Sulfur Dioxide
Your Trusted Supplier of Sulfur Dioxide
Alexander Chemical is a trusted sulfur dioxide supplier, delivering core-pure SO₂ for use in preservation, chemical production, and industrial refinement.
Whether you’re maintaining product shelf life or refining high-value metals, Alexander Chemical ensures consistent purity, safe packaging, and reliable delivery services tailored to meet your specific operational needs.
Contact us today to explore how our SO₂ solutions can drive your success.
Key Characteristics of Sulfur Dioxide
- Chemical Formula: SO₂
- Appearance: Colorless
- Odor: Pungent, Suffocating Odor, Similar to a Burnt Match
- Solubility: Highly Soluble in Water; Reacts to Form Sulfurous Acid (H₂SO₃)
- Boiling Point: −10.0 °C (14.0 °F)
- Storage Requirements:
- Stored under pressure in certified sulfur dioxide cylinders or tanks.
- Highly reactive and corrosive. Requires specialized, leak-proof storage and transport systems. Must be kept in well-ventilated areas with appropriate safety monitoring.
Sulfur dioxide is a toxic and corrosive product. Improper handling can pose serious health and environmental hazards. Always work with qualified professionals when storing, filling, or evacuating SO₂ cylinders.
Our Sulfur Dioxide Processing Services
The professionals at Alexander Chemical bring decades of experience and expertise to managing sulfur dioxide with precision and care.
We are pleased to offer these valuable services:
- Supplying and filling certified sulfur dioxide cylinders tailored to your specific requirements.
- Evacuating returned or partially used cylinders in strict compliance with regulations.
- Inspecting and servicing all containers for structural integrity and compliance.
- Providing expert guidance on best practices for SO₂ usage, storage, and compliance.
Key Uses of Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is a dynamic chemical with applications across a wide range of industries. At Alexander Chemical, we supply high-purity SO₂ to meet the demands of these sectors with precision and reliability.
Food and Beverage
SO₂ is a go-to preservative for dried fruits, wine, and juices, extending shelf life and maintaining color, flavor, and quality.
Chemical Manufacturing
Sulfur Dioxide is a key raw material in producing sulfuric acid, one of the world’s most widely used industrial chemicals, essential for fertilizers, detergents, and more.
Pulp and Paper
Sulfur dioxide is used in the sulfite process to break down wood fibers, creating pulp for paper production.
Refrigeration
Historically used as a refrigerant, SO₂ still plays a critical role in specialized cooling systems.
Environmental Applications
SO₂ is used in flue gas desulfurization to reduce emissions from power plants, helping clean the air by capturing sulfur compounds.
Pharmaceuticals
It serves as an intermediate in synthesizing certain drugs and as a sterilizing agent in medical processes.
Metal Foundries
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) plays a significant role in metal foundries, particularly in the formation of molds and cores.
Glass Manufacturing
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) plays a critical part of glass manufacturing as a clarification and reducing agent, as well as during the decolorization and de-alkalization process.
More Facts About Sulfur Dioxide
- Volcanic origins: SO₂ is naturally released during volcanic eruptions, which can have an impact on the local environment.
- Wine’s Secret Weapon: Ever notice the phrase “contains sulfites” on a wine label? That’s sulfur dioxide at work, preserving flavor and freshness by preventing oxidation and microbial growth.
- Sulfur Dioxide in Space: The chemical has been detected on other planets, such as Venus, where it is a major component of the atmosphere, and on Jupiter’s moon too, home to many active volcanoes.
A Brief History of Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide has played a role in history for centuries, even before it was formally understood. Ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians and Romans, burned sulfur to create SO₂ for fumigation and wine preservation, appreciating its antimicrobial properties.
In the Middle Ages, it was used to sanitize people’s homes and equipment like barrels. The compound was scientifically identified in the 17th century, as chemists recognized its role as a gas produced from burning sulfur.
By the Industrial Revolution, sulfur dioxide became critical in manufacturing and food processing. Despite early concerns about its environmental impact, today’s advanced technologies ensure it can be safely used in a sustainable fashion.
Related Sulfur Dioxide FAQs
Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a colorless, reactive substance used in industrial processing and food preservation. It acts as an effective preservative, disinfectant, and chemical intermediate.
Yes. SO₂ is commonly used to preserve dried fruits, wine, and beer, helping to extend shelf life and prevent microbial spoilage.
Sulfur dixoide has a strong, choking odor similar to burnt matches. It is detectable at very low concentrations.
Sulfur dioxide is typically produced by burning sulfur-containing fuels or roasting sulfide ores during smelting operatons.