Question

Explain the Chlor-alkali process.

Answer 1

Chlor-Alkali process

• The Chlor-alkali process is used for the electrolysis of Sodium chloride solution.
• In this process, from the aqueous solution of Sodium chloride electricity is passed which decomposes to form Sodium hydroxide.
• Brine is the aqueous solution of sodium chloride.
• The reaction is depicted below as follows;

$$\begin{gathered} \left.2\mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}(\mathrm{I}\right)\to 2\mathrm{NaOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}_2(\mathrm{g})+{\mathrm{H}}_2(\mathrm{g}) \\ \mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Chloride}\mathrm{Water}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Hydroxide}\mathrm{Chlorine}\mathrm{Gas}\mathrm{Hydrogen}\mathrm{gas} \end{gathered}$$

• The Chlorine gas is formed at the anode and Hydrogen gas at the cathode.
• 

Hence, the chlor-alkali process serves as an important industrial method for the electrolysis process of Sodium chloride.