Problems of potassium cryolite low temperature electrolyte

Problems of potassium cryolite low temperature electrolyte

One of the problems with potassium cryolite electrolyte is its low conductivity, which results in a large ohmic drop. Although it can be compensated by adding additives such as LiF and reducing the pole distance, the additives can not only improve the conductivity, but also reduce the solubility of alumina and increase the primary crystal temperature. Meanwhile, the reduction of the pole distance also depends on the industrial application of wettable cathode.

In addition, K+ is enriched in the cathode during the low-temperature electrolysis process, and the molecular ratio of electrolyte near the cathode is increased, resulting in the phenomenon of cathode crusting. In the electrolysis process with kCRyolite as electrolyte, the phenomenon of high cell voltage and large fluctuation is common, and the current efficiency is low. The corrosion of potassium cryolite molten salt on the inert anode and side lining materials is serious, so it is necessary to find suitable inert anode and side lining materials.

Although potassium cryolite electrolyte research has received some attention, but compared with sodium cryolite research is far from enough.