2.

COMMODITY DESCRIPTION

2.1. Definition

2.1.1. Dilution

Dilution is the process of decreasing the concentration of a solute in solution, usually simply by
mixing with more solvent. To dilute a solution means to add more solvent without the addition of
more solute. The resulting solution is thoroughly mixed so as to ensure that all parts of the
solution are identical. In other words, "Dilutions are expressed as the ratio of the quantity of a
desired solute (serum, urine, chemical solution, etc.) contained in a solvent (diluent).

The solvent is the substance present in the larger amount .

Figure 1. 1 : Dilution process

2.1.2. Hydrochloric acid

Concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a hazardous chemical and must be handled with care. It
is a strong inorganic acid which is highly corrosive, poisonous, hazardous and toxic. It is a
colourless or slightly yellow liquid with a strong pungent odour and produces fumes at high
concentrations. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is normally purchased from a supplier as either
32% or 36%.The dilution of hydrochloric acid is an exothermic (heat producing) reaction.
2.1.3. Caustic soda

Caustic soda is a strong, colorless alkali manufactured through the electrolysis of sodium
chloride (salt brine). Caustic soda or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is chemically reactive with a
wide variety of organic and inorganic chemicals. In all its forms, including solution form, caustic
soda is highly corrosive and can cause serious burns to the eyes and skin.

2.1.4. Sodium chlorite

Sodium chlorite is made by the partial reduction of sodium chlorate to chlorine dioxide and the
chlorine dioxide's subsequent conversion to sodium chlorite in an alkaline solution in the
presence of hydrogen peroxide.

2.2. Uses of the commodity

2.2.1. Use of caustic soda

Chemical Production - The chemical industry consumes nearly 40% of the caustic soda
produced as a basic reagent for a multitude of general industrial applications.
Pulp and Paper - Both sulfate and sulfite pulps are purified by removing lignin
compounds in the caustic extraction stages of multistage bleach plants. In some kraft
mills, caustic soda is also used as a makeup chemical. It is also used as the initial
treatment in deinking secondary fibers.
Rayon and Cellophane - Fiber production by the viscose process requires caustic soda at
two main stages. Cellulose is treated with caustic soda solution to mercerize it and form
alkali cellulose, which is then dissolved in dilute caustic soda solution to form viscose
prior to extruding rayon fibers and cellophane films.
Alumina Extraction - Caustic soda is used to digest bauxite ore, precipitating alumina
(aluminum oxide).It is also used as an etchant in the finishing and chemical milling of
aluminum products.
Soap making - Caustic soda saponifies fats into water soluble sodium soaps.
Textiles-Used in scouring, bleaching, desizing, lustering and mercerizing.
 Petroleum Production and Refining - Caustic soda is used as an absorbent for carbon
dioxide in light petroleum fractions; as an absorbent for sulfides in the purification of
various fractions; and with chlorine for hypochlorite sweetening, a treatment step in the
removal of various sulfur compounds.
Soda Ash Replacement - Caustic soda can be used interchangeably for many
applications in glass, paper,pulp, phosphates and silicates industries.
Renewable Fuels - Caustic soda is used for pH adjustment and formation of in situ
sodium methylate in bioethanol and biodiesel processing.

2.2.2. Uses of Hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid is an important and widely used chemical. The largest end uses for
hydrochloric acid are steel pickling, oil well acidizing, food manufacturing, producing calcium
chloride, and ore processing.

 Steel pickling

Hydrochloric acid is used in pickling operations for carbon, alloy and stainless steels. Steel
pickling is the process by which iron oxides and scale are removed from the surface of steel by
converting the oxides to soluble compounds. Pickling is required for steel products that undergo
further processing such as wire production, coating of sheet and strip, and tin mill products.
Hydrochloric acid is used primarily for continuous pickling operations in which hot-rolled strip
steel is passed through a countercurrent flow of acid solution. In addition to steel pickling,
hydrochloric acid is used in aluminum etching, metal prefixing for galvanizing and soldering,
and metal cleaning.

 Oil well acidizing

Hydrochloric acid is used both to remove rust, scale and undesirable carbonate deposits in oil
wells to encourage the flow of crude oil or gas to the well. This use is called "stimulation."
Acidizing is generally done in carbonate or limestone formations by stimulation. An acid
solution is injected into the formation, which dissolves a portion of the rock and creates a large
pore structure in the formation, increasing its effective permeability and the flow of oil.
  Food

The food industry uses hydrochloric acid in the processing of a variety of products. A major use
of hydrochloric acid by the food industry is for the production of corn syrups such as high-
fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Much of the hydrochloric acid consumed in the HFCS industry is used to regenerate the ion
exchange resins that are employed to remove impurities. Hydrochloric acid can also be used to
acid-modify cornstarch and to adjust the pH of intermediates, final product and wastewater. The
largest use of HFCS is in the production of soft drinks, which accounts for 70-75% of demand.

 Other Food Uses

Hydrochloric acid is also used in other food processing applications, including the production of
hydrolyzed vegetable protein and soy sauce. It is used in acidulating crushed bones for the
manufacture of gelatin and as an acidifier for products such as sauces, vegetable juices and
canned goods.

Hydrochloric acid is also consumed in the production of artificial sweeteners and in the
production of lysine, choline chloride (both used primarily as animal feed additives) and citric
acid.

 Production of Calcium Chloride

Neutralizing hydrochloric acid with limestone (CaCO3) produces calcium chloride. The largest
use for calcium chloride is highway deicing with production dependent on weather conditions.
Other uses include dust control, industrial processing, oil recovery, concrete treatment and tire
ballasting. Calcium chloride is also used in oil recovery products such as drilling muds and work
over/completion fluids.
  Ore Processing

Hydrochloric acid is consumed in many mining operations for ore treatment, extraction,
separation, purification and water treatment. Significant quantities are used in the recovery of
molybdenum and gold. Hydrochloric acid is used to convert high-grade scheelite concentrate
(CaWO4) and crude sodium tungstate to tungstic acid, which in turn, can be used to produce
tungsten metal and chemicals. Hydrochloric acid is also used in uranium and zirconium
processing, solution mining of borate ores, as a pH regulator in the froth flotation of potash ores,
and in rare earth extraction from bastnasite.

 Other

Aqueous hydrochloric acid is used in a variety of miscellaneous applications, including the

recovery of semiprecious metals from used catalysts, use as a catalyst in synthesis, use in catalyst
regeneration, pH control, regeneration of ion exchange resins used in wastewater treatment and
electric utilities, neutralization of alkaline products or waste materials, and in brine acidification
for use in the production of chlorine and caustic soda.

Hydrochloric acid is also used in many other production processes for organic chemicals. It can
be used in the production of p-phenylenediamine, polycarbonate resins, bisphenol A, polyvinyl
chloride resins,and ethanol (from ethylene).

The pharmaceutical industry consumes hydrochloric acid as a catalyst in synthesis, for pH

control, for deionization of water and as a reduction agent (e.g., in the production of ascorbic
acid and paraaminobenzoic acid).

Numerous other uses of hydrochloric acid include the manufacture of dyes and pigments; the
removal of sludge and scale from industrial equipment; the deliming, tanning and dyeing of
hides by the leather industry; manufacture of permanent wave lotion; the carbonizing of wool;
use as a bleaching and dyeing assistant in the textile industry; and the purification of sand and
clay.
2.2.3. Use of Sodium chlorite
 Hydrogen Sulfide Odor Control

In the ionic form, sodium chlorite is almost exclusively reactive to hydrogen sulfide, and does
not react with ammonia or form other chlorinated compounds.

 Copper Cyanide Destruction.

Copper Cyanide, which is formed in the recovery process for copper metal, is the only cyanide
that catalyzes sodium chlorite making it an effective option.

 Stripping Dyestuffs from Textiles

Chlorine dioxide removes dyestuffs from textiles with a minimum of fiber degradation.
However, its effectiveness depends upon the dyestuff and the type of fabric. This method also
provides a good bottom for redying.

 Upgrading of Fats and Oils

Chlorine dioxide is effective in the bleaching of fats and oils. The process is simple and low cost
and since it eliminates the need for a filter medium, it produces a higher yield than other
methods. (About 30% of the weight of the filter residue, which is generally discarded, is tallow.)
Problems such as storage and handling of the filter medium and disposal of filter residues are
eliminated as well

 Treatment of Potable Water

Chlorine dioxide has long been used to remove tastes and odors in potable water. It is also used
in the disinfection of water, particularly where trihalomethanes are of concern. Chlorine dioxide
also oxidizes soluble manganese and iron compounds, eliminating a major cause of stained sinks
and fixtures.
  Bacterial Control in Oil Wells and Petroleum Systems

A patented use for chlorine dioxide is to treat water that is or will be contaminated with
petroleum oil. Many such mixtures contain sulfitereducing bacteria that form undesirable sulfide
compounds.Chlorine dioxide oxidizes these sulfides to sulfates, while preventing or substantially
retarding the formation of colloidal sulfur.

 Bacterial Slime Control in Paper Mills

Some of the major operational problems in paper and paperboard production are caused by
proliferation of microbiological organisms in white water and stock systems. As an oxidizing
biocide, chlorine dioxide, can control microbiological growths, which cause paper malodors and
discoloration, deterioration of felts, equipment corrosion, fouling of pipes and
showers, and paper quality problems such as spots, specks and holes.

 Food Processing.

Chlorine Dioxide is highly effective for microbiological control in organically contaminated

flume waters. Control of microbiological growths is necessary to ensure food product safety and
quality. Chlorine dioxide has also found an application in cherry bleaching.

 Algae Control in Cooling Towers

Chlorine dioxide efficiently and economically controls microbiological growths in industrial

cooling waters under conditions unfavorable to chlorine. It is the primary microbiological control
agent in systems with high pH, ammonia-nitrogen contamination, or persistent slime problems.

 Treatment of Waste

Chlorine dioxide is used to disinfect sewage and plant wastes. It destroys phenolics, simple
cyanides and sulfides by oxidation.
2.3. Characteristics

2.3.1. Characteristics of Caustic Soda

Caustic soda is the most typical of the strong alkalis. Although there is no danger of it exploding
or igniting, it reacts with various acids, such as hydrochloric acid, and is neutralized and
generates considerable exothermic heat of neutralization.

・It corrodes metals, such as aluminum, tin, and zinc. During this process, it
generates hydrogen, which has the potential to behave as an explosive gas.

・It is highly hygroscopic, and absorbs the moisture, carbon dioxide, or sulfur dioxide in the air.
It is also highly deliquescent and absorbs moisture to form an aqueous solution.

・When liquid caustic soda is diluted; it generates a considerable amount of heat of dilution.
Since this rapidly generates strong heat and the resulting solution may spatter if the water is
carelessly poured into it, care must be taken.

・Caustic soda easily decomposes animal fibers. Although plant fibers are also decomposed,
they have a higher resistance than animal fibers. Although materials resistant to corrosion by
caustic soda include stainless steel, steel-epoxy resins, and fiber-reinforced plastics, steel and
rubber-lined steel are the most frequently used.

2.3.2. Characteristics of Hydrochloric Acid

・Hydrochloric acid is a non-flammable, transparent and colorless or light yellow liquid. When it
has a concentration of 25% or more, it is a fuming, i.e., hydrogen chloride gas, hydrochloric acid
gas) strong acid.

・Hydrochloric acid reacts with a chromate, permanganate, or persulfate to generate chlorine;

and reacts with a metal peroxide to form its chloride and chlorine.
・Hydrochloric acid gas has a strong pungent odor, and is highly corrosive.
・Hydrochloric acid is harmful to humans and animals. The inhalation of a large
quantity of hydrochloric acid will cause intoxication and result in death.

・When hydrochloric acid is heated, it generates a large quantity of hydrochloric

acid fumes.

・Although hydrochloric acid itself is non-explosive or non-flammable, it corrodes various

metals to generate hydrogen. If the hydrogen is mixed with the air, an explosion may occur.

2.4. Quality standard

Ethiopia has its own quality standard issued by Ethiopian Quality Standard Agency as ES
654:2001, ES 968 :2004,and ES 883:2002 for Sodium hydroxide, Hydrochloric acid, and Sodium
hypochlorites family with Sodium chlorite respectively. And these specifications will be attached
in hard copy at the end of the final commodity study.