1. Group members: Jamoy Mullings, Shanelle Smith, Shawn-de
Bernard, Shamoy Pusey

2. Principle and Outline of Sodium’s
Extraction
 Down's Process is based on the electrolysis of fused NaCl
( sodium chloride).
 Down's cell consists of a rectangular container of steel.
 Inside of the tank is lined with firebricks.
 In the Down's Cell a circular iron cathode surrounds the
carbon anode and the products of the electrolysis are
separated by a steel mesh or gauze to prevent them
coming into contact and reforming sodium chloride.

3.  At the carbon anode chloride ions
are oxidized to form chlorine gas.
 At the iron cathode sodium ions
are reduced to sodium atoms.
 Formula: Anode: (positive carbon
electrode)
2Cl-(l) → Cl2(g) + 2e
 Cathode: (negative iron electrode)
Na+(l) + e → Na(l)

4.  2Cl-(l) + 2Na+(l) → Cl2(g) + 2Na(l)

5. Manufacture of Sodium
Hydroxide
 Electrolysis of concentrated sodium
chloride solutions (brine) produces chlorine
gas, hydrogen gas and aqueous sodium
hydroxide.
 2NaCl(aq) + 2H2O(l) -----> H2(g) + Cl2(g) +
2NaOH(aq)
 The electrolysis of sodium chloride to
produce sodium hydroxide and chlorine
can be carried out in 3 types of electrolytic
cells - mercury, diaphragm and
membrane cells

6. Uses of sodium hydroxide
 domestic oven and drain cleaner
 Manufacture of Soap and detergent
products
 removal of sulphur dioxide and
hydrogen sulphide in petroleum refining
 pulp and paper production

7. Uses of Sodium
 Sodium vapour street lights
 manufacture of zirconium (Zr), titanium
(Ti), sodium cyanide (NaCN), sodium
peroxide (Na2O2), sodium hydride (NaH)