Sodium Sulphate Anhydrous

Discovered by German-Dutch chemist Johann Rudolf Glauber in 1625, Glauber’s salt is the processed form of mineral mirabilite, a decahydrate sodium sulfate. The hygroscopic nature of sodium sulfate causes it to absorb water and moisture, forming Glauber’s salt. It exists as a natural resource and is found in the bed of lakes such as in Saskatchewan.

Glauber’s salt is also a synonym for sodium sulfate anhydrous and is commonly used in the industries. Sodium sulfate anhydrous, also known as thenardite, has a formula of Na2SO4. It has an appearance of white crystalline solid and is chemically very stable. It is unreactive toward most oxidizing or reducing agents at normal temperatures. In addition to that, it can be converted to sodium sulfide at high temperature by carbo-thermal reduction.



Manufacturing Process



Mining

Since Glauber’s salt is available in abundance as a natural resource, almost two-thirds of the world’s production of Glauber’s salt come from mining. This is done by pumping water into smaller ponds and allowing it to evaporate. Upon evaporation, sodium sulfate crystals will be precipitated out, and hence isolated and collected.

Byproduct from Manufacture of Viscose Rayon Fiber

Viscose Rayon Fiber is the oldest commercially available man-made fiber. They are highly absorbent, soft and comfortable, easy to dye and drapes well. It is manufactured using wood pulp and sodium hydroxide to regenerate cellulose. Through a series of processes such as steeping and pressing, viscose rayon fiber is manufactured, with sodium sulfate as a major by-product.

Byproduct from Manufacture of Methionine

Glauber’s salt is also manufactured as a byproduct in the manufacture of methionine. Methionine, being one of the most essential amino acids, is manufactured via fermentation process. Through fermentation process, various nutrient mediums such as glucose or sugar cane juice yield different amount of methionine and by-product, sodium sulfate.