Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), as an important inorganic compound, plays an indispensable role in industry and daily life due to its strong oxidizing properties and efficient bleaching and disinfection capabilities. This article will systematically introduce the application of sodium hypochlorite in multiple fields, demonstrating its multifunctionality and versatility.

Industrial application: A versatile tool for bleaching and disinfection in various fields

Paper Industry: The Core Material for Improving Paper Quality

Sodium hypochlorite serves as a key bleaching agent in the papermaking process, effectively removing impurities and improving the whiteness and cleanliness of paper by oxidizing and decomposing lignin and pigments in pulp. Its strong oxidizing property causes colored substances to fade, thus producing high-quality paper widely used in the production of news paper, toilet paper, and high-end printing paper.

Textile Printing and Dyeing: The ‘Magic Reagent’ for Fabric Renewal

In the textile industry, sodium hypochlorite is used to bleach natural fibers such as cotton and linen, removing stains, color spots, and residual impurities from fabrics. Its bleaching effect is mild and efficient, maintaining fiber strength while enhancing fabric softness and luster. It is widely used in the processing of fabrics, towels, and clothing.

Water treatment: the ‘safety guardian’ of drinking water

Sodium hypochlorite is widely used in the field of water treatment, including waterworks, industrial circulating water systems, and wastewater treatment. It rapidly oxidizes and decomposes organic matter, bacteria, viruses, and algae in water by releasing hypochlorous acid (HClO), effectively removing odors, purifying water quality, and ensuring water supply safety. In addition, regular addition of sodium hypochlorite in industrial cooling systems can inhibit microbial growth and extend equipment lifespan.

Chemical Industry: The ‘Catalyst’ in the Production Process

Sodium hypochlorite participates in various chemical reactions as a raw material, such as the production of hydrazine hydrate, monochloramine, dichloroamine and other chemicals, and serves as a key reagent in the chlorination process of cobalt and nickel. Its oxidation characteristics enable it to be used in the dye industry to manufacture sulfur blue, and in the organic industry as a cleaner for the hydration of calcium carbide to produce acetylene, improving production efficiency and product quality.

Other industrial applications: cross domain auxiliary functions

Air compressor maintenance: By adding sodium hypochlorite to kill algae in the circulating water, prevent pipeline blockage, and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the cooling tower.

Metallurgy and metal processing: used for cleaning and oxidation treatment of metal surfaces, assisting smelting processes.

Disinfection of food processing equipment: Sodium hypochlorite is used in food manufacturing to sterilize and disinfect utensils and pipelines, ensuring a sterile production environment.