(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...
(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...
(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...
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Example plants<br />
Solvin in Antwerp-Lillo (Belgium), chlorine capacity 180 kt/yr;<br />
Solvin in Jemeppe (Belgium), chlorine capacity 174 kt/yr;<br />
Solvay in Rosignano (Italy), chlorine capacity 120 kt/yr;<br />
Solvay in Tavaux (France), chlorine capacity 360 kt/yr.<br />
<strong>Reference</strong> literature<br />
[ 34, Solvay 2010 ], [ 49, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ]<br />
4.3.6.4.5 Use <strong>of</strong> brine purge <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> sodium chlorate<br />
Chapter 4<br />
Description<br />
This technique consists in recycling <strong>the</strong> brine purge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> chlor-<strong>alkali</strong> plant to <strong>the</strong> brine system<br />
<strong>of</strong> a sodium chlorate production unit.<br />
Technical description<br />
Sodium chlorate is principally used to produce chlorine dioxide, which is used as bleaching<br />
agent in <strong>the</strong> pulp and paper industry. The production <strong>of</strong> sodium chlorate is based on <strong>the</strong><br />
electrolysis <strong>of</strong> brine under pH conditions where <strong>the</strong> chlorine from <strong>the</strong> anode combines with <strong>the</strong><br />
sodium hydroxide from <strong>the</strong> cathode to produce sodium hypochlorite, which is converted to<br />
sodium chlorate. The involved reactions are <strong>the</strong> same as those occurring as side reactions in<br />
chlor-<strong>alkali</strong> electrolysis cells (see Section 2.1). Following electrolysis, <strong>the</strong> cell liquor is stored in<br />
tanks to finalise <strong>the</strong> trans<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> hypochlorite to chlorate. Sodium chlorate is obtained<br />
from <strong>the</strong> cell liquor by concentration in a crystallisation unit and subsequent washing. The<br />
mo<strong>the</strong>r liquid and <strong>the</strong> washing liquids are reconcentrated using solid salt or evaporation and are<br />
recycled to <strong>the</strong> brine circuit [ 209, COM 2007 ].<br />
By recycling <strong>the</strong> brine purge <strong>of</strong> a chlor-<strong>alkali</strong> electrolysis unit to <strong>the</strong> brine system <strong>of</strong> a sodium<br />
chlorate production unit, <strong>the</strong> chlorate produced as an unwanted substance is converted into a<br />
saleable product. Any bromate in <strong>the</strong> brine purge from <strong>the</strong> chlor-<strong>alkali</strong> unit will leave <strong>the</strong> site<br />
with <strong>the</strong> crystallised sodium chlorate or with <strong>the</strong> brine purge from <strong>the</strong> sodium chlorate unit.<br />
Achieved environmental benefits<br />
The achieved environmental benefits <strong>of</strong> this technique include:<br />
reduction <strong>of</strong> chlorate emissions;<br />
overall reduction <strong>of</strong> raw material and energy consumption;<br />
overall reduction <strong>of</strong> chloride emissions due to reduced brine purge volumes.<br />
Environmental per<strong>for</strong>mance and operational data<br />
At <strong>the</strong> Kemira plant in Joutseno (Finland) <strong>the</strong> brine purge from <strong>the</strong> membrane cell chlor-<strong>alkali</strong><br />
unit is completely recycled to <strong>the</strong> sodium chlorate production unit [ 57, EIPPCB 2011 ].<br />
Cross-media effects<br />
There are no additional cross-media effects <strong>for</strong> a site which produces both chlorine and sodium<br />
chlorate.<br />
WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS<br />
Technical considerations relevant to applicability<br />
The use <strong>of</strong> this technique is restricted to sites where sodium chlorate is produced.<br />
Economics<br />
{Please TWG provide in<strong>for</strong>mation.}<br />
Driving <strong>for</strong>ce <strong>for</strong> implementation<br />
The driving <strong>for</strong>ce <strong>for</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> this technique is a reduction <strong>of</strong> operating costs due to<br />
reduced consumption <strong>of</strong> raw materials and energy consumption.<br />
TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1 December 2011 249