Why Is the Aluminium Process Considered Energy-Intensive?
Extracting aluminium is energy-intensive because the Hall-Héroult electrolytic process must overcome the extreme thermodynamic stability of aluminium oxide ($Al_2O_3$). Producing one tonne of primary aluminium consumes 13,500 to 15,000 kWh of electricity, roughly 3% of global power demand. This process requires maintaining a molten cryolite bath at 950°C and delivering currents of 300,000 to 600,000 …
Why Is the Aluminium Process Considered Energy-Intensive? Read More »