3. Diaphragm process

The schematic diagram is shown in figure 14 .

After passing through the anolyte, where chlorine is released, the brine percolates through a diaphragm, thanks to the difference in level between the two compartments, before undergoing the cathodic reaction. An aqueous solution containing a mixture of soda ash (approx. 130-150 g/L) and untransformed salt (between 150 and 170 g/L), known as cathode liquor, emerges from the cell. Further processing produces commercial-grade soda ash.