Extraction of Aluminium
Extraction of Aluminium and consequences involved
- Created by: ? Secret - Team GR
- Created on: 31-10-12 12:03
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- Extraction of Aluminium
- Aluminium ore is called bauxite
- Exctraction is done by electrolysis
- But first aluminium oxide must be molten
- Electrolysis
- Aluminium metal forms at negative electrode (cathode) and sinks at the bottom of the tank
- Takes place in an aluminium oxide electrolysis tank where the cathode and anode are made of carbon
- Oxygen attracts to the positve electrode. (anode)
- Oxygen reacts with carbon atoms on the electrode and forms Carbon Dioxide and gradually burns away
- Due to this, the positive anode needs to be replaced regularly ... costing more money
- Oxygen reacts with carbon atoms on the electrode and forms Carbon Dioxide and gradually burns away
- Aluminium oxide has high melting point so it could be very expensive to melt it
- Instead it is dissolved in an aluminium compound with a lower melting point than aluminium oxide
- This reduces some of the energy costs.
- Instead it is dissolved in an aluminium compound with a lower melting point than aluminium oxide
- Aluminium is most abundant metal on Earth
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