Sodium lignosulphonate can be defined as a yellow brown water soluble powder with a low sugar content and has medium molecular weight. It is an anionic surfactant with a good dispersion capacity, strong adaptability for cement since it belongs to the first generation of admixes. It does not corrode steel since it has no chlorine salts.
Sodium lignosulphonate can be used in many industries such as construction, metallurgical industry, rubber vulcanization, ceramics, petroleum, leather and textile industry. Companies in the food production industries use it as a de-foaming agent. The following is the detailed application introduction:
Main Uses of Sodium Lignosulphonate
1. Dust suppressant
Lignosulphonates are non-corrosive, nontoxic wind biodegradable hence used on dirt roads to suppress dust. They provide a great surface coverage and trap dust to prevent air pollution. They are better alternatives to synthetic chemicals when it comes to environmental pollution.
2. Preservation
Sodium lignosulphonates have anti-microbial and preservative properties hence used in the food industry. They are also used as animal feeds additives.
3. Cement and Concrete Manufacture
Sodium lignosulphonates work as plasticizers or retarder in concrete making by maintaining the viscosity of cement with less water, lowers formulations costs and maintains the strength and durability of concrete. It also reduces the viscosity of slurry by being used as a raw-mix deflocculant. It also reduces costs associated with formulation in addition to strengthening concrete.
4. Ceramics
Sodium lignosulphonates are used as ceramic enhancers by acting as a reinforcing agent to the ceramic paste which increases its molding capacity and used to maintain viscosity during ceramics production. They have a water reducing effect which shortens the drying process.
5. Manufacture of Petroleum Products
Sodium lignosulphonates are used in production of petroleum products as dispersants, cleaning agents and emulsifying viscosity reducer.
6. Oil Drilling and Energy Generation
Sodium Lignosulphonates are used to reduce the viscosity of mineral slurry during oil drilling. Coal slurry contains coal, water and other dispersants and lignosulphonates are added to the mixture acting as a dispersant. They also help coal slurry remain stable and fluid and reduce the amount of power consumed during pulping.
7. Binding Agent
Lignosulphonates work as a binding agent for powder and granular materials such lead powder, zinc powder and coke through ball pressing. Used in the extrusion and compaction of mud-brick walls, floor tiles and cast iron.
8. Lead Battery Life Extension
It is used to prolong the life of lead by crystallization of the lead sulfate used in the batteries.
9. Plasterboard production:
Sodium lignosulphonate reduces the water content needed to make stucco flow when producing plasterboard. This forms a layer between the two sheets thus reducing the temperature in the kiln where plasterboards are dried; essentially saving energy.
The above is its main uses. When purchasing the sodium lignosulphonate , there are three grades of the product available. Grade one sodium lignosulphonate is yellow in color and it has a PH of between 7.0 – 9.5. Grade two sodium lignosulphonate is brown in color and its PH ranges between 9.0-13.0. Grade three sodium lignosulphonate is brown in colour and its PH ranges between 4.0-7.0.
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