(BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali ...

1.4.5 Consumption of hydrogen
Chapter 1
Hydrogen is also a co-product of the electrolysis of brine (approximately 28 kg for 1 tonne of
chlorine). Hydrogen is generally used on site as a combustible or sent as a fuel to other
companies. It can also be used on integrated sites for certain applications, in particular because
of its high purity: synthesis of ammonia, methanol, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc.
This high quality hydrogen (purity > 99.9 %) is usually used on site, on an adjacent site or sold
to a distributor [ 30, Euro Chlor 2010 ].
In 2010, 90.4 % of the hydrogen produced by chlor-alkali installations in EU-27 and EFTA
countries was used as chemical reagent or fuel while the remaining 9.6 % was emitted to air [ 8,
Euro Chlor 2011 ]. This 9.6 % corresponds to a total of approximately 27 kt hydrogen which
represent a higher heating value of approximately 1.1 TWh (higher heating value of hydrogen
142 MJ/kg).
WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS
TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1 December 2011 13