Chlorine is an abundant and widely used industrial chemical and is produced in what is referred to as the chlor-alkali electrolysis process. The initial step is the breakdown of a salt solution under electrolyzed conditions with the following reaction:
2NaCl + 2H2O → Cl2 + H2 + 2NaOH
This reaction produces both elemental chlorine and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) as a secondary desired product. After the initial electrolysis, the products are separated and then concentrated through a series of evaporator vessels which include nickel-alloy DEMISTER® mist eliminators.