What is Sodium Lignosulfonate used for?

There is a substance in today’s world, which is focused on sustainable development and efficient solutions. It is not only derived from nature, but it is also powerful enough to transform industrial processes. This substance shines quietly across many fields. It’s sodium lignosulfonate.

This name may be unfamiliar, but it may already have a positive impact on your life. From the sturdy concrete buildings to the modern, efficient agriculture to the clean air that we breathe, this name is a blessing.

This article is for engineers looking for better additives, or agronomists exploring environmental solutions. It will give you a comprehensive view of the biopolymer and reveal how it can be a bridge between natural intelligence, industrial innovation, and innovation.

-- What is Sodium Lignosulfonate? --

Sodium Lignosulfonate, a polymer of natural origin with a high dispersibility, is a strong polymer. It has different degrees of dispersibility due to its molecular weights and functional groups. Surface active substance, it can adsorb onto the surface of solid particles. It also undergoes metal ion exchanging. It can also be hydrogen-bonded or undergo condensation with other compounds due to its presence of active groups. The main raw material in the dispersant NNO for the printing and dyeing industries is Sodium Lignosulfonate.

Physical and Chemical Properties Of Sodium Lignosulfonate

It is biodegradable, has a good chemical stability, and can dissolve in any water hardness.
Lignosulfonate is also called sulfite-lignin. It is a heterogeneous polyelectrolyte that exhibits polydispersity. The solid is a brownish yellow powder that has a high hygroscopicity. It is easily dissolved in water, not affected by pH changes, but it is insoluble in ethanol and acetone and other organic solvents.

--Sodium Lignosulfonate Structure --

Sodium Lignosulfonate’s multifunctional properties are rooted in its molecular structure. However, it is a complex mixture consisting of three-dimensional amorphous amorphous materials.

The phenylpropane structural unit is its core, and it consists primarily of three aromatic alcohols derivatives, coumarin, sinapine, paclitaxel. The ether and carbon-carbon bonds are randomly interconnected to form a network structure. Its natural complexity gives it unique properties.

The introduction of sulfonic groups in the form sodium salts is the main modification of the structure after sulfonation. These sulfonic groups have strong negative charges, and are hydrophilic. The lignin skeleton is hydrophobic, but they attach to it and completely change their relationship with the water.

These negatively charged groups also are distributed evenly on the molecule chain. The Sodium Lignosulfonate molecule generates strong electrostatic repulsion when it approaches other particles. This is the main mechanism for its effective dispersant.

Sodium Lignosulfonate also contains a large number of active functional groups including phenolic hydroxyls, alcohol hydroxyls, and carboxyls, which give it a good ability to complexes metal ions as well as reducing and adhering properties.

This carefully designed molecular structure is responsible for the strong solubility in water, dispersibility and surface activity of Sodium Lignosulfonate.

--What is Sodium Lignosulfonate used for? --

Sodium Lignosulfonate, an extract of the bamboo pulping procedure, is made through concentration modification and spray drying. It is a free-flowing, light yellow powder. It is chemically stable and doesn’t decompose when stored for long periods of time.

The Lignin Series products can be processed and compounded into multiple products. Sodium Lignosulfonate can be found in resins and rubbers, dyes, pesticides. It is also used for ceramics, cements, asphalts, feeds, water treatment, coal slurry, concretes, refractory material, oilfield drilling compound fertilizers, smelting castings, and adhesives. It has been shown through experiments that lignosulfonate can be highly effective at preventing sandy soil. It can also act as a sand-fixing agent in deserts.

1.Concrete water reducer powder: This low air entraining retarding reducing water powder, which belongs to anionic surface-active substances, can have adsorption, dispersion, and adsorption effects on cement. It also improves various concrete physical properties. Water usage can be reduced by up to 13%. Concrete workability is improved and the initial hydration temperature of cement is significantly reduced. Compounding it into early strength agents can produce retarders, antifreeze, pumping agents and more. The liquid additives that are made with high-efficiency water-reducing agents based on naphthalene have very little precipitation.

2.Additive for water coal-slurry: The addition of Sodium Lignosulfonate to the water coal-slurry during preparation can increase output, maintain normal conditions of the slurry system, reduce power consumption, increase concentration, reduce oxygen consumption and coal consumption during combustion, improve efficiency of cold coal gas and reduce viscosity.

3.Refractory materials, ceramic body reinforcement agents: They can be used in the production of large wall and floor tiles, refractory bricks and refractory tiles to firmly bond raw materials, increasing the dry strength by 20%-60%.

4.Fillers and dispersants used in dye processing and pesticide production: Sodium Lignosulfonate is used to increase the color power of dyes by dispersing and reducing them. It can also be used for a dispersant or filler.

5.Binder for powdered or granular material: Sodium Lignosulfonate is used to press iron ore, lead-zinc, coal, and coke; Cast iron and cast steel molds, extrusion molding, mud bricks, floor tiles etc. The balling mineral materials can produce good results, such as high stability, high strength and lubrication.

6.Sodium Lignosulfonate is also used in drilling as a diluent, dispersant, and viscosity reduction agent. It can improve the fluidity of crude oils transportation and reduce energy usage. It is used in petroleum products as a dispersant and rust inhibitor.

--Optimization of Preparation Method of Sodium Lignosulfonate --

Some paper companies treat black liquor by acid precipitation. This is a waste product that occupies large amounts of land, and can cause secondary pollution. Some manufacturers use the black liquor to make Sodium Lignosulfonate. However, it must first be dissolved with water and caustic soap. Some manufacturers concentrate black alcohol for sulfonation modifications, then spray-dry it to make Sodium Lignosulfonate. Concentration is a heat-intensive process, and it can affect the quality of the final product due to increased impurities.

Traditional preparation of Sodium Lignosulfonate

The steps for preparing Sodium Lignosulfonate Water Reducer by using pulp black liquor have been revealed.

Add an acid regulator in order to bring the PH of the reaction system up to 10.513.5. Then add a catalyst of 0.052.5% mass and a sulfonating agents of 1.520.0%. Add the calculated amount to the reaction mixture after 16h of reaction at 80120. Then, let it react for 0.53.0h and cool the discharge. The liquid is brownish and is then dried with a sprayer to produce a powder. The product of the invention is produced without “three wastes” and eliminates black liquor pollution at pulp and paper mills.

This invention is not without its problems.

1.The equipment for black liquor concentration requires a high investment. It has a capacity of 10000 tonnes, and costs between 5-6 million Yuan.

During the process of producing one tonne of powdered Sodium Lignosulfonate, over five tons of water must be evaporated during the concentration phase alone. This requires a lot of steam.

2.The sodium lignosulfonate is a highly impurity-containing compound and must be adjusted by adding sugar solution. To adjust acidity and alkalinity of the solution, inorganic or organic acids must be added. The process is relatively complex.

Improved preparation method

The optimized invention is a simple, low-cost method of manufacturing Sodium Lignosulfonate, which can also avoid secondary contamination. This solves the problems associated with the complex processes, high costs, and secondary pollution that are present in existing technologies.

The following measures are taken to achieve this invention: a manufacturing method of Sodium Lignosulfonate that is characterized by the following steps.

1.Treatment for dissolution: Add lignin (to the black liquor) to increase its solid content to 30 to 45 percent;

2.Oxidation – Heat the black liquor to between 50 and 70 degrees, add oxidant, catalyst and let it react for between 50 and 70 minutes.

3.Sulfonation – Add sulfonating agents to the solution, after oxidation, heat it to 125-145 degrees, sulfonate the liquid for 90-180 hours, and you will get a brown liquid Sodium Lignosulfonate.

This invention is not without its problems.

1.The equipment for black liquor concentration requires a high investment. It has a capacity of 10000 tonnes, and costs between 5-6 million Yuan.

During the process of producing one tonne of powdered Sodium Lignosulfonate, over five tons of water must be evaporated during the concentration phase alone. This requires a lot of steam.

Improved preparation method

The following measures are taken to achieve this invention: a manufacturing method of Sodium Lignosulfonate that is characterized by the following steps.

1.Treatment for dissolution: Add lignin (to the black liquor) to increase its solid content to 30 to 45 percent;

2.Oxidation – Heat the black liquor to between 50 and 70 degrees, add oxidant, catalyst and let it react for between 50 and 70 minutes.

3.Sulfonation – Add sulfonating agents to the solution, after oxidation, heat it to 125-145 degrees, sulfonate the liquid for 90-180 hours, and you will get a brown liquid Sodium Lignosulfonate.

--Is Sodium Lignosulfonate Toxic? --

It is important to consider this issue, particularly when it comes food, feed and agricultural applications. I can tell you with confidence that Sodium Lignosulfonate has a low-to-nearly nontoxic toxicity, but that does not mean it can be abused.

Numerous toxicological and safety studies have shown that Sodium Lignosulfonate is “practically nontoxic” in accordance with internationally recognized chemical toxicity grading standard. It does not penetrate the skin easily and causes a mild irritation.

As with any chemical substance however, the safety of the product depends on its purity, the dosage and the route of exposure.

The industrial grade Sodium Lignosulfonate can contain impurities in the raw materials. This makes it unsuitable for industries that require high purity such as food or pharmaceuticals.

Sodium Lignosulfonate is subject to strict quality control and standards for products destined for food or feed. It is important to adhere to good industrial hygiene in daily operations: Avoid inhaling dust and avoiding respiratory irritation. If the product comes into contact with your eyes, wash them thoroughly with water.

-- What is the Difference between Sodium Lignosulfonate and Calcium Lignosulfonate? --

The main difference between Sodium Lignosulfonate (Na+) and Calcium lignosulfonate (Ca2+), is the cation they bind. The seemingly insignificant difference can have a significant impact on their performance.

***Water Solubility:

Sodium Lignosulfonate is typically more water soluble than calcium lignosulfonate. It is more soluble, clearer and less affected by temperature or water quality. It is therefore better suited to systems requiring rapid dissolution and dispersion. Examples include liquid dyes and pesticide formulations as well as some concrete applications.

***Application field tendency：

It is used widely in dyes, pigments and pesticides. It is important to avoid the addition of calcium ions in these applications. Therefore, sodium salts make a better choice.

Due to the presence of calcium, calcium lignosulfonate is a unique product in concrete. In some formulations the calcium ions can have a positive impact on early strength development in concrete. Its cost is also lower than sodium salts. It has a high market share for ordinary concrete water-reducers.

***Influence on pH:

The pH of Sodium Lignosulfonate aqueous solutions is normally neutral or slightly alkaline. Calcium lignosulfonate can be slightly acidic. It is important to consider this in pH-sensitive systems.

***Cost：

Due to the high cost of raw materials and processing of sodium salts the price of Sodium Lignosulfonate tends to be higher than the Lignosulfonate Calcium.

--What are the Applications of Sodium Lignosulfonate in Agriculture？ --

Sodium Lignosulfonate is a unique surface physicochemical agent with special properties, including dispersion and emulsification. It also has adsorption, solubilization and emulsification. The production process is mature and modified products are used to activate the surface of mineral nutrients. The product is also very useful in agriculture.

1.Pesticide dispersants and enhancers：

The most common applications of pesticide dispersants are in agriculture. Sodium Lignosulfonate is the main dispersant in pesticide formulations like wettable powders and water dispersible granules. It ensures that the active ingredients are quickly disintegrated and dispersed in water when applied.

It ensures that the medication is evenly distributed on the leaves of the crops, which prevents nozzle clogging. This greatly improves pesticide use and effectiveness. The surface activity of the nozzle can also help spread and penetrate the medicinal solution onto the leaves.

2.Fertilizer enhancers and trace element chelating agents:

Sodium Lignosulfonate is a trace element chelating and fertilizer enhancer. It can form stable compounds with trace elements. These chelates prevent trace elements being fixed in soil and maintain a state where they can be absorbed. They also improve the rate at which micro-fertilizers are used. It can also be used as an organic stimulant to promote the growth of roots in crops and increase crop vitality.

3.Soil amendments:

Sodium Lignosulfonate, as an organic polymer, can increase the soil permeability, water retention, and fertilizer retention. It can also promote soil health by stimulating the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms.

4.Plant growth regulators：

Studies have shown Sodium Lignosulfonate, as well as its degradation products, have biological activities that can regulate plant growth, improve crop stress resistance and have a positive impact on yield and quality.

5.Seed coating agent：

In seed coating technology Sodium Lignosulfonate is used as a binder to firmly adhere ingredients like pesticides, growth regulators, and fertilizers to the surface seeds. This protective coating provides comprehensive care to seed germination.

Manufacturer of Sodium Lignosulfonate

Zhishang Bio is a key partner in the global supply of surfactants, daily-use chemicals and other products. They focus on supplying high-purity and quality Sodium Lignosulfonate.

We provide stable, cost-effective, and efficient one-stop purchasing solutions to global customers. We understand how important a reliable supply is to your business. Therefore, we strive to be the best in all aspects.

We have a close relationship with the leading manufacturers in order to guarantee that our products are of high quality and meet industry standards. We are able, through our large-scale purchasing and efficient supply management, to offer customers highly competitive market prices. We also offer flexible quotes based upon the volume of the purchase to help them optimize their production costs.

Our services are characterized by a highly developed logistics system. We achieve visual tracking through multiple warehouse layouts and digital logistic management systems both at home and abroad. This allows us to support multimodal intermodal transport such as rail, road, and sea.

Our service system is designed around the needs of our customers. Our team of professionals responds quickly 7×24 hours per day. We offer personalized services such as product packaging and customized packaging according to customer needs. We focus on creating stable, long-term strategic partnerships with our clients in order to achieve mutual growth.

The logistics system is one of the core advantages of our services. Through multiple warehousing layouts and digital logistics management systems at home and abroad, we achieve visual tracking of the entire transportation process, supporting multimodal intermodal transportation such as sea, rail, and road, strictly ensuring delivery timeliness, and even safe and compliant professional distribution for dangerous goods transportation.

We are committed to building a customer-centric service system. Our professional team provides 7 × 24-hour rapid response, which not only provides precise technical support and after-sales guarantee, but also offers personalized services such as product packaging and customized packaging according to customer needs. We focus on establishing long-term and stable strategic partnerships with our clients, achieving mutual growth through continuous value creation

By choosing us, you are not only selecting a supplier; you are also choosing a partner that is dedicated to your success. We will be happy to offer you free samples and detailed technical support.

Shandong Zhishang Bio Co., Ltd

Zhishang Bio, a subsidiary of Zhishang Chemical Co., Ltd., was established in 2016 and is a new type of chemical enterprise that integrates research and development, production, and sales. Zhishang Bio always adheres to the concept of “integrity management, strict quality control, customer first”.

Through continuous efforts, significant breakthroughs have been made in industries such as pharmaceutical intermediates, pesticide intermediates, food additives, and cosmetic raw materials. The domestic trade team sells well throughout the country, while the foreign trade team is exported to more than 30 countries and regions including the United States, Russia, Spain, Brazil, and enjoys a global reputation.

Invited to participate in this exhibition, Zhishang Bio will comprehensively showcase the company’s strength and achievements in the research and development, production, and quality control of pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediates! At that time, our company will set up an CPHI exhibition at booth E12D29 at the venue, and we will take you to further understand our company’s advantageous products in detail!