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Question

What is the role of cryolite (Na3AlF6) in the electrolytic reduction of alumina in the Hall's process?

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Solution

The extraction of aluminium from pure ore is done by electrolysis, called the Hall-Heroult's process. The electrolyte used in the cell consists of fused pure alumina (Al2O3) mixed with cryolite (Na3AlF6) and fluorspar (CaF2). The addition of cryolite (Na3AlF6) and fluorspar (CaF2) raises the electrical conductance of alumina by reducing its melting point from 2050 oC to 950 oC.
Cryolite (
Na3AlF6) acts as a solvent for the electrolytic mixture. It helps dissolve the fused pure alumina and fluorspar evenly, thereby, forming a molten electrolytic mixture.

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