Industrial Electrolysis and Electrochemical Engineering and Robust Strength Over Wide Ranges Division in 2005 for This Advance

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Industrial Electrolysis and Electrochemical Engineering and Robust Strength Over Wide Ranges Division in 2005 for This Advance The resulting overall reaction is DC Power 2NaCl + 2H2O → 2ΝaOH + Cl2 + H2 sodium salt water chlorine hydrogen hydroxide Early production plants were located where electric power from hydroelectric or steam sources and solid salt or brine deposits were readily available. Over the years, two processes emerged. The first was the diaphragm cell, in which a porous asbestos mat separated the anode and cathode compartments. The second was the mercury cell, where the Industrial Electrolysis and cathode was actually a pool of liquid mercury. The cathodic reaction involved the formation of a sodium amalgam which was separated in a second cell Electrochemical Engineering (the stripper cell). The mercury cell used by Morris Grotheer, Richard Alkire, more electrical energy but produced a product of higher purity than the and Richard Varjian diaphragm cell. Factors, including environmental concerns about mercury with modifi cations by Venkat Srinivasan and John Weidner and asbestos, product purity of the diaphragm cell, and the availability of The introduction of the electrical dynamo in the early 1870s new electrodes and materials, currently made large scale, relatively inexpensive electric power available favor a third system, the membrane cell. The membrane is an impervious for commercial scale chemical production. The early electrolytic separator that allows only sodium ions products included the metals aluminum, potassium, and to pass between the anode and cathode sodium; strong chemicals such as bleach, chlorine, bromine, compartments. This results in greater and sodium hydroxide. Over the years, a wide variety of product purity than the diaphragm cell and lower energy consumption than materials, primarily metals and strong oxidizing agents, have the mercury cell. The membrane is the been produced electrolytically. Among those produced today latest in a series of developments, which are chlorine, sodium hydroxide, sodium chlorate, hydrogen, include catalytically coated titanium anodes, low voltage cathodes, and oxygen, aluminum, copper, magnesium, zinc, and adiponitrile, corrosion resistant polymers used for cell a raw material for the manufacture of nylon. bodies, that have been incorporated into chlor-alkali cells in the past 30 years. Experience has shown that cell designs Electrochemical reactors are called manner. Improved understanding of evolve constantly and it is expected that electrolysis cells. The cells consist scientific principles and the application new technology will be incorporated into of a container, the cell body; two of new materials can lead to more membrane cells in the years ahead. electrodes, the anode and cathode, efficient cell designs and processes. One example of the constant where the electrochemical reactions The constant evolution of technology evolution in design is the development occur; and an electrolyte. Some cells provides challenging and rewarding of a process that produces chlorine have a diaphragm or membrane careers to engineers and scientists in a by electrolyzing hydrochloric acid in between the anode and cathode range of disciplines. cells that are similar to ones described compartments to separate the anodic above. Hydrochloric acid is produced and cathodic products. While general Examples of Industrial as a by-product in various organic purpose electrolysis cells are available, Electrolytic Processes processes and its handling and disposal cells are usually custom designed for While a summary of industrial pose serious environmental problems. a particular process. The electrolysis activity follows, a more complete Electrolyzing the acid to supplement cells used to produce the various discussion of industrial activity is the chlorine produced from chlor- chemicals and metals cited above published annually in the Journal of The alkali cells allows for a viable means to differ significantly from one another. Electrochemical Society. Some specific dispose the chemical. Figure 1 describes Electrolytic processes consume references for additional reading are a new development in this area where more than 6% of the total electrical given at the end of this section. a significant reduction in the energy use was achieved by using an electrode generating capacity of the United Chlorine and Sodium Hydroxide States. It is the responsibility of material that allows for the use of oxygen the electrochemical engineer in Two common chemicals produced by as the feed (an oxygen depolarized industry to simultaneously manage electrolysis of salt solutions are chlorine cathode), along with a design to feed the electrical consumption and chemical and sodium hydroxide. The principal oxygen into the system (a gas diffusion production. He or she must apply electrode reactions that occur in the electrode). The concept described here is relevant scientific and engineering electrolysis of salt solutions are expected to be implemented in the next- principles to design, construct, and generation electrochemical technologies (Anode) 2Na+ + 2Cl- Cl + 2Na+ + 2e- operate a process in an economical, → 2 to enhance energy savings. - - safe, and environmentally conscious (Cathode) 2H2O + 2e → H2 + 2 OH 52 The Electrochemical Society Interface • Spring 2006 control of cell conditions, impurities are left behind, either as undissolved solids or as dissolved species that do not plate out. The scientific fundamentals that underlie copper electrorefining include thermodynamics, kinetics, mass transport, and current and potential distribution phenomena. However, fundamental concepts must be transformed into engineering designs to achieve economical operation and high quality product. Membrane Processes Membranes make possible an enormous variety of separation processes. Examples of membrane separations include desalting of brackish water and of seawater, demineralization of food products, separation of amino acids, and recovery of resources from wastewater streams. In these processes, the key component is a membrane that permits some chemicals to go through but not others, thus separating them. Understanding of transport processes across membranes is far from complete, Photo reproduced by permission of Bayer MaterialScience AG. although many industrial processes FIG. 1. A modern chlorine production cell installation using ion exchange membrane cells. Each have been established successfully. electrolyzer consists of planar cell elements separated from each other by a sheet of ion exchange Extensive activity is currently directed membrane. The cell uses hydrochloric acid and oxygen to produce chlorine gas and water. The cell shown toward obtaining better insight into how above is the first plant built with a new electrode termed an oxygen depolarized cathode (ODC), and a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) to feed the oxygen. Developed by a joint cooperation of De Nora Tecnologie membranes work and toward achieving Elettrochimiche, Bayer Material Science, and Uhde, these changes reduce the energy demand from 1700 new membrane recipes that exhibit kWh per ton of chlorine to 1000 kWh per ton of chlorine. The companies involved received the New high selectivity, low ohmic resistance, Electrochemical Technology Award of the ECS Industrial Electrolysis and Electrochemical Engineering and robust strength over wide ranges Division in 2005 for this advance. The ODC electrolysis of HCl may be seen as the forerunner of a new of pH and chemical environments. family of electrochemical processes all based on the GDE technology and all characterized by lower energy consumption compared to conventional plants. (Picture courtsey of the three companies.) New industrial membrane processes are constantly emerging as this technology Aluminum for understanding these effects and matures. for achieving optimum production Prior to its manufacture by conditions. Electro-organic Synthesis electrolysis, aluminum metal was A commercial process for producing extremely rare, as expensive as silver, In the aluminum industry, intensive organic chemicals that is currently and just as prized. Today aluminum is research efforts are currently directed practiced on a scale comparable to the an inexpensive and widely available toward increasing cell efficiency and inorganic chemicals and metals cited material valued for its corrosion toward conserving energy by reducing above is the electrohydrodimerization of resistant properties. The large demand cell voltage. Among the major research acrylonitrile to adiponitrile for aluminum products is reflected in concepts are development of process that aluminum production consumes sensors and control schemes + - Anode H2O → 2H + ½ O2 + 2e more electrical power than any other for maintaining consistently Cathode 2CH = CHCN + 2H O + 2e- →NC(CH ) CN + 2OH- electrolytic process. high efficiency, and 2 2 2 4 development of electrode DC Power materials that permit lower cell voltages and that are not DC Power 2A12O3 + 3C → 4Al + 3CO2 aluminum carbon aluminum carbon derived from petroleum by- 2CH =CHCN + Η Ο → ½ O + NC(CH ) CN oxide dioxide products. 2 2 2 2 4 acrylonitrile water oxygen adiponitrile One electrode in the cell is made Metal Winning and Refining of carbon and is consumed in this Many other metals are Specialty organic chemicals that are high temperature process. Several obtained from their ores (winning) or produced electrochemically include unwanted reactions also occur, so purified from impure stock (refining) perfluorooctanoic acid [CF3(CF2)6COOH] the production efficiency based on by electrochemical processes. Among
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]
  • 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]
  • Steel Production Through Electrolysis: Impacts for Electricity Consumption 0, 0, 75
    Font Family: Benton Sans 131, 176, 70 Steel production through electrolysis: impacts for electricity consumption 0, 0, 75 204, 102, 51 Adam Rauwerdink 144, 144, 144 VP, Business Development October 18, 2019 Font Family: A 3,000 year old formula Benton Sans Iron Ore Carbon (Coal) Iron Carbon Dioxide 131, 176, 70 Fe2O3 C Fe CO2 0, 0, 75 204, 102, 51 >2 144, 144, 144 Gt CO2 per year (8% of global emissions) Iron Age 1000 BC Digital Age 2019 2 Boston Metal | 2019 Font Family: Steel in 2018 Benton Sans 131, 176, 70 Aluminium is #2 at 1,800 64 million tonnes 0, 0, 75 million tonnes 204, 102, 51 70% 30% 144, 144, 144 Integrated Steel Mill Mini Mill (Iron ore new steel units) (Scrap recycled steel units) Source: World Steel Association 3 Boston Metal | 2019 Font Family: Integrated steel mill: material flow Benton Sans 131, 176, 70 0, 0, 75 204, 102, 51 144, 144, 144 4 Boston Metal | 2019 Font Family: Molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) is emissions free Benton Sans Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) 131, 176, 70 Iron Ore Electricity Iron Oxygen 0, 0, 75 - Fe2O3 e Fe O2 204, 102, 51 144, 144, 144 No carbon in the process = No CO2 emitted Electricity decarbonization eliminates/reduces indirect emissions! 5 Boston Metal | 2019 Font Family: Changing the formula from coal to electricity Benton Sans Iron Ore Carbon (Coal) Iron Carbon Dioxide 131, 176, 70 Fe2O3 C Fe CO2 0, 0, 75 204, 102, 51 Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) 144, 144, 144 Iron Ore Electricity Iron Oxygen - Fe2O3 e Fe O2 6 Boston Metal | 2019 Font Family: MOE is more energy efficient Benton
    [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]
  • Electrochemistry of Fuel Cell - Kouichi Takizawa
    ENERGY CARRIERS AND CONVERSION SYSTEMS – Vol. II - Electrochemistry of Fuel Cell - Kouichi Takizawa ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF FUEL CELL Kouichi Takizawa Tokyo Electric Power Company, Tokyo, Japan Keywords : electrochemistry, fuel cell, electrochemical reaction, chemical energy, anode, cathode, electrolyte, Nernst equation, hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, electromotive force Contents 1. Introduction 2. Principle of Electricity Generation by Fuel Cells 3. Electricity Generation Characteristics of Fuel Cells 4. Fuel Cell Efficiency Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketch Summary Fuel cells are devices that utilize electrochemical reactions to generate electric power. They are believed to give a significant impact on the future energy system. In particular, when hydrogen can be generated from renewable energy resources, it is certain that the fuel cell should play a significant role. Even today, some types of fuel cells have been already used in practical applications such as combined heat and power generation applications and space vehicle applications. Though research and development activities are still required, the fuel cell technology is one of the most important technologies that allow us to draw the environment friendly society in the twenty-first century. This section describes the general introduction of fuel cell technology with a brief overview of the principle of fuel cells and their historical background. 1. Introduction A fuel cellUNESCO is a system of electric power – generation,EOLSS which utilizes electrochemical reactions. It can produce electric power by inducing both a reaction to oxidize hydrogen obtained by reforming natural gas or other fuels, and a reaction to reduce oxygen in the air, each occurringSAMPLE at separate electrodes conne CHAPTERScted to an external circuit.
    [Show full text]
  • Teaching H. C. Ørsted's Scientific Work in Danish High School Physics
    UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN FACULTY OF SCIENCE Ida Marie Monberg Hindsholm Teaching H. C. Ørsted's Scientific Work in Danish High School Physics Masterʹs thesis Department of Science Education 19 July 2018 Master's thesis Teaching H. C. Ørsted’s Scientific Work in Danish High School Physics Submitted 19 July 2018 Author Ida Marie Monberg Hindsholm, B.Sc. E-mail [email protected] Departments Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen Main supervisor Ricardo Avelar Sotomaior Karam, Associate Professor, Department of Science Education, University of Copenhagen Co-supervisor Steen Harle Hansen, Associate Professor, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen 1 Contents 1 Introduction . 1 2 The Material: H. C. Ørsted's Work . 3 2.1 The Life of Hans Christian Ørsted . 3 2.2 Ørsted’s Metaphysical Framework: The Dynamical Sys- tem............................. 6 2.3 Ritter and the failure in Paris . 9 2.4 Ørsted’s work with acoustic and electric figures . 12 2.5 The discovery of electromagnetism . 16 2.6 What I Use for the Teaching Sequence . 19 3 Didactic Theory . 20 3.1 Constructivist teaching . 20 3.2 Inquiry Teaching . 22 3.3 HIPST . 24 4 The Purpose and Design of the Teaching Sequence . 27 4.1 Factual details and lesson plan . 28 5 Analysis of Transcripts and Writings . 40 5.1 Method of Analysis . 40 5.2 Practical Problems . 41 5.3 Reading Original Ørsted's Texts . 42 5.4 Inquiry and Experiments . 43 5.5 "Role play" - Thinking like Ørsted . 48 5.6 The Reflection Corner . 51 5.7 Evaluation: The Learning Objectives .
    [Show full text]
  • Energy and Exergy Analyses of Different Aluminum Reduction Technologies
    sustainability Article Energy and Exergy Analyses of Different Aluminum Reduction Technologies Mazin Obaidat 1, Ahmed Al-Ghandoor 1, Patrick Phelan 2, Rene Villalobos 2 and Ammar Alkhalidi 3,* ID 1 Department of Industrial Engineering, The Hashemite University, Az-Zarqa 13133, Jordan; [email protected] (M.O.); [email protected] (A.A.-G.) 2 Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA; [email protected] (P.P.); [email protected] (R.V.) 3 Energy Engineering Department, German Jordanian University, Amman 11180, Jordan * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +962-7-9611-2506 Received: 23 February 2018; Accepted: 11 April 2018; Published: 17 April 2018 Abstract: This paper examines and compares different aluminum reduction technologies found in the literature as alternatives to the current Hall–Heroult technology. The main inefficiencies in the current Hall–Heroult technology were identified and the advantages of the different proposed technologies over the Hall–Heroult technology were determined. The comparison between the different technologies, namely Hall–Heroult, wetted drained cathode, inert anode, and carbothermic, was based on energy and material requirements, and environmental impact. In order to combine all of the evaluation criteria into one numerical value, the exergy concept was utilized as a decision tool. The results emphasize that in order to analyze any conversion system, the exergy of energy, material, environmental impact, and their associated chain production should be taken into consideration. Keywords: exergy; aluminum; Hall–Heroult; inert anode; wetted drained cathode; carbothermic 1. Introduction Aluminum’s unique properties of low density and corrosion resistance make it a very important metal and a metal of choice to modern manufacturing.
    [Show full text]
  • Electrochemistry –An Oxidizing Agent Is a Species That Oxidizes Another Species; It Is Itself Reduced
    Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Chapter 17 • Describing Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Electrochemistry –An oxidizing agent is a species that oxidizes another species; it is itself reduced. –A reducing agent is a species that reduces another species; it is itself oxidized. Loss of 2 e-1 oxidation reducing agent +2 +2 Fe( s) + Cu (aq) → Fe (aq) + Cu( s) oxidizing agent Gain of 2 e-1 reduction Skeleton Oxidation-Reduction Equations Electrochemistry ! Identify what species is being oxidized (this will be the “reducing agent”) ! Identify what species is being •The study of the interchange of reduced (this will be the “oxidizing agent”) chemical and electrical energy. ! What species result from the oxidation and reduction? ! Does the reaction occur in acidic or basic solution? 2+ - 3+ 2+ Fe (aq) + MnO4 (aq) 6 Fe (aq) + Mn (aq) Steps in Balancing Oxidation-Reduction Review of Terms Equations in Acidic solutions 1. Assign oxidation numbers to • oxidation-reduction (redox) each atom so that you know reaction: involves a transfer of what is oxidized and what is electrons from the reducing agent to reduced 2. Split the skeleton equation into the oxidizing agent. two half-reactions-one for the oxidation reaction (element • oxidation: loss of electrons increases in oxidation number) and one for the reduction (element decreases in oxidation • reduction: gain of electrons number) 2+ 3+ - 2+ Fe (aq) º Fe (aq) MnO4 (aq) º Mn (aq) 1 3. Complete and balance each half reaction Galvanic Cell a. Balance all atoms except O and H 2+ 3+ - 2+ (Voltaic Cell) Fe (aq) º Fe (aq) MnO4 (aq) º Mn (aq) b.
    [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]