Hall–Héroult process

E582418

The Hall–Héroult process is the primary industrial method for producing aluminum by electrolytically reducing alumina dissolved in molten cryolite.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Hall–Héroult aluminum smelting process 1

Statements (53)

Predicate Object
instanceOf aluminium production process
electrolytic process
industrial process
anodeMaterial carbon
anodeType consumable anodes
appliedInIndustry aluminium smelters worldwide
basedOn electrolytic reduction of alumina
byproductFormation oxidation of carbon to carbon dioxide
cathodeMaterial carbon
countryOfOrigin France
United States of America
surface form: United States
developedBy Charles Martin Hall NERFINISHED
Paul Héroult NERFINISHED
discoveredIn 1886
dominantSince early 20th century
electrolyteContains alumina
aluminium fluoride
calcium fluoride
cryolite
energyIntensity high specific electricity consumption
environmentalIssue high greenhouse gas emissions
perfluorocarbon emissions during anode effects
hasInput alumina (Al2O3)
carbon
cryolite (Na3AlF6)
hasOutput aluminium
carbon dioxide
perfluorocarbon gases
spent pot lining
industrialUseBeganIn late 19th century
mainlyUsedIn primary aluminium production
namedAfter Charles Martin Hall NERFINISHED
Paul Héroult NERFINISHED
operatesAt about 950 °C
high temperature
patentedIn 1886
reactionType reduction of aluminium ions to aluminium metal
replaced earlier chemical reduction methods for aluminium
requires continuous operation
large amounts of electricity
usedFor producing aluminium metal
usesEquipment Hall–Héroult pot NERFINISHED
busbar system
electrolytic cell
rectifier
usesMethod direct current electrolysis
dissolution of alumina in cryolite
molten salt electrolysis
usesSubstance alumina
carbon anodes
carbon cathode lining
electric current
molten cryolite

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Hall knownFor Hall–Héroult process
subject surface form: Charles Martin Hall
Alcoa notableTechnology Hall–Héroult process
this entity surface form: Hall–Héroult aluminum smelting process