Sustainable Membranes That Improve Chlor-Alkali Processes
Chlor-alkali processing technologies have evolved significantly over the years, in large part due to environmental and safety concerns. For years, chlor-alkali manufacturers only had two unsustainable and unsafe choices for processing: mercury or diaphragm cell.
Today, almost all newly installed chlor-alkali units use sustainable and safe membrane technology. Each chlor-alkali environment differs depending on the use-case, with variables including brine source and quality, electrical costs, available capital, and the labor force's experience level. Yet, one thing remains constant across chlor-alkali facilities: a demand for more consistent performance and energy savings.
Consistency and energy savings are crucial when scaling the production of commodities. Chlor-alkali membranes offer an environmentally sound solution for producing the two most widely used commodity inorganic chemicals, chlorine and sodium hydroxide (lye/caustic soda), through the industrialized electrolysis of sodium chloride.
These chemicals are also used in:
- Production of propylene oxide, epichlorohydrin, polycarbonate, and chlorinated intermediates
- Feedstock for vinyl used in construction
- Pulp and paper processing
- Water treatment
The process also produces hydrogen, which is finding expanded use in many applications.
Features and Benefits
Nafion™ membranes are ionomer based, meaning they selectively conduct ions over a wide range of operating conditions. This unique property enables membranes to create higher quality sustainable electrochemical separations, even in harsh environments.
Additionally, Nafion™ chlor-alkali membranes offer consistent voltage performance, current efficiency, mechanical durability, and high impurity resistance over the lifetime of the membrane.
This means:
- Fewer process interruptions
- Limited maintenance downtime
- Reduced lifetime costs/total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Consistent production quantities
- Reduced lifetime energy consumption
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