EXERGY ANALYSIS AND CUMULATIVE EXERGY CONSUMPTION OF COMPLEX CHEMICAL PROCESSES : THE INDUSTRIAL CHLOR-ALKALI PROCESSES

Abstract The theory and methodology for the exergy analysis of complex chemical processes are summarized and applied to the major industrial processes of production of caustic soda and chlorine as an example. Exergy analysis permits determination of the cumulative exergy consumption and cumulative degree of perfection (CDP) of the processes; the CDP of the chlor-alkali processes is in the range 8–10%. The locations and magnitudes of exergy losses within the processes are determined.