Optimization of the procedure for the synthesis of calcium and sodium citrate in laboratory and semi-industrial conditions

The aim of this investigation is the development of the optimal laboratory procedure for the synthesis of calcium and sodium citrate and the application of obtained results in a project for a semi-industrial installation for its production. These salts are used as an additive in numerous food and pharmaceutical products. Basically, they have to satisfy quality requirements, which is the reason why the procedure for their synthesis needs to be optimized in aspects of selection of reactants, their molar ratio, necessary laboratory equipment, reactant addition order, working temperature, isolation of final product from the reaction mixture, yield and product quality. A semi-industrial installation for the production of calcium and sodium citrate will be projected on the basis of the results of this investigation. The importance of this investigation is the fact that these salts are not produced in our country and the entire quantity (about 20 t per year) is imported.