What is Barium Chloride?
Barium chloride, with the chemical formula BaCl₂, is an inorganic compound that is a colorless crystalline salt. It is highly soluble in water and has a wide range of applications in various industrie
Structure and Properties of Barium Chloride
It crystallizes in a cubic structure with a coordination number of 8 for barium ions. The barium ions are surrounded by 8 chloride ions arranged at the corners of a cube.
Physical Properties
- Appearance: White crystalline solid at room temperature
- Melting point: 963°C (1765°F)
- Boiling point: 1560°C (2840°F)
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water (37.7 g/100 mL at 20°C)
- Hygroscopic: Absorbs moisture from the air
Chemical Properties
- It is a salt of a strong base (barium hydroxide) and a strong acid (hydrochloric acid)
- Reacts with sulfates to form insoluble barium sulfate precipitate, used in gravimetric analysis
- Forms hydrates like BaCl₂·2H₂O when crystallized from aqueous solutions
- Can form coordination compounds with organic ligands
Synthesis of Barium Chloride
Reduction Firing of Barite
- Barium sulfide is obtained by subjecting barite (barium sulfate) to reduction firing
- The barium sulfide is then dissolved in hydrochloric acid to produce a solution
Hydrochloric Acid-Barium Carbonate Method
- Barium carbonate is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form solution
- Impurities are removed by neutralization, chelate resin treatment, and crystallization
Utilization of Barium Residues
- Barium residues from barium sulfate are ground into slurry with water or dilute barium chloride
- Hydrochloric acid is added to the slurry to obtain mixed solution
- Hydrogen peroxide is added for oxidation and removal of impurities
Applications of Barium Chloride
Chemical Industry
It is widely used as a raw material for producing other barium compounds like barium nitrate, barium carbonate, and barium hydroxide. These compounds find applications in pyrotechnics, glass manufacturing, and ceramic production.
Pigment and Dye Industry
It is used as a mordant in dyeing and printing processes, helping fix dyes onto fabrics and improving color fastness. It is also a precursor for manufacturing pigments like lithopone (a white pigment) and barium-based pigments for paints and coatings.
Oil and Gas Industry
Its solutions are employed as high-density drilling fluids in oil and gas exploration due to their high specific gravity and low corrosivity. They help control formation pressures and prevent blowouts during drilling operations.
Purification and Refining
It is used in the purification of various industrial products like glycerol, sucrose, and sorbic acid. It acts as a precipitating agent, selectively removing impurities from solutions.
Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
It is used as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also employed in the production of barium-based pharmaceuticals like barium sulfate for radiographic examinations.
Pyrotechnics and Fireworks
It is a key ingredient in pyrotechnic compositions, imparting a bright green color to fireworks and flares. It is also used in tracer ammunition and signal flares.
Specialty Applications
It finds niche applications in the production of barium-based catalysts, heat treatment salts, and as a desiccant for drying gases and liquids. It is also used in the manufacture of barium-based greases and lubricants
Application Cases
| Product/Project | Technical Outcomes | Application Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| BrineGuard | Utilising high-density barium chloride solutions, BrineGuard provides superior well control and prevents blowouts during drilling operations, enhancing safety and reducing environmental risks. | Oil and gas exploration, particularly in deep and high-pressure formations. |
| BariTect | BariTect, a barium chloride-based purification system, selectively removes impurities from industrial products like glycerol and sucrose, improving product quality and yield. | Purification processes in chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. |
| LumiBrite | LumiBrite, a range of barium-based pigments derived from barium chloride, offers exceptional brightness, opacity, and colour stability in paints, coatings, and plastics. | Architectural coatings, automotive finishes, and coloured plastic products. |
| DyeFixx | DyeFixx, a mordant solution containing barium chloride, enhances dye fixation and colour fastness on fabrics, reducing dye consumption and wastewater generation. | Textile dyeing and printing processes, particularly for natural fibres like cotton and wool. |
| PyroSpark | PyroSpark, a barium chloride-based pyrotechnic composition, produces brilliant green flames and smoke effects with high luminosity and low toxicity. | Fireworks displays, signal flares, and special effects in the entertainment industry. |
Latest innovations in Barium Chloride
Manufacturing Process Innovations
- Utilization of Barium Residues: Processes have been developed to effectively utilize barium residues from barium sulfate as raw materials for producing high-purity one. This involves grinding the residues with water or dilute barium chloride solution, reacting with hydrochloric acid, filtering, oxidizing with hydrogen peroxide to remove impurities, and crystallizing to obtain the final product.
- Hydrochloric Acid-Barium Carbonate Route: This low-pollution and cost-effective process is expected to become the main production method in the future. It involves reacting barium carbonate with hydrochloric acid, adjusting pH, separating solids, dissolving and removing impurities with hydrogen peroxide, and crystallizing to obtain high-purity barium chloride with low strontium content (<10 ppm).
- Barium Chlorate Production: Barium chlorate is produced by replacement reaction between sodium chlorate solution and solid barium chloride, followed by crystallization, pressing, refining, centrifugal separation, evaporation, and drying under strict time and temperature control.
Application Innovations
- Bituminous Mixtures: It has been used in the development of new bituminous mixtures for road construction and paving applications.
- Borate Salts: It is utilized in the production of borate salts, which have various applications in industries like glass, ceramics, and detergents.
- Pharmaceutical Intermediates: It is employed in the synthesis of phenobarbital salts, which are used as sedative-hypnotic drugs.
- Barium Titanate Production: It is a key raw material in the manufacturing of barium titanyl oxalate and barium titanate, which have applications in electronics, ceramics, and capacitors.
Technical Challenges of Barium Chloride
| Utilisation of Barium Residues | Developing efficient processes to utilise barium residues from barium sulfate as raw materials for producing high-purity barium chloride. |
| Hydrochloric Acid-Barium Carbonate Route | Optimising the low-pollution and cost-effective hydrochloric acid-barium carbonate route to become the main production method for high-purity, low-strontium barium chloride. |
| Barium Chlorate Production | Enhancing the replacement reaction process for producing barium chlorate from sodium chlorate solution and solid barium chloride, with strict control over time and temperature. |
| Impurity Removal and Purification | Developing effective methods for removing impurities and purifying barium chloride, such as oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and pH adjustment. |
| Energy Efficiency and Emission Reduction | Implementing energy-saving and emission reduction measures in the production processes of barium chloride to improve sustainability and environmental impact. |
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