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Sodium bicarbonate

The chemical formula for sodium bicarbonate is NaHCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is naturally found as crystalline white solid, but it is always seen in powdered form. The taste of sodium bicarbonate is alkaline and this is a part of natron mineral. The natural mineral form of sodium bicarbonate is called nahcolite. Nahcolite is found in Colorado basin. Commercial mining of nahcolite is done in the basin using several techniques and procedures. This nahcolite is synthesized artificially for several purposes.

Bakeries find sodium bicarbonate to be of high use and the nick names of sodium bicarbonate are baking soda, cooking soda, and bread soda. Sodium bicarbonate is used for cleaning purposes as well. It was in 1791, that sodium bicarbonate was produced by a French chemist. Later in 1846, a simple method of producing sodium bicarbonate from sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide was developed by New York bakers.

The method of Solvay process is now widely used in the manufacture of sodium bicarbonate. This process involves a series of chemical reactions involving carbon dioxide, sodium hydroxide, byproduct of the reaction, and water. Finally, sodium bicarbonate precipitates, which can be collected separately.

Sodium bicarbonate is mildly alkaline in nature and it is an amphoteric compound. Acidic impurities from any liquid can be washed away with sodium bicarbonate as it has alkaline nature. Sodium bicarbonate also reacts with bases forming corresponding salts and water. These properties are used in neutralization applications. Medically, sodium bicarbonate is used as an antacid. Dandruff treatments use sodium bicarbonate as an antifungal agent.
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