The Chloralkali Industry
James Musk 2011-04-07
Science Mrs Trennor
Research Assignment: The Chloralkali Industry
The chloralkali process is responsible for the production of chlorine gas (Cl2), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) hence the name chloralkali. The process is also responsible for the production of hydrogen gas (H2). These three substances are used to make products that are essential to people’s lives. The chloralkali process does have environmental impacts; however, there are three methods used in the cholralkali process and work is being done to favour processes that are more environmentally friendly. The benefits of the chloralkali process to people’s lives far outweigh the disadvantages which makes it a process fundamental to human life.
The products produced by the chloralkali process are very important and have a wide range of uses. The element chlorine produced in the process is responsible for: the production of disinfectant, PVC production and for the extraction of metals. Sodium hydroxide the other main product of the chloralkali industry is used to: purify bauxite, produce soap and to produce dyes. Hydrogen another by-product is used to produce rocket fuel and for hydrogenation. These products are essential for human life which makes it clear that the chloralakali process is beneficial to people.
The chloralkali industry revolves around three main methods of production. Each method uses an electrolytic cell in which a current is run through brine (saturated NaCl), resulting in chemical reactions at the electrodes and separation of sodium and chlorine. The three cells that are used are the mercury cell, the diaphragm cell and the membrane cell. Each of these processes differ in the methods of production and also differ in the way the
Science Mrs Trennor
Research Assignment: The Chloralkali Industry
The chloralkali process is responsible for the production of chlorine gas (Cl2), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) hence the name chloralkali. The process is also responsible for the production of hydrogen gas (H2). These three substances are used to make products that are essential to people’s lives. The chloralkali process does have environmental impacts; however, there are three methods used in the cholralkali process and work is being done to favour processes that are more environmentally friendly. The benefits of the chloralkali process to people’s lives far outweigh the disadvantages which makes it a process fundamental to human life.
The products produced by the chloralkali process are very important and have a wide range of uses. The element chlorine produced in the process is responsible for: the production of disinfectant, PVC production and for the extraction of metals. Sodium hydroxide the other main product of the chloralkali industry is used to: purify bauxite, produce soap and to produce dyes. Hydrogen another by-product is used to produce rocket fuel and for hydrogenation. These products are essential for human life which makes it clear that the chloralakali process is beneficial to people.
The chloralkali industry revolves around three main methods of production. Each method uses an electrolytic cell in which a current is run through brine (saturated NaCl), resulting in chemical reactions at the electrodes and separation of sodium and chlorine. The three cells that are used are the mercury cell, the diaphragm cell and the membrane cell. Each of these processes differ in the methods of production and also differ in the way the
Bibliography: • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2011) Chloralkali Process [online] Available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloralkali_process (07/04/2011) • Chlorine Online. (2010) How is chlorine made? [online] Available from http://www.eurochlor.org/makingchlorine (07/04/2011) • Dr Andrew A Lindley (1997) MERCURY CELLS AND ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES [online] Available from http://www.oxford.co.za/download_files/business/oxford_press_vol1_issue1.pdf (07/04/2011) •