Sodium Extraction from Sodium chloride (Common salt)

A process for extracting sodium by the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride.

The Downs cell has a central graphite anode surrounded by a cylindrical steel cathode. The
chlorine released is led away through a hood over the anode.
Molten sodium is formed at the cathode and collected through another hood around the top of the
cathode cylinder (molten sodium is less dense than the electrolyte and hence rises to the top of
the cathode, where it is periodically collected).
The two hoods and electrodes are separated by a coaxial cylindrical steel gauze that prevents
them from gaining contact and reforming sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is fed into the down
cell and is melted electrically. A little calcium chloride is added to lower the melting point of
sodium chloride from 800 degrees Celsius to 600 degrees Celsius.
More sodium chloride is added as the electrolysis proceeds.

The reason why sodium being extracted through electrolysis of fused, or rather molten, sodium
chloride it’s convenience, and it also requires very little purification. Approximately 30,000
ampere is passed through the electrolyte to
- decompose the ore
- Maintain the ore in a liquid state due to resistance

+ −
𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 → 𝑁𝑎 + 𝐶𝑙

Oxidation at the anode

− −
𝐶𝑙 (𝑙)
→ 𝐶𝑙 2(𝑔)
+ 2𝑒

Reduction at the cathode

 + −
2𝑁𝑎 (𝑙)
+ 2𝑒 → 2𝑁𝑎 (𝑙)

Overall redox reaction

− +
2𝐶𝑙 (𝑙)
+ 2𝑁𝑎 (𝑙)
→ 𝐶𝑙 2(𝑔)
+ 2𝑁𝑎 (𝑙)

Products of the electrolysis of molten (fused) sodium chloride are Sodium metal and Chlorine
gas

NB: the addition of calcium ions in the form of salt Calcium Chloride does not affect the
+ +
reduction of the sodium ions the reason for this is that 𝐶𝑎 is a weaker oxidant than 𝑁𝑎