substance

Hydrogen chloride

Hydrochloric acid is its solution in water; a flow of acid says its concentration.

Formula: HCl
CAS: 7647-01-0
InChIKey: VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
ChEBI: CHEBI:17883

Show in the process graph →

Made by

Hydrogen chloride synthesis burner and absorption (33 wt-% hydrochloric acid, steam recovery)Main productConcept · not reviewed

Used by

Acetaldehyde by the one-stage Wacker oxidation of ethylene (100 kt/a)FeedstockConcept · not reviewed
Chlor-alkali by membrane-cell electrolysis (100 kt/a Cl2, 50 wt-% caustic soda, hydrogen)FeedstockConcept · not reviewed
Chloromethane from methanol and hydrogen chloride (gas-phase hydrochlorination, 100 kt/a)FeedstockConcept · not reviewed
Refined glycerol (USP) from biodiesel crude glycerol (10 000 t/a, concept)FeedstockConcept · not reviewed

Takes part in

2C₂H₄+2HCl+3O₂gives2CH₃Cl+2CO₂+2H₂OReactant · one process
H₂+Cl₂in equilibrium with2HClProduct · Hydrogen chloride synthesis (chlorine burnt in hydrogen) · one process
Na₂CO₃+2HClgives2NaCl+H₂O+CO₂Reactant · Neutralisation of excess carbonate with hydrochloric acid · one process
C₂H₄+HCl+O₂givesC₂H₃ClO+H₂OReactant · one process
C₂H₄+HClgivesC₂H₅ClReactant · one process
2HCl+CaH₂O₂givesCaCl₂+2H₂OReactant · Neutralisation of the tail brine's hydrochloric acid with hydrated lime · one process
CH₃NaO+HClgivesNaCl+CH₄OReactant · Neutralisation of the residual catalyst (acidulator) · one process
CH₄O+HClgivesCH₃Cl+H₂OReactant · one process
Cl₂+SO₂+2H₂Ogives2HCl+H₂SO₄Product · Reduction of the blown-out excess chlorine by sulfur dioxide (T-202) · one process
2HI+Cl₂gives2HCl+I₂Product · Liberation of iodine from the recycled hydriodic acid (R-101) · one process
H₂S+Cl₂givesS+2HClProduct · Side reaction - oxidation of the brine's hydrogen sulfide by chlorine to sulfur · one process
COCl₂+H₂OgivesCO₂+2HClProduct · one process
NaOH+HClgivesNaCl+H₂OReactant · Neutralisation of caustic and hydrochloric acid · 3 processes

Routes compared

One route in the Atlas makes Hydrogen chloride: nothing to compare yet. A comparison appears when a second route is added.

Per 1 kg of Hydrogen chloride: inventory from each route's LCI dataset, unallocated; footprints per the functional unit of their own LCA.

Route	Tier, design maturity, review status	Geography, year	Energy	Feedstocks	Key emissions	Footprint	Comparability
Hydrogen chloride synthesis burner and absorption (33 wt-% hydrochloric acid, steam recovery)HCl synthesis burner with steam-raising furnace (1000 kPa(a)), graphite falling-film absorber and water tail gas scrubber; 26.4 kt/a HCl as 33 wt-% acid; chlorine and hydrogen from an adjacent membrane-cell chlor-alkali plant	flowsheet or hand-writtenDesign maturity: Concept (research)Not independently reviewedDataset review: unreviewed	GLO, 2026	Electric power (AC, grid): 0.00056 kWh	Dry chlorine gas from chlor-alkali-1 (S42 there, 400 kPa(a)): 0.324 kg Wet hydrogen from chlor-alkali-1 (S44 there, 140 kPa(a)): 0.0153 kg Demineralised water for absorption: 0.662 kg	H2 to the environment: 0.000946 kg HCl to the environment: 0.00000011 kg	no footprint	–

ISO 14044 requires a critical review (by a panel of interested parties, ISO/TS 14071) of a comparative assertion intended to be disclosed to the public. These routes are listed side by side for screening; a statement that one is better than another needs that review. None of these routes has had such a review.