Penetration behavior of electrolyte into graphite cathode in NaF-KF-LiF-AlF_(3) system with low cryolite ratios

The current study focuses on the electrolyte penetration of the graphite cathode in a NaF−KF−LiF−AlF_(3) aluminum-electrolysis system with a cryolite ratio of 1.3.It involves a comprehensive investigation of the electrolyte in the cathode before and after electrolysis by X-ray diffraction and analysis of the results by semi-quantitative calculation in MAUD.The results show that KF can promote electrolyte penetration,with higher KF contents resulting in greater penetration.During electrolyte penetration,K_(2)NaAlF_(6) and solid solutions containing KF play important roles in KF-containing systems.LiF effectively prevents the electrolyte penetration,while the Na_(3)Li_(3)Al_(2)F_(12) phase plays an essential role in systems with high LiF contents.

DISSOCIATION EQUILIBRIA OF CRYOLITE IN NaF-AIF_3

The scheme of dissociation of cryolite in NaF-AlF3 melts was proposed. The constants and heats of dissociation for cryolite were evaluated from experimental data. The mole fractions of each kind of ions at 1298K in NaF-AIF3 melts were calculated based upon this scheme. The thermodynamic mixing function for liquid NaF and solid AIF3, and liquidus data of NaF-AlF3 systems were calculated by using the above evaluated parameters. The results obtained are in good agreement with the experimental data.

Preparation of Al-Si-Ti Master Alloys by Electrolysis of Silica and Titania in Cryolite-Alumina Melts

Aluminum silicon titanium master alloys were prepared in the laboratory by electrolysis of silica and titania dissolved in cryolite alumina melts. Alloys containing up to 12 mass% Si and 2.6 mass% Ti were formed after about 90 min of electrolysis at 950℃. The current efficiency for the preparation of the Al Si Ti alloys varied with time, temperature and cathodic current density. It is concluded that this electrolytic method may be an interesting alternative to the direct metal mixing process for formation of Al Si Ti master alloys.

A pilot-scale study of cryolite precipitation from high fluoride-containing wastewater in a reaction-separation integrated reactor

Fluoride removal by traditional precipitation generates huge amounts of a water-rich sludge with low quality, which has no commercial or industrial value. The present study evaluated the feasibility of recovering fluoride as low water content cryolite from industrial fluoride-containing wastewater. A novel pilot-scale reaction-separation integrated reactor was designed. The results showed that the seed retention time in the reactor was prolonged to strengthen the induced crystallization process. The particle size of cryolite increased with increasing seed retention time, which decreased the water content. The recovery rate of cryolite was above 75% under an influent fluoride concentration of 3500 mg/L, a reaction temperature of 50°C, and an influent flow of 40 L/hr. The cryolite products that precipitated from the reactor were small in volume, large in particle size, low in water content, high in crystal purity, and recyclable.

Cathodic electrochemical behavior in Na_3AlF_6-Al_2O_3-LiF-based melts at tungsten electrode with various cryolite ratios

The cathodic behavior at tungsten electrode in Na3AlF6-Al2O3-LiF-based melt with various cryolite ratios was investigated by means of potentiodynamic cathodic polarization, potentiostatic electrolysis, chronopotentiometry, and open-circuit chronopotentiometry. The results show that the formation process of Al-W intermetallic compound is controlled by both diffusion and charge transfer when the cryolite ratio is below 2.5, and is completely controlled by diffusion when cryolite ratio is above2.5. The deposition process of metal aluminum is completely charge-transfer controlled. Sodium vapor releases along with the deposition of metal aluminum as crylite ratio increases, which leads to a great influence on current efficiency. When the cryolite ratio is lower than 2.0, the critical cathodic current density of deposited aluminum at tungsten electrode is about 150 mA·cm^（-2）,but the current density is above 200 mA·cm^（-2） under other experimental conditions. A higher cryolite ratio can cause a higher cathodic overvoltage. The relative content of Al layer is higher with the decrease of cryolite ratio, and Al layer easily strips into the molten salt when the cryolite ratio is higher than 2.5.

含氟化镁的冰晶石熔体与熔融金属铝的热力学平衡

测定了与含氟化镁的冰晶石熔体相平衡的熔融金属铝中钠和镁的含量。得出在低于4%MgF_2的浓度范围内,镁的浓度与钠浓度之比与冰晶石熔体中氟化镁浓度之间的关系为线性关系。在高于4%氟化镁的浓度范围之内,上述关系出现正偏差。

Anodic process on Cu-Al alloy in KF-AlF3-Al2O3 melts and suspensions

Anodic processes on Cu-10 Al electrode in molten KF-AlF3-Al2O3(saturated) and suspensions were characterized using chronopotentiometric and cyclic voltammetric techniques. Effects of cryolite ratio(CR= x(KF)/x(AlF3)), temperature and particle volume fraction(φ) on the electrochemical behaviour of the anode were demonstrated. Initially, the anode was polarised in the galvanostatic mode in melt and suspensions(φ=0.12, 0.15) at 750 ℃ with 0.4 A/cm^2 current density. The anode potential in melt varied between 2.5 and 3.2 V and in suspensions(φ= 0.12) between 3.3 and 3.4 V. XRD analysis was conducted to study the oxide phases on the anode surface. Anode limiting current densities and mass transfer coefficients drastically decreased with the increase of φ in the suspension. The results suggest that the Cu-10 Al electrode works better in suspensions with CR of 1.4 and particle volume fraction of 0.09 at 800 ℃.

Improving corrosion resistance of Cu-Al-based anodes in KF-AlF_(3)-Al_(2)O_(3)melts

The anodic behaviour of pre-oxidised and non-oxidised Cu-Al-based anodes(Cu-10Al and Cu-9.8Al-2Mn)in KF-AlF_(3)-Al_(2)O_(3)melts was studied through galvanostatic and potentiodynamic polarization techniques.The alloy compositions were oxidised for a short-term(8 h)at 700℃,followed by galvanostatic polarization for 1 h at 800℃with an applied current density of 0.4 A/cm^(2).The potentiodynamic curves were recorded with a sweep rate of 0.01 V/s.XRD analysis was conducted on frozen melt samples collected on the surface of the anode,and SEM observation was performed on the anode after the experiment to study the phases of the scales formed on the alloys.All the anode materials had a steady potential between 2.30 and 2.50 V(vs Al/AlF_(3)).The corrosion rates of the anodes were calculated from the data acquired through potentiodynamic polarization.It was seen that pre-oxidised anodes possess a low corrosion rate compared to those without pre-oxidation treatment.

Accounting for the solar radiation in thermal regime prediction for railway subgrade in cold regions

This paper presents a comparative analysis of simulation processes of seasonal freezing-thawing of railway subgrade and permafrost degradation, with and without accounting for solar radiation. Also, the effect of sun screens to reduce the degradation of subgrade permafrost under different climatic conditions is numerically substantiated. And finally, the temperature criterion of the origination of permafrost is illustrated.

Socket discomfort in anophthalmic patients-reasons and therapy options

A smooth and timely fitting of a visually appealing,custom-made eye prosthesis after the loss of an eye is not only essential from a cosmetic point of view but above all facilitates good social and psychological rehabilitation.Cryolite glass prostheses must be replaced at least once a year,PMMA prostheses polished once a year and renewed every five years.In children,especially in growth phases,the fit of the prosthesis should be checked at least every six months and adjusted,if necessary.Ocularists and ophthalmologists should determine an individual cleaning procedure together with the patient,which depends on both the prosthesis material and external factors.Complications such as allergic,giant papillary,viral,and bacterial conjunctivitis or even blepharoconjunctivitis sicca must be detected and treated at an early stage to avoid discomfort and to maintain the ability of prosthesis wear.In the case of inflammation-induced shrinkage of the conjunctival fornices or post-enucleation socket syndrome,surgical interventions are necessary.In summary,an early supply with an eye prosthesis,adequate treatment of complications,and attention to psychological aspects,form the basis for a successful long-term rehabilitation of anophthalmic patients.

Treatment and resource recovery from inorganic fluoride-containing waste produced by the pesticide industry

The rapid development of the fluorinated pesticide industry has produced a large amount of fluorine-containing hazardous waste, especially inorganic fluoride-containing waste（IFCW）. A two-step process, including extraction and recovery, was developed to recover fluorine as synthetic cryolite from IFCW produced by the pesticide industry. The optimum conditions for extraction were found to be a temperature of 75℃, an initial p H（p Hi） of 12, a4-hr incubation time and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 40 m L/g; these conditions resulted in a fluorine extraction ratio of 99.0%. The effects of p H and the F/Al molar ratio on fluorine recovery and the compositional, mineralogical and morphological characteristics of the cryolite products were investigated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy of recovered precipitates showed changes in morphology with the F/Al molar ratio. Coupling Fourier transform and infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction indicated that the formation of Al F3-6was restricted as increasing p H. Both the amount of fluorine recovered and the quality of the cryolite were optimized at initial p H = 3 and a F/Al molar ratio 5.75. This study proposed a reliable and environmentally friendly method for the treatment of fluoridecontaining wastes, which could be suitable for industrial applications.

Recycling of Aluminum from Fibre Metal Laminates

Recycling of aluminum alloy scrap obtained from delaminated fibre metal laminates （FMLs） was studied through high temperature refining in the presence of a salt flux. The aluminum alloy scrap contains approximately mass fraction w（Cu） = 4.4%, w（Mg） = 1.1% and w（Mn） = 0.6% （2024 aluminum alloy）. The main objective of this research is to obtain a high metal yield, while maintaining its original alloy compositions. The work focuses on the metal yield and quality of recycled A1 alloy under different refining conditions. The NaCI-KC1 salt system was selected as the major components of flux in the A1 alloy recycling. Two different flux compositions were employed at NaC1 to KC1 mass ratios of 44：56 and 70：30 respectively, based on either the euteetic composition, or the European preference. Different additives were introduced into the NaCI-KC1 system to study the effect of flux component on recycling result. Although burning and oxidation loss of the alloying elements during re-melting and refining take place as the drawbacks of conventional refining process, the problems can be solved to a large extent by using an appropriate salt flux. Experimental results indicate that Mg in the alloy gets lost when adding cryolite in the NaCI-KC1 salt system, though the metal yield can reach as high as 98%. However, by adding w（MgF2） = 5% into the NaCI-KC1 salt system （instead of using cryolite） all alloying elements were well controlled to its original composition with a metal yield of almost 98%.