Chloralkali

Mercury is emitted from the mercury cell process from ventilation systems and by-product streams. Control techniques include (1) condensation, (2) mist elimination, (3) chemical scrubbing, (4) activated carbon adsorption, and (5) molecular sieve absorption. Several mercury cell (chloralkali) plants in Japan have been converted to diaphragm cells to eliminate the poisonous levels of methyl mercury found in fish (9). 

Chlorine and chlorides G SPA Chlorinated hydrocarbons Chloralkali Paper and pulp processing Petrochemicals Metal extraction and refining... 

Chloralkali process Combustion of coal and oil Electrical and electronic Explosives Paints... 

In 1996, consumption in the western world was 14.2 tonnes of rhodium and 3.8 tonnes of iridium. Unquestionably the main uses of rhodium (over 90%) are now catalytic, e.g. for the control of exhaust emissions in the car (automobile) industry and, in the form of phosphine complexes, in hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions where it is frequently more efficient than the more commonly used cobalt catalysts. Iridium is used in the coating of anodes in chloralkali plant and as a catalyst in the production of acetic acid. It also finds small-scale applications in specialist hard alloys. 

Ruthenium nowadays finds many uses in the electronics industry, particularly for making resistor tracks. It is used as an ingredient in various catalysts and, importantly, in electrode materials, e.g. Ru02-coated titanium elements in the chloralkali industry. Osmium tetroxide is a very useful organic oxidant and, classically, is used as a tissue stain. Both elements are employed in making certain platinum alloys. 

Sodium hydroxide, NaOH, is a soft, waxy, white, corrosive solid that is sold commercially as lye. It is an important industrial chemical because it is an inexpensive starting material for the production of other sodium salts. The amount of electricity used to electrolyze brine to produce NaOH in the chloralkali process (Section 12.13) is second only to the amount used to extract aluminum from its ores. The process produces chlorine and hydrogen gases as well as aqueous socFinn hydroxide (Fig. 14.17). The net ionic equation for the reaction is... 

Self-Test 14.5A Use Table 12.1 to determine the minimum potential difference that must be applied under standard conditions to carry out the chloralkali process. 

In the profiles of the core from the industrial area, mercury displays the highest accumulation. Mercury in this area, close to the industrial district, has probably derived from a large chloralkali plant which has employed mercury cathodes since the fifties. Whereas, at present, very severe measures are taken to prevent mercury spills into the Lagoon, in the past, polluted waters and solid materials were discharged almost untreated. In the most superficial strata a marked decrease in the accumulations is, in fact, recorded. Lead and Cd accumulations are lower here by a factor of 5-10. The presence of cadmium in the sediments of the Lagoon has been referred to sphalerite (ZnS) processing on the basis of a strict concomitant... 

Ionomer membranes show good ion selectivity. They are able to distinguish between ions on the basis of size and charge, and show such good selectivity that they have also been used for membranes in experimental ion-selective electrodes. Their main use, though, remains in membrane cells of which numerous examples are currently employed throughout the world s chloralkali industry. 

D. Bergner, Membrane Cells for Chloralkali Cells, J. Appl. Electrochem., Vol. 12, p. 631,1982. 

Explosives Batteries Photographic Scientific instruments Chloralkali process Paints... 

A mixture of hydrogen and chlorine gas, eventually in combination with air, can be very explosive if one of the components exceeds certain limits. In chlorine production plants, based on the electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions, there is always a production of hydrogen. It is, therefore, essential to be aware of the actual hydrogen content of chlorine gas process streams at any time. There are several places in the chlorine production process where the hydrogen content in the chlorine gas can accumulate above the explosion limits. Within the chloralkali industry, mainly two types of processes are used for the production of chlorine—the mercury- and the membrane-based electrolysis of sodium chloride solutions (brine). 

There is a need for accurate in-line hydrogen monitor in individual electrolyzers in chloralkali industry that will provide huge cost savings in chlorine manufacturing processes. Again, an in-line process monitor that can be installed in individual electrolyzers is highly desired. 

High sediment toxicity was found near a chloralkali plant in the lower Ebro [48]. Rather than being transported downstream, however, these pollutants are trapped in local sediments by the Flix dam (Fig. 1) which forms a natural barrier impeding sediment transport and the mixing of fish populations [47, 48]. Due to the high accumulation of pollutants behind this and other dams, there is now a pressing need to dredge these sediments to clear the pollutants which have accumulated over many years. 

Tokuyama Bay, Japan, received 6.6 metric tons of mercury wastes between 1952 and 1975 in wastewater from two chloralkali plants, although sediment analysis suggests that as much as 380 tons of mercury were released (Nakanishi et al. 1989). Unlike Minamata Bay, however, there were no human sicknesses reported, and the hair of residents contained 0 to 5 mg Hg/kg FW vs. 15 to 100 mg Hg/kg FW in Minamata residents. In 1970, a maximum concentration of 3.3 mg total Hg/kg FW was reported in tissues of Squilla, a crustacean. In 1973, a health safety limit was set of 0.4 mg total Hg/kg FW in edible fish and shellfish tissues with a maximum of 0.3 mg methyl-mercury/kg FW permitted at least five species of fish had more than 0.4 mg total Hg/kg FW, and fishing was prohibited. Contaminated sediments (>15 mg total Hg/kg) were removed by dredging and reclamation between 1974 and 1977. By 1979, the mercury content of all fish, except one species, was less than 0.4 mg total Hg/kg FW fishing was prohibited. By 1983, all fish and shellfish contained less than 0.4 mg Hg/kg FW and fishing was allowed (Nakanishi et al. 1989). 

SEDIMENTS (mg/kg DW) Contaminated areas Near chloralkali plant ... 

Lichen, Hypogymnia physodes, whole Finland, 1982-83 distance, in km, from chloralkali plant 0-1 18.0 FW 3... 

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