Sodium Lignosulfonate

What is Sodium Lignosulfonate?

Molecular Formula (Sodium Lignosulfonate): C₂₀H₂₄Na₂O₁₀S₂

Molecular Weight: 534.5 g/mol

Chemical Name: Lignosulfonic Acid Sodium Salt

CAS Number: 8061-51-6

It has biological slime dispersion properties. It is a compound formed by Lignin Sulfonate with sodium. It is a polymeric electrolyte with a high degree of solubility in water.

It can form stable complex compounds with Calcium and Zinc. Lignosulfonates exhibit very important properties in cement production.

Other Names are as Follows;

• Lignosulfonic Acid Sodium Salt
• 8061-51-6
• Lignin Sulfonate
• Alkali Lignin

How is Sodium Lignosulfonate Produced?

Production of Lignosulfonic Acid Sodium Salt is carried out in 2 stages. In the 1st stage, the pulping process of Calcium Bisulfite is carried out. It is reacted with Lignin. The hydroxyl group in the lignin molecule reacts with sulfite or sulfate.

Milk of lime, consisting of a solution of Calcium Oxide with water, is added to the resulting waste liquid. The resulting solution is filtered and then washing is performed. Then Sulfuric Acid is added.

Calcium Sulfate is filtered out from the resulting solution. The obtained Calcium Lignosulfonate is then reacted with Sodium Carbonate to convert it into Sodium Lignosulfonate.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

In physical appearance, it is light brown or dark brown in color.

Density: 0.9 – 1.3 g/cm³

Melting Point: Information not available.

Boiling Point: Information not available.

In terms of solubility, it has high solubility in water. It has high dispersion capability.

It does not have toxic properties.

Amines react with inorganic hydroxides.

What are the Usage Areas of Sodium Lignosulfonate?

• In cement production, it is used to reduce the water content within the cement. With the reduction of water in the mixture, sedimentation occurs in the inner part. This allows for the use of less cement.
• In the petroleum sector, it is used to reduce the viscosity of drilling mud. In this application, it reduces the mobility of the mud during drilling operations.
• It is used as a stabilizer in the manufacture of water-based adhesives for bonding rubber and synthetic rubber materials.
• It is used as a concrete superplasticizer. Sulfomethylation is accelerated with Peroxyacetic Acid.
• In soil-based agricultural applications, it is used as a fertilizer in agriculture to increase the effectiveness of photosynthetic leafy nutrient applications.
• In the water treatment sector, it is used as a water purifier and water treatment agent, acting as a dispersing agent.
• The water-reducing effect of Sodium Lignosulfonate stems from its surfactant property. Surfactants have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic structures. Hydrophilic groups separate ions with different structures. In this way, water reduction is achieved.

What are the Factors Affecting Its Prices?

The price of Sodium Lignosulfonate is directly dependent on the prices of the raw materials used in the production of this chemical. As lignin prices increase, the prices of this chemical substance will increase.

When companies selling Sodium Lignosulfonate increase their stocks, Lignosulfonate prices will experience short-term decreases. The prices of this chemical substance vary according to the policies of the distributor companies.

During the agricultural season, the use of Sodium Lignosulfonate increases. Consequently, Lignosulfonate prices increase. It is lower compared to the price of Calcium Lignosulfonate.