The diaphragm cell produces, at the cathode, a “liquor” containing diluted caustic soda and sodium chloride in a solution that must be then treated to recover the concentrated sodium hydroxide.
De Nora owns the two main diaphragm cells technologies:
- Diamond Shamrock
- Hooker
In the past, we have made considerable efforts to upgrade these cells, and cell components, to reduce power consumption and increase process environmental and safety standards, allowing the persistence of this technology despite the massive introduction in the ‘70 of the better performing membrane cells.
This technology is still widely used in US, where low power costs lead to a long payback time for the diaphragm to membrane replacement.
Aside from the proprietary technologies: Diamond Shamrock and Hooker, De Nora provides electrodes and coatings for any type of cell in any range of current density and operating conditions.