Bases and Basic Materials in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry: A Review of Commercial Processes

The practical application of liquids and solid bases in industrial and environmental processes is reviewed. Liquid bases include water solutions of metal hydroxides such as caustics and potash, amines, phosphorus compounds and other molecular bases, solutions and slurries of alkali and alkaline-earth carbonates, organic Solutions of organometallics, and superbases. Solid bases include basic clays, alkaline-earth oxides, alkali metals containing oxides and zeolites, synthetic hydrotalcites, rare-earth oxides and mixed oxides, impregnated carbons, and supported alkali metals. Some health and safety considerations are discussed, together with process features. Conclusions about the future use of bases and the perspective of a more massive application of solid bases are offered.