SnO2-Based Gas (Methane) Anodes for Electrowinning of Aluminum

SnO2-based and carbon-based gas anodes were studied in molten Na3AlF6-AlF3-Al2O3 at 1123 K (850 °C) for aluminum electrolysis. Methane was introduced to the porous anodes to take part in a three-phase (anode/electrolyte/methane) boundary reaction. Carbon was used as the cathode. It was observed that the anode potential was reduced by 0.6 V and that the current was increased up to three times in galvanostatic and potentiostatic tests after the introduction of methane on SnO2-based anodes. A measurable depolarization effect and lower consumption of carbon after the introduction of methane on carbon anodes were also demonstrated.