Book Description

This report presents a cost analysis of Chlorine production from sodium chloride. The process examined is a typical membrane process. In this process, an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (brine) is decomposed electrolytically in a membrane cell, producing Chlorine. Caustic soda (50 wt%) and hydrogen are also generated as products. This report examines one-time costs associated with the construction of a United States-based plant and the continuing costs associated with the daily operation of such a plant. More specifically, it discusses: * Capital Investment, broken down by: - Total fixed capital required, divided in production unit (ISBL); infrastructure (OSBL) and contingency - Alternative perspective on the total fixed capital, divided in direct costs, indirect costs and contingency - Working capital and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up * Production cost, broken down by: - Manufacturing variable costs (raw materials, utilities) - Manufacturing fixed costs (maintenance costs, operating charges, plant overhead, local taxes and insurance) - Depreciation and corporate overhead costs * Raw materials consumption, products generation and labor requirements * Process block flow diagram and description of industrial site installations (production unit and infrastructure) This report was developed based essentially on the following reference(s): (1) Handbook of Chlor-Alkali Technology, 2005; (2) "Chlorine", Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 7th edition Keywords: Chlor-Alkali, Caustic Soda, NaOH