Chlorine UNIT 2: MODULE 3

INDUSTRY & THE

ENVIRONMENT
BY: P. BERGAN (2020)
Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able
6.1

to:
6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4

Describe the Discuss the Discuss the Assess the

chemical economic industrial impact of the
processes advantages of importance of the chlor-alkali
involved in the chlorine halogens and industry on
electrolysis of production by their compounds the
Bleaches, PVC,
brine using the the diaphragm halogenated
environment.
diaphragm cell cell method; hydrocarbons, Refer to
Include sodium solvents, Specific
hydroxide. aerosols, Objective 1.3
refrigerants,
anesthetics 2

-Chlorine is a non-metallic
element in group VII (Group
17) of the periodic table.
-It has electronic configuration
2:8:7.
-It gains one valence election
to form stable Cl- ion
-It belongs to the chemical
family of halogens.
-It is a pale green gas with a
pungent irritating smell.
Occurrence
As Brine-concentration sodium
chloride solution dissolved in
salty seas water, oceans and
lakes e.g. Lake Magadi in Kenya
is very salty.
-As rock-salt solid sodium
chloride crystals in the earths
crust all over the world.
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OBJECTIVE 6.1
DESCRIBE THE CHEMICAL
PROCESSES INVOLVED IN THE
ELECTROLYSIS OF BRINE USING
THE DIAPHRAGM CELL
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MANUFACTURE OF CHLORINE
Chlorine is manufactured industrially as a by-product in the manufacture of Caustic Soda by the electrolysis of
brine.

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The Diaphragm
cell

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Advantages and Disadvantages of the

Diaphragm Cell
 Note:
The liquid is higher on the anode
side to ensure the flow of liquid is
from left to right.
This ensures no NaOH formed
makes its way back to the Chlorine
produced.

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Chemical processes involved in Chlorine production
ANODE
• The membrane cell has titanium anode and a nickel cathode. Titanium is
chosen because it is not attacked by chlorine. The anode and the
cathode compartments are separated by an ion exchange membrane.
The membrane is selective; it allows Na+ ions, H+ and OH- ions to flow
but not Cl- ions. These ions cannot flow backwards, so products are kept
separate and cannot react with each other.

• At anode, the Cl- ions are discharged more readily than OH - ions because
they are in higher concentration and are hence preferred.
• However it is contaminated because of the reaction
4OH- (aq)  2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e-
Cl2 is purified by liquefying under pressure. O 2 remains a gas at ordinary
temperatures.
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Chemical processes involved in Chlorine production
CATHODE
• A pale green gas is seen coming off at the anode
• At cathode, it is the H+ ions that accept electrons, as sodium
is more reactive than hydrogen
• Bubbles of hydrogen are seen at the cathode

• The remaining ions of Na+ and OH- join up and come off as
sodium hydroxide, NaOH.
• The NaOH leaving the cell is contaminated and concentrated
by evaporation. The NaCl crystallizes out and is recycled to
be used in the electrolysis solution again.
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OBJECTIVE 6.2
DISCUSS THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF
CHLORINE PRODUCTION BY THE DIAPHRAGM
CELL METHOD; INCLUDE SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

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Economic Advantages

The biggest economic advantages of using the diaphragm method

is the collection of THREE different products that are useful and
essential to many manufacturing industries:

1.CHLORINE

2.SODIUM HYDROXIDE

3.HYDROGEN
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ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES

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ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES

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OBJECTIVE 6.3
DISCUSS THE INDUSTRIAL IMPORTANCE OF
THE HALOGEN AND THEIR COMPOUNDS
BLEACHES, PVC, HALOGENATED
HYDROCARBONS, SOLVENTS, AEROSOLS,
REFRIGERANTS, ANESTHETICS
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What makes chlorine so useful in manufacturing?

ANSWER: ITS PROPERTIES

1. Chlorine is a highly reactive element, and undergoes
reaction with a wide variety of other elements and
compounds.

2. Chlorine is a good bleaching agent, due to its oxidising

properties.

3. Chlorine is soluble in water (which solution is called

Chlorine Water) 17
What makes chlorine so useful in manufacturing?

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USES OF CHLORINE

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USES OF CHLORINE
The largest use is in the manufacture of poly(chloroethene), PVC. Other
major polymers produced using chlorine include the polyurethanes.
Additionally Chlorine is used:
• For the manufacture of bleaching powder and liquid bleaches,
• 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane has many industrial uses, the most important
being in the manufacture of the epoxy resins. Among the uses of the
chloromethanes are the manufacture of silicones and
poly(tetrafluoroethene), PTFE.
• The solvents (including trichloroethene) are used in dry cleaning.
• Chlorine is also used in the manufacture of many inorganic compounds,
notably titanium dioxide and hydrogen chloride.
• Insecticides as DDT
• Anesthetics as Chloroform

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USES OF CHLORINE
• To bleach fabrics (e.g. linen and cotton), wood pulp and paper,
• For the direct manufacture of Hydrochloric Acid by the direct combination
of its elements,
• In the manufacture Sodium Hypochlorite (i.e. domestic bleach),
disinfectants, insecticides, plastics and Hydrochloric Acid,
• As a disinfectant used to kill bacteria in the preparation of drinking water.
• Chlorine is also important in the manufacture of paints and aerosol
propellants.
• Also used to make some explosives, poison gases and pesticides

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OBJECTIVE 6.4
ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE
CHLOR-ALKALI INDUSTRY ON THE
ENVIRONMENT.
REFER TO SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 1.3
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The impact of the chlor-alkali industry on the environment.
There are five major environmental concerns that have made an impact on the chloro-alkali industry in the past
20 years.

3. Mercury
1. Dioxin Emission Emissions

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020

2. Ozone Depletion 4. Problematic 5. Asbestos Health

Disposal of PVC Concerns
plastics

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THANK YOU
P Bergan
2020

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