The differents types and uses of salt

Oil and Gas Exploration. Salt is used as a flocculent and to increase the density of drilling fluids. It is also used to avoid dilution of saline horizons and to speed up hardening of the concrete used in drilling.

 

Metal Processing. Salt is used in foundries, refineries and factories that produce ferrous and nonferrous metals.  It is also used in the manufacturing process for aluminum, beryllium, copper, steel and vanadium, and in the process of concentrating of uranium.

 

Cellulose. Salt is used to whiten or bleach wood pulp.

 

Textiles and Dyes. Salt is used as in a saturated solution (i.e., brine) to remove organic contaminants in the fibers. It is mixed with dyes to standardize concentrates and enhances the absorption of the dyes in fabrics.

 

Tanneries. In this industry, salt is used to inhibit microbial action within the leather, and to reduce moisture.

 

Synthetic Rubber. Brine and sulfuric acid are used to coagulate the latex, making it necessary for the development of some types of rubbers (neoprene and white rubber).

Salt is added to foods to enhance flavor; as a preservative, binder and additive; to control the fermentation; to add texture and develop color; and as dehydrating agent, softener and enzyme inhibitor.

 

In particular, salt is used in:

 

Meat. Salt is added to processed meats and to develop color in bacon, hams and other products. It inhibits growth of bacteria in food and acts as a binder in sausages to form a gel consisting of meat, fat and fluids. Salt accentuates flavors and softens meat.

 

Bread. Salt is used to control the degree of fermentation in loaves of bread, to strengthen the gluten (i.e., elastic protein) and to enhance the flavor.

 

Dairy. Salt is added to cheeses, butters and creams to control fermentation, add color and texture, and to enhance flavors.

 

Flour. Salt is used in this industrial sector, including wheat and rice mills, as well as the manufacturer of cereals and specialty pastry flours, to enhance flavors.

 

Other Foods. Salt is used in the manufacture of food (chips, snacks, etc.) and animal feed (e.g., dog and cat food), to enhance flavors and as a seasoning.

Salt is used to control the icing on roadways. During the construction of roads, salt is used to make the soil firmer.

Salt is used in cattle feed, fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural chemicals.

Chlorine, the primary use for sodium chloride, is a reliable barometer of economic activity because it is a basic raw material for other chemicals and for plastics. Production methods are changing, and production units for chlorine conversion using mercury-based membrane cells are being phased out. This resulted in decreases in economic activity that had a significant downward impact on the production of chlorine in the early 2000’s.

 

The production of PVC is still the single largest usage of chlorine, accounting for 35% of all chlorine usage. Apart from changes in PVC, critics of the chlorine industry have questioned the level of mercury emissions but the proportion of mercury membrane cells used in making chlorine has fallen. According to Euro Chlor, continued decreases are predicted to result from "the commitment to reduce to 1.0g Hg (mercury) per ton of chlorine.” In addition to this movement toward sustainable development, which is paving the way for the progressive replacement of membrane cells, many European producers are operating chlorine-integrated complexes where high levels of recycling can be achieved. Over 35% of chlorine is currently recycled in chemical processes.

 

The rapid change in the composition of membrane cells has been expected by the providers of crystallized salt, and is pushed by a number of buyers of chlor-alkali products. The supply of crystal salt needed during electrolysis is around 13 million tons per year. A significant volume of the salt used in chlor-alkali (not just salt in brine) is reliant on captive supplies. Increased capacity in diaphragm electrolysis should not be excluded. Growth forecasts for the crystal salt are somewhat difficult in this sector.

 

The price of electricity is the main cost in the production of chlorine. Cogeneration, which has been developing, appears to have been an appropriate response.