BICAR® TEC 

Thanks to its characteristics, sodium bicarbonate may have many functions as :

- buffer solution
- acids neutralisation (sodium bicarbonate used as a base component)
- carbon dioxide emission
- coating agent for other products particles
- abrasive powder
- whitening agent

BICAR® TEC, available in different grades, is therefore considered as an essential raw material in numerous industrial and manufacturing activities.

Sodium bicarbonate BICAR® has proven to be very efficient in the neutralisation of acids in the flue gas of numerous types of industries, particularly waste incineration processes, including very highly contaminated flue gases.
The Solvair® process, developed and patented by SOLVAY, offers two operational parts:

-  flue gas cleaning, based simply on the injection of dry sodium bicarbonate
-  purification and industrial recycling of the sodium-based flue gas cleaning residues in the chemical industry.

This new generation dry flue gas cleaning system in now widely used in many countries, in more than 100 plants.

Water has become an increasingly vital resource to human life and survival in this modern age. The quality and purity of our drinking water is subject to ever stricter monitoring and greater attention from public authorities and the community in general.

Corrosion in iron and lead water distribution pipelines is a problem of great concern, and it occurs most frequently when carbon dioxide and oxygen are dissolved in soft water.

Calcium carbonate deposits, a potent anticorrosion remedy
One of the most effective methods of fighting corrosion in water pipes is to deposit a layer of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) in their inside walls. This deposit forms a barrier between the pipe and the water flowing through it, preventing any further corrosion and stopping metal contamination of the water.
  
Sufficient quantities of Ca and CO3 ions must be present in the water in well-defined proportions to prevent the calcium carbonate deposit from dissolving.

Therefore, it is very important to add both calcium chloride (which provides the Ca2+ ions) and sodium bicarbonate (which provides the CO3 2- ions).Sodium bicarbonate is and essential product for the treatment of soft water.
 
The term 'soft' is applied to water with a temporary hardness (caused by the presence of calcium salts) within the range of 0.5 to 1.5 ºDH. Raising this (the desired value is 5 ºDH) requires 30g/m 3 of NaHCO 3 and 25 g/m 3 of CaCl 2 per ºDH. 

The excellent properties of BICAR® TEC   (low pH, buffer and water softener) make it highly suitable for use in developing complex formulations such as :
 
- washing powders and liquids (especially for fabrics with delicate colour dyes)
- dishwashing products
- cleaning products (for tiles, windows, etc.)
 
With regard to cleaning agents, washing powders and liquids in particular, BICAR® TEC is a good alternative to other, harsher chemical products, especially for sensitive or allergic skins.

Physical and chemical specifications adapted to needs:

Cleaning agent manufacturers use BICAR® TEC grades with different physical and chemical properties (particle size, bulk density, porosity), according to:

- the type of application
- the type of product (powder, liquid, paste)
- the particle size of the other components
- flowability requirements
- how the product is going to be used
- the machinery used with the product
- the water hardness

Sodium bicarbonate inhibits the chain of reactions which occur during combustion. The surfaces of its crystals trap the free radicals and complex intermediary products generated by combustion, thus halting the chain reaction.

Its extinguishing action is also assisted by the endothermic and smothering characteristics of the reaction which occurs when sodium bicarbonate decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide in contact with the seat of the fire.

Fighting liquid and gas fires

Sodium bicarbonate-based fire extinguisher powders are class BC powders. These are particularly suitable for extinguishing burning liquids (class B : paraffin, petrol, alcohol, paint, etc.) and gas (class C : methane, propane, benzene, etc.).
Our fire extinguisher powders, BI-EX ®, are used specifically for the car fire extinguishers which must be carried by law in some countries.

Raw animal hides are tanned and curried to convert them into leather, which is rot-resistant, opaque and flexible. Several tanning agents are available, many having been in use since the early days of civilization, including the bark of oak and hemlock (tanbark or tan), vegetable tannins extracted from plants, chromium salts such as chrome alum (potassium chromium sulphate), fish oil and formaldehyde.

BICAR® TEC is used to lower the degree of acidity produced by the breakdown of chromium salts, keeping the tanning baths at their desired pH value of 3.7 to 3.8. A certain amount of BICAR® TEC is also used in leather dyeing.

Sizing in a neutral-alkali environment

Optimising the reticulation speed and effectiveness of Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD)[*] sizing resin, the product most commonly used in this process, requires accurate pH and alkalinity control of the sizing environment.

Experience clearly shows that the ideal sizing conditions are a pH of 8 and an alkalinity of 150 ppm calcium carbonate equivalent.

Sodium bicarbonate, especially in the form of BICAR® TEC, the brand recommended by AKD producers, offers a double benefit by :
 
- increasing kinetic sizing speed. NaHCO 3 acts as a catalyst in the reaction between cellulose and resin
- facilitating accurate alkalinity and pH control by buffering the solution at a pH of 8.3.
- Sizing in an acid environment

BICAR® TEC has also proved its effectiveness for sizing in acid environments, enabling precise pH control of the paste in the paper machine (at 7.5-8) before aluminium sulphate is added to the acid sizing formulation (4.5-6).

Sodium bicarbonate is used as an endothermic foaming agent in the production of a wide range of plastic foams.

Sodium bicarbonate decomposes when heated above 100ºC, giving off 135 ml/g of carbon dioxide (the theoretical yield is 267 ml/g). Decomposition is much more rapid above 140ºC, making it an excellent foaming agent in the production of structural thermoplastic foams (densities over 200 kg/m 3 ), polyolefins, PVC and PS. Since this decomposition is endothermic, it cools the plastic more rapidly and allows a shorter cycle time. It also gives a better finish with fewer faults than exothermic foaming agents.

'Did you know that the pavis in front of the Cathedral in Milan was with a special grade of Solvay's Sodium Bicarbonate?'
 
This extraordinary application, based on an innovative jet system and the use of compressed air, water and a special BICAR® grade, has been developed by an Italian company and Solvay.
Thanks to its innovative characteristics and to the fact that it works at low pressure, this BICAR® jet system presents superior worker and environmental safety conditions compared with traditional blasting systems.

It can be useful in a wide range of applications, in particular:

not only to bring back to the original magnificence the ancient buildings that enrich the centre of our towns, but also to renovate that large number of common façades disfigured by graffitos or damaged by smog.
to remove pressing, oil, greases and paint residual from the moulds used in many industries (glass, rubber, shoe, plastic, tires, mechanic, food, means of transport, aircrafts, ecc.)
If you want to learn more about this application and the BICAR® jet system, visite www.bicarjet.com

Because BICAR® is not a dangerous product, its packaging, handling, storage and transportation are not subject to specific regulations.

According to quality and factory of origin, BICAR® may be supplied:

Bulk : full loads of 20 to 27 tons, delivered by truck equipped with pneumatic unloading systems

Bulk bags : medium-sized packages in 1 to 1.5 ton woven coated PP - 4 loops with discharging spout  

Sacks : 25 kg PE sacks on covered pallets of net loads of 1 to 1.5 tons

Each type of BICAR® is identified by specific colour markings on the sacks, as follows :

green - BICAR® Z  (animal feeds)
blue - BICAR® TEC  (industrial applications)
black - BICAR® FCC (human food products)
red - BICAR® CODEX (pharmaceutical applications)
light blu - BICAR® PHARMA (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient)  

Bulk 
According to local conditions, bulk deliveries of BICAR® may require specific types of handling equipment, as follows :

- horizontal or inclined (at an angle of less than 20º ) mechanical transporters (spiral conveyors or conveyor belts)
- vertical conveyor (bucket chain)
- pneumatic system
- BICAR® is a powdery product, and handling it may produce certain quantities of dust which will vary according to the particle size of the specific grades. Dust extractors should be installed as appropriate.

Pallet loads
We recommend the use of fork lift trucks to handle pallet loads for land transportation, and fork lift swing bars for maritime transportation.

Recommendations for storage conditions:

Because BICAR® is not a dangerous product, its storage is not subject to specific regulations.

As it ages, the finest grades of BICAR® in particular :

- absorb humidity, causing a tendency to form lumps. This process accelerates if the BICAR® is compacted during storage
- absorb smells from other products stored nearby
- give off CO2, a process which increases as the temperature rises.

In general we suggest the following conditions of storage :

- avoid storing BICAR® close to heat sources
- avoid stacking sacks more than 2 pallets high.
- recommend using coated steel (epoxy resin or similar coating) or stainless steel storage silos, especially for storing BICAR® CODEX, BICAR® PHARMA and BICAR® FCC.
- we recommend storage in a covered local
- preferably at a temperature lower than 30ºC
- preferably at a relative humidity of less than 50 % in a well-ventilated warehouse or store.
- we recommend using coated steel (epoxy resin or similar coating) or stainless steel storage silos, especially for storing BICAR® CODEX, BICAR® PHARMA and BICAR® FCC.

Because BICAR® is not a dangerous product, its transportation is not subject to specific regulations.

Bulk transport is normally carried out using tankers equipped with pneumatic unloading systems. The interior of each tanker is inspected at the Solvay plant before loading, to ensure freedom from contamination.

Pallets should preferably be loaded on covered trucks to protect the product from rain or snow.