Page 223 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_C 11/7/01 3:08 PM Page 2.163

CHLORINE 2.163
2NOCl + 3HNO + 3O + H O → 5HNO +C1 2
3
2
2
2
Chlorine is principally used to produce organic compounds. But, in
many cases chlorine is used as a route to a final product that contains no
chlorine. For instance propylene oxide has traditionally been manufactured
by the chlorohydrin process. Modern technology permits abandoning this
route in favor of direct oxidation, thus eliminating a need for chlorine.
Chlorine is also used in bleaching and for treating municipal and indus-
trial water supplies, and this use will probably continue. However, some
concern has been felt that traces of organic compounds in all water supplies
react with the chlorine to form chlorinated organics which are suspected of
being carcinogenic. Further, the usefulness of chlorination of municipal
wastes has been questioned in some quarters in the light of the fact that such
treatment adds chlorinated organics to the waterways.