Technical Information Hydrosulfite Types

TI/T 7015 e
October 1997 (RB)

Supersedes TI/T 1489 dated January 1993

= Registered trademark of
BASF Aktiengesellschaft Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF N
Hydrosulfite F Conc. BASF
Hydrosulfite FE Conc. BASF

Reducing agents for the textile industry

Textile and Leather Dyes and Chemicals

Nature Anhydrous sodium dithionite (Na2S 2O 4), technical grade, stabilized

Physical form Powder

Storage stability Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF and Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF N have a shelf life
of up to 24 months.

Hydrosulfite F Conc. BASF and Hydrosulfite FE Conc. BASF have a shelf

life of up to 12 months.

Storage All Hydrosulfite types must be stored in closed containers, and the
containers must be protected from moisture.

If the products are not stored under suitable conditions or if moist scoops
are used to take product out of the containers, or if moisture enters a con-
tainers, the product decomposes. The moist product becomes lumpy and
it develops heat and gases (with the odour of sulphur dioxide), resulting
finally in spontaneous combustion, particularly in the presence of atmos-
pheric oxygen (cf. Action in the case of spontaneous combustion on
page 7).

Handling of partially Hydrosulfite that has become lumpy must immediately be removed from
decomposed product the drum by passing it through a coarse sieve, after which the lumps must
be dissolved in water. Only the residual, powdery product is fit for use.

Impurities BASFs Hydrosulfite types are practically free of heavy metals (below the
level of detectability).

2
 ,,,
Properties

,,,
Physical and chemical data

,,,
Appearance White powder

Solubility Readily soluble in dilute alkalis: approx. 250 g/l at 20 C. The solution is
water-white without any turbidity.

,,,
500

Caustic soda 38 B (ml/l)

,,,
,,,
400

,,,
300

,,,
dissolved undissolved

200

100

0
0 100 200 300 400
Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF (g/l)

Fig. 1 Solubility of Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF in the presence of alkali

Stability of the solutions Hydrosulfite solutions have a strong reducing action and bind atmospheric
oxygen. 1 m3 of air binds roughly 1.7 kg of hydrosulfite. Hydrosulfite reacts
with atmospheric oxygen many times more rapidly than its own relatively
slow decomposition. In working with dissolved hydrosulfite, contact with
air must therefore be avoided as far as possible. In acid media, hydro-
sulfite decomposes to form mainly sulphur dioxide, sulphur and other
sulphur-containing compounds. Alkalis have a stabilizing action on
solutions of hydrosulfite, particularly when the solution is exposed to air.

3
 30

Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF (g/l)

exclusion of air

20
presence of air

without alkali

10

50 ml/l NaOH 38 B
30 g/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
25 C

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
h

Fig. 2 Stability of hydrosulfite solutions under various conditions

pH value Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF and

(50 g/l in water) Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF N 7 9
Hydrosulfite F Conc. BASF and
Hydrosulfite FE Conc. BASF 67

For pH measurements, oxygen must be completely excluded. The

measurement must be carried out under nitrogen and with air-free water.

Bulk density The Hydrosulfite types vary in their bulk density. This must be taken into
consideration in volumetric metering.

Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF 1300 1400 g/dm3

Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF N 1150 1250 g/dm3

Hydrosulfite F Conc. BASF and

Hydrosulfite FE Conc. BASF 750 900 g/dm3

Action In the textile industry, hydrosulfite is used mainly as a reducing agent for
vat dyes and for the reductive clearing of dyeings on polyester. It is also
suitable for stripping dyeings and for cleaning dye becks, dyeing
machines, etc.

Preparation of Hydrosulfite solutions are best prepared immediately before use. The alkali
hydrosulfite solutions should be added to the bath first, after which the hydrosulfite powder is
strewed into the bath with stirring.

The process can be carried out very economically by using a dissolving

station and obtaining the product in containers.

This method has the following advantages:

no dusting
less risk of fire
lower product wastage

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 In this method, a solution is prepared containing approx. 130 g/l of hydro-
sulfite together with the requisite amount of alkali (260 ml/l of NaOH
38 B). The solution is then piped to the department where it is required.
This concentrated reducing agent solution only has to be diluted and is
then ready for use.

Applications
As a reducing agent for vat dyes

The main field of application for hydrosulfite is the reduction of vat dyes in
order to convert them into a water-soluble form with affinity for the fibre.
The vat dyes are either reduced direct in the dyebath or, as in pigmenta-
tion dyeing processes, pigment padding processes, and two-phase print-
ing, they are first applied to the textile material in an insoluble form and
then subsequently developed with hydrosulfite and caustic soda.

The reducing action of hydrosulfite depends on the temperature and the

pH. Under the conditions of an IN vat, the redox potential is approx.
1000 mV. This potential is sufficient to convert all commercially available
vat dyes into the water-soluble sodium leuco compound, because all of
these dyes are reduced in the potential range of approx. 650 to 950 mV.

The dye must remain completely vatted throughout the whole dyeing pro-
cess. However, since the hydrosulfite is continuously decomposed by the
action of air, with consumption of alkali, the vat must always contain an
excess of hydrosulfite and caustic soda.

The presence of this excess must be ensured throughout the entire

dyeing process. The simplest method is to check the alkalinity with
phenolphthalein paper, and the reducing action with Vat Yellow paper.

The amounts of hydrosulfite necessary for the various dyeing processes

are indicated in our pattern card for Indanthren dyes, MK/T 266.

For the reductive clearing of dyeings

Dyeings and prints produced with disperse dyes on polyester fibres,

triacetate fibres, and various fibre blends are cleared with alkaline
hydrosulfite solutions in order to obtain the best possible standard of
fastness.

4 8 ml/l caustic soda 38 B

2 3 g/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
0.5 g/l Uniperol EL

20 min at 70 80 C

For stripping or partial stripping of dyeings and prints

Hydrosulfite is suitable for the reductive stripping of dyeings and prints

produced with vat, direct, and reactive dyes on cellulosic fibres.

Vat dyes Liquor ratio 10 : 1 to 30 : 1

In package systems Set the bath at 75 80 C with

and winches
0.5 g/l Dekol S
2 3 g/l Setamol WS
10 15.5 ml/l caustic soda 38 B
5 g/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
1 g/l glucose
(for vat dyes that are sensitive to over-reduction)
2 3 ml/l Albigen A

and treat the textile material for 3 min at 75 80 C (with indirect steam).
Ensure that a fully vatted state is maintained.

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 Rinse with

1 ml/l caustic soda 38 B

1 g/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
1 g/l Setamol WS

for 5 min at room temperature, and then rinse with cold water with
overflow. If necessary, then oxidize at 55 C with

1 2 ml/l hydrogen peroxide 35 %.

On the jig Liquor ratio 5 : 1 for pale shades and up to 10 : 1 for dark shades

Set the bath at 75 80 C with

1 g/l Dekol S
3 5 g/l Setamol WS
20 ml/l caustic soda 38 B
10 g/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
1 g/l glucose
(for dyes that are sensitive to over-reduction)
2 3 g/l Albigen A

and treat the dyeing over 4 ends, but never longer than for 40 min at
75 80 C (with indirect steam). Ensure that a fully vatted state is
maintained.

As the dye-Albigen A addition compounds have low solubility (with forma-

tion of tarry deposits under certain conditions), short liquor ratios and long
treating times must be avoided. If necessary, the stripping process should
be repeated. The goods are then rinsed with cold water with overflow, and
than oxidized with 1 2 ml/l of hydrogen peroxide 35 % at 55 C.

Direct dyes 1.5 g/l soda ash

2 g/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
2 g/l Albigen A

30 60 min at 50 C
followed by intensive rinsing.

Reactive dyes 15 ml/l caustic soda 38 B

5 ml/l Hydrosulfite Conc. BASF
2 ml/l Albigen A

30 60 min at 60 80 C
followed by intensive rinsing.

For cleaning dyeing machines and equipment

Alkaline solutions of hydrosulfite are used to remove dye residues from

dyeing machines, mixing vessels, rollers, etc. The cleaning action of the
solutions can be promoted by adding Albigen A or Uniperol AC.

Safety
When using this product, the information and advice given in our Safety
Data Sheet should be observed. Due attention should also be given to
the precautions necessary for handling chemicals.

Contact of the products with oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide, sodium

chlorite, and sodium hypochlorite) must be avoided under all conditions.
Hydrosulfite must always be kept at a safe distance away from these
agents.

Action in the case of spontaneous combustion

See our Technical Information Bulletin TI/T 311 e of July 1997:

Measures to be taken in the case of fire or accidents in transportation.

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Note
The information submitted in this publication is based on our current
knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect
processing and application, these data do not relieve processors of the
responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do
they imply any legally binding assurance of certain properties or of suit-
ability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we
supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws
and legislation are observed.

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