ASOIU

Student:Rauf Huseynov
Teacher:Tehmine Taghi
Faculity:Chemistry Engineering
Subject:Acid,Base,Salts
Topic:Production of NaOH with electrolytical method
 CONTENT
S
01 What is Sodium Hydroxide

02 Brine solutions

03 Sodium Hydroxide Production by Electrolysis

1)Castner-Kellner Cell (Mercury Process)

04 2)Nelson Diaphragm Cell
3)Membrane Cell
 What is the NaOH?

Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic

soda,is an inorganic compound with the formula
NaOH. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting
of sodium cations Na+ and hydroxide anions OH−
 What is the NaOH?

Molecular weight Boiling point Solubility

Topic here

Soluble in water, ethanol

39.997 g/mol 1390°C and glycerol; insoluble in
Specific gravity
acetone and ether

2.13
 Three types of electrolytic cell are used
to produce sodium hydroxide from
brine:

A C
B
Castner-Kellner Cell Membrane Cell
(Mercury Process) Nelson Diaphragm Cell
Brine solutions were prepared by dissolving analytical
grade NaCl, NaHCO3 and Na2CO3 in water.
 Castner-Kellner Cell (Mercury Process)

Anode (positive electrode): titanium

Anode reaction (oxidation):
2Cl-(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e-

First Stage

Cathode (negative electrode): mercury flowing along bottom of cell

Cathode reaction (reduction):
Na+(aq) + e- → Na(s)
 Second Stage

1) Na(s) dissolves in the liquid mercury to form an amalgam which is removed to the
decomposer.

2) In the decomposer the amalgam reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide, hydrogen gas
and mercury.

2Na/Hg + 2H2O(l) → 2Na+ + 2OH- + H2(g) + 2Hg(l)

3) Sodium hydroxide solution and hydrogen gas are collected.

4) Mercury is recycled through the electrolytic cell.

Mercury is toxic so care must be taken to prevent mercury losses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=4S81Vf6Xu4U&ab_channel=setpoint
 Nelson Diaphragm Cell

1) Anode (positive electrode):carbon (graphite) or titanium coated with Ru-Ti oxide.

Anode reaction (oxidation):
2Cl-(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e-

2) Cathode (negative electrode):steel mesh

Cathode reaction (reduction):
2H2O(l) + 2e- → H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)

Na+ migrates across diaphragm to cathode compartment combining with OH- to form NaOH.

3) Overall cell reaction (showing Na+ spectator ions):

2H2O(l) + 2Cl-(aq) + 2Na+(aq) → 2Na+(aq) + 2OH-(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
 Nelson Diaphragm Cell

Porous diaphragm of asbestos or metal oxide with polymer separates

anode and cathode compartments.

Diaphragm prevents hydroxide ions entering anode compartment and

prevents chloride ions entering cathode compartment.
Overall
Saturated brine enters anode compartment where chlorine gas is
produced.

Product contains sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide. NaOH(s) can

be crystallised out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp0Dz28LxkA&ab_channel=ScienceTutorials2013

Anode (positive electrode):titanium
Anode reaction (oxidation):
2Cl-(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e-
02
Cathode (negative electrode):nickel
Cathode reaction (reduction):
2H2O(l) + 2e- → H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)
Membrane Cell
Na+ migrates across the membrane to
01 cathode compartment combining with OH-
to form NaOH.
03
04
Overall cell reaction (showing
Na+ spectator ions):
2H2O(l) + 2Cl-(aq) + 2Na+(aq) → 2Na+
(aq) + 2OH-(aq) + H2(g) + Cl2(g)
Favoured method for producing sodium hydroxide as
there is no hazardous waste, very pure sodium
hydroxide is produced and it has the lowest energy
requirements.

Ion-exchange membrane selectively allows Na+ and

water to flow to the cathode compartment but prevents
products from moving between compartments.