The Electrolytic Decomposition of Aqueous Ammonium Chloride Solutions

Abstract

It is possible to electrolyze an aqueous ammonium chloride solution and obtain thereby ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, and chlorine provided the solution contains appreciable amounts of sodium chloride. The final cell used was a cylindrical, unsubmerged, vertical, perforated‐sheet‐steel‐cathode type with carbon anodes and an asbestos paper diaphragm. The anode current density was 14.5 amp./dm. 2 (134 amp./sq. ft.) while the cathode current density was 11 amp./dm. 2 (102 amp./sq. ft.). The solution was kept at 50 to 75° C. Under these conditions the actual anode current efficiency was 81%. However, 36% of the chlorine liberated entered into side reactions. The cathode efficiency was 84%. It is indicated that the chlorine efficiency can be increased by increasing the sodium chloride content of the electrolyte. Explosions occurred in some cases but these, it is felt, can be avoided as they were probably due to faulty cell construction or to too low electrolyte temperature.