Chemicals
Chlorine
Chlorine is obtained by electrolysis of a Sodium Chloride and water solution. Initially, it looks like a greenish-yellow gas with a strong and unique odor. Gaseous Chlorine is pressurized at low temperature to liquefy it and turn it into a light amber color liquid. Therefore, it has a liquid form under pressure and a gaseous form at atmospheric pressure.
Its concentration (volume) is 99.50% v/v of CI2, approximately.
Bulk Chlorine can be transported in tanker trucks and/or ISO tanks, provided they are intended to products shipment and have all security devices.
Chlorine is a critical product for human development and a strong bactericide. Guaranteeing health and quality of life, it is widely used in drinking water treatment and basic sanitation.
Manufacture Process: Cubatão Plant
To produce Chlorine, an electric current is sent through a treated brine solution (regular salt dissolved in water). This process is called electrolysis. The other products resulting from this process are Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide or NaOH) and Hydrogen (H2). It is a liquified gas that goes through the cooling, drying and compression stages to be marketed.
For every ton of Chlorine 1.1 tons of Caustic Soda and 0.03% tons of Hydrogen are produced.
Technical information - Physicochemical features
Chemical formula
Cl2
Melting point
-100.98 ºC
Molecular weight
70.91
Boiling point
-34.05 ºC (1 atm)
Vapor density (ar=1)
2.5
Liquid density (water=1)
1,4 – 15 ºC
Vapor pressure
27.48 mm Hg at ºC
Solubility in water (% of CI2 per weight)
0.7% – 20 ºC
(*) Non-flammable, but it can be combustible to some substances in certain conditions.
Validity period: 6 months from invoice.
Source: Brazilian Association for the Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives Industry (Abiclor)
Applications
Chlorine is a product found in people’s daily lives and it is widely used in PCV manufacture, drinking water and pools treatment, sewage treatment, chlorinated and agrochemical solvents manufacture, and as intermediary in polyurethanes production.
It is also used to obtain different chemicals such as anticoagulants, lubricants, brake fluids, polyester fibers, pharmaceutical inputs, etc.
And it is used as raw material in Hydrogen Chloride, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hypochlorite and Dichloroethane production process.
