Drying Process Optimization and Efficiency of Aluminum Fluoride (AlF3) Plant

Abstract

Aluminum Fluoride (AlF₃) is a substantive material used to reduce the melting point temperature of the Aluminum from 1500^oC to 600-850^oC. The production applies a wet process using raw materials of Fluosilicic Acid and Aluminum Hydroxide with a by-product of Silica Dioxide. In this case, AlF₃ products are expected to have a maximum H₂O content of 2.6%. However, in the production process, the H₂O content reached 3% due to the inoptimum drying process. Therefore, the optimization process was carried out by increasing the dry air temperature of the recycle from stage 2 to stage 1 in the drying process, so that the mass transfer of H₂O from AlF₃ crystals to the air can be maximized. After the optimization, it was found that the H₂O content has met the quality standard of 1.8%.