Deacon process

chemistry

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June 17, 2026

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The Deacon process is a chemical method for producing chlorine gas. It involves passing air and hydrogen chloride over a heated catalyst, typically copper chloride. This process was introduced by English chemist Henry Deacon around 1868. It utilized hydrochloric acid, often a byproduct of the Leblanc process for making soda ash. However, as the Leblanc process became obsolete, the Deacon process also fell into disuse. The primary method for chlorine production today is the chlor-alkali industry, which uses the electrolytic decomposition of salt.12

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…1868 by the English chemist Henry Deacon was based on the reaction of atmospheric oxygen with hydrochloric acid, which was available as a by-product of the Leblanc process for making soda ash; when the Leblanc process became obsolete, the Deacon process fell into disuse.
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…1868 by the English chemist Henry Deacon was based on the reaction of atmospheric oxygen with hydrochloric acid, which was available as a by-product of the Leblanc process for making soda ash; when the Leblanc process became obsolete, the Deacon process fell into disuse.
Read More