There are four links in the production process of aluminum to form a complete industrial chain: aluminum mining-alumina production-electrolytic aluminum smelting-aluminum processing production.
At present, the only method for industrial production of primary aluminum is Hall-Elu aluminum electrolysis. It was invented in 1886 by Hall of America and Elou of France. Hall-Elu aluminum electrolysis is an electrolyte composed of alumina as raw material and cryolite (Na3AlF6) as flux. At 950-970℃, alumina in electrolyte melt is decomposed into aluminum and oxygen by electrolysis. Aluminum precipitates in liquid phase at the carbon cathode, and oxygen escapes as carbon dioxide gas at the carbon anode.
Industrial aluminum electrolytic cells can be generally divided into three types: side-inserted anode self-baking cell, up-inserted anode self-baking cell and prebaked anode cell. Self-baking cell technology is gradually being eliminated because of its high power consumption in electrolysis process, which is not conducive to environmental protection
Electrolytic aluminum process flow chart is as follows: