Friday, May 30, 2014

Information To Know Concerning Aluminum In NJ

By Marci Glover


Aluminium is one of the chemical elements under the boron category. Al is its chemical symbol and 13 its atomic number. The name can be spelt as aluminium too. Physical qualities include considerable ductility, silvery color, and softness. Aluminium comes third after silicon and oxygen gas as far as abundance in the crust is concerned. Aluminum in NJ occurs in compound form and not the highly reactive native form.

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 several ways of producing aluminium in NJ. The most used method is called the Hall-Heroult process. Other techniques include indirect carbothermic reduction and electrolytic smelting of alumina. Indirect carbothermic reduction has proved effective, but it is still under development. It consumes less power and generates less Carbon monoxide gas in comparison 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 requires large amounts of energy, but its use cannot be abandoned because it provides the most ecologically and economically viable option. The metal can be recycled up to one hundred percent and its properties do not get lost upon recycling. The increased production of beverage cans in NJ in late 1960s made recycling a very important activity. Recycling entails melting scrap to create pure metal and an ash-like deposit called dross. With further processing the element can be derived from dross.

Recycled metal is called secondary aluminum although its properties and applications are the same as those of the primary form. To enhance mechanical properties of this metal, it is mostly used in form of an alloy with other materials. The alloys may comprise of silicon, zinc, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Major applications include manufacture of transport vessels like trucks, railway cars, aircrafts 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.

Research has not revealed any severe health concerns due to consumption of small doses of the element. If consumed in enormous amounts however, it causes neurotoxicity and other disorders of the brain and the nervous system. Some individual are allergic and might experience contact dermatitis, vomiting, and digestive disorders when they make contact with it.




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