There are many chemicals that make life easier for modern people. One of them is sodium formate. The formula for this compound is HCOONa. It is often called sodium formic acid.
General information
Sodium formate is a by-product from the pentaerythritol production process. This substance is most often used as a reducing agent in organic synthesis reactions. Obtaining sodium formate is associated with certain problems in the purification of this chemical compound. So, in the final product there is always an insignificant admixture of pentaerythritol and its derivatives. Sodium formate is a crystalline powder of a white or slightly grayish color. Sometimes sodium formate with a slight greenish tint is on sale. The impurities present in it are not visible to the naked eye. In the powder that goes on sale, the mass fraction of the basic substance should be at least 92%. In high-quality sodium formate, the specific gravity of water should not exceed 3%. There are also sugary substances in this chemical. In terms of glucose, their content cannot exceed 1%.
To date, there is no separate industrial production of this chemical. Since sodium formate is produced as a by-product, it requires special additional processing. Some companies are trying to synthesize this substance, but such production is extremely costly and not suitable for mass production.
The formula of sodium formate is HCOONa. Since this substance contains formic acid, which is an excellent anti-ice agent, it is most often used as an antifreeze additive.
Sodium Formate Properties
Technical sodium formate is used in several industries. Its widespread use is due to its properties. This substance is highly soluble in water. It is slightly soluble in alcohols and insoluble in ether. Sodium formate is non-flammable and fully explosion proof. Despite this, in places of its storage and use it is not allowed to use sources of open fire and smoking is prohibited.
Applications for this chemical
It is used as an anti-frost additive in the production of a variety of building structures. It is also used in the leather industry. It is used in various predubil operations.
As a raw material, sodium formate is indispensable in the production of such a chemical substance as formic acid. It is also used in the oil industry and as a component of deicing agents.
Effects on the human body
Sodium formate in its degree of human exposure is classified as hazard class 4. It can cause serious harm to the body in high concentration. Sodium formate often causes irritation of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. In working with this chemical, it is imperative to use personal protective equipment: a respirator, a bathrobe, rubber gloves. In the event of an accident with the release of a large amount of sodium formate, the use of a gas mask is mandatory. For storage of this chemical, dry insulated warehouses are equipped where it is stored in bags on special pallets.
Sodium formate - antifrosty additive
In addition to use in industry and construction, this substance is actively used as an antifreeze reagent with a sparing effect. It, unlike other types of anti-icing products, does not have a catastrophic effect on the surrounding nature. In addition, metal parts of automobile transport do not suffer too much from it. It can also be freely used for processing artificial structures at road facilities as a corrosion inhibitor.
Sodium formate in construction
This chemical is indispensable for the construction of monolithic reinforced concrete and concrete structures in the cold season. Moreover, it is recommended to use it already at an air temperature of 5 ° C. It is also used in the manufacture of monoliths in prefabricated structures for sealing joints, for prefabricated reinforced concrete products. Sodium formate is introduced into the concrete mixture in the following proportions:
• 2% of the weight of the cement used, calculated on the dry chemical substance at the hardening temperature up to −5 ° C (dosage 8 kg / 7 l);
• 3% - up to −10 ° C (12 kg / 10.5 l);
• 4% - up to −15 ° C (16 kg / 14 l).
During the preparation of concrete, sodium formate is dissolved in warm water. However, there is a special recommendation for mixing such a solution. So, it is added together with mixing water through a special chemical additives dispenser. You can also use a water dispenser. In the latter case, for mixing it is necessary to reduce its consumption by 8-13%. Thanks to sodium formate, hardening of concrete is accelerated, which is especially important in the construction of high-rise buildings.
Precautions
This substance cannot be used in prestressed structures in which steel of classes AT-VI, AT-IV, AV is used for reinforcement. It is also not suitable for concrete and reinforced concrete products, which are planned to be used in gas and water environments with an air humidity of more than 60% and in structures intended for industrial enterprises and electrified vehicles where direct current is used.
When using this substance, it should be remembered that it is still not “guest” as an antifrosty additive, therefore only the information about it that is publicly available and “Recommendations for the use of technical sodium formate” is used. The latter were approved by the expert committee of the Scientific and Technical Council of NIISK. Many manufacturers of this chemical produce it according to technical specifications (TU). Today, there are Chinese-made products on sale, the quality of which is simply impossible to verify, since often there are not even certificates for them. That is why it is better to purchase this substance from trusted domestic manufacturers.