Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali. Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control)

The BAT reference document entitled ‘Production of Chlor-alkali’ forms part of a series presenting the results of an exchange of information between EU Member States, the industries concerned, non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection, and the Commission, to draw up, review and, where necessary, update BAT reference documents as required by Article 13(1) of the Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions. This document is published by the European Commission pursuant to Article 13(6) of the Directive. This BREF for the production of chlor-alkali covers certain industrial activities specified in Sections 4.2(a) and 4.2(c) of Annex I to Directive 2010/75/EU, namely the production of chlor-alkali chemicals (chlorine, hydrogen, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide) by the electrolysis of brine. In particular, this document covers the following processes and activities: the storage of salt; the preparation, purification and resaturation of brine; the electrolysis of brine; the concentration, purification, storage and handling of sodium/potassium hydroxide; the cooling, drying, purification, compression, liquefaction, storage and handling of chlorine; the cooling, purification, compression, storage and handling of hydrogen; the conversion of mercury cell plants to membrane cell plants; the decommissioning of mercury cell plants; the remediation of chlor-alkali production sites. Important issues for the implementation of Directive 2010/75/EU in the chlor-alkali industry are the conversion and decommissioning of mercury cell plants, the conversion of asbestos diaphragm cell plants and the use of non-asbestos diaphragms, electricity consumption, and emissions of chlorine to air and water. The BREF contains seven chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 provide general information on the chlor-alkali industry and on the industrial processes and techniques used within this sector. Chapter 3 provides data and information concerning the environmental performance of installations in terms of current emissions, consumption of raw materials, water and energy, and generation of waste. Chapter 4 describes the techniques to prevent or reduce the environmental impact of installations in the sector. In Chapter 5 the BAT conclusions, as defined in Article 3(12) of the Directive, are presented for the chlor-alkali industry. Chapters 6 and 7 are dedicated to emerging techniques as well as to concluding remarks and recommendations for future work in the sector, respectively. Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Chlor-alkali Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU Integrated Pollution Prevention and control

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