Citric Acid → Trisodium citrate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A 1 liter beaker was charged with 350 ml (462 g) citric acid process mother liquor containing 260.5 g citric acid and 201.5 g H2O. While stirring, 325.9 g of 50% (w/w) NaOH solution was added to bring the pH to 6.6. The solution was heated to 78° C. and filtered to remove impurities. The hot solution was placed in a 5 liter, 3 neck round bottom flask fitted with a reflux condenser, stirrer and heating mantle. The solution was heated to 80° C. and 1500 ml (1184 g) ethyl alcohol was added at a rate of 30 ml per minute which resulted in the formation of a slurry of tri-sodium citrate crystals. The flask was heated to the ethanol's reflux temperature which provided better crystal formation.

Provenance & Evidence