Aluminum Electrolysis

Numerous aluminum smelters in the world add lithium carbonate (1 - 3%) to the cryolite (Na3AlF6) bath to realize several benefits: reduction of the bath temperature as well as energy savings through higher conductivity and lower viscosity. The production capacity of a smelter can be slightly increased at the same operating conditions. However, the environmental benefits are even more important: the fluorine emissions can be reduced by 20 to 30% allowing conformance to higher standards. The more modern facilities use a more acidic bath (high AlF3) composition instead and better scrubbing systems. These facilities do not require the addition of lithium.