What is Caustic Soda?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

caustic ['kstk]
lye [la] - ,
base [bes]
flakes [fleks]
pellet ['pelt]
ready-made [red'med]

7. solution [s'lun]
8. application [pl'ken]
9. detergent [d'tnt]
10.soluble ['sljbl]
11.solvent ['slvnt]
12.dissolution [ds'lun]
13.exothermic [eksu'mk]

14.amount ['maunt]
15.acidic ['sdk]

16.by-product ['baprdkt]
17.transition [trn'zn ] metal

18.alkaline ['lklan]
19.to pulp [plp]
20.fiber [fab]
21.to bleach [bli] ,

22.ester ['est]
23.anhydrous [n'hadrs]
24.grease [gris]
25.to etch [e]
26.to polish ['pl]
27.to refine [r'fan]
28.bauxite ['bksat]ore
29.mud viscosity [vs'kst]

30.to eliminate ['lmnet] ,

Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or lye, is a white inorganic metallic
base, highly caustic and usually available in granules, flakes or pellets or in ready-made
solutions of various strengths. As a strong chemical base, its used in multiple industrial
applications from the manufacture of paper to detergents. Lets have a
closer look at some of its most important properties and uses.
Chemical and physical properties

Solubility: Pure caustic soda is highly soluble in water, but with a

limited solubility in alcohol and completely insoluble in non-polar

solvents. Adding this compound to water must be done with extreme
caution, as its dissolution is a highly exothermic reaction and a
considerable amount of heat is generated. Its essential to follow good
laboratory practices to avoid accidents.

Reaction with acids: Like all other basis, this compound reacts with acids to produce

salt and water. A good example involves the production of sodium chloride (NaCl) after
reaction between hydrochloric acid(HCl) and caustic soda (NaOH). This type of reactions are
commonly used in the lab.

Reaction with oxides: Caustic soda can also react with acidic oxides, such as carbon

dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). This type of reaction is commonly used in many
industrial processes to prevent the release of harmful gases into the atmosphere, converting
them to safer by-products.

Reaction with metals: Caustic soda cannot react with iron, but a few transition

metals, including aluminium, are strongly affected by this compound.

Hydrolysis reaction: Caustic soda can undergo hydrolysis reactions with several

compounds.

Common uses and applications

Caustic soda has multiple industrial uses, mostly relying on its strong alkaline properties.
Possibly the most important use is in the paper manufacturing process, closely followed by
detergent production.

Chemical pulping: Sodium hydroxide is commonly used during the process of wood

pulping in the paper industry. In fact, its one of the key ingredients used to separate lignin
[lgnn] from cellulose fibers, as well as later stages of bleaching the pulp.

Soap making and other esterification reactions: Sodium hydroxide is also the

main ingredient during the process of making soap. A similar esterification reaction, but
crucially only using anhydrous sodium hydroxide, is used in the manufacture of biodiesel.

Cleaning agent: At home, one of the most popular products to deal with a stubborn

pipe blockage is caustic soda, as it can dissolve a wide variety of products including grease
and oil, as well as proteins (like in hair, for example).

Dissolving metals: Caustic soda can be highly corrosive to certain metals, with the

production of hydrogen gas. This reaction is the basis for many processes, including etching
and polishing a surface. Using the same principle, caustic soda is involved in refining bauxite
ores to produce aluminium oxide, which is subsequently used to get pure aluminium metal.

Oil industry: In a small scale, caustic soda is also used in the oil industry to increase

mud viscosity and eliminate any gas produced.

Task 1. Make up word-combinations according to the text
1

to use

a considerable amount of heat

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1

to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to

b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j

to safer by-products
a closer look
the pulp
the release of harmful gases
hydrolysis reactions
in water
with acid
pure metal
with extreme caution

0
1

to bleach

a surface

1
1

to dissolve

accidents

2
1

to polish

grease and oil

3
1

to get

have
be soluble
do
generate
avoid
react
prevent
convert
undergo

in multiple industrial applications

4
1

Task 2. Translate word-combinations into English

10

11

12

13

14

Task 3. Match the beginning and the ending of the sentences

1

Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide, is

a detergents.

a white inorganic
Caustic soda is available in granules, flakes, pellets

b salt and water.

or in ready-made
Sodium hydroxide is used in multiple industrial

c the paper industry

applications from the manufacture of paper to

Pure caustic soda is highly soluble in water, but it

d aluminium oxide.

5
6
7

completely insoluble in
Sodium hydroxide reacts with acids to produce
Caustic soda cannot react
Sodium hydroxide is commonly used during the

e caustic soda.
f metallic base.
g metals.

process of wood pulping in

An esterification reaction s used in the manufacture

h with iron.

of
One of the most popular products to deal with a

viscosity.

stubborn pipe blockage is

Caustic soda can be highly corrosive to certain

solutions.

0
1

Caustic soda is involved in refining bauxite ores to

k non-polar solvents.

1
1

produce
Caustic soda is also used in the oil industry to

increase mud

10

biodiesel.

11

12

Task 4. Match terms and definitions

1

base

a type of chemical reaction witch goes on with the liberation of heat

2
3

solution
detergent

b
c

to make the surface of something smooth and shiny

exothermic

to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a

substance
an organic compound made by replacing the hydrogen of

a class of compounds whose aqueous solutions are characterized by the

ability to react with acids to form salts.

alkaline

an acid by an alkyl or other organic group

6
7
8
9
1

ester
anhydrous
grease
bauxite ore
pulp

f
g
h
i
j

a clay-like substance from which aluminium is obtained.

0
1

bleach

animal fat used or produced in cooking

1
1

refine

having the properties of an alkali, having a pH greater than

2
1

eliminate

7
to crush into a soft and shapeless mass

3
1

polish

containing no water

a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances

to make white or much lighter

to remove completely
a cleaning agent that increases the ability of water to break down greases
and dirt.

4
1

Task 5. Match pictures and the words.

bauxite ore, fiber, grease, pellet, detergent, flakes

10

11

12

13

14