Extraction of

Aluminium from
Bauxite
Aluminium is a reactive metal, above
carbon in the reactivity series • Its
main ore, is bauxite, which contains
aluminium oxide. *Aluminium is
higher in the reactivity series than
carbon, so it cannot be extracted by
reduction using carbon. *Instead,
aluminium is extracted by electrolysis
Extraction of Aluminium from Bauxite

Aluminium is a reactive metal, above carbon in the reactivity series • Its main ore, is
bauxite, which contains aluminium oxide. *Aluminium is higher in the reactivity series
than carbon, so it cannot be extracted by reduction using carbon. *Instead, aluminium is
extracted by electrolysis
(a) Role of Cryolite:
- **Function:** Cryolite (Na3AlF6) is used as a flux in the electrolytic cell. Its
primary role is to lower the melting point of the aluminum oxide, making the
electrolytic process more energy-efficient.
- **Significance:** Without cryolite, the melting point of pure aluminum oxide
would be too high (around 2000°C), requiring a substantial amount of energy to
maintain a molten state. Cryolite reduces this temperature to a more manageable
range, typically around 950-1000°C.
(b) Carbon Anodes Replacement:
- **Reason:** The carbon anodes in the electrolytic cell need to be regularly
replaced due to a process called anode consumption. As electric current passes
through the cell, the carbon anodes react with oxygen generated at the anode,
forming carbon dioxide (CO2) and releasing carbon monoxide (CO).
- **Reaction:**
- At the anode: 2C (s) + O2 (g) → 2CO (g)
- **Consequence:** This reaction gradually erodes the carbon anodes, reducing
their effectiveness over time. Regular replacement is essential to maintain the
efficiency of the electrolysis process.
(c) Reactions at the Electrodes:
-

Cathode Reaction (Reduction)

- At the cathode (negative electrode), aluminum ions gain electrons to become aluminum metal:
- Al3+ (aq) + 3e^- → Al (l)
- This reduction process results in the deposition of molten aluminum metal at the bottom of the cell,
where it can be periodically tapped off.

Anode Reaction (Oxidation):

- At the anode (positive electrode), oxygen ions in the aluminum oxide and hydroxide dissolve react
with carbon to form carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide:
- 2O2- (aq) → O2 (g) + 4e^-
- 2OH- (aq) → H2O (l) + 2e^-
- Combined: 2(O2- + OH-) → O2 (g) + H2O (l)
- This process produces oxygen gas at the surface of the anode.
(c) Reactions at the Electrodes:
Overall Reaction:
-

The net result of these reactions is the extraction of aluminum from aluminum oxide:
2Al2O3 (l) → 4Al (l) + 3O2 (g)
The oxygen produced at the anode combines to form oxygen gas, which is released.
This process allows for the production of pure
aluminum from purified bauxite, utilizing the
properties of cryolite and the principles of
electrolysis to efficiently extract the metal.
(c) Reactions at the Electrodes:

Thank you