Sodium Metal Extraction Industrial Methods, Its Properties and Uses

Sodium Metal Extraction Industrial Methods, Its Properties and Uses

Process for the Manufacture
of Sodium Metal

Sodium is a highly reactive metal which a chemical symbol “Na” it placed in 3rd row and 1st column of periodic table in a group of alkali metals, It is identified with its atomic number 11 and atomic mass 22.989.

Where do I find it?

Naturally it is present in common salt called sodium chloride ‘NaCl’ , in chile salt petre NaNO3, cryolite(Na3AlF6) and sodium sesqui carbonate.

Extraction methods:

To extract sodium as it is we have two famous methods

Castner Process: Principle method is Electrolysis of sodium hydroxide

Down’s process: Based on Electrolysis of sodium chloride

Castner process:

By the application of electrolysis technique sodium hydroxide is fused at temperature of 318 oC so that at cathode electrode sodium get deposited and liberating oxygen at anode electrode. Steps of the process:

NaoH ↔ Na+ + OH- , this is fused sodium hydroxide reaction producing individual ions

When the electrical supplying is given sodium ion move toward       Na++ e- → Na

At anode water and oxygen are evolved due to decomposing of OH- as per the reaction,             4OH- →2H2O +O2 +4e-

Above reaction are carried continuously producing sodium collected at receiver, oxygen and hydrogen. Some of the water is evaporated or decomposed to hydrogen and oxygen.

Castner's Process for the Manufacture of Sodium Metal

The electrolytic model explains the process of operation which operates at 318-330 oC by using gas burners. Negative supply is given to solid NaOH filled in iron support and positive to the Nickel anodes the whole set up is fitted in iron pot.  The dimension this iron tank range about 1.5 ft wide and 2 ft high with a capacity of 480 kg of fused NaOH. Nickel gauze separates cathode and anode electrodes and prevents the molten sodium formed at cathode to oxygen liberated at anode. Gas burners are used for start up to raise the temperature to 315 oC as the on the run the temperature is maintained by the reaction between electrode maintain the temperature.  Sodium metal float to the surface collected in receiver provided with mantle at the top at the lid and seal from atmosphere to prevent contact of oxygen. The molten sodium is removed as on when is reaches the level. A prefect seal is maintained with the iron pot and the lid with asbestos rings.

Limitation: sodium is soluble in sodium hydroxide as the temperature rises above 315 oC and separation become inflexible.

Properties of sodium metal:

Physical:

Melting point: 97.5

Boiling point: 883

Sp gravity: 0.97 gm/cc

Conduction: good conductor of electricity

Appearance: silver white

Density compared with water: lighter than water

It can be cut with a knife, because it is soft.

 

Chemical:

Highly reactive

Burns with oxygen forming into sodium monoxide and sodium peroxide.      4Na + O2 →2 Na2O

Liberate hydrogen when reacted with Hydrochloric acid.      2Na +2HCl → 2NaCl +H2

It replaces hydrogen due to high electro positivity.       2Na + 2HNO3 →2NaNO3 +H2

When exposed to open surrounding it reacts with moisture forming Na2O and to NaOH finally to Na2CO3.

2Na + O2 → Na2O2

Na2O +H2O→ 2NaOH

2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 +H2O

Sodium metal Uses:

It is a starting material for production and manufacturing of highly valuable  chemical products like sodium hydroxide, NaCN, sodamide, dyes, perfumes, artificial rubber etc,. It take can be used as reducing agent in the form of sodium amalgam, as a detecting element of nitrogen, sulphur and halogens, deals in the extraction process of boron and silicon