What is the function of a membrane cell in electrolysis?
The purpose of the membrane is to separate the anode loop (anolyte) from the cathode loop (catholyte) by a fluid, in order to avoid unwanted secondary reactions, so as to combine the electrode reaction with a separation step or to isolate separately the products formed on the electrode.
Why is chlorine produced in the electrolysis of brine?
The electrolysis of brine separates the salt water solution through a porous membrane resulting in the negative anode drawing the positively charged chlorine ions to it while the positive cathode collects the negatively charged hydrogen ions found in the water.
How is chlorine manufactured by Deacon’s process?
In Deacon’s process, chlorine is manufactured by oxidising hydrogen chloride gas by atmospheric oxygen in the presence of CuCl2 as a catalyst at 723 K.
Who produces chlorine?
The companies holding the largest market share in the Chlorine Manufacturing industry include Olin Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Westlake Chemical Corporation.
Why is chlorine produced at the anode?
The major reaction at the anode is therefore: Two chloride ions each give up an electron to the anode, and the atoms produced combine to give chlorine gas. The chlorine is, however, contaminated with small amounts of oxygen because of a reaction involving hydroxide ions giving up electrons as well.
How do you manufacture chlorine?
Chlorine can be manufactured by the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution (brine), which is known as the Chloralkali process. The production of chlorine results in the co-products caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H2). These two products, as well as chlorine itself, are highly reactive.
What is produced in the electrolysis of brine?
The electrolysis of brine yields chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. In the conventional chlor-alkali industry, hydrogen is a by-product frequently burnt with chlorine to manufacture hydrochloric acid.
Why is there a porous membrane in the electrolysis of brine?
The membrane is made from a polymer which only allows positive ions to pass through it. That means that the only the sodium ions from the sodium chloride solution can pass through the membrane – and not the chloride ions.
How is chlorine manufactured?
How is chlorine manufactured electrolyzed?
Chlorine Manufacture Most chlorine is manufactured electrolytically by the diaphragm, membrane, or mercury cell process. In each process, a salt solution (sodium or potassium chloride) is electrolyzed by the action of direct electric current which converts chloride ions to elemental chlorine.
What is membrane cell process for chlor alkali production?
Membrane cell process for chlor alkali production The process makes use of brine and a membrane cell with positive and negatively charged electrodes. The anode (negative charge) oxidizes the chloride ion, which loses an electron to become free chlorine gas.
What is the current of membrane brine electrolysis?
Membrane brine electrolysis typically operates at a current density of up to 7000 A m−2[38] and a cell voltage of 3 to 4 V [37], [39]. Under these conditions the current efficiency attains a level higher than 95% [40].
What is membrane electrolysis?
Selected membrane electrolysis processes applied on a commercial scale Besides brine electrolysis, which represents the most important electrochemical industrial technology, there is a broad spectrum of electrochemical technologies of different scale and importance based on membrane electrolysis.