The Role of Sodium Chlorate in Bleaching, Herbicides, and Specialty Chemicals
Sodium chlorate (NaClO₃) is a powerful inorganic oxidizing agent produced on an industrial scale primarily for the manufacture of chlorine dioxide, a key bleaching agent in the pulp and paper industry. It is manufactured through the electrolysis of a hot, saturated sodium chloride brine in large, undivided cells. This electrochemical process involves the anodic oxidation of chloride ions to form chlorate, with simultaneous hydrogen evolution at the cathode. The resulting solution is then crystallized to yield white, crystalline NaClO₃. It is a strong oxidizer, meaning it readily donates oxygen to support combustion of flammable materials; as such, it is classified as a hazardous material that requires careful handling and storage, separate from organic compounds, acids, and reducing agents to prevent fire or explosion.
The dominant global application for sodium chlorate, accounting for over 90% of production, is as the on-site precursor for chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) generation in pulp mills. Chlorine…
Hi Annika! Grace here. I think this could be really cool, and I think there are folks who could benefit. I'm just starting to get more involved with the Parent Guild, maybe we could talk about this sometime? Do you attend their meetings ever? Or we could touch base outside of PG. My phone number is (570) 951-9419. Thanks!