The diaphragm cell process
In the diaphragm cell process the
anode area is separated from the cathode area by a permeable
diaphragm. The brine is introduced into the anode compartment and
flows through the diaphragm into the cathode compartment.
Diluted caustic brine leaves the cell. On various sites,
evaporation of caustic is not needed because of a site-specific
process integration, technology and management of the energy
balance.The caustic soda can also be concentrated to 50% and the
salt removed. This is often by using an evaporative process with
about three tonnes of steam per tonne of caustic soda.
The salt separated from the caustic brine can be used to
saturate diluted brine. The chlorine contains oxygen and must often
be purified by liquefaction and evaporation.
View the animated diaphragm cell
process.
In 2011, the diaphragm process accounted for 14% of total
installed European chlorine production capacity.
Click on the image above to have a full size view of
the diaphragm cell process' animation.
Download a picture of the diaphragm cell process
(PDF). The PDF images may be used in scientific or technical
publications if the source www.eurochlor.org is mentioned.
Last update: 02/2013
