Chlorine consumption Western

Figure 10.1 Western European chlorine consumption 1955-1983. , NaOH O, CI2 A, HP (1985 = 100).

Chlorine. In 2001,9.72 MM tons of chlorine was consumed in Western Europe. Chlorine consumption is projected to increase by 0.2% per year through 2010 [6]. 

As these species are human carcinogens, the US EPA and the enviromnental agencies in other countries are seeking to limit the use of chlorine in drinking water. In the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, chlorine consumption will decrease as water treatment operations switch to different disinfectant technologies. However, chlorine consumption will increase in less-developed countries as more water treatment plants go in. 

The world consumes over 30 million tons of chlorine every year, with North America using the most (34.0%), followed by Western Europe (28.7), Eastern Europe (14.8%), Japan (8.5%), Asia (6.8%), and Latin America (4.3%). While some countries, such as the United States, the Western European countries, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Canada, export chlorine derivatives, others like Venezuela, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and South Africa do import some. The world s chlorine consumption and capacity by region is shown in Table 33.4. 

Chlorine cannot be stored economically or moved long distances. International movements of bulk chlorine are more or less limited to movements between Canada and the United States. In 1987, chlorine moved in the form of derivatives was 3.3 million metric tons or approximately 10% of total consumption (3). Exports of ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, poly(vinyl chloride), propylene oxide, and chlorinated solvents comprise the majority of world chlorine movement. Countries or areas with a chlorine surplus exported in the form of derivatives include Western Europe, Bra2il, USA, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. Countries with a chlorine deficit are Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, Vene2uela, South Africa, Thailand and Japan (3). 

As of July 2005, more than 500 companies produced chlor-alkali (chlorine and sodium hydroxide from brine) at over 650 sites worldwide with a total annual capacity of about 55.6 milhon metric tons of chlorine. About half of aU plants are located in Asia. Global consumption of chlorine in 2004 was nearly 50 million metric tons. Consumption is greatest in the USA followed by Western Europe, China, and Japan (CEH, 2005). 

Consumption of saccharin in Western Europe is around 2,200 tpa. Toluene-4-sulfonyl chloride is used in the production of chloramine-T, a chlorination agent. 

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