What Are The Industrial And Commercial Uses Of Sodium Metabisulfite And Its Reaction With Water?

Sodium metabisulfite is a white crystalline powder that is commonly used in various industrial and commercial applications. It is primarily used as a preservative and antioxidant in the food and beverage industry, where it helps to prevent discoloration and spoilage of products. Sodium metabisulfite is also used in the textile industry as a bleaching agent and in the pharmaceutical industry as a reducing agent.

When sodium metabisulfite is dissolved in water, it undergoes hydrolysis to form sulfur dioxide gas and bisulfite ions:

Na2S2O5 + H2O → 2NaHSO3 + SO2

The reaction is exothermic, meaning that it releases heat. The sulfur dioxide gas produced by this reaction has a pungent odor and can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory system. Therefore, care should be taken when handling sodium metabisulfite solutions.

Overall, sodium metabisulfite is a versatile chemical that finds use in a variety of industrial and commercial applications due to its preservative, antioxidant, and reducing properties.