Seawater Electrolysis

Jul 09, 2019

Electrolyzed seawater: The use of chlorine and hypochlorite ions generated on the electrolysis seawater anode to prevent the attachment of marine organisms. At the same time, hydrogen and chlorine can be recovered at the cathode and the anode, respectively.

working principle

When the seawater containing chloride ions flows through the electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell is supplied with direct current, and the following reaction occurs in the electrolytic cell:

Anode reaction:

2Cl-→Cl2+2e-

Cathodic reaction:

2H2O+2e→2OH-+H2↑

Chemical reaction between the poles:

(1) Cl2+2OH-=ClO-+Cl-+H2O

(2) ClO-+H2O=HClO+ OH-

(3) HClO=H++ ClO-

Total response:

NaCl+H2O→NaClO+H2↑

The direction of operation of the equilibrium reactions (1), (2) and (3) depends mainly on the pH and ambient temperature.

The advantages of choosing a titanium anode:

The caustic soda is prepared by electrolyzing ordinary brine with titanium anode, chlorine is obtained by anode, and hydrogen and caustic soda are prepared by cathodic reaction.

In the process of electrolyzing seawater, the RuTi coating is low in consumption and has a stable size and shape compared with the graphite electrode.

In the same electrolytic environment, compared with the graphite electrode, the product quality is higher, the energy consumption is lower, and the chlorine purity is higher.