Anode and cathode half-reactions for a chlor-alkali plant.

a)anode and cathode half-reactions for a chlor-alkali plant.
b) why is it unwise to simulate the chlor- alkali
c) what common acid is often manufactured as a byproduct at chlor-alkali plants.

a) Saturated brine is passed into the first chamber of the cell where the chloride ions are oxidized at the anode to chlorine:

2Cl– → Cl2 + 2e–

At the cathode, hydrogen in the water is reduced to hydrogen gas, releasing hydroxide ions into the solution:

2H2O + 2e– → H2 + 2OH–

b) because chlorine gas bubbles out from the solution and is extremely irritating if not poisonous

c) Hydrochloric acid (HCl) . The chlorine produced is burnt in hydrogen gas to produce it