Liquid chlorine (Cl2), technical grade is produced by compressing and cooling the gaseous chlorine produced by amalgam electrolysis of water solution of sodium chloride.
CAS number: 7782-50-5
EINECS number: 231-959-5
PROPERTIES
Liquid chlorine is a orange-yellow liquid with intensive suffocating smell. If left open, it evaporates to a yellow-green gas which is 2.5 times heavier than air (molecular weight 70,906). When cooled to -34.06 0C, at normal pressure it condenses, cooled to -101 0C, it crystallises. This substance condensates by increased pressure and higher temperatures. 1 kg of liquid chlorine equals 0.8 l volume. Under normal conditions it is neither explosive nor inflammable. Upon mixture with hydrogen, phosphorous, antimony, arsenic, powdery copper, methyl alcohol, acetylene and other hydrocarbons it forms explosive mixtures which when exposed to higher temperatures or sunlight can explode. Chlorine explodes spontaneously in a mixture with silicon hydride. With concentrated ammonia it forms highly explosive chlorine-nitrogen. At standard temperatures dry chlorine does not react with metals such as iron, copper, lead and various alloys. Moist chlorine reacts with metals and forms chloride of respective metals except from tantalum. Protect containers with chlorine from light and heat.
TECHNICAL DATA:
| Chlorine (Cl2) min. |
% obj.+) |
99,5 |
| Other gases, max. |
% obj. |
0,5 |
| Moisture (H2O), max. |
vol. % |
0,05 |
APPLICATION
Liquid chlorine is used in the manufacture of organic and inorganic products, solvents, intermediaries of paints, in paper industry for cellulose, paper and other fibre bleaching, in textile industry for cotton, linen and yarn bleaching. It is also used as a disinfection agent for drinking water, for disinfection of city and industrial sewerage water, food processing and agricultural facilities etc.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND HEALTH PROTECTION
Chlorine is a dangerous toxic substance with highly irritable and suffocating effects. When inhaled, irritates eyes, respiratory system and skin. Inhalation of this gas causes serious irritation of respiratory system and lungs, sore throat, cough, dyspnoea, shortness of breath, vomiting, throat and lungs swelling, chest pain, lung swelling that may show within two days. Contact with liquid causes redness of the skin (burns, blisters), after long expiration it may cause chlorine acne. Short-time effect: concentration of 0.1 % during 10 minutes is mortal.
Workers must use personal protective equipment: respirator, breathing equipment (at high humidity, dust concentration, aerosols production), isolating clothing (rubber apron), rubber gloves, protective goggles or shield. In higher concentrations, a breathing unit with oxygen must be used. In cases of etching and inhalation, medical help must be sought immediately!
PACKING, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
Liquid chlorine is supplied in portable train containers, in barrels, bottles and metal pressure tanks. Filled chlorine has pressure of 1.1 MPa at most. It is forbidden to put liquid chlorine to following defective containers: overrun periodic check period, inadequate labelling, defective valves and caps, cracks, serious corrosion and change of shape.
Each storage unit must be tagged according to Act No. 163/2001, RID and ADR regulations. Transportation on rail and roads is performed based on valid regulations Liquid chlorine is stored in cool, dry, storage premises which are protected against direct weather and sunlight effects. Containers are stored in vertical position so that they may be fastened to the wall or stands. Rapid impacts during manipulation with containers are dangerous! Throwing containers off vehicles is forbidden even with the use of damping device! There must be alarm equipment within the area of liquid chlorine storage. It is necessary to work out alarm plans and directives.
The presented instructions are to be considered as general and may be modified with regard to local conditions.