What is the electrical conductivity of calcium chloride?Electricity can be conducted by mobile ions (elements that move in solution) or delocalized electrons. Solid salts cannot […]
Continue readingIs Calcium Chloride Conductive?
What is the electrical conductivity of calcium chloride?
Electricity can be conducted by mobile ions (elements that move in solution) or delocalized electrons. Solid salts cannot conduct electricity because their ions are not mobile and do not have delocalized electrons.
Strong electrolytes produce a large number of ions in solution, which increases the electrical conductivity. Weak electrolytes have few ions in solution and have low electrical conductivity. Non-electrolytes do not produce any ions in solution and should have no electrical conductivity.
Sodium Chloride is a good conductor of electricity when molten at 1935degC because its ions are mobile and can move in solution. In contrast, solid sodium chloride is not a good conductor of electricity because its ions are not mobile and do not have a delocalized electrons.
A molten calcium chloride-NaCl-Al2O3 system can be used as the electrolyte for direct electrochemical reducing alumina in it. This method is useful for lowering the cost and energy consumption of Al preparation from solid alkali metals. This process is a promising one for the reprocessing of alumina, which is currently being used in smelting furnaces. This process can reduce the cost of the production of aluminium, which is vital for the industrial economy. Adding Al2O3 lowered the electrical conductivity of the molten CaCl2-NaCl-Al2O3 systems, which was confirmed in experiments. The functional relationship between the electrical conductivity of the molten systems and the temperature was linear, conforming to the Arrhenius equation. This system is a promising one for direct and electrochemical reducing alumina in the smelting furnace of aluminum.