Primary Production of Aluminium and Its Alloys in Molten Salts with Oxygen Evolving Anodes: Overview

Abstract

Due to environmental and economic concerns, carbon-free aluminium production has been an ultimate target for aluminium industries. For the last few decades, a considerable amount of research has been conducted to find a suitable inert anode that could replace the consumable carbon anodes for aluminium electrolysis. Material types such as metals, ceramics and cermets have been studied extensively. All the anode materials have their advantages and disadvantages. However, metallic alloys have been considered attractive anode material candidates due to their high electrical conductivity, thermal stability and easy fabrication and machining properties. For a successful adaptation of metallic anodes into the aluminium electrolysis cell, an electrolyte with a low-operating temperature and high alumina solubility is required. Another significant component of the carbon-free aluminium electrolysis cell is a wettable cathode. This overview discusses the research progress on inert anodes, wettable cathodes and electrolytes.