The s-Block Elements

In the Castner-Kellner process, sodium hydroxide is manufactured by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (brine).


Castner - Kellner cell consists of a rectangular iron tank. It is divided into three compartments by two non-porous state partitions. The two partitions suspended from the top almost reach the bottom of the cell, without touching it. A layer of mercury is placed at the bottom of the cell. The mercury in one compartment can flow into another compartment but the solutions in the compartment cannot intermix with one another. The cell is provided with an eccentric wheel at its bottom. The bottom layer of mercury can be put in motion with the help of this wheel.

The mercury at the bottom of the cell acts as an intermediate electrode by induction. It serves as the anode in the middle compartment and as a cathode in the outer compartments. These outer compartments are provided with graphite anodes. The saturated brine solution is put in them. The middle compartment contains dilute caustic soda. A series of iron rods fitted in this compartment act as a cathode. On passing electric current, the following reactions occur:

1. In the outer compartments. Sodium chloride solution is electrolyzed. Chlorine is liberated at the anodes. Sodium ions are discharged at the mercury cathode and metallic sodium forms. This combines with mercury forming sodium amalgam (Na-Hg). The sodium amalgam formed is transferred to the central compartment by giving a slight rocking motion to the cell.
                  
    At anode:
               
At cathode:
               
2. In the central compartment. Here sodium-amalgam acts as an anode, while the iron rods act as a cathode. The sodium amalgam reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide. Here, following reactions take place:    
At Na-Hg anode. 
           
At iron cathode.
      
Hydrogen escapes out through an outlet at the top. The strength of sodium hydroxide in the central compartment gradually increases, when it reaches a concentration of about 20%, it is removed and evaporated to get solid sodium hydroxide.

Sodium hydroxide is used:
(i) in the manufacture of metallic sodium, artificial silk and dyes.
(ii) in the refining of petroleum and as a reagent in the laboratory. 
(iii) in soap, textile and paper industries.
(iv) in the preparation of soda lime (NaOH + CaO).
(v) for preparing bleaching agents like sodium hypochlorite and for the purification of bauxite.

(i) When sodium hydrogen carbonate is heated, sodium carbonate is formed.
   
(ii)  Sodium amalgam reacts with water liberating hydrogen gas. 
(iii) When ammonium is passed through molten sodium, it yields sodamide evolving H₂ gas.