F. U. N with Science F.U.N With Science_1_FINAL_UPDATE v3 | Page 15

13
Figure 2: Electrolytic Cell for the Extraction of Aluminium
Aluminium is extracted
from aluminium oxide
(Al2O3), also known as
bauxite (Figure 2) in Ja-
maica. The electrolytic
cell is an iron tank lined
with carbon, which acts
as the cathode. The
anodes are blocks of
carbon dipped into the
electrolyte. The electro-
lyte is a solution of molten
aluminium oxide in mol-
ten cryolite. Cryolite acts
as a solvent to dissolve
aluminium oxide and as
an impurity to lower the
melting point of aluminium
oxide. The electrolytic cell
is maintained at around
900°C. Aluminium ions
are discharged at the
cathode, forming a pool
of molten aluminium at the
bottom of the tank.
Visit www.caribbeansc.com for more