Diaphragms retrofit

Japan s Chlor—Alkali Producers Save Energy by Retrofiting Diaphragm Cells (Case History), E. I. du Pont de Nemours Co., Inc., Wilmington, Del. 

The use of polyperfluorosulfonic acid membranes as the cell separator was first demonstrated about three decades ago. Yet it was not until the mid-1980s when the economic advantages of membrane cells over the traditional mercury- and diaphragm-cell technology were fully demonstrated—consequent to better membrane performance, higher caustic product concentrations, and lower power consumption. Retrofitting chlor-alkali facilities with membrane cells accounted for much of the growth and sustenance of this industry over the past two decades. 

I. Kumagai, T. Ichisaka, and K. Yamaguchi, Diaphragm Cell Retrofitting, 27th Chlorine Plant Operations Seminar, Washington (1984). 

In the first few years after the introduction of membrane technology, diaphragm cells in several plants were equipped with membranes (retrofit) to reduce the cost of steam for cell liquor concentration, to give a small reduction in electricity consumption and better quality of caustic. This procedure is economic where steam is very expensive [188], [192],... 

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