Caustic Soda Production
Caustic Soda Production
Caustic Soda Production
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1.1 Introduction ……………………………………... 1
Caustic Soda Production
1.2 ……………………………………... 2
Methods
Production of caustic Soda
1.2.1 ……………………………………... 2
by Lime
Production of Caustic
1.2.2 ……………………………………... 3
Soda by Loewig’s process
Production of Caustic
1.2.3 ……………………………………... 4
Soda by Electrolysis
1.2.3.1 Membrane Cell ……………………………………... 6
1.2.3.2 Mercury Cell ……………………………………... 8
1.2.3.3 Diaphragm Cell ……………………………………... 9
Selection of production
1.3 ……………………………………... 12
method
1.4 Properties of Caustic Soda ……………………………………... 13
1.4.1 Physical Properties ……………………………………... 13
1.4.2 Chemical Properties ……………………………………... 14
1.5 Uses of Caustic Soda ……………………………………... 16
1
Fig. Title P.N
Production process of
1 sodium hydroxide and ……………………………………... 4
chlorine by electrolysis
Process flow chart of a
2 ……………………………………... 7
membrane process
3 Membrane cell ……………………………………... 8
Mercury process for chlor-
4 ……………………………………... 8
alkali
process flow chart for a
5 ……………………………………... 9
mercury cell process
6 Diaphragm Cell ……………………………………... 10
Process flow chart of a
7 ……………………………………... 11
diaphragm process
Whitish pellets of Caustic
8 ……………………………………... 14
soda
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Chapter One
Introduction
3
1.1 Introduction
4
1.2 Caustic Soda Production Methods
1.2.1 Production of caustic Soda by Lime
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) from limestone (CaO). This study aims to
synthesize NaOH from limestone (Lime) by burning (big stone) 6 grams of
powder CaO with 100 ml of Aqueous little by little so as to form a porridge of
𝐶𝑎(𝑂𝐻)2 . 𝐶𝑎𝑂 which has dissolved in Aqueous In addition to forming 𝐶𝑎(𝑂𝐻)2 ,
the mixing of CaO with Aqueous aims to make the CaO that formed the solution
more reactive because the liquid form so easily react with 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 solution. Then
prepared a solution of 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 by dissolving 10.6 grams of 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 powder into
100 ml of Aqueous while heated.
Reaction between 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 and 𝐶𝑎(𝑂𝐻)2 . Heating is done to facilitate the powder
𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 dissolve in Aqueous. Furthermore, the 𝐶𝑎(𝑂𝐻)2 slurry is mixed into
𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 solution while remaining heated. The equation of the reaction occur is:
𝐶𝑎𝑂(𝑠) + 𝐻2𝑂 (𝑙) → 𝐶𝑎(𝑂𝐻)2 (𝑎𝑞)
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Test NaOH Product Using 𝐶𝑢𝑆𝑂4 Since the heating applied to the mixture causes
the water content contained in the 𝐶𝑢(𝑂𝐻)2 precipitate to evaporate to form Cu
which is brown and directly oxidized to CuO which is a black precipitate according
to:
𝐶𝑢(𝑂𝐻)2 (𝑠) → 𝐶𝑢(𝑠) → 𝐶𝑢𝑂(𝑠)
Furthermore, to determine the levels of NaOH obtained, done titration of NaOH
solution using Titration HCl 1 M.
NaOH titration using HCl 1 M
Append 3 drops pp indicator added to NaOH solution, thus formed a pink solution.
Titration is done until the color changes in NaOH solution from pink to clear color.
The titration was diluted 3 times and the HCl volume was used 11.1 ml, 10.9 ml and
11.0 ml respectively. From the average data, it is found that the concentration of
NaOH obtained is 1.10 M.
1.2.2 Production of Caustic Soda by Loewig’s process
Loewig’s process for caustic soda preparation depends on the formation of sodium
ferrate (𝑁𝑎2 𝐹𝑒2 𝑂4 ), which is then decomposed with water. The soda liquors are
mixed with ferric oxide, and the mass evaporated to dryness and calcined at a bright
red heat, usually in a revolving furnace. By the calcination, a reaction between the
sodium carbonate and the iron oxide is brought about, carbon dioxide escaping and
sodium ferrate remaining in the furnace. The mass is washed with cold water until
all soluble matter is removed; then water at 900 C is run over the sodium ferrate, by
which it is decomposed, caustic soda formed, and iron oxide regenerated; the last is
returned to the calcining process. The ferric oxide used is a natural iron ore, very
clean and free from silica or other impurities; that made by calcining a precipitated
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ferric hydroxide is not well adapted to the process, as it gives a product difficult to
lixiviate.
1.2.3 Production of Caustic Soda by Electrolysis
The chlor-alkali process is an industrial process for the electrolysis of sodium
chloride. It is the technology used to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide (caustic
soda), which are commodity chemicals required by industry.
In this process is used a brine (an aqueous solution of NaCl), as feedstock of
the chlor-alkali industry, in this case will be production of the chlorine, caustic soda
(sodium hydroxide), soda ash (sodium carbonate), and a wide range of other
products that can be used as raw material in other processes and industries.
Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide or NaOH) is most commonly manufactured by
the electrolysis of a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, as the co-products formed from
the electrolytic production of caustic soda are chlorine and hydrogen.
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There are three major production methods in the production of caustic soda by the
electrolysis and as the follows:
1. Membrane cell process
2. Diaphragm cell process
3. Mercury cell
These processes above will be discussed in details
Three production methods are in use. While the mercury cell method
produces chlorine-free sodium hydroxide, the use of several tones of mercury leads
to serious environmental problems.
In a normal production cycle a few hundred pounds of mercury per year are emitted,
which accumulate in the environment. Additionally, the chlorine and sodium
hydroxide produced via the mercury-cell chloralkali process are themselves
contaminated with trace amounts of mercury.
The membrane and diaphragm method use no mercury, but the sodium
hydroxide contains chlorine, which must be removed. Saturated brine is passed into
the first chamber of the cell where the chloride ions are oxidized at the anode, losing
electrons to become chlorine gas:
2𝐶𝑙– → 𝐶𝑙2 + 2𝑒 –
At the cathode, positive hydrogen ions pulled from water molecules are reduced by
the electrons provided by the electrolytic current, to hydrogen gas, releasing
hydroxide ions into the solution:
2𝐻2 𝑂 + 2𝑒 – → 𝐻2 + 2𝑂𝐻 –
The ion-permeable ion exchange membrane at the center of the cell allows the
sodium ions (Na+) to pass to the second chamber where they react with the hydroxide
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ions to produce caustic soda (NaOH). The overall reaction for the electrolysis of
brine is thus:
2𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 + 2𝐻2𝑂 → 𝐶𝑙2 + 𝐻2 + 2𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻
A membrane cell is used to prevent the reaction between the chlorine and hydroxide
ions. If this reaction were to occur the chlorine would be disproportionate to form
chloride and hypochlorite ions:
𝐶𝑙2 + 2𝑂𝐻– → 𝐶𝑙− + 𝐶𝑙𝑂– + 𝐻2𝑂
Above about 60 °C, chlorate can be formed:
3𝐶𝑙9 + 6𝑂𝐻 – → 5𝐶𝑙– + 𝐶𝑙𝑂3– + 3𝐻2𝑂
Because of the corrosive nature of chlorine production, the anode (where the
chlorine is formed) must be made from a non-reactive metal such as titanium,
whereas the cathode (where hydrogen is forms) can be made from a more easily
oxidized metal such as nickel.
1.2.3.1 Membrane Cell
In the membrane cell, the anode and cathode are separated by an ion-permeable
membrane. Saturated brine is fed to the compartment with the anode (the anolyte).
A DC current is passed through the cell and the NaCl splits into its constituent
components. The membrane passes Na+ ions to the cathode compartment
(catholyte), where it forms sodium hydroxide in solution. The membrane allows only
positive ions to pass through to prevent the chlorine from mixing with the sodium
hydroxide. The chloride ions are oxidised to chlorine gas at the anode, which is
collected, purified and stored. Hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions are formed at the
cathode. The diagram below shows the process flow chart of membrane process
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Fig. 2 Process flow chart of a membrane process
The membrane process is summarized in the diagram below. The cathode and
anode compartments are separated by a water-impermeable membrane. This means
that ions can pass, but water cannot. Concentrated sodium chloride solution
(NaCl(aq)) flows though the anode compartment and water flows though the cathode
compartment. The sodium ions and hydroxide ions combine in the cathode
compartment to produce sodium hydroxide.
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Fig. 3 Membrane cell
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The process chart for the above process is shown below:
In the diaphragm cell process, there are two compartments separated by a permeable
diaphragm, often made of asbestos fibers. Brine is introduced into the anode
compartment and flows into the cathode compartment. Similarly to the Membrane
Cell, chloride ions are oxidized at the anode to produce chlorine, and at the cathode,
water is split into caustic soda and hydrogen. The diaphragm prevents the reaction
of the caustic soda with the chlorine. A diluted caustic brine leaves the cell. The
caustic soda must usually be concentrated to 50% and the salt removed. This is done
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using an evaporative process with about three tons of steam per tons 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.
A process flow chart is used to describe the process of diaphragm cell and amongst
the two (2) other manufacturing process of caustic soda it’s the most suitable and
generally accepted process.
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Fig. 7 Process flow chart of a diaphragm process.
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Mercury Diaphragm Membrane
Caustic quality High, <30 ppm NaCl 5- 1.0-1.5% by weight NaCl High, <50 ppm NaCl
150 µg Hg/l (Before (Before treatment the
treatment the Hg level is NaCl content is about
between 2.5-25 mg Hg/l) 18%) 0.1% NaClO3 Not
suitable for some
applications
Caustic concentration 50% 12%, requires 33%, requires
concentration to 50% for concentration to 50% for
some applications some applications
Chlorine quality Contains low levels of Oxygen content between Oxygen content between
oxygen (< 0.1%) and 1.5-2.5% 0.5% and 2%, depending
hydrogen on whether an acidified
electrolyte is used
Brine feedstock Some purification Some purification Very high purity brine is
required but depends on required but depends on required as impurities
purity of salt or brine used purity of salt or brine used affect membrane
performance
Variable electric load Good variable electricity Tolerates only slight Variable electricity load
performance load performance, down variation in electricity performance less than for
to 30 % of full load load and brine flows in mercury (40-60%
possible for some cell order to maintain depending on design
rooms, which is very diaphragm performance load), affects product
important in some quality, and efficiency at
European countries lower loads
Table 1.1: Main characteristics of the different electrolysis processes after [Kirk-
Othmer, 1991], [Lindley, 1997], [Ullmann’s, 1996] and other sources
3 - Small users of chlorine, such as paper mills (where chlorine is used as a bleach).
5 - Can work for long period up to 3 years depending on the purity of the raw
material.
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1.4 Properties of Caustic Soda
Pure sodium hydroxide have a high affinity for water, so the physical and chemical
properties of the pure substance are difficult to determine,
Many of the data are obtainable only by extrapolating values for impure sodium
hydroxide. The same is true for the concentration dependent physical properties of
aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide, since these solutions have a strong tendency
toward super saturation.
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Fig. 8 Whitish pellets of Caustic soda
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2- Reaction with acidic oxides
Sodium hydroxide also reacts with acidic oxides, such as sulfur dioxide. Such
reactions are often used to "scrub" harmful acidic gases (like SO2 and H2S) produced
in the burning of coal and thus prevent their release into the atmosphere. For
example,
2𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 + 𝑆𝑂2 → 𝑁𝑎2 𝑆𝑂3 + 𝐻2 𝑂
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Aluminum hydroxide is used as a gelatinous flocculants to filter out particulate
matter in water treatment. Aluminum hydroxide is prepared at the treatment plant
from aluminum sulfate by reacting it with sodium hydroxide.
𝐴𝑙2 (𝑆𝑂4 )3 + 6 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 → 2𝐴𝑙(𝑂𝐻)3 + 3𝑁𝑎2 𝑆𝑂4
5- Saponification
Sodium hydroxide can be used for the base-driven hydrolysis of esters (as in
saponification), amides and alkyl halides. However, the limited solubility of sodium
hydroxide in organic solvents means that the more soluble potassium hydroxide
(KOH) is often preferred.
1.5 Uses of Caustic Soda
Caustic soda, is used for many household and industrial purposes. The chemical
forms a strong alkaline solution when you mix it with water.
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g) Sodium Hydroxide is used along with sodium sulfide to separate lignin from
cellulose. It can also be used as a bleaching agent to bleach brown pulp.
Anhydrous sodium hydroxide can be used as a catalyst for preparing biodiesel
because it is cheaper than any other alkalizes.
h) It is used as cleaner in breweries and wineries and also for etching aluminum
surfaces, as it gives it a polished look.
i) Out of the many uses of sodium hydroxide one major use is that it can be used for
washing and chemical peeling of fruits and vegetables, chocolates and cocoa
processing, as well as soft drink processing.
References
1 - Sodium Hydroxide - Compound Summary". Retrieved June 12, 2012.
2 - Zumdahl, Steven S. (2009). Chemical Principles 6th Ed. Houghton Mifflin
Company.
3 - Cetin Kurt, Jürgen Bittner (2005), "Sodium Hydroxide", Ullmann's Encyclopedia
of Industrial Chemistry, Weinheim: Wiley-VCH,
4 - Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology 5th edition (online, account
needed), John Wiley & Sons. Accessed November 21, 2005.
5 - Deming, Horace G. (1925). General Chemistry: An Elementary Survey
Emphasizing Industrial Applications of Fundamental Principles (2nd ed.). New
York: John Wiley & Sons
6 - Thacker, H. Leon; Kastner, Justin (August 2004). Carcass Disposal: A
Comprehensive Review. Chapter 6. National Agricultural Biosecurity Center,
Kansas State University, 2004. Retrieved 2010-03-08
7 - Morfit, Campbell (1856). A treatise on chemistry applied to the manufacture of
soap and candles. Parry and McMillan.
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Caustic Soda Production Flow Sheet
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Chapter Two
Material Balance
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Material Balance
𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 = ⇒𝑛=
𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑀𝑤𝑡
For NaCl:
1500
𝑛= = 37.5 𝐾𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒/ℎ𝑟
40
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Assumption:
2193.75𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟 of NaCl
15
× 𝐹 = 2193.75
100
𝐹 = 14625 𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟
𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡
219375−10𝑆𝑙𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑒
𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 = ----------eq (2)
28
24
Membrane Cell:
For NaOH :
1126.175
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = = 19.25 𝐾𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒/ℎ𝑟
58.5
25
By Stoichiometry:
By Stoichiometry:
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Overall material balance over Evaporator:
Aq. NaOH (35% NaOH) = Aq. NaOH (50% NaOH) + Water Vapor
𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡
148.218
𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 = = 296.436 𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟
0.5
27
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑞. 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻(50%) = 296.436 − 148.218 = 148.218 𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟
𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑤𝑒𝑡 𝐶𝑙2 + 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 (98% 𝑐𝑜𝑛) = 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝐶𝑙2 + 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 (70% 𝑐𝑜𝑛)
375.803 + 98% (25 𝐾𝑔) = 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝐶𝑙2 + 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 (70%) ---------- (1)
98 70 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4
(25) = ( )
100 100 𝑍
Substituting in eq (1)
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Chapter Three
Energy Balance
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3.1 Steam Required For Heating Brine
𝑚𝐶𝑃 ∆𝑇 = 𝑚𝑡 𝜆
𝑚𝑡 = 195.423 𝐾𝐽/ℎ𝑟
Inlet Stream
Outlet Stream
𝐻2 𝑂 = 𝑚𝑐𝑃 ∆𝑇
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𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 127984.158 + 50777.842
𝐻2 = 𝑚𝑐𝑃 ∆𝑇
𝐶𝑙2 = 𝑚𝑐𝑃 ∆𝑇
Inlet Stream
Outlet Stream
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Material Name Specific Heat at 110℃ Flow Rates 𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟
50% 𝐶𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑆𝑜𝑑𝑎 3.564 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔. °𝐾 296.436
Material Name Latent Heat at 110℃ Flow Rates 𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 2231.86 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔 94.127
𝑎𝑞. 𝑁𝑎𝑂𝐻 (35% 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑡) = 148.218 × 3.564 × (353 − 298) = 29053.692 𝐾𝐽/ℎ𝑟
𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 = 𝑚𝑐𝑃 ∆𝑇
Inlet Stream
Outlet Stream
32
Material Name Specific Heat at 80℃ Flow Rates 𝐾𝑔/ℎ𝑟
𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝐶ℎ𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒 0.48 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔. °𝐾 365.303
𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 (70% 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑡) 2.177 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔. °𝐾 35
33