Chlorine is an active element, reacting with water , organic compounds, and many metals . Chlorine and hydrogen can be kept together in the dark, but react explosively in the presence of light. Chlorine solution s in water are familiar in the home as bleaching agents. Most chlorine is produced by the electrolysis of ordinary salt solution, with sodium hydroxide as a by-product. Because the demand for chlorine exceeds that for sodium hydroxide, some industrial chlorine is produced by treating salt with nitrogen oxides or by oxidizing hydrogen chloride .
Chlorine is shipped as a liquid in steel bottles or tank cars.
It is used for bleaching paper pulp and other organic materials, destroying germ life in water, and preparing bromine , tetraethyl lead , and other important products. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.