1.

Explainthe electro metallurgy of aluminium

Answer»

SOLUTION :(i) In the methodHall- Heroldprocess,electrolysis is carriedout in an irontanklinedwith carbonwhichactsas a anode.
(ii) The carbon blocksimmersed in theelectrolyteactsas a anode.
(iii) A20 %solution of alumina,obtained fromthe bauxiteore is mixed withmolten Cryoliteand is takenin the electrolysis chamber.
(iv) About10% calciumchlorideis alsoaddedto the solution . Caclium chloride HELPS to lowerthe melting point of the mixture.
(v) THe fused mixtureis MAINTAINED at a temperature of abouve 1270 K
(iv) The chemiacal reactionsinvolved in this processare Ionisation of alumina
` Al_(2) O_(3) to 2Al^(3+) + 3O^(2-)`
Reaction of cathode
` 2Al^(3+)( " melt") + 6e^(-) to 2Al_(l)`
Reaction at anode
`6O^(2-) (" melt") to 3O_(2) + 12e^(-)`
(vii)Sincecarbonactsas anodethe followingreaction takes place.
` C_(s) + O^(2-) "( melt") to CO + 2e^(-)`
` C_(s) + 2O^(2-) (" melt") to CO_(2) + 4e^(-)`
(viii)Due to the abovetworeactions , anodesare slowlyconsumedduringthe electolysis , Thepurealuminiumis formedat thecathodeand settles at thebottom.
(ix)The netelectrolysiscan be writtenas follows .
`4Al^(3+) (" melt") + 6O^(2-) "( melt") + 3C_(s) to 4Al_(i) + 3CO_(2(g))`


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