Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis

2NaCl + 2H2O → Cl2 + 2NaOH + H2

Visão geral

Electrolysis of concentrated brine (NaCl solution) produces three essential industrial chemicals simultaneously: chlorine gas at the anode, sodium hydroxide solution at the cathode, and hydrogen gas as a byproduct. Modern membrane cells use ion-exchange membranes to separate products and achieve 95%+ current efficiency.

Participantes

Papel Substância Coeficiente Estado
Reagente Sodium Chloride NaCl 2 (aq)
Reagente Water H₂O 2 (l)
Produto Sodium Hydroxide NaOH 2 (aq)

Exemplo do cotidiano

The chlorine in your tap water and the lye in drain cleaner both come from this single electrochemical process.

Importância industrial

A indústria cloro-álcali produz cerca de 75 milhões de toneladas de NaOH e 65 milhões de toneladas de Cl₂ anualmente, consumindo cerca de 1 % da eletricidade global.

Propriedades

Tipo
Electrochemical
Reversível
Não
Energia
Endotérmico
ΔH
422,0 kJ/mol

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis?
The balanced equation is: 2NaCl + 2H₂O → Cl₂ + 2NaOH + H₂.
What type of reaction is Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis?
Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis is a electrochemical reaction.
Is Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis exothermic or endothermic?
Chlor-Alkali Electrolysis is endothermic (absorbs energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is 422.0 kJ/mol.