Synthetic Cryolite
Na3AlF6
Cryolite (Na3AlF6, trisodium hexafluoroaluminate) is an important raw material for the primary aluminium smelting.
It is used as a flux agent to dissolve the alumina in the electrolytic metal extraction process. Cryolite is also consumed in the abrasives, ceramic and glass industries.
Fluorsid produces granular cryolite by reacting diluted hydrofluoric acid (HF) and aluminium hydrate (Al(OH)3). The H3AlF6 acid is then converted into sodium salt by ion exchange reaction with a sodium chloride solution. After a solid-liquid separation, the slurry of cryolite is calcined in an internally heated rotary kiln. The final product is in the form of pale pink granules. Milled cryolite is obtained from the granular quality after rotary milling.
Fluorsid’s cryolite plant has a production capacity of 5,000 MT/y.
Synthetic cryolite is available in 1 MT big bags or 25, 50 kg paper bags on pallets.
