View Table of Contents (PDF)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

View Table of Contents (PDF) PROCESS ECONOMICS PROGRAM SRI INTERNATIONAL Menlo Park, California 94025 Abstract Proceee Economic Program Report No. 61 D CHLORINE (June 1992) Chloralkali producers around the world - in the major industrialized countries in particular - are pondering the balance between sagging demand for chlorine and strong demand for caustic soda. The former is caused by increasing environmental pressure in the following major sectors: l Dioxin generated during pulp bleaching with chlorine has forced the pulp and paper indus- try to switch from chemical bleaching to chemi-thermal mechanical bleaching, replacing chlorine with hydrogen peroxide. l Serious depletion of ozone layers has caused the major industrialized countries to totally phase out CFC production by 1995-l 996,4 to 5 years ahead of the deadline set by the 1990 internationally approved Montreal Protocol. l Laws in Western Europe have been proposed to restrict the use of PVC for food and non- food packaging. This report, a supplement to PEP Report 61 C issued in December 1962, presents a compre- hensive review of technology and economics for the production of primary chlorine by electrolysis of brine in the membrane cell, diaphragm cell, or mercury cell processes, and production of secondary chlorine by catalytic oxidation as well as electrolysis of HCI. Also presented are preliminary eco- nomicsfor process conversion and retrofit from either mercury cells or diaphragm cells to membrane cells. PEP’92 YRC Report No. 61 D CHLORINE SUPPLEMENT D by YU-REN CHIN with contributions by CHEE-HORNG CHANG MING-KUNG SHEN June 1992 A private report by the Menlo Park, California 94025 For detailedmarketing data and information, the reader is referred to one of the SRI programs specializing in marketing research. The CHEMCAL ECONOMCS HANDBOOK Program cwers most major chemicals and chemical products produced in the United States and the WORLD PETROC#EM/CALS Program covers major hydrocarbons and their derivativeson a worldwide basis. In addition, the SRI D/RECTORY OF CHEMICAL PRODUCERS services provide detailed lists of chemical producers by company, product, and plant for the United States, Western Europe, Canada, and East Asia. 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................ l-l 2 SUMMARY ............................................................ 2-l GENERAL ASPECTS .................................................... 2-l CHLORINE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY. .............................. 2-l Technology For Primary Chlorine. ...................................... 2-l Membrane Cell T-logy ....................................... 2-2 Diaphragm Cell Technology ....................................... 2-3 Mercury Cell Technology .......................................... 2-3 Conversion and Retroflt ........................................... 2-4 Technology For Secondary Chlorine .................................... 2-4 ECONOMICS OF CHLORINE PRODUCTlON ................................ 2-5 Primary Chlorine Production .......................................... 2-5 Secondary Chlorine Production ........................................ 2-6 3 INDUSTRYSTATUS ..................................................... 3-l CHLORINESUPPLY .................................................... 3-1 Chloralkali Production in the United States .............................. 3-2 Chloralkall Production in Western Europe ............................... 3-3 Chloralkall Production in Japan ....................................... 3-3 Chloralkali Production in Canada ...................................... 3-3 Chloralkali Production In Other Regions ................................. 3-3 CHLORINE DEMAND ................................................... 3-32 Chloralkali Demand in the United States ................................ 3-32 Chloralkali Demand in Western Europe ................................. 3-32 Chloralkall Demand in Japan ......................................... 3-33 Chloralkali Demand in Canada ........................................ 3-33 Chloralkali Demand in Other Regions ................................... 3-34 4 REVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ELECTROLYSIS OF SALT ................... 4-l CHEMISTRY ........................................................... 4-l QUALITYOFBRINE .................................................... 4-3 - iii - CONTENTS(Continued) 4 REVIEWOF TECHNOLOGYFOR ELECTROLYSISOF SALT(Concluded) ELECTRODES ......................................................... 4-4 Anodes ........................................................... 4-4 Cathodes ......................................................... 4-5 DIAPHRAGM PROCESSES .............................................. 4-8 Diaphragms ....................................................... 4-7 Diaphragm Electrolyzer .............................................. 4-7 MEMBRANE PROCESSES ............................................... 4-8 Composition of Membrane ........................................... 4-8 Mamfaclureof Membranes ........................................... 4-9 Properties and Performance of Membranes .............................. 4-10 CommercialMembranes ............................................. 4-11 Struclure of Membrane Electrolyzers ................................... 4-12 PowerConsumption ................................................. 4-17 Commercial Membrane Electrolyzers ................................... 4-28 OPERARON OF MEMBRANE ELECTROLYZERS ............................. 4-25 MERCURY CELL PROCESSES ........................................... 4-28 Commercial Mercury Electrolyzers ..................................... 4-28 CAUSTIC SODA ....................................................... 4-27 CHLORINE ............................................................ 4-28 SMALL ELECTROLYTICCELLS ........................................... 4-28 OTHER ELECTROLYTICCELLS ........................................... 4-28 6 ECONOMICS OF ELECTROLYTlCPROCESSES FOR CHLORINE.............. 5-l MEMBRANE CELL PROCESS ............................................ 5-l Process Description ................................................. 5-2 BrInePurification ................................................ 5-2 Electrolysis ..................................................... 5-4 Caustic Soda Concentration ....................................... 5-4 ChlorIneRecovery ............................................... 5-5 Hydrogen Chloride Formation ...................................... 5-5 Hydrogen Recwery .............................................. 5-5 -iv- CONTENTS(Continued) 5 ECONOMICS OF ELECTROL~C PROCESSESFOR CHLORINE(Concluded) Process Discussion ................................................. 5-13 CostEstimates ..................................................... 5-14 DIAPHRAGM CELL PROCESS ............................................ 5-24 Cost Estimates ..................................................... 5-24 MERCURY CELL PROCESS .............................................. 5-33 CostEstimates.. ................................................... 5-33 ECONOMICCOMPARISON .............................................. 5-42 6 CONVERSIONOR RETROFITOF ELECTROLYTICCELLS . 6-l REViRN OF PATENTS ................................................... 6-2 EFFECTS OF CONVERSION OR REiROFiT ON PLANT OPERATIONS ........... 6-3 Brine Purification ................................................... 6-4 Rectifier/Transformer System .......................................... 6-4 CellRoom ......................................................... 6-4 CirculationSystem .................................................. 6-5 Dechlorination of Anolyte ............................................. 6-5 Caustic Concentration ............................................... 6-5 Chlorine and Hydrogen Recovery ...................................... 6-6 Off-siteStorage .................................................... 6-6 ECONOMICS OF PROCESS CONVERSION, RETROFTT,OR COMBINATIONS ..... 6-6 Case 1: Conversion of Diaphragm Cells to Membrane Cells ................ 6-6 ProcessConversion ............................................. 6-7 EconomicsofConversion ......................................... 6-6 Case 2: Retrofitting a Diaphragm Cell Process to a Membrane Cell Process ... 6-13 ProcessRetrofit ................................................. 6-13 Economicsof Retrofit ............................................ 6-13 Case 3: Conversion of Mercury Cells to Membrane Cells ................... 6-20 ProcessConversion ............................................. 6-20 - Economicsof Conversion ......................................... 6-20 Case 4: Combination of Diaphragm Cells with Membrane Cells ............. 6-26 Diaphragm/Membrane Combination System .......................... 6-26 0 Economics of Diaphragm/Membrane Combination System .............. 6-27 -V- CONTENTS(Concluded) 6 CONVERSIONOR RETROFITOF ELECTROLYnCCELL (Concluded) Case 5: Combination of Mercury Cdls with Membrane Cells ................ 6-32 Mercury/Membrane Combination System ............................ 6-32 Economics of Mercury/Membrane Combination System ................ 6-33 7 CHLORINE RECOVERYFROM HYDROGENCHmRIDE , . 7-l OXYCHLORINATION . 7-l HCI ELECTROLYSIS . 7-l CATALynC OXlDATtON OF HCI . 7-4 8 ECONOMICS OF PROCESSES FOR RECOVERYOF CHU)RINE FROM HCI .... 6-l CHUJRINE FROM HCI BY OXlDATtON WlTH A CHROMIUM OXIDE CATALYST ... 6-l Process Description ................................................... 6-l Hydrogen Chloride Purification and Oxidation
Recommended publications
  • History of the Chlor-Alkali Industry
    2 History of the Chlor-Alkali Industry During the last half of the 19th century, chlorine, used almost exclusively in the textile and paper industry, was made [1] by reacting manganese dioxide with hydrochloric acid 100–110◦C MnO2 + 4HCl −−−−−−→ MnCl2 + Cl2 + 2H2O (1) Recycling of manganese improved the overall process economics, and the process became known as the Weldon process [2]. In the 1860s, the Deacon process, which generated chlorine by direct catalytic oxidation of hydrochloric acid with air according to Eq. (2) was developed [3]. ◦ 450–460 C;CuCl2 cat. 4HCl + O2(air) −−−−−−−−−−−−−−→ 2Cl2 + 2H2O(2) The HCl required for reactions (1) and (2) was available from the manufacture of soda ash by the LeBlanc process [4,5]. H2SO4 + 2NaCl → Na2SO4 + 2HCl (3) Na2SO4 + CaCO3 + 2C → Na2CO3 + CaS + 2CO2 (4) Utilization of HCl from reaction (3) eliminated the major water and air pollution problems of the LeBlanc process and allowed the generation of chlorine. By 1900, the Weldon and Deacon processes generated enough chlorine for the production of about 150,000 tons per year of bleaching powder in England alone [6]. An important discovery during this period was the fact that steel is immune to attack by dry chlorine [7]. This permitted the first commercial production and distribu- tion of dry liquid chlorine by Badische Anilin-und-Soda Fabrik (BASF) of Germany in 1888 [8,9]. This technology, using H2SO4 for drying followed by compression of the gas and condensation by cooling, is much the same as is currently practiced. 17 “chap02” — 2005/5/2 — 09Brie:49 — page 17 — #1 18 CHAPTER 2 In the latter part of the 19th century, the Solvay process for caustic soda began to replace the LeBlanc process.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Chlor-Alkali Manufacturing Industry December 2001
    EUROPEAN COMMISSION Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Chlor-Alkali Manufacturing industry December 2001 Executive summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This reference document on best available techniques in the chlor-alkali industry reflects an information exchange carried out according to Article 16(2) of Council Directive 96/61/EC. The document has to be seen in the light of the preface which describes the objectives of the document and its use. The chlor-alkali industry The chlor-alkali industry is the industry that produces chlorine (Cl2) and alkali, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), by electrolysis of a salt solution. The main technologies applied for chlor-alkali production are mercury, diaphragm and membrane cell electrolysis, mainly using sodium chloride (NaCl) as feed or to a lesser extent using potassium chloride (KCl) for the production of potassium hydroxide. The diaphragm cell process (Griesheim cell, 1885) and the mercury cell process (Castner- Kellner cell, 1892) were both introduced in the late 1800s. The membrane cell process was developed much more recently (1970). Each of these processes represents a different method of keeping the chlorine produced at the anode separate from the caustic soda and hydrogen produced, directly or indirectly, at the cathode. Currently, 95% of world chlorine production is obtained by the chlor-alkali process. The geographic distribution of chlor-alkali processes world-wide differs appreciably (production capacity of chlorine): - western Europe, predominance of mercury cell process (June 2000): 55% - United States, predominance of diaphragm cell process: 75% - Japan, predominance of membrane cell process: >90% The remaining chlorine production capacity in western Europe consists of (June 2000) diaphragm cell process 22%, membrane cell process 20% and other processes 3%.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Protection Agency
    Friday, December 19, 2003 Part II Environmental Protection Agency 40 CFR Part 63 National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Mercury Emissions from Mercury Cell Chlor-Alkali Plants; Final Rule VerDate jul<14>2003 15:14 Dec 18, 2003 Jkt 203001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\19DER2.SGM 19DER2 70904 Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 244 / Friday, December 19, 2003 / Rules and Regulations ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION types of sources (usually in the Information or other information whose AGENCY elemental or inorganic forms) transports disclosure is restricted by statute. through the atmosphere and eventually The official public docket is the 40 CFR Part 63 deposits onto land or water bodies. collection of materials that is available [OAR–2002–0017; FRL–7551–5] When mercury is deposited to surface for public viewing. The EPA Docket waters, natural processes (bacterial) can RIN 2060–AE85 Center Public Reading Room is open transform some of the mercury into from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday methylmercury that accumulates in fish. through Friday, excluding legal National Emission Standards for Ingestion is the primary exposure route Hazardous Air Pollutants: Mercury holidays. The telephone number for the of interest for methylmercury. The Reading Room is (202) 566–1744, and Emissions From Mercury Cell Chlor- health effect of greatest concern due to Alkali Plants the telephone number for the Air Docket methylmercury is neurotoxicity, is (202) 566–1742. AGENCY: Environmental Protection particularly with respect to fetuses and Agency (EPA). young children. Electronic Docket Access. You may access the final rule electronically ACTION: Final rule.
    [Show full text]
  • Vibrationally Excited Hydrogen Halides : a Bibliography On
    VI NBS SPECIAL PUBLICATION 392 J U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE / National Bureau of Standards National Bureau of Standards Bldg. Library, _ E-01 Admin. OCT 1 1981 191023 / oO Vibrationally Excited Hydrogen Halides: A Bibliography on Chemical Kinetics of Chemiexcitation and Energy Transfer Processes (1958 through 1973) QC 100 • 1X57 no. 2te c l !14 c '- — | NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS The National Bureau of Standards' was established by an act of Congress March 3, 1901. The Bureau's overall goal is to strengthen and advance the Nation's science and technology and facilitate their effective application for public benefit. To this end, the Bureau conducts research and provides: (1) a basis for the Nation's physical measurement system, (2) scientific and technological services for industry and government, (3) a technical basis for equity in trade, and (4) technical services to promote public safety. The Bureau consists of the Institute for Basic Standards, the Institute for Materials Research, the Institute for Applied Technology, the Institute for Computer Sciences and Technology, and the Office for Information Programs. THE INSTITUTE FOR BASIC STANDARDS provides the central basis within the United States of a complete and consistent system of physical measurement; coordinates that system with measurement systems of other nations; and furnishes essential services leading to accurate and uniform physical measurements throughout the Nation's scientific community, industry, and commerce. The Institute consists of a Center for Radiation Research, an Office of Meas- urement Services and the following divisions: Applied Mathematics — Electricity — Mechanics — Heat — Optical Physics — Nuclear Sciences" — Applied Radiation 2 — Quantum Electronics 1 — Electromagnetics 3 — Time 3 1 1 and Frequency — Laboratory Astrophysics — Cryogenics .
    [Show full text]
  • Optimization of Electrolysis Parameters for Green Sanitation Chemicals Production Using Response Surface Methodology
    processes Article Optimization of Electrolysis Parameters for Green Sanitation Chemicals Production Using Response Surface Methodology Nurul Izzah Khalid 1 , Nurul Shaqirah Sulaiman 1 , Norashikin Ab Aziz 1,2,* , Farah Saleena Taip 1, Shafreeza Sobri 3 and Nor-Khaizura Mahmud Ab Rashid 4 1 Department of Process and Food Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] (N.I.K.); [email protected] (N.S.S.); [email protected] (F.S.T.) 2 Halal Products Research Institute, University Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43300, Selangor, Malaysia 3 Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] 4 Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +603-9769-4302 Received: 22 May 2020; Accepted: 10 June 2020; Published: 6 July 2020 Abstract: Electrolyzed water (EW) shows great potential as a green and economical sanitation solution for the food industry. However, only limited studies have investigated the optimum electrolysis parameters and the bactericidal effect of acidic electrolyzed water (AcEW) and alkaline electrolyzed water (AlEW). Here, the Box–Behnken experimental design was used to identify the optimum parameters. The tests were conducted with different types of electrodes, electrical voltages, electrolysis times, and NaCl concentrations. There were no obvious differences observed in the physico-chemical properties of EW when different electrodes were used. However, stainless steel was chosen as it meets most of the selection criteria.
    [Show full text]
  • Questions ALKENES: REACTIONS with HYDROGEN HALIDES
    Chemguide – questions ALKENES: REACTIONS WITH HYDROGEN HALIDES 1. State Markovnikov's Rule. 2. Show the structural formulae for the main product of each of the following addition reactions between various alkenes and a hydrogen halide. (This question is also testing your ability to write the structures for alkenes given their names. If you can't do that, get it sorted out before you continue!) a) ethene and hydrogen bromide b) but-2-ene and hydrogen chloride c) but-1-ene and hydrogen chloride d) propene and hydrogen iodide e) 2-methylbut-2-ene and hydrogen iodide f) but-1-ene and hydrogen bromide where everything is pure g) but-1-ene and hydrogen bromide in the presence of oxygen or organic peroxides 3. a) How does the rate of the reaction change as you go along the series HF – HCl – HBr – HI? b) Briefly explain the trend you have given in part (a). c) How does the rate of reaction change as you go from ethene to propene to 2-methylbut-2-ene? d) Alkyl groups (like methyl and ethyl groups) have a tendency to “push” electrons away from themselves towards the double bond. (i) How does this help to explain the way the attractiveness of the double bond varies from ethene to propene to 2-methylbut-2-ene? (ii) The mechanism for the reactions involves the formation of intermediate ions with the positive charge on a carbon atom (carbocations). The intermediate carbocations in these cases would be + + + CH CH CH CHCH CH CCH CH 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 CH3 Why does this help to explain the variation in reactivity that you should have given in part (c)? www.chemguide.co.uk.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Chlor-Alkali Manufact
    EUROPEAN COMMISSION Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Chlor-Alkali Manufacturing Industry December 2001 i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This reference document on best available techniques in the chlor-alkali industry reflects an information exchange carried out according to Article 16(2) of Council Directive 96/61/EC. The document has to be seen in the light of the preface which describes the objectives of the document and its use. The chlor-alkali industry The chlor-alkali industry is the industry that produces chlorine (Cl2) and alkali, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), by electrolysis of a salt solution. The main technologies applied for chlor-alkali production are mercury, diaphragm and membrane cell electrolysis, mainly using sodium chloride (NaCl) as feed or to a lesser extent using potassium chloride (KCl) for the production of potassium hydroxide. The diaphragm cell process (Griesheim cell, 1885) and the mercury cell process (Castner- Kellner cell, 1892) were both introduced in the late 1800s. The membrane cell process was developed much more recently (1970). Each of these processes represents a different method of keeping the chlorine produced at the anode separate from the caustic soda and hydrogen produced, directly or indirectly, at the cathode. Currently, 95% of world chlorine production is obtained by the chlor-alkali process. The geographic distribution of chlor-alkali processes world-wide differs appreciably (production capacity of chlorine): - western Europe, predominance of mercury cell process (June 2000): 55% - United States, predominance of diaphragm cell process: 75% - Japan, predominance of membrane cell process: >90% The remaining chlorine production capacity in western Europe consists of (June 2000) diaphragm cell process 22%, membrane cell process 20% and other processes 3%.
    [Show full text]
  • Chlorine and Hydrogen Chloride
    This report contains the collective views of an nternational group of experts and does not xcessarily represent the decisions or the stated 1 icy of the United Nations Environment Pro- '€mme, the International Labour Organisation, or the World Health Organization. Environmental Health Criteria 21 CHLORINE AND HYDROGEN CHLORIDE 'ublished under the joint sponsorship of Ic United Nations Environment Programme. the International Labour Organisation, and the World Health Organization / \r4 ( o 4 UI o 1 o 'T F- World Health Organization kz Geneva, 1982 The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) is a joint ven- ture of the United Nations Environment Programme. the International Labour Organisation, and the World Health Organization. The main objective of the IPCS is to carry out and disseminate evaluations of the environment. Supporting activities include the development of epidemiological, experi- mental laboratory, and risk assessment methods that could produce interna- tionally comparable results, and the development of manpower in the field of toxicology. Other relevant activities carried out by the IPCS include the development of know-how for coping with chemical accidents, coordination of laboratory testing and epidemiological studies, and promotion of research on the mechanisms of the biological action of chemicals. ISBN 92 4 154081 8 World Health Organization 1982 Publications of the World Health Organization enjoy copyright protec- tion in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 2 of the Universal Copy- right Convention. For rights of reproduction or translation of WHO publica- tions, in part or in loto, application should be made to the Office of Publica- tions, World Health Organization, Geneva. Switzerland. The World Health Organization welcomes such applications.
    [Show full text]
  • Method for Removing Impurities from Anhydrous Hydrogen Chloride
    Europaisches Patentamt 0 380 014 J European Patent Office (iO Publication number: A1 Office europeen des brevets EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION © Application number: 90101184.1 (?) int.ci.5:C01B 7/07 @ Date of filing: 22.01.90 © Priority: 27.01.89 US 303513 © Applicant: THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY P.O. Box 1967 © Date of publication of application: Midland, Michigan 48641 -1967(US) 01.08.90 Bulletin 90/31 © Inventor: Repman, Josef F. © Designated Contracting States: 31 Wagon Lane Loop BE DE ES FR GB IT NL Angelton, Texas 7751 5(US) Inventor: Morris, Thomas E. 324 Linden Lane Lake Jackson, Texas 77566(US) Inventor: Hill, Thomas F. 128 Lily Lake Jackson, Texas 77566(US) Representative: Sternagel, Hans-Gunther, Dr. etal Patentanwalte Dr. Michael Hann Dr. H.-G. Sternagel Sander Aue 30 D-5060 Bergisch Gladbach 2(DE) © Method for removing impurities from anhydrous hydrogen chloride. © A method to purify impure gaseous hydrogen chloride containing unsaturated chlorinated hydrocarbons in an amount less than that necessary to inhibit purification comprising exposing the impure hydrogen chloride to an ultraviolet light source in the presence of gaseous chlorine for a sufficient time for the gaseous chlorine to react with organic impurities in the hydrogen chloride to form heavier organic compounds and thereafter separating the heavier compounds from the hydrogen chloride. < O 00 CO a. LU Xerox Copy Centre EP 0 380 014 A1 METHOD FOR REMOVING IMPURITIES FROM ANHYDROUS HYDROGEN CHLORIDE This invention pertains to hydrogen chloride and more in particular to a method to remove impurities from anhydrous hydrogen chloride. Hydrogen chloride is produced as a byproduct in many chemical processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Mercury Fact Sheet
    National Mercury Testing Program The Rise of Mercury Pollution its way into our lakes and rivers. Once in the water, toxic mercury is absorbed through the fat and muscle tissue of There is growing concern and scientific evidence that many animals like fish. Americans are being exposed to harmful levels of mercury pollution. However, the Bush administration is failing to Most people are exposed to mercury by consuming the polluted protect Americans from this dangerous toxin. Instead, the fish. As a result, federal and state governments warn people to administration has proposed to delay for 10 to 20 years and limit the consumption of certain species of fish and fish caught weaken the first national law that would clean up mercury from in waters that are contaminated with mercury. power plants, the single largest source of mercury in the country. This is in stark contrast from what was originally People that work in industries that regularly handle mercury proposed and what is achievable now, even by the (dentistry, thermometer production) or deal with high level of Environmental Protection Agencys own previous analysis: a mercury emissions (electricity generation primarily through coal, chlorine production through chlor-akali facilities, 90 percent reduction in mercury pollution by 2008. insecticides, etc.) are also at an increased risk for exposure to mercury pollution. What is Mercury and Who is Affected by Mercury Pollution? The Food and Drug Administration is charged with the protection of the public from mercury in store-bought fish. Mercury is a neurotoxin that is most often seen as a by-product Unfortunately their recommendations are vague and provide from industrial processes like power plants, incinerators and insufficient information to the public.
    [Show full text]
  • Eco Profile on Chlorine
    An Eco-profile and Environmental Product Declaration of the European Chlor-Alkali Industry Chlorine (The chlor-alkali process) Euro Chlor September 2013 - Synthesis 1 Introduction Allocation method Stoichiometric allocation for Salt, mass allocation for all other input This Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is and emissions. Sensitivity analysis based upon life cycle inventory (LCI) data from for other allocation methods was performed. Euro Chlor’s member companies. It has been prepared according to the rules of Description of the Product and the PlasticsEurope’s LCI Methodology “Eco-profiles Production Process and Environmental Declarations” (version 2.0, This Eco-profile and EPD represents the European April 2011). EPDs provide environmental average industrial production of chlorine, sodium performance data, but no information on the hydroxide, hydrogen, and sodium hypochlorite by economic and social aspects, which would be chlor-alkali electrolysis from cradle to gate. necessary for a complete sustainability assessment. Further, they do not imply a value Production Process judgment between environmental criteria. Salt (NaCl) recovered from various sources (rock This EPD describes the production of chlorine by salt, solar salt, solution-mined brine, vacuum chlor-alkali electrolysis from cradle to gate (from salt) is dissolved in water and the resulting brine production of salt/brine to liquid chlorine, is purified and fed to the electrolysis unit where sodium hydroxide, and hypochlorite at plant). the brine is electrochemically decomposed into Please keep in mind that comparisons cannot chlorine, hydrogen, and sodium hydroxide. Three be made on the level of the chemicals alone: it different electrolysis techniques are applied: is necessary to consider the full life cycle of an mercury, diaphragm, and membrane cell application in order to compare the performance technology.
    [Show full text]
  • Reactions of Alkenes and Alkynes
    05 Reactions of Alkenes and Alkynes Polyethylene is the most widely used plastic, making up items such as packing foam, plastic bottles, and plastic utensils (top: © Jon Larson/iStockphoto; middle: GNL Media/Digital Vision/Getty Images, Inc.; bottom: © Lakhesis/iStockphoto). Inset: A model of ethylene. KEY QUESTIONS 5.1 What Are the Characteristic Reactions of Alkenes? 5.8 How Can Alkynes Be Reduced to Alkenes and 5.2 What Is a Reaction Mechanism? Alkanes? 5.3 What Are the Mechanisms of Electrophilic Additions HOW TO to Alkenes? 5.1 How to Draw Mechanisms 5.4 What Are Carbocation Rearrangements? 5.5 What Is Hydroboration–Oxidation of an Alkene? CHEMICAL CONNECTIONS 5.6 How Can an Alkene Be Reduced to an Alkane? 5A Catalytic Cracking and the Importance of Alkenes 5.7 How Can an Acetylide Anion Be Used to Create a New Carbon–Carbon Bond? IN THIS CHAPTER, we begin our systematic study of organic reactions and their mecha- nisms. Reaction mechanisms are step-by-step descriptions of how reactions proceed and are one of the most important unifying concepts in organic chemistry. We use the reactions of alkenes as the vehicle to introduce this concept. 129 130 CHAPTER 5 Reactions of Alkenes and Alkynes 5.1 What Are the Characteristic Reactions of Alkenes? The most characteristic reaction of alkenes is addition to the carbon–carbon double bond in such a way that the pi bond is broken and, in its place, sigma bonds are formed to two new atoms or groups of atoms. Several examples of reactions at the carbon–carbon double bond are shown in Table 5.1, along with the descriptive name(s) associated with each.
    [Show full text]