Sodium Sulfate Salt Splitting for Sulfuric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide Production

Sodium sulfate is produced as a by-product in several chemical processes, including the water recovery plant at Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FMI). Sodium sulfate has many applications, but an economically viable product cannot currently be produced by FMI, resulting in their sodium sulfate being transported as waste to a landfill. We aim to utilize electrolysis to produce and recycle sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide back to the FMI plant and, in turn, reduce waste production and transportation fees.