INDUSTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT ALUMINIUM 2.

1 DESCRIBE THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OF ALUMINIUM FROM ITS ORES The process of extraction depends upon the nature of impurities present in the ore. Common steps involved for extraction of metals are as follows: (i) Crushing and grinding (ii) Concentration of ore (iii) Extracting metal from ore (iv) Purification of metal Aluminum is most abundant metal on the earth's Crust. The major ore of aluminum is bauxite (Al2O3.2H2O). It is an oxide of aluminum. Though, aluminum oxide can be reduced by chemical methods, but it is extracted from its ore by electrolysis, because it is highly reactive metal. The extraction of aluminium involves following steps: (i) Purification: Bauxite ore contains lot of impurities which can be removed by treating it chemically. The sequence of its purification is shown in the flow chart given below:

1. Bauxite is mined is mined fom the earth during the excavation process where the ore is scraped up out of the ground. 2. The ore which is aluminium oxide also alumina is then physically broken down by a crusher where it is grind and crushed. 3. The crushed ore is then treated with caustic soda which is concentrated sodium hydroxide(NaOH). It results in the formation of Al(OH)3 , Fe2O3 and some insoluble material. Al2O3 + 6NaOH ----------> 2Al(OH)3 + 3Na2O Na2O + H2O -----------> 2NaOH ( the sodium oxide reacts with moisture in the atmosphere to form sodium hydroxide. 4. Iron oxide does not dissolve in NaOH and thus the products are filtered to get Al(OH)3 . 5. Al(OH)3 is heated and it is decomposed into (aluminum oxide) Al2O3 and H2O which is molten alumina. Al(OH)3 ----------> Al2O3 + H2O (molten alumina) 6. . Hence, pure aluminium oxide Al2O3 is obtained

Electrolysis Method
Commercially, aluminum is prepared by the Hall-Hroult process, which consists essentially of the electrolysis of alumina. The process depends critically on the availability of cheap hydroelectric power. The electrolysis of alumina is carried out in a
steel tank lined inside with graphite. In this tank, cryolite (Na2AlF6) and some fluospar (CaF2) is also added to reduce the

melting point of Al2O3. It also increases the conductivity and helps in breaking Al2O3 to form aluminium ions (Al+3) and oxide ions (O-2). The steel container is coated with carbon (graphite) and this is the negative electrode (cathode). Electrolysis of the alumina/cryolite solution gives aluminium at the cathode and oxygen at the anode.Al+3 ions will move towards cathode and O-2 ions will move towards anode, where they are reduced and oxidised respectively into aluminium (Al) and oxygen (O2).

The reaction taking place at cathode and anode are as follows:Al2O3 -----------> 2Al+3 + 3O-2 On Cathode: On Anode: Al3+ (aq) + 3e- Al (s) 2O2- (aq) 4e- O2 (g) The aluminium ions are discharged at the cathode At the anode oxygen is given off

The overall reaction 4Al3+ (aq) + 12e- 4Al (s) 6O2- (aq) 12e- 3O2 (g) 4Al3+ (aq) + 6O2- (aq) 4Al (s) + 3O2 (g)

The oxygen given off at the anode usually reacts with the carbon electrode and produces carbondioxide.Therefore the anodes have to be replaced regularly carbon + oxygen C(s) + O2(g) carbon dioxide CO2(g).

Aluminium obtained from above process is 99% pure, which is further purified by using electrolytic method.

2.2 EXPLAIN THE USES OF ALUMINIUM IN RELATION TO ITS PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES Physical Properties

Use for making light fittings and rescue blankets because it is a good reflector of visible light as well as heat
Use for making aluminium foil and also for packaging of foods because it is impermeable , odorless and nontoxic Good conduction of heat leads to its use for boilers, cookers and cookware. Easy shaping and corrosion resistance make it a good material for drink cans and roofing materials. Chemical properties Aluminium is used for making fences , roofs because aluminium reacts with oxygen to form aluminium oxide . This forms a protective layer over the metal and which protects the metal beneath and renders it inert to any further reaction.

2.3 ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE ALUMINIUM INDUSTRY ON THE ENVIRONMENT Economic considerations The high cost of the process because of the huge amounts of electricity it uses. Energy and material costs in constantly replacing the anodes. Energy and material costs in producing the cryolite, some of which gets lost during the electrolysis.

Environmental problems in mining and transporting the bauxite Loss of landscape due to mining, processing and transporting the bauxite. Noise and air pollution (greenhouse effect, acid rain) involved in these operations

Extracting aluminium from the bauxite Loss of landscape due to the size of the chemical plant needed, and in the production and transport of the electricity. Noise pollution Atmospheric pollution from the various stages of extraction. For example: carbon dioxide from the burning of the anodes (greenhouse effect); carbon monoxide (poisonous); fluorine (and fluorine compounds) lost from the cryolite during the electrolysis process (poisonous). Disposal of red mud into unsightly lagoons