Sodium Hydrogen Sulphate: Description, Structure, Properties, and Uses

What is Sodium Hydrogen Sulphate?

Sodium hydrogen sulphate often shows up in labs, classrooms, and factories. It goes by other names like sodium bisulphate and appears as a white crystalline, granular or powder material. This chemical’s molecular formula is NaHSO₄, and its molar mass is about 120.06 g/mol. As a member of the acid salt family, it carries one sodium ion, one hydrogen, one sulphur and four oxygens in its structure. Flakes, pearls, crystals, powder, and even solid blocks make up the main forms offered in the market. Some industry professionals might spot it as a solution in water too, which makes certain jobs easier. At room temperature, you’ll see it hold stable form, so storage and transport come without too many surprises compared to more volatile compounds.

Physical and Chemical Properties

This solid stands out with its high solubility in water, leading to a strongly acidic solution. Density typically ranges between 1.4 to 1.5 g/cm³, which means it packs quite a bit of mass for its small volume. Melting starts around 185°C and decomposition takes precedence over boiling as the temperature rises, so handling it at intense heat calls for extra care. Sodium hydrogen sulphate tastes acidic—though nobody recommends testing this fact—and carries a low pH often useful in cleaning. The powder, flakes or pearls dissolve well in water, yielding a solution used in pH adjustment. Contact with strong bases or certain metals might trigger a reaction that gives hydrogen gas, so familiarity with the chemical’s behaviour avoids most workplace mishaps.

Molecular Structure

Peering into the structure reveals a single sodium atom attached to a hydrogen sulphate group. The hydrogen sulphate group shares hydrogen with the tightly held arrangement of sulphur and oxygen atoms. Chemists rely on this predictable structure when calculating molar ratios or managing chemical reactions in water treatment or manufacturing. The shape does not encourage extreme volatility, though it’s considered reactive enough in the right conditions. That makes the molecular arrangement key to its function—whether modifying pH, synthesizing other chemicals, or managing waste streams.

Specifications and HS Code

Trades, imports, and exports depend on strict specifications. Sodium hydrogen sulphate usually arrives in purity grades above 98% for most industrial buyers, with lower grades reserved for less demanding applications. Moisture content stays low, permitting easy measurement by weight. The Harmonized System (HS) code—28334000—follows it through customs paperwork worldwide. Both manufacturers and buyers rely on certificate of analysis and lab verification to track batch quality. Industries pay attention to granule size for flow, dust formation, and ease of handling, all of which can affect the outcome of their own chemical processes.

Forms and Material Characteristics

People in the market can find sodium hydrogen sulphate as powder, pearls, granules, or even as pre-mixed aqueous solutions. The form choice links directly to the job. Powder brings speed and an even spread when adjusting water pH. Pearls or flakes work better in situations where dust control is needed. Crystalline or solid blocks allow for controlled dissolution in automated feeders. Each physical form shares the same density—still, people notice handling differences. In my experience, working with the powder in a laboratory or an industrial site means fine dust sticks to gloves and surfaces, calling for careful containment and cleaning protocols to stay safe and keep the workplace tidy.

Common Uses and Applications

Many industries and professionals turn to sodium hydrogen sulphate for its acidic punch. Water treatment facilities adjust swimming pool and industrial water pH with this compound regularly. In cleaning products, it removes stubborn deposits by breaking up scale or organic build-up. The food industry lists it as E514, where it acts as an acidulant in food processing—though only with strict adherence to food safety regulations. Textile processors tweak their dye baths with it, while metal finishing plants favor its influence on surface treatment. I remember seeing it used for classroom demonstrations, showing students how acids work and how pH can shift a solution’s color or chemical activity. Farmers sometimes use it for soil modification, balancing alkaline soils for better crop yield. Laundry detergents rely on it as a builder to enhance stain removal. Each use depends on the ability of sodium hydrogen sulphate to release protons into solution and create the environment needed for the job.

Safe Handling and Potential Hazards

People moving sacks or drums of sodium hydrogen sulphate wear safety goggles, gloves and protective clothing. Accidental dust exposure can cause eye and skin irritation and might trigger coughing or trouble breathing. Good ventilation and proper handling tools limit these risks. The material produces heat and acidic fumes when mixed with water too fast or in large amounts. I’ve seen workers make the mistake of pouring water into a heap of powder, which creates spatter and steam. The rule that works: always add powder to water, not the other way around. In larger-scale settings, proper containment, spill cleanup kits, and eyewash stations nearby turn rare accidents into recoverable lessons. Storage stays simple if the container remains dry, sealed, and away from incompatible materials like strong alkalis or oxidizers.

Is Sodium Hydrogen Sulphate Harmful?

Direct contact with sodium hydrogen sulphate causes burns, redness, or eye damage. Acute inhalation of the powder’s dust may irritate the respiratory tract. Drinking or eating the compound by mistake sends people to the emergency room. Long-term skin exposure, especially if unnoticed under gloves, leads to irritation or rash. Workers need training and reminders to wash up before eating or touching their faces after handling this chemical. Environmental concerns pop up if large amounts enter local waterways or soils, shifting their acidity and impacting aquatic and plant life. Sodium hydrogen sulphate does not rank high on the list of persistent pollutants, though proper disposal ties back to responsible stewardship in chemical management.

Raw Material Sourcing and Supply Chain

Sodium hydrogen sulphate production pulls from abundant raw materials like sodium chloride (salt) and sulphuric acid. Electrolysis and chemical reactions in modern factories churn out plenty of supply to meet global demand. Reliable sourcing matters as prices tend to step up when shipping interruptions or raw material bottlenecks crop up. Producers maintain tight relationships with miners and chemical refiners, so purity and mix-free product arrives at the customer’s door. Supply chain issues show up during global shocks, and manufacturers who survived past interruptions invest in extra storage capacity and long-term contracts. Transparency in chemical sourcing tracks back to modern regulation about environmental and social impacts, and forward-thinking companies publish audits or traceability reports to prove safe and ethical supply.

Potential Solutions for Safer Use and Sustainability

Better labeling and clear safety instructions cut down on accidents and improper storage. Training programs, regular refresher sessions, and practice drills help workers avoid routine mistakes. Investing in dustless handling systems and closed transfer methods lowers exposure risk. Green chemistry researchers work on alternative acids or methods to do the same work with lower hazard profiles, though sodium hydrogen sulphate’s ready availability and low cost make it tough to replace in the short term. Industries can improve collection and neutralization of spent solutions before discharge. Community partnerships and sharing best practices—like swaps for less hazardous chemicals and sponsorships for chemical stewardship—help keep workplaces and neighborhoods safer. Pressure from customers and regulators keeps the supply chain focused on reducing emissions, lowering waste, and protecting both people and the environment.