Commercial Electrolytic processes Wesley Kendall

Production of Aluminum Aluminum is found in its oxidized form, called bauxite.Aluminum is found in its oxidized form, called bauxite. Aluminum has a really strong affinity for oxygen, so it was hard to find a way to separate.Aluminum has a really strong affinity for oxygen, so it was hard to find a way to separate. Typically, metals are electrolyzed by dissolving them and then electrolyzing them in water. However, aluminum has a more negative reduction potential, making this impossible.Typically, metals are electrolyzed by dissolving them and then electrolyzing them in water. However, aluminum has a more negative reduction potential, making this impossible.

Production of Aluminum The mobilization if ions would also be possible by melting the salt, but solid Al 2 O 3 has a melting point of 2050°C.The mobilization if ions would also be possible by melting the salt, but solid Al 2 O 3 has a melting point of 2050°C. Charles M Hall and Paul Heroult both discovered a method of melting a mixture of Al 2 O 3 and Na 3 AlF 6, which has a melting point of 1000°C, and was able to create aluminum feasibly.Charles M Hall and Paul Heroult both discovered a method of melting a mixture of Al 2 O 3 and Na 3 AlF 6, which has a melting point of 1000°C, and was able to create aluminum feasibly.

Electrorefining of metals It is important to purify metals for electrolysis.It is important to purify metals for electrolysis. The impurities themselves can work as the necessary components of electrolysis. The impurities themselves can work as the necessary components of electrolysis. Ex. Copper SulfateEx. Copper Sulfate The main reaction:The main reaction:

Metal Plating Easily corrosive metals can be protected by applying a thin coating of a corrosion-resistant metal.Easily corrosive metals can be protected by applying a thin coating of a corrosion-resistant metal. (Ex. Tin cans, chrome bumpers)(Ex. Tin cans, chrome bumpers) Plating can occur by making an object the cathode in a tank with ions of the metal that is used to plate.Plating can occur by making an object the cathode in a tank with ions of the metal that is used to plate.

Electrolysis Of Sodium Chloride Aim is to produce sodium metal from the electrolysis of molten NaClAim is to produce sodium metal from the electrolysis of molten NaCl Mixed with solid CaCl 2 to bring the melting point down to 600°CMixed with solid CaCl 2 to bring the melting point down to 600°C Then electrolyzed in a Downs cell, which is designed to separate the sodium from the chlorine.Then electrolyzed in a Downs cell, which is designed to separate the sodium from the chlorine.

Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride

Also useful in producing Cl and NaOH.Also useful in producing Cl and NaOH. Mercury cells are used to cause Na + to reduce instead of the H 2 O in order to remove NaCl contaminationMercury cells are used to cause Na + to reduce instead of the H 2 O in order to remove NaCl contamination

Chlor-Alkali Process Able to produce NaOH and chlorine from the electrolyzation of NaCl.Able to produce NaOH and chlorine from the electrolyzation of NaCl.