Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
or with email
Your Cart
SubtotalтВ╣0
TotalтВ╣0
Examoogle тАв User тАв info@examoogle.com тАв EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 тАв Page 1 of 248ЁЯФТ Protected PDF тАв Watermarked
Join 60,000+ competitive exam aspirants
What industrial method is most typically used to produce sodium hydroxide (NaOH)?
Castner-Kellner process
Haber process
Electrolysis of brine
Contact process
Electrolysis of brine
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), commonly known as caustic soda, is industrially produced on a large scale by the electrolytic decomposition of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (brine). This industrial procedure is specifically known as the Chlor-alkali process.
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), commonly known as caustic soda, is industrially produced on a large scale by the electrolytic decomposition of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (brine). This industrial procedure is specifically known as the Chlor-alkali process.
Think of it like an electric separation factory where passing an electrical current through salty water sorts the ingredients into useful gases at the poles and leaves behind a powerful cleaning solution (NaOH) in the tank.
CHLOR-ALKALI: Chlorine at anode, Alkali (NaOH) at cathode.
2NaCl(aq)тАЛ+2H2тАЛO(l)тАЛElectricityтАЛCl2(g)тАЛ+H2(g)тАЛ+2NaOH(aq)тАЛ тАФ Overall Chlor-alkali reaction
\text{Cathode: }$$2H_2O_{(l)} + 2eтБ╗ \rightarrow H2(g)тАЛ + 2OHтБ╗_{(aq)}$ тАФ Reduction reaction producing alkali
During the electrolysis of brine (10% to 26% aqueous NaCl), electric current is passed through the solution. At the cathode, water is reduced to hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions, leaving behind sodium hydroxide in solution. At the anode, chloride ions are oxidized to chlorine gas, while the sodium ions migrate toward the cathode to combine with the newly formed hydroxide ions.
Commonly known as the Chlor-alkali process because of the products formed: chlorine (chlor-) and sodium hydroxide (alkali).
Hydrogen gas is liberated at the cathode and chlorine gas is released at the anode.
The process uses concentrated sodium chloride solution known as brine.
It is a cornerstone chemical process required for soap making, paper manufacturing, and petroleum refining.
Simultaneous production of three economically vital chemicals (NaOH, Cl2тАЛ, and H2тАЛ)
High purity of sodium hydroxide obtained
High electrical energy consumption
Requires careful management of toxic chlorine gas byproduct
Manufacturing of soaps and detergents
Paper and pulp industry
Degreasing metals and petroleum refining
Option A (Castner-Kellner process) is a specific mercury-cathode cell historical type of brine electrolysis, but 'Electrolysis of brine' is the broader foundational industrial method category.
Option B (Haber process) is used for synthesizing ammonia (NH3тАЛ).
Option D (Contact process) is used for manufacturing sulfuric acid (H2тАЛSO4тАЛ).
C is correct тАФ Sodium hydroxide is industrially produced via the electrolysis of brine through the chlor-alkali process.
Remember the specific industrial processes linked to major inorganic chemicals: Haber for Ammonia, Contact for Sulfuric Acid, and Chlor-alkali (Electrolysis of Brine) for Sodium Hydroxide.
Get instant step-by-step AI explanations, full shift Previous Year Papers (SSC GD, RRB, SSC JE), and regional rank analysis on the official Examoogle App.
Free Download тАв 100K+ Aspirants