Sodium Sulphite

Properties  : Sodium sulphite is a white , odourless , free flowing crystalline powder . It  is a soluble compound of sodium .The PH of 10% of the solution is 9.5 -11. Its  molecular weight is 126.04 . It decomposes at its melting point (150 degree C ) . Its solution is alkaline in nature . It is soluble in water and lightly soluble in alcohol . It also helps in the formation of sodium thio sulphate,sodium sulphate and sulphonic acid .

Formula : Na2SO3

Uses : Sodium sulfite is primarily used in the paper industry . It is used in the pulp mills and power plants  for scrubbing sulphur di oxide gas . It is used as a food preservative , mainly in dry fruits , meats , and natural latex rubber .  It act as a bleaching agent in the textile industry . Chemically it is used to purify or isolate aldehydes and ketones .It is also used as a bread enhancer and thus improves its kneading capacity . It can reduce chlorine level in pools .It helps in the manufacturing of photographic chemicals which helps to retain its colour  and protect the developer solution  from oxidation .It also finds its place as a  corrosive inhibitor. It  applies itself as a desulfurizing ,  dechlorinating , oxidising and a bleaching  agent . It is also used for waste water treatment in metal plating and act as an oxygen scavenger in low pressure boilers .

Sodium Bisulphite

Properties : Sodium bisulphite is a white to creamish fine crystalline powder . It has the odour of sulphur di oxide . It is a strong reducing agent .

Formula : NaHSO3

Synonyms : Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite

Uses: Sodium bisulphite is applied in the preservation of food stuffs and beverages . In the textile industry it is used in cleaning and bleaching of wool and  other vegetable fibres  . Chemically it is used in the removal of oxygen and chlorine . It also holds the capacity of destroying waste bromine and purifying aldehdes and ketomes .It is used in the developer solution in the photographic and film industry .Cosmetically it is used as a  hair waving agent . It is also applied  in the industries related to leather proccessing  . In the paper and pulp  industry it is used in bleaching ground wood .  Additionally its application includes dye intermediates , pollution control , metal cleaning  and pulp proccessing .