Bayer: Science For A Better Life - research

Sophisticated electrolysis process saves energy

Chlorine – produced at the oxygen bar

Chlorine experts Hans-Dieter Pinter (right) and Walter Weiss work on the laboratory stand for the new electrolysis technology.

Square technology: The oxygen depolarized cathode is fitted into a prepared laboratory cell.

Chlorine is one of the most important basic materials for the chemical industry. At Bayer, it is used among other things for the production of plastics, drugs and crop protection products. Chlorine can be obtained from sodium chloride or hydrochloric acid. The problem is, both processes are very energy-intensive.

Effective chlorine production with a new kind of cathode

Chemical experts at Bayer MaterialScience have now developed a technology that can help to save a considerable amount of energy. The use of a special nanoporous cathode - the 'oxygen depolarized cathode' (ODC) - saves around one third of the energy previously needed to produce chlorine from hydrochloric acid. Metal electrolysis with an ion exchange membrane offers further potential. Further information about these processes and their ongoing development for use in the production of chlorine from sodium chloride can be found in the following article (PDF file).