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Inorganic Chemistry

What is major role of fluorspar in electrolytic reduction of alumina? Is it Only used to increase the conductivity of the mixture Or Only to decrease the melting point of the mixture Or Both?If both then which one is the major?

Now What is the Major Role of cryolite also? Is it acts as a solvent to disolve the alumina?

Profile image of d ray
13 Years agoGrade
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1 Answer

Profile image of ruchi yadav
12 Years ago
Synthetic Cryolite is made from fluorspar (CaF2), which is found as a natural mineral. Fluorspar is
treated with sulphuric acid to produce hydrofluoric acid HF.
CaF2 +H2SO4 = 2HF (g) +CaSO4 (s) (3)
HF is then reacted with sodium oxide Na2O and alumina to produce cryolite.
Cryolite ratio= Molar Ratio of NaF
Molar Ratio of Alf3
CRYSTALINE CRYOLITE
IV Bath- The bath used in aluminium reduction has a number of unique properties, which make it the only
suitable material for the purposes. The requirement of bath is as follows-
• Being molten at a high temperature, which can be reached without too much difficulty in reduction
cells.
• Have a density low enough that it floats on top of aluminium metal in the cell to prevent the
aluminium from oxidation.
• Used as a solvent for alumina.
• Ionize and conduct electricity so that current can flow.
• Have a low volatility such that losses are not excessive.
Bath ratio = Mass ratio of NaF
Mass ratio of Alf3


Thank You
Ruchi
Askiitians Faculty