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Q.What is the role of cryolite in the metallurgy of aluminum?
Telangana TsbieTelangana Board of Intermediate Education 2024Subjective· 2mImportance★★★★★
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Cryolite acts as a flux in the Hall-Heroult electrolytic extraction of aluminium.
In the Hall-Heroult process, pure alumina (Al2O3) is extremely difficult to electrolyse on its own because its melting point (~2323 K) is very high, which would need enormous energy to keep it molten.
Role of cryolite (Na3AlF6):
- It is mixed with purified Al2O3 and molten CaF2, lowering the melting point of the mixture to about 1140 K, so electrolysis can be carried out economically at a much lower temperature.
- It increases the electrical conductivity of the melt, allowing efficient current flow.
- It acts as a solvent for Al2O3, providing a fluid, low-viscosity medium in which the alumina can be electrolysed. …
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