Isocyanates Applications
Isocyanates are a family of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals from which all
polyurethane products are made. Polyurethane foam is becoming a popular form of thermal
insulation in the construction industry. Some examples where it is used are on roofs,
in walk-in coolers, barns, and Quanset huts. Polyurethane foam is formed by mixing an
organic polyol and an isocyanate along with amine or organometal catalysts and a fluorocarbon
blowing agent. Rigid foams use methylene bisphenyl isocyanate (MDI) as the isocyanate component,
while flexible foams commonly use toluene diisocyanate (TDI).
| Isocyanates Applications |
| Polyurethane foams |
| Insulation |
| House hold refrigerators & board or laminate form |
| Residential sheathing or commercial roofing |
| Floor finishes, wood finishes and paint |
| Adhesive and sealant compounds |
| Shoe soles, roller skate wheels, pond liners, blood bags |
MDI Applications
The major application of 4,4'-MDI is the production of rigid polyurethane.
{ Typically, one tonne of polyurethane foam needs 0.616 tonne of MDI and 0.386 tonne
of polyol, with 0.054 tonne pentane as a blowing agent. These rigid polyurethane foams are
good thermal insulators and used in nearly all freezers and refrigerators worldwide, as well
as buildings. Typical polyols used are polyethylene adipate (a polyester) and poly(tetramethylene ether)
glycol (a polyether).
4,4'-MDI is also used as an industrial strength adhesive, which is available to end consumers as
various high-strength bottled glue preparations.
HCL Applications
Hydrochloric acid is a fundamental chemical, and as such it is used for a large number of small-scale
applications, such as Pickling of steel, Production of organic compounds, Production of inorganic
compounds, pH Control and neutralization, Regeneration of ion exchangers, leather processing,
household cleaning, and building construction. Also oil production may be stimulated by injecting
hydrochloric acid into the rock formation of an oil well, dissolving a portion of the rock, and creating a
large-pore structure.
Bleach Applications
Bleaching: In household bleach form, sodium hypochlorite is used for removal of stains from laundry.
Disinfection: A weak solution of 1% household bleach in warm water is used to sanitize smooth surfaces prior to brewing of beer or wine.
Water treatment: For shock chlorination of wells or water systems, a 2% solution of household bleach is used.
Endodontics: Sodium hypochlorite is now used in endodontics during root canal treatments. It is the medicament of choice due to its efficacy against pathogenic organisms and pulp digestion.
Wastewater treatment: An alkaline solution (pH 11.0) of sodium hypochlorite is used to treat dilute (< 1 g/L) cyanide wastewater, e.g. rinsewater from an electroplating shop.
Oxidation:Household bleach, with a phase-transfer catalyst, has been reported to oxidize alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compound.