Distribution of phosphorus in industrial aluminium cells

The reactions of phosphorus in aluminium electrolyte and its fate in the el ectrolysis was studied using the thermodynamic analysis of possible chemica l reactions between cryolite, alumina, and phosphorus compounds most probab ly present in the aluminium cells. POF3 was found to be the most probable g aseous phosphorus compound, which escapes from the electrolyte and is absor bed in the dry scrubbers. The formation of the reaction products of phospho rus was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy. (C ) 1999 Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Published by Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.