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

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Chapter 6<br />

cooperation with <strong>the</strong> Japanese Soda Industry Association as well as by Bayer in cooperation<br />

with Uhde and DeNora in Germany. In 2011, limited in<strong>for</strong>mation is available on developments<br />

in Japan, but at least two demonstration units have been undergoing tests since 2007 [ 49, Euro<br />

<strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ]. In Germany, <strong>the</strong> Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education and Research funded a<br />

programme from 2006 – 2010 to render <strong>the</strong> technique economically viable by reducing <strong>the</strong><br />

electrolysis voltage to 2.0 V and by reducing ODC production costs [ 51, Bulan 2007 ], [ 53,<br />

Bulan et al. 2009 ]. As a result, a membrane cell plant using <strong>the</strong> ODC technique operated by<br />

Bayer and UHDENORA/Uhde with a chlorine capacity <strong>of</strong> 20 kt/yr was put into operation in<br />

summer 2011 [ 49, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ].<br />

The use <strong>of</strong> ODCs <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> electrolysis <strong>of</strong> hydrogen chloride is, however, simpler and Bayer has<br />

operated two installations in Brunsbüttel (Germany) with a chlorine capacity <strong>of</strong> 20 kt/yr since<br />

2003 and in Caojing (China) with a chlorine capacity <strong>of</strong> 215 kt/yr since 2008 [ 115, Jörissen et<br />

al. 2011 ].<br />

Oxygen-depolarised cathodes <strong>for</strong> chlor-<strong>alkali</strong> electrolysis can be divided into gas-liquid<br />

permeable ODCs used in two-compartment, zero-gap cells and gas-liquid permeable ODCs<br />

used in three-compartment, finite-gap cells. In zero-gap cells, <strong>the</strong> ODC is in direct contact with<br />

<strong>the</strong> membrane. Gaseous oxygen and liquid electrolyte flow countercurrently through <strong>the</strong><br />

electrode. This design has two potential advantages. Firstly, <strong>the</strong> problem <strong>of</strong> height-dependent<br />

pressure difference is solved (see below) and secondly, <strong>the</strong> ohmic losses in <strong>the</strong> catholyte gap are<br />

minimised. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, oxygen transport may be hindered because <strong>the</strong> produced sodium<br />

hydroxide is removed against <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> oxygen flow. In addition, <strong>the</strong> sodium ions do not<br />

carry enough water through <strong>the</strong> membrane, <strong>the</strong>re<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong> caustic concentration has to be<br />

adjusted by <strong>the</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> water to <strong>the</strong> oxygen feed in order not to exceed <strong>the</strong> membrane<br />

stability limits [ 52, Moussallem et al. 2008 ].<br />

The only existing plant <strong>of</strong> industrial scale is based on three-compartment, finite-gap cells<br />

(Figure 6.1).<br />

WORKING DRAFT IN PROGRESS<br />

Source: [ 49, Euro <strong>Chlor</strong> 2010 ]<br />

Figure 6.1: Schematic view <strong>of</strong> a three-compartment, finite-gap membrane cell with an oxygendepolarised<br />

cathode (Bayer/Uhde design)<br />

TB/EIPPCB/CAK_Draft_1 December 2011 291

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