HallHéroultova
The HallHéroult process is the primary industrial method for producing aluminum. It was developed independently by Charles Martin Hall in the United States and Paul Héroult in France in 1886. This electrolytic process involves dissolving aluminum oxide (alumina) in molten cryolite (sodium aluminum fluoride), which is then electrolyzed in a carbon-lined cell.
During electrolysis, a strong electric current is passed through the molten bath. At the cathode (the carbon
The alumina is typically derived from bauxite ore through the Bayer process. The cryolite, while naturally