Manufacturing of Sodium Hydroxide

Manufacturing of
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
-Chemical name : sodium hydroxide
-Chemical formula : NaOH
- With Mwt. 39.99 g/mol
-Commercial name : caustic soda , Lye
“It is a white solid substance which dissolves
readily in water, its solution has soapy feeling
and corrosive to skin.”
-Commonly used as a Base
- Raw Material used in manufacturing:
Rock salt “NaCl” sodium chloride & water “H2O”
Production by Electrolysis
Electrolysis of concentrated NaCl solutions (brine)
produces chlorine gas, hydrogen gas and aqueous
sodium hydroxide.
2NaCl(aq) + 2H2O(l)  H2(g) + Cl2(g) + 2NaOH(aq)
- Uses of NaOH :
-domestic oven and drain cleaner
-pulp and paper production
-manufacture of rayon and
other synthetic fibres
-soap and detergent production
-removal of sulfur dioxide and
hydrogen sulfide in petroleum refining
 Uses of Cl2 Gas:
- treat drinking water and swimming pool
water by killing bacteria in .
- 20% of chlorine produced
is used to make PVC
- used in organic chemistry processes-for
example; as an oxidizing agent and a
substitution for hydrogen
- make chloroform (an anesthetic) and
carbon tetrachloride (a dry-cleaning
solvent).
 Chlorine gas is itself very poisonous, and Dangerous
was used as a chemical weapon during

the First World War.
Types of electrolytic cell
There are three types of electrolytic cell
are used to produce sodium hydroxide
from brine:
 Castner-Kellner Cell (Mercury
Process)
 Nelson Diaphragm Cell
 Membrane Cell
Castner-Kellner Cell (Mercury
Process)
-Anode (+ve electrode): titanium
*Anode reaction (oxidation):
2Cl-(aq)  Cl2(g) + 2e
-Cathode (-ve electrode):
mercury flowing along bottom of cell
*Cathode reaction (reduction):
Na+(aq) + e  Na(s)
-Na(s) dissolves in the liquid mercury
to form an amalgam which is removed
to the decomposer.
-In the decomposer the amalgam
reacts with water to form sodium
hydroxide, hydrogen gas and mercury.
2Na/Hg + 2H2O(l)  2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) + 2Hg(l)
Sodium hydroxide solution and hydrogen gas are collected.
Mercury is recycled through the electrolytic cell
-Mercury is toxic so care must be taken to prevent mercury losses.
Nelson Diaphragm Cell
 Porous diaphragm of asbestos or metal oxide with polymer separates anode and
cathode compartments.
 Diaphragm prevents hydroxide ions entering anode compartment and prevents
chloride ions entering cathode compartment.
 Saturated brine enters anode compartment
where chlorine gas is produced.
 Anode (+ve electrode):
carbon (graphite) or titanium
coated with Ru-Ti oxide.
Anode reaction (oxidation):
2Cl-(aq)Cl2(g) + 2e
 Cathode (-ve electrode):
steel mesh
Cathode reaction (reduction):
2H2O(l) + 2e  H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)
 Na+ migrates across diaphragm to cathode
compartment combining with OH-to form NaOH.
 Overall cell reaction (showing Na+ spectator ions):
2H2O(l) + 2Cl-(aq) + 2Na+(aq)  2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
 Product contains sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide. NaOH(s) can be crystallised
out.
Membrane Cell
 Favored method for producing very pure NaOH with no hazardous
waste, and with lowest energy requirements.
 Ion-exchange membrane selectively allows Na+ and water to flow to
the cathode compartment but prevents products from moving
between compartments.
 Saturated brine enters the anode
compartment where chlorine gas is formed.
 Anode (+ve electrode): titanium
 Anode reaction (oxidation):
2Cl-(aq)  Cl2(g) + 2e
 Cathode (-ve electrode):nickel
 Cathode reaction (reduction):
2H2O(l) + 2e  H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)
 Na+ migrates across the membrane to
cathode compartment combining with OH- to form NaOH.
 Overall cell reaction (showing Na+ spectator ions):
2H2O(l) + 2Cl-(aq) + 2Na+(aq)  2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
 Product is concentrated sodium hydroxide.
MEMBRANE CELL
 Process Advantages:
- Very Pure NaOH.
- No hazardous waste.
- Need lowest energy.
CASTNER-KELLNER CELL
 Amalgam is mercury alloy “Hg& metal”
All most all metals can form amalgam with Hg,
exception : Iron, Platinum, Tungsten and
Tantalum.
 Process Advantages :
- Process very efficient.
- Produce very pure NaOH.
 Process Disadvantages :
- High electricity consumption .
- Environmental pollution due to escape of
mercury vapors .
References :
 AUS-e-TUTE is a science education
website
http://www.ausetute.com.au/
 Business Science Articles website
http://www.business-science-articles.com/
 Periodic Table website
http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table
 Look Chem “Look for chemicals”
website
http://www.lookchem.com/

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