Question

Explain the chlor alkali process. List the important products and their uses from the chlor alkali process?
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Answer 1

When electricity is passed through an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (called brine), it decomposes to form sodium hydroxide. The process is called the chlor-alkali process because of the products formed- chlor for chlorine and alkali for sodium hydroxide. Following is the chemical equation for the process

2NaCl (aq) + 2H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + Cl₂ (g) + H₂ (g)

Chlorine gas is liberated at the anode while hydrogen gas is liberated at the cathode.


The uses of products of chlor alkali process are:

- NaOH - Caustic soda used in manufacture of various chemicals in industries.
- Hydrogen is used as a fuel.
-Chlorine is used as a bleaching agent.