Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)
Technical, USP, and FCC grades for food processing, flue gas treatment, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and fire suppression.
Product Overview
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a mild, food-safe alkali and buffering agent. It is produced by the Solvay process or by carbonation of sodium carbonate solutions, and is one of the most versatile industrial chemicals due to its safety profile and buffering properties.
Texas-Chem supplies sodium bicarbonate in technical, USP (pharmaceutical), and FCC (food) grades. The appropriate grade depends on the application — food and pharmaceutical uses require FCC or USP grade, while industrial applications such as flue gas treatment and animal feed use technical grade.
Common Applications
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 144-55-8 |
| Molecular Formula | NaHCO3 |
| Molecular Weight | 84.01 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Grades Available | Technical, FCC, USP |
| pH (1% solution) | 8.3 |
| Decomposition Temperature | 50°C (122°F) — releases CO2 |
| Bulk Density | 800–1,000 kg/m3 |
| Grade | Technical, FCC, USP |
| Packaging | Bags, Super Sacks, Bulk |
Safety & Documentation
Sodium bicarbonate is a low-hazard material. It is non-toxic and food safe. Avoid inhalation of fine dust. No special PPE required for normal handling. Review SDS before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sodium bicarbonate used for industrially?
Industrial uses include flue gas desulfurization (injected into exhaust streams to neutralize SO2 and HCl), animal feed as a rumen buffer for dairy cattle, fire suppression in dry chemical extinguishers, and industrial cleaning and odor control.
What is the difference between FCC, USP, and technical grade?
FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) grade meets purity standards for food and beverage use. USP (United States Pharmacopeia) grade meets pharmaceutical standards for drug and medical applications. Technical grade is for industrial applications where food or pharmaceutical purity is not required.
Why is sodium bicarbonate used in flue gas treatment?
When injected into hot flue gas streams, sodium bicarbonate decomposes to release CO2 and water, forming highly reactive sodium carbonate that reacts with acidic gases (SO2, HCl, HF) to form sodium sulfate and sodium chloride, which are captured in baghouse filters.
Does Texas-Chem supply food-grade sodium bicarbonate?
Yes. Texas-Chem supplies FCC-grade sodium bicarbonate for food processing, baking, and beverage applications, as well as USP grade for pharmaceutical and personal care use.
Packaging Options
Key Properties
Delivery Info
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) vs. Alternatives
Sodium bicarbonate is a mild, food-safe alkali and buffering agent. Here's how it compares to stronger alkalis for pH control applications.
| Attribute | Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) | Sodium Carbonate | Sodium Hydroxide |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH (1% solution) | 8.3 | 11.6 | 13.0 |
| Form Available | Powder, Granular, Technical, USP | Light / Dense Soda Ash | Liquid (50%), Flake |
| Primary Use | Food, pharma, flue gas, animal feed, fire suppression | Glass, detergents, water softening | Paper, water treatment, chemical synthesis |
| Handling Safety | Very low — food safe, non-toxic | Low — mild irritant | High — severe burns |
| Buffering Capacity | Excellent — stable pH 8.0–8.5 | Moderate — pH 11–12 | None — strong base |
Industries We Supply Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) To
Food & Beverage
USP-grade sodium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent, pH buffer, and CO2 source in baked goods, beverages, and food processing operations.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) supply in Houston, TXFlue Gas Treatment
Injected into flue gas streams at power plants and industrial boilers to neutralize sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) emissions.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) supply in Dallas, TXPharmaceutical & Personal Care
USP-grade bicarb used in antacid formulations, effervescent tablets, toothpaste, and personal care products.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) supply in Fort Worth, TXAnimal Feed
Feed-grade sodium bicarbonate used as a rumen buffer in dairy cattle diets to maintain rumen pH and improve milk production.
Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) supply in San Antonio, TX