Diaphragm Cell

Name:
Diaphragm Cell
Detailed information:
A type of electrolytic cell for the production of sodium hydroxide and chlorine from sodium chloride brine. The cell contains anode and cathode compartments separated by a porous diaphragm or membrane to prevent mixing of the solutions. Asbestos fibers are usually used for this diaphragm, though a recent development is a plastic material made from perfluorosulfonic acid (see “Naflon”). The brine is fed continuously to the anode compartment, where chlorine is released at the graphite anode and flows through the diaphragm to the steel cathode, where hydrogen is liberated. Sodium hydroxide accumulates in the liquid and is continuously drained from the cathode compartment. The Hooker cell and the Vorce cell are two widely used types of diaphragm cell.