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Dissolution of alumina in molten cryolite

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Abstract

Alumina powder dissolves rapidly in molten cryolite,i.e. in 4 to 8 seconds, provided that the particles are effectively dispersed in the melt. At alumina contents well below saturation the time of dissolution is independent of the alumina concentration, and it is not appreciably affected by additions of NaF, A1F3, or CaF2. Coarse grains dissolve more slowly than fine grains and α-Al2O3 (floury) dissolves more slowly than γ-Al2O3 (sandy). The rate-controlling step appears to be a slow chemical reaction. Bottom sludge in industrial cells contains about 40 pct A12O3. This material has a higher α/γ-ratio than the alumina being fed to the cells, while the grain size is smaller due to disintegration of aggregates. The time of dissolution is identical to that of any other alumina with the same α/γ-ratio.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Research Foundation at the Technical University of Norway, Trondheim, Norway

    J. Thonstad & F. Nordmo

  2. A. S. Årdal og Sunndahl Verk, Årdal, Norway

    J. B. Paulsen

Authors
  1. J. Thonstad
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  2. F. Nordmo
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  3. J. B. Paulsen
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Thonstad, J., Nordmo, F. & Paulsen, J.B. Dissolution of alumina in molten cryolite. Metall Trans 3, 407–412 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02642044

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