Question

Name three products of the chlor-alkali process. State two uses of each of these products.

Answer 1

The three main products of the chlor-alkali process are hydrogen (H₂), chlorine (Cl₂) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Uses of Sodium Hydroxide:

1. Sodium hydroxide is used for making soaps and detergents.
2. Sodium hydroxide is used for making artificial textile fibres (such as rayon).
3. Sodium hydroxide is used in the manufacture of paper.
4. Sodium hydroxide is used in purifying bauxite ore from which aluminium metal is extracted.
5. Sodium hydroxide is used in degreasing metals, oil refining, and the production of dyes and bleaches.

Uses of Chlorine:

1. Chlorine is used to sterilise drinking water supply, and the water in swimming pools. This is because chlorine is a disinfectant (which kills germs like bacteria present in water and makes it safe).
2. It is used in the production of bleaching powder.
3. It is used in the production of hydrochloric acid.
4. It is used to make plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), pesticides, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, paints and dye-stuffs.
5. It is used for making solvents for dry cleaning (such as trichloroethane).

Uses of Hydrogen:

1. Hydrogen is used in the hydrogenation of oils to obtain solid fats (called vegetable ghee or margarine).
2. Hydrogen is used in the production of hydrochloric acid.
3. Hydrogen is used to make ammonia for fertilisers.
4. Hydrogen is used to make methanol (CH₃ОH).
5. Liquid hydrogen is used as a fuel for rockets