Electrolysis and decomposition by light in the chemical industry

12 important questions on Electrolysis and decomposition by light in the chemical industry

Into which three different steps can the production process of aluminium be subdivided?

1.  The winning and purification of buxite, an ore containing alot of aluminium oxide
2. The production of aluminium from aluminium oxide through electorlysis
3. The further processing of aluminium

What is step 1: the winning and purification of bauxite?

Bauxite is own in Australia, Guinea, Brazil and Suriname. By working the material you can win pure aluminium oxide (Al2O3) from bauxite.. This product is called alum earth (alumina).

What is step 2: The electrolysis of aluminium oxide?

ALuminium oxide is a substance which does not conduct electricty in its solid phase. In its liquid phase it does. This means aluminium oxide should be melted first of alll. The moolten aluminium oxide can bbe decomposed using electricity. Aluminium and oxygen are formed
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What is step 3: The processing of aluminium?

The tapped molten aluminium is transported to furnaces, where it is then sometimes mixed with one or mmoe other elements. The substance formed after the solidification of such a mixture is called an alloy. The alloys are now shaped into 'rolls' and then processed further by rolling and forign. This is a process using heat to bring a metal into its correct shape

Why would the combustion of hydrogen be a great idea for the future?

In this process no carbon dioxide is produced. The reaction product is water

What is the chemical equation of the combustion of hydrogen?

2 H2 (g) + O2 (g) -> 2H2O (l)

What are problems connected to the use of hydrogen as an enegy carrier?

- large amount hydrogen through electrolysis  a lot of electrical energy is needed.  Plants will use natural gas or carbon dioxide anyway.
- Storing ad transporting hydrogen is not without danger and therefore costly
- the exhaust of cars using hydrogen as a fuel will get very hot. Because of high temperatures these substances will react to form nitrogen oxides which are harmful to the environment. They can cause acid rain

In what is water decomposed using the Hofmann Voltameter?

into the gaseous elements hydrogen (H2)  and oxygen (O2)

How are scientists trying to research the possiblity of winning hydrogen in a biological way using light?

There are algea that are capable of decomposing water into hydrogen and oxygen when they are supplied iwth sunlight. This, therefore, is a form of decomposition by light.

What is a disadvantage of the algea?

The oxyge formed in this process, however, affects the algea in such a way that the amount of water they can decompose decreases.

How are scientists trying to solve this?

They are trying to make these algea less susceptible to oxygen by genetic manipulation. The decompositio of water would then be hindered less and the yield of hydrogen would become higher.

What are other examples of algea?

When hydrogen is produced in this way, no carbon dioxide is emitted and therefore the environment is not harmed. Furthermore these algea can multiply all by themselves, so they will never run out

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