Bayer, Uhde to build first 'climate friendly' chlorine plant
30 Mar 2010
Leverkusen, Germany – Bayer MaterialScience AG (BMS) and Uhde GmbH have signed a contract for the construction of a new 20 kilotonnes-per-annum chlorine plant at Bayer’s Krefeld-Uerdingen chemical park.
The plant, which is due for startup in the first half of 2011, will be the first time that BMS’s oxygen-depolarised cathodes (ODCs) are to be used in the electrolysis cells developed by UHDENORA/Uhde to produce chlorine on an industrial scale. The technology is said to cut the energy required to produce chlorine by up to 30% compared with standard membrane technology and reduce annual CO2 emissions by up to 10kt.
The joint project, which was initiated in close cooperation with the RWTH University of Aachen, the Technical University of Clausthal and the University of Dortmund, is funded by a German government programme that supports initiatives for improved energy efficiency and higher resource productivity.
The project features the first industrial-scale use of ODC technology for the production of chlorine on a sodium chloride (NaCl) basis – a technology that combines UHDENORA’s know-how in cell technology with Bayer’s expertise in oxygen-depolarised cathode system. Uhde also claims to be a global leader in the production of electrolysis cells and a supplier of chlorine plants.
“Our oxygen-depolarised cathode is further proof of how we systematically develop new solutions to tackle climate change. At the same time, we feel a holistic approach is essential - so we also offer other companies our ODC technology for the environment-friendly production of chlorine. From a global perspective, the more CO2 emissions we can cut, the better,” explains Dr. Tony Van Osselaer, a BMS board director.
“As a technology company we are always looking for solutions that are of economic and ecological benefit to our customers. The NaCl ODC technology holds the potential for such a solution,” added Dr Sami Pelkonen, head of Uhde’s electrolysis division.
The electrochemical production of chlorine is now one of the most energy-intensive processes in the chemical industry. Large quantities of chlorine are required in particular for the production of plastics, but also for the production of pharmaceuticals. At present, chlorine is mainly produced via so-called membrane processes. The new technology cuts the power consumption of electrolysis plants through feeding in gaseous oxygen.
