Chlor-alkalis

The term chlor-alkali refers to the two chemicals (chlorine and an alkali) which are simultaneously produced as a result of the electrolysis of a salt solution. The most common chlor-alkali chemicals are chlorine, hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). Further processing can create a variety of chemicals, including epichlorohydrin, allyl chloride, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite and several others.

Caustic soda
Caustic soda is sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, obtained from the electrolysis of brine. It is a caustic metallic base, widely used in industry, alumina refineries, soaps and detergents, viscose fibre production, zeolite and a large number of chemicals, in the paper, textiles, dyes, refinery and other industries. It is also used to make food additives. Sodium hydroxide is the most common base used in chemical laboratories.

Chlorinated paraffin
Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are a complex mixture of polychlorinated n-alkanes. The degree of chlorination can vary between 30 and 70 per cent. CPs are subdivided, on the basis of their carbon chain length, into short chain CPs (SCCPs, C10-13), medium chain CPs (MCCPs, C14-17) and long chain CPs (LCCPs, C>17). Currently, over 200 CP formulations are in use for a wide range of industrial applications such as flame retardants and plasticisers, and as additives in metal working fluids, in sealants, paints and coatings.

Chlorine
Chlorine is a halogen, found abundantly in nature and necessary to most forms of life, obtained from the electrolysis of brine. A greenish yellow gas, in its liquid and solid form it is a powerful oxidising, bleaching and disinfecting agent for water treatment. It is also used in the manufacture of many items like chemicals, paper products, antiseptics, dyestuffs, food, insecticides, paints, petroleum products, PVC and other plastics, medicines, textiles, solvents, etc.

Chlorosulphonic acid
Chlorosulphonic acid is a powerful sulphating and sulphonating agent, a fairly strong dehydrating agent and a specialised chlorinating agent. In most of its applications, it is used to form sulphates, sulphonates, sulphonyl chlorides with organic compounds like hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, amines.

Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is formed by the reaction of chlorine and gaseous hydrogen; both obtained from the electrolysis of brine. Food grade hydrochloric acid is used in the production of food ingredients and food additives. It is also used in the food industry, especially in the sugar and brewery industries. Industrial grade applications include metal pickling, latex coagulation, dyestuffs, leather treatment, petroleum refining, galvanising and water treatment.

Polyaluminium chlorides
Polyaluminium chlorides are a group of salts with the general formula AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m. They are used in deodorants and antiperspirants and as a flocculant in water purification.

Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite is a colourless, transparent liquid, formed by reacting chlorine and caustic soda, obtained from the electrolysis of brine. It is a strong and excellent steriliser, oxidiser, bleaching agent, decolouring agent and deodorant. Sodium hypochlorite is used as a bleaching agent for rayon pulp, paper and fabrics, for industrial water treatment and pool chlorination, as household bleach and for fly control and as a germicide and fungicide. It is also used as a food additive.

Stable bleaching powder
Stable bleaching powder is calcium hypochlorite containing more than 34 per cent chlorine and is a powerful oxidising agent. It is stable for a long periods of time ie very low losses of available Chlorine over extended periods of time when properly stored, even under changing climatic conditions.