Sodium and Sodium Alloys

Abstract

Of all the alkali metals, sodium has had perhaps the greatest commercial success, owing to its relative ease of manufacture and its important role worldwide in the manufacture of organolead compounds for use as gasoline octane enhancers. The decline of organoleads in North America has greatly affected U.S. production. Other sodium uses exist, but none requiring the massive quantities needed for lead antiknock compounds. Most sodium is made electrolytically. Various electrochemical cells are described. However, sodium is used to make sodium methylate, herbicides, dyes, rubber, fragrances, vitamins, and ibuprophen. In metal manufacture, sodium is used in tantalum, titanium, silicon and refining metallic lead and grain refining. Newer uses include sodium batteries, flue‐gas cleanup, and alloy surface modification. Safe handling of sodium requires special consideration because of its high reactivity. Sodium alloys are also discussed.

Electrochemical synthesis of methoxide for transesterification of palm oil

“…Electrochemical processes are always involved in the production of NaOCH 3 ; sodium metal (Na) [15,16], sodium amalgam (NaHg) [17], or NaOH [18], each of which must be synthesized electrochemically, is reacted with methanol to produce NaOCH 3 . From the standpoint of process intensification, electrochemical techniques may be employed directly during transesterification to generate methoxide in situ.…”

“…The four routes to produce NaOCH 3 are described in terms of raw materials [32]. In process I, sodium metal (Na) which is produced by electrolysis of molten sodium chloride deposited at the cathode [15] or NaOH with the Castner cell [16] is the raw material for NaOCH 3 production. Na is melted and reacted with methanol in a jacketed reactor with an agitator.…”

“…In process II, NaOCH 3 is generated from sodium amalgam (NaHg) which is the product of NaCl brine in mercury cathode cells [16]. The chlorine gas formed at the anode, while the sodium metal formed at the cathode dissolves in the mercury to generate the NaHg.…”