solution is basically administered when a drop in the level of sodium or bicarbonate ions is noticed in the blood.

Hyperkalemia: One of the most well known sodium bicarbonate uses is the treatment for Hyperkalemia.

Toiletries: Sometimes manufacturers of toiletries use sodium bicarbonate as an ingredient for preparing mouthwashes as it is an excellent cleanser of teeth and gums. It also tends to reduce the production of acids in the mouth and prevents oral infection. Non-fluoride tooth pastes also contain a significant amount of sodium bicarbonate. As a result of the anti-fungal properties of sodium bicarbonate, it is also used in shampoos and deodorants. The anti-fungal properties, tend to highlight the sodium bicarbonate benefits even more, making it a very effective ingredient.

There are numerous sodium bicarbonate tablets manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. However one must never consume such medications before consulting a doctor.

Industrial Uses

The following are some industrial uses of sodium bicarbonate.

When asked about the sodium bicarbonate uses, we often tend to forget the many industrial uses of the compound.

Textile Industry: One of the most prominent uses of sodium bicarbonate is the treatment of wool and silk fabrics. The textile industry, extensively uses sodium bicarbonate for dyeing and printing operations. The leather industry also uses sodium bicarbonate as a neutralizer of dyeing agents in tanning processes.

Leather Industry: In addition to the textile and leather industries sodium bicarbonate is also used by the chemical industries around the world. One of the prominent uses of sodium bicarbonate as a catalyst and purifier in the manufacturing process of complex plastics and polymers.

Rubber and Plastic: Another very prominent use of sodium bicarbonate is that it is used in the manufacturing process of rubber and plastics. The sodium bicarbonate that is used in the rubber and plastic manufacture is basically used as a blowing agent as it releases carbon dioxide. The release of carbon dioxide is very effectively used to shape the object that is made from the rubber and plastic.

Anti-Pollutant

The following are some of the sodium bicarbonate uses, as an anti-polluting agent.

Sodium Bicarbonate is also a very effective anti-pollutant. Among the other uses of sodium bicarbonate, the use as an anti pollutant is very effective because sodium bicarbonate can be easily, used for the biological control of waste water. The compound basically controls biological oxygen demand, maintains alkalinity in waste water and also controls sulphide odors. It is also a very effective collector of sulfur dioxide, and is used in flue gas desulphurization( a method of treating industrial gases that are released into the atmosphere).

To know more about pollution you may read more on:

• Environmental Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Air Pollution

Household Uses

Baking: Among the household sodium bicarbonate uses, the one that we all must definitely should know, is that it is used to bake delicious breads and cakes. The baking powders, contain a large quantity of sodium bicarbonate and is always accompanied by a small quantity of acid phosphate. During the baking process, some of the ingredients like phosphates, cream of tartar, lemon juice, buttermilk, cocoa, yogurt and vinegar react with sodium bicarbonate in the baking powder giving rise to a substantial amount of carbon dioxide that makes that cake or bread porous on the inside and pretty fluffy and soft. Sometimes, sodium bicarbonate is also used to soften peas, during boiling.

To know more about baking soda and sodium bicarbonate you may also refer to Baking Soda Uses.

Cleaning Agent: Many household cleaning agents actually constitute sodium bicarbonate as a very important ingredient. Most of the cleaning agents that are used for the removal of tarnish, tend to contain a small amount of sodium bicarbonate.

Other Bi-carb Uses
The following are some of the miscellaneous, sodium bicarbonate uses.

One of the prominent use of sodium bicarbonate is that it is used in the manufacture of dry chemical based fire extinguishers. These fire extinguishers can be easily and effectively used to put out fires caused as a result of grease based and electricity based fires.

In many cases, the anti fungal properties of sodium bicarbonate have made it a very effective outdoor cleaning agent and also an agent to raise the pH levels (level of acidity or basicity). Thus many of the disinfectants and antiseptic agents that are used in spas and swimming pools have a content of sodium bicarbonate in them.

Librarians and book sellers are also known to have used sodium bicarbonate as a remedy for the musty smell that prevails in the pages of books.

Thus it can be concluded that sodium bicarbonate is a very useful compound and has a large variety of uses. The sodium bicarbonate uses range from industrial to domestic. This compound is also a very important agent that helps us to maintain our hygiene and also helps us to get rid of nasty fungus and bacteria.