The Industrial Production of Sodium Hydroxide Requires The Use of Electrolysis

Industrial Chemistry > The Industrial Production of Sodium Hydroxide Requires The Use of Electrolysis

The industrial production of sodium hydroxide requires the use of electrolysis

Students learn to:

• explain the difference between galvanic cells and electrolytic cells in terms of energy requirements
• outline the steps in the industrial production of sodium hydroxide from sodium chloride solution and describe the reaction in terms of net ionic and full formulae equations
• distinguish between the three electrolysis methods used to extract sodium hydroxide:
  – mercury process
  – diaphragm process
  – membrane process
  by describing each process and analysing the technical and environmental difficulties involved in each process

Students:

• identify, plan and perform a first-hand investigation to identify the products of the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride
• analyse information from secondary sources to predict and explain the different products of the electrolysis of aqueous and molten sodium chloride

Extract from Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (Amended October 2002). © 2009, Board of Studies NSW.