Interaction | Reaction | Process     Data Page

Almost all aluminium is manufactured using the continuous Hall-Heroult process in which aluminium oxide is electrolysed (5.0v) in a solvent of molten cryolite.

Various additives: aluminium fluoride, calcium fluoride, lithium carbonate, magnesium fluoride, etc., act by reducing the melting point and increasing the electrical conductivity of the melt.

The graphite anode electrodes are oxidised by the oxygen generated.

W. Büchner, R. Schliebs, G. Winter, K.H. Büchel, Industrial Inorganic Chemistry, VCH, 1989

2
Al2O3
  +  
Na3AlF6
         
4
Al
  +  
3
O2
Reactant Page Go To Go To
Aluminium oxide     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Sodium hexafluoroaluminate Solvent    Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Aluminium     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Oxygen     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming

Interaction, Reaction, Process defined as:
British A-Level Chemistry: AS
Electrolysis
Extraction
Industrial Process: Inorganic

© Mark R. Leach 1999 –

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