{"id":2240,"date":"2014-03-07T09:01:08","date_gmt":"2014-03-07T14:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/?p=2240"},"modified":"2026-04-16T20:30:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:30:20","slug":"xrf-xrd-tools-help-reduce-pfc-emissions-from-aluminum-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/xrf-xrd-tools-help-reduce-pfc-emissions-from-aluminum-production\/","title":{"rendered":"XRF-XRD Tools Help Reduce PFC Emissions from Aluminum Production"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_2241\" style=\"width: 209px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/177100078.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2241\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2241\" alt=\"Pouring Liquid Aluminum\" src=\"http:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/177100078-199x300.jpg\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2241\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pouring Liquid Aluminum<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Aluminum, number 13 on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.niton.com\/docs\/literature\/nitonperiodictable_fxl_2011jan24.pdf?sfvrsn=2\">periodic table<\/a>, is a popular metal used in the construction, aerospace, automotive, and packaging industries. Aluminum is the second most produced metal in the world, after iron.<\/p>\n<p>Aluminum doesn\u2019t occur in nature as a metal; to make aluminum, first bauxite is mixed with sodium hydroxide to form aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum hydroxide is then heated and transforms into alumina (Al<sub>2<\/sub>O<sub>3<\/sub>). Aluminum is produced by the electrolyte reduction of alumina, known as the Hall-H\u00e9roult electrolytic process.\u00a0 During this process, carbon anodes are dipped in an alumina bath and a high current is applied. This burns the anodes and forms CO<sub>2<\/sub>, thus removing oxygen. Conductivity of the melt improves with the addition of fluorides, but the proportion of aluminum fluoride to sodium fluoride is critical and must be monitored in order to avoid \u201canode effects.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Anode effects are brief process upsets that occur during the aluminum smelting process when an insufficient amount of alumina is available in the electrolyte bath and a rapid voltage increase results. Anode effects produce perfluorinated compound (PFC) emissions, powerful greenhouse gases associated with global warming and climate change in addition to being poisonous for the environment.<\/p>\n<p>For several years, the aluminum industry has been making serious efforts to reduce PFC emissions resulting from anode effects. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.epa.gov\/aluminum-pfc\/index.html\">The Voluntary Aluminum Industrial Partnership (VAIP)<\/a> was developed jointly by EPA and the primary aluminum industry to improve aluminum production efficiency while reducing PFC emissions. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.asiapacificpartnership.org\/english\/about.aspx\">Asia-Pacific Partnership<\/a>, in association with the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aluminum.org\/Content\/NavigationMenu\/TheIndustry\/Environment\/ReducingPFCEmissionsintheAluminumIndustry\/default.htm\">Aluminum Association<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.world-aluminium.org\/\">International Aluminum Institute<\/a>, and other national associations also is working to decrease the amount of PFC emitted during aluminum smelting. Partners in the project include the United States, China, Korea, Japan, India, Canada and Australia.<\/p>\n<p>Through these organizations, many technologies and methods are underway to eliminate anode effects and their associated PFCs. Perhaps the most critical effort involves finding ways to carefully control the electrolyte bath composition during the smelting process.<\/p>\n<p>A typical aluminum bath is composed of chiolite (Na<sub>5<\/sub>Al<sub>3<\/sub>F<sub>14<\/sub>), cryolite (Na<sub>3<\/sub>AlF<sub>6<\/sub>) and a number of minor components. The bath ratio determination (NaF\/AlF<sub>3<\/sub>) requires a combination of elemental and phase analysis. Historically, simple XRD (x-ray diffraction) instruments fitted with an additional calcium detector were used to measure chiolite and total calcium. \u03b1-alumina (corundum) was measured by XRD as an approximation of free-alumina.<\/p>\n<p>Recent developments show that a better control of the bath can be achieved by measuring more compounds. On the elemental side, there is a need for total calcium (reported as CaF<sub>2<\/sub>), total magnesium (reported as MgF<sub>2<\/sub>) as well as total oxygen (reported as Al<sub>2<\/sub>O<sub>3<\/sub>). On the phase side, chiolite is required together with fluorite (CaF<sub>2<\/sub>) and \u03b1-alumina. Such a complete analysis, including oxygen, is only possible in a combined <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thermoscientific.com\/ecomm\/servlet\/productsdetail_11152___12873050_-1\">XRF-XRD instrument<\/a> working under vacuum. Tests verify that with integration of XRF and XRD capabilities in a single instrument, aluminum bath samples can be completely quantified with high sensitivity, reliability and excellent stability, allowing better control of the melt.<\/p>\n<p>Comment below and let us know if you have tried this technique and if it resulted in better control of your melt.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aluminum, number 13 on the periodic table, is a popular metal used in the construction, aerospace, automotive, and packaging industries. Aluminum is the second most produced metal in the world, after iron. Aluminum doesn\u2019t occur in nature as a metal; to make aluminum, first bauxite is mixed with sodium hydroxide to form aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":2241,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[43,17,44,40,45,28],"division":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2240","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-metals-and-alloys","8":"tag-alumina","9":"tag-aluminum","10":"tag-electrolyte-bath","11":"tag-metal","12":"tag-pfc","13":"tag-xrf","14":"entry"},"_selected_authors":[806],"_selected_reviewers":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Electrochemical baths are essential tools in various fields, including the aluminum manufacturing industry. This article discusses how X-ray Diffraction (XRD) can be critical in bath control and plant performance, and will delve into the Hall-H\u00e9roult aluminum production process and the role of XRD in that context. Aluminum\u2019s beginnings: a natural\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Metals &amp; Alloys&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Metals &amp; Alloys","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/metals-and-alloys\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"pile of rolled silver aluminum metal. set of industrial materials","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/09\/iStock-1727943935_aluminumrolls.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/09\/iStock-1727943935_aluminumrolls.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/09\/iStock-1727943935_aluminumrolls.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/09\/iStock-1727943935_aluminumrolls.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/09\/iStock-1727943935_aluminumrolls.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/09\/iStock-1727943935_aluminumrolls.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13429,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-to-identify-aluminum-in-a-scrap-metal-recycling-yard\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":1},"title":"How to Identify Aluminum in a Scrap Metal Recycling Yard","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Identifying aluminum in a scrap metal recycling yard is more challenging than it might seem. While aluminum is one of the most widely used and recycled metals, its physical similarities to other materials, combined with the complexity of aluminum alloys, make accurate identification difficult. This challenge has significant implications for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General\/Industry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/general-industry-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Scrap metal pieces laying in a pile","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-133993685_scrapaluminum.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13545,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-to-maximize-productivity-in-lightweight-metal-scrap-sorting-at-recycling-facilities\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":2},"title":"How to Maximize Productivity in Lightweight Metal Scrap Sorting at Recycling Facilities","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 18, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Addressing the Challenge of Lightweight Alloy Identification Lightweight metal scrap sorting\u2014especially for aluminum and magnesium alloys\u2014presents a unique operational challenge. While these materials are essential to modern manufacturing and recycling streams, their similar compositions make them difficult to distinguish quickly and accurately. Traditional sorting methods often force a trade-off between\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General\/Industry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/general-industry-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Compacted aluminum scraps","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-163265634_alumscrapblocks-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13568,"url":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/how-handheld-xrf-technology-exposed-counterfeit-silver-coins-sold-online\/","url_meta":{"origin":2240,"position":3},"title":"How Handheld XRF Technology Exposed Counterfeit Silver Coins Sold Online","author":"Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary Counterfeit silver coins are becoming a growing problem in online marketplaces, putting coin collectors, precious metal investors, pawn shops, and bullion buyers at financial risk. 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For jewelers, cash-for-gold operators, and pawn shop owners, the ability to accurately verify gold authenticity and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General\/Industry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General\/Industry","link":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/general-industry-metals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Clasp on a 14k Gold necklace with markings on a black background","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/iStock-1133424222_14k-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/admin.acceleratingscience.com\/metals\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2014\/02\/177100078.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2240"},{"taxonomy":"division","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thermofisher.com\/blog\/metals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/division?post=2240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}