Chlorine is manufactured in three different ways and several useful co-products are produced in the process. Industry endeavours to ensure that all processes and co-products have a negligible effect on the environment and human health. The cell has titanium anodes located above a mercury cathode which flows along the bottom of the cell.
Salt is added to the depleted brine leaving the electrolytic cell and the brine is recirculated.
The two-phase reaction ensures the production of very pure products. Mercury cells consume large quantities of energy and efforts are being directed towards reducing energy consumption by the use of special anode coatings. The use of mercury also demands the application of appropriate measures to protect employees and the environment. It is vital to maintain mercury losses at extremely low levels. Over the last 15 years, the European chlorine industry has reduced its emissions of mercury in effluents by more than 90 percent.