What is EDTA?
EDTA
or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is a weak acid used as a chelating agent.
Ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) contains an amino carboxylic group
with the formula C10H16N2O8. The
chelating agent EDTA is a compound of massive use worldwide with household and
industrial applications, being one of the anthropogenic compounds with the
ability to sequester various polyvalent cations, used to minimize metal
contaminants and facilitate enzymatic reactions that could be inhibited by
heavy metal traces. EDTA is the most widely used chelating agent for the removal of toxic
heavy metal ions in wastewater treatment.
How does EDTA Work?
EDTA is prepared from the compound Ethylenediamine and Monochloroacetic
acid. EDTA grabs metallic cations such as lead or calcium from the process and
forms a stable compound that is then excreted from the system. If the bond is
weak, other chemicals can break this bond to form their own compounds. EDTA is
the most widely used chelating agent for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions
in wastewater treatment. EDTA can react with metallic cations, creating a
stable rigid compound that can be easily excreted from the application system. The
ability to form strong covalent bonds with metallic ions allows inorganic
contaminants to react with these ions, forming their own compounds.
What is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid used for?
Wastewater treatment: EDTA is the
most widely used chelating agent for the removal of removing toxic heavy metal
ions in wastewater treatment.
Textile
industry: Prevents metal ion impurities
from modifying the colours of dyed products.
Pulp &
paper industry: It inhibits
the ability of metal ions, especially Manganese from catalysing the
disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide in chlorine-free bleaching.
Laundry: Reduces water hardness by dissolving scales of Ca2+, Mg2+, and
cations, which are then less likely to interfere with soaps and detergents
‘Scrubbing’: Removes hydrogen sulphide from gas streams. This conversion is
achieved by oxidizing the hydrogen sulphide to elemental sulphur, which is
non-volatile.
Laboratory: Widely used for scavenging metal ions.
Cosmetics: Used in shampoos, cleaners, and other personal care products as a
sequestering agent
Leading EDTA Manufacturers in India
Chemtex
Speciality Limited is a pioneering speciality chemical manufacturer, The best EDTA
manufacturers in India, We Tetrasodium EDTA (4Na), Disodium EDTA (2Na), EDTA
Trisodium (3Na) and Pure Acid form.
Disodium
EDTA (2Na) – Disodium salt of EDTA is used as sequestering / chelating agent, that
helps in cleaning and descaling from metal surfaces. Also, it finds extensive
usage in the removal of iron oxide/hydroxide and calcium carbonate, other
organic substances and microbial slimes.
Trisodium EDTA
(3Na) – It is used as a disinfectant, colour retention agent, anticoagulant for
blood collection, preservative, antioxidant, a chelating agent in personal care
products and flavouring agent for foods. It is
used to minimize metal ion contaminants and to facilitate enzymatic reactions
that could be inhibited by heavy metal traces.
Tetrasodium
EDTA (4Na) – Tetrasodium EDTA is also used
as a chelating agent, with the ability to sequester various polyvalent cations,
that bind calcium, magnesium and other metal ions, minimizing metal ion
contamination and facilitate enzymatic reactions that could be inhibited by
heavy metal traces. EDTA Tetrasodium Salt also works as a slime dispersant and
is even effective in reducing scale deposits and water hardness.
Key
Features & Benefits
·
Optimum
Chelating efficiency
·
Prevents
metal contamination
·
Sequesters
magnesium, calcium and other metal ions.
·
Cost-effective