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The electrolysis of Al2S3 in AlCl3-MgCl2-NaCl-KCl melts

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Abstract

The electrolysis of Al2S3 has been investigated in AlCl3-MgCl2-NaCl-KCl melts. Experimental results obtained at 1023 K show that dissolved Al2S3 can be electrolysed to give aluminium and elemental sulphur. It has been found that the limiting current density for the electrolysis of Al2S3 in these melts is that at the anode and it increases with increasing Al2S3 concentration. It appears that within the current density range 0.2 to 1.2 A cm−2, the cathodic current efficiency of the electrolysis of 5 wt % Al2S3 does not vary significantly with the current density. Within that current density range, current efficiencies of about 75 to 85% are obtained.

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Author notes

  1. R. O. Loutfy

    Present address: Aluminium Research Group, The Anaconda Company, PO Box 27007, 85726, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 60439, Argonne, Illinois

    N. Q. Minh, R. O. Loutfy & N. P. Yao

Authors
  1. N. Q. Minh
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  2. R. O. Loutfy
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  3. N. P. Yao
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Minh, N.Q., Loutfy, R.O. & Yao, N.P. The electrolysis of Al2S3 in AlCl3-MgCl2-NaCl-KCl melts. J Appl Electrochem 12, 653–658 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00617485

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00617485

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