The Industrial Importance of Electrolytic Processes

In spite of our remarks in Section 1.2 it will be useful, before considering some of the basic concepts used in the rest of the book, to touch briefly on some industries using electrolytic techniques. This will help bring the importance of the latter into perspective. 

Of the industrial activities under the heading of process engineering the chloralkali industry is probably the most important. Chlorine world capacity in 1985 was estimated as 43 million metric tons and total world production in 1983 as 31 million tons. Over 80% of the chlorine produced is used to produce other chemicals. Large-tonnage products associated with chlorine include caustic soda and soda ash (anhydrous sodium carbonate). 

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