Electrolysis of Hydrochloric Acid Solution

Abstract

Chlorine is generally produced by electrolysis of sodium chloride solution. Table 6.1 shows the end-use pattern of chlorine in Japan in 1979 and 1980.⁽¹⁾ More than 70% of chlorine is consumed by its producers. Of these, more than half is sent to the synthesis of vinyl chloride monomer and vinylidene chloride monomer. About 10% of chlorine is used for trichloroethylene and propylene oxide. Those figures are almost the same as in more advanced countries. In the United States, for example, about 20% of chlorine is used for VCM, and 30% for other organic compounds, as shown in Table 6.2.⁽²⁾ Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is the largest single consumer of chlorine. Production and the price of chlorine are thus influenced greatly by the market situation of such materials containing chlorine.