Thursday, May 22, 2014

Information About Aluminum In NJ

By Marci Glover


Aluminium is a chemical element grouped under the boron group. It is also spelt as aluminium and its chemical symbol is Al while the atomic number is 13. Physical properties include silvery color, softness, and considerable ductility. Aluminium has high abundance in terms of the composition of the crust of the earth and it comes third after oxygen and silicon. Aluminum in NJ does not occur in its native form because it is highly reactive.

Under natural situations, the ore exists as a mixture of more than 270 other minerals. Bauxite is the primary ore. The most significant characteristics of the substance are low density and resistance to corrosion. Low density is useful in the construction of aircrafts and structural components. Rusting does not occur in the metal rendering it useful in several industries.

There are numerous ways in which aluminium is produced in NJ. The main one is called the Hall-Heroult process. Others include indirect carbothermic reduction and the electrolytic smelting of alumina. Although still under development, indirect carbothermic reduction is proving to be very effective. It generates less Carbon (II) Oxide gas while consuming less power when compared to Hall-Heroult process.

Hall-Heroult process requires alumina to be dissolved into molten calcium fluoride with cryolite. After completely dissolving, aluminium ions are released into the electrolyte to move freely. Electrolytic means are then used to reduce the resultant compound into aluminium. For this reduction to happen, the temperatures must be kept in the range of 950 and 980 degrees Centigrade. Aluminium ions undergo reduction depositing the metal at the bottom. Hall-Heroult process took the place for the Wohler process. Wohler process used potassium metal to reduce anhydrous aluminum chloride into aluminum.

This method very energy inefficient, but its application cannot be dropped because it is the most ecological and economical. The metal is able to be recycled up to 100 hundred without losing its properties. Increased manufacture of beverage cans in late 60s gave recycling a lot of importance in NJ. When recycling, scrap is melted to form an ash-like substance called dross and the pure form of the metal. With further refinement dross can be converted into the substances too.

The recycled metal is referred to as secondary aluminum even though it has the same properties and applications as the primary one. The metal is mostly used as an alloy with other substances because this enhances its mechanical properties. Main substances used in the alloys are copper, magnesium, silicon, zinc, and manganese. Major uses include production of transport vessels like aircrafts, trucks, railway cars, and marine vessels.

There are other uses in industries like engineering, construction, household equipment, electronics, power distribution, insulation, packaging, and lighting among many others. A reaction between the substance and hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide generates hydrogen gas. Powder form of aluminium is an essential additive in solid rocket fuels, certain paints, and thermite. Some states issue currencies smelt from aluminium and its alloys.

Studies do not reveal any serious health concerns related with the element. However, if consumed in large amounts, it may cause neurotoxicity and other conditions. Some people are also allergic and may experience digestive disorders, contact dermatitis, and vomiting when they come in contact with it.




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