GAS GUIDE
Chlorine Compression
Dry chlorine and wet chlorine are two different jobs — the moisture content in ppm is the governing parameter.
Dry chlorine and wet chlorine are two different jobs. Dry chlorine can be handled in carbon steel within a defined temperature range; the moment water appears it becomes violently corrosive and Hastelloy or a liquid-ring machine with the right service liquid takes over. Tell us the moisture content in ppm in your enquiry — guessing is not an option here.
The properties that drive the choice
| Molecular weight | 70.906 |
|---|---|
| Isentropic exponent k (ambient) | 1.33 |
| Hazard profile | toxic, oxidising |
| Oil-free | Mandatory |
| Corrosion | Aggressive when wet |
Which families serve it
| Family | Role in this service | Envelope | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid ring | Wet chlorine, with a compatible service liquid (concentrated sulphuric acid in the classic arrangement) | to 13 bar(a) | family page → |
| Reciprocating | Dry chlorine in carbon steel, temperature strictly controlled | to 400 bar(g) | family page → |
| Diaphragm | Dry chlorine where containment is the priority | 1–900 bar(g) | family page → |
Where the boundaries sit
- Oil-free, always — oil or grease in chlorine service is an ignition hazard, so an oil-injected machine is never the answer
- The moment water appears, the gas turns violently corrosive: Hastelloy-class materials or a liquid-ring machine take over
- Toxic and oxidising: containment is a specification item, not an option
Materials
Dry: carbon steel with temperature strictly controlled. Wet: Hastelloy C-276, titanium-class or liquid-ring with compatible service liquid. State the moisture content in ppm — it is the governing parameter.
Related reading
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