Aluminum Electrolysis in an Inert Anode Cell

This chapter focuses on the renewal and modification of the technique for performing low-temperature aluminum electrolysis in a potassium cryolite-based electrolyte. This allows for an opportunity to study impact of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the process and determine the appropriate operating parameters. Determination of oxygen concentration generated on the anode allows current efficiency (CE) estimations to take place directly during electrolysis. To establish the liquidus temperature of the electrolytes being studied, the temperature is measured in the test cell at the beginning and/or after electrolysis by recording the electrolyte temperature during cooling. The stability of electrolysis in a potassium cryolite-based electrolyte with low cryolite ratio (CR) and quality of producing aluminum are determined by the anode and cathode processes, which affects voltage fluctuation and the sustainability of oxygen generation on the anode.