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Electrode Reactions in Hall- Héroult Cells

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Molten Salt Chemistry

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 202))

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Abstract

Electrode reactions are complex in Hall-Héroult cells. At the cathode, aluminum is extracted leaving behind a melt at the interface which is richer in sodium fluoride and has a higher liquidus temperature. The anode reaction produces CO2 whereas CO is thermodynamically favored. These kinetically controlled factors result in about 500 mv overpotential. Aluminum fluoride also is generated at the anode interface. With good convection, anolyte and catholyte mix restoring the cryolite composition. But this mixing also causes reduced species dissolved in the catholyte to combine with oxidized species in the anolyte thereby lowering current efficiency. When the oxygen ion is depleted, fluorine is deposited on the anode surface producing a nonwettable fluorocarbon film. Current then flows by arcing, producing more than 25 volts overpotential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2820 Seventh Street Road, Lower Burrell, PA, 15068, USA

    Warren Haupin

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  1. Warren Haupin
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

    Gleb Mamantov

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy

    Roberto Marassi

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© 1987 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland

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Haupin, W. (1987). Electrode Reactions in Hall- Héroult Cells. In: Mamantov, G., Marassi, R. (eds) Molten Salt Chemistry. NATO ASI Series, vol 202. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3863-2_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3863-2_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8217-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3863-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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