Sodium nitrate: Specifications and Applications

Sodium nitrate, also known as Chile saltpeter, is the inorganic nitrate salt of sodium. It consists of a sodium cation (Na+) and a nitrate anion (NO3–). At room temperature, Sodium nitrate appears as a white crystalline solid which is highly soluble in water.

Sodium nitrate is noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible materials. Sodium nitrate is used in fertilizers, adhesives and sealants, anti-freeze products, cosmetics and personal care products.

Characterization of Sodium nitrate

Sodium nitrate is a white crystalline solid with a sweet odour. It is non-combustible but accelerates the burning of combustible materials. Some attributes of this substance are:

Its molar mass is 84.99 g. mol-1.
Its melting point is 308 ℃.
Its boiling point is 380 ℃.
The solubility of Sodium nitrate in water corresponds to 91.2g/100mL at room temperature.

Applications of Sodium nitrate

Due to its high solubility in water, low cost, and nitrogen content, sodium nitrate is used in different industries. Some uses of sodium nitrate are listed below:

Glass
Fertilizer
adhesives and sealants
Dye
Manufacture of salts such as potassium nitrate
Oxidizing agent
heat transfer fluids

Sodium nitrate production

Industrial production of sodium nitrate involves the neutralization of nitric acid with sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium hydroxide.

NaHCO3 + HNO3 → NaNO3 + H2O + CO2
Na2CO3 + 2HNO3 → 2NaNO3 + CO2 + H2O
NaOH + HNO3 → NaNO3 + H2O

Another method of preparing sodium nitrate is by reacting sodium hydroxide with ammonium nitrate. The chemical reaction is:

NH4NO3 + NaOH → NH4OH + NaNO3

Sodium nitrate storage

sodium nitrate should be kept in tightly closed containers. Plus, it should be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated facility. Other storage conditions include:

Sodium nitrate should be stored away from incompatibles, combustibles, or other readily oxidizable materials.
Sodium nitrate containers should protect against physical damage and moisture.
Containers of sodium nitrate may be hazardous when empty, since they retain product residues.
Sodium Nitrate should be stored at room temperature

Sodium nitrate health hazards

Exposure to high levels of Sodium nitrate can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Some hazardous effects of Sodium nitrate are:

Regular use of Sodium nitrate causes irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

· Sodium nitrate ingestion could cause effects on the blood.

Overuse of Sodium nitrate may cause damage to organs (blood, heart, liver)

FAQ

What is Sodium nitrate?

Sodium nitrate is the inorganic nitrate salt of sodium with the formula NaNO3. It is a source of the nitrate anion (NO3−), which is used for the production of fertilizers, pyrotechnics, and other explosives.