Abstract
We are exploring the commercial viability for producing Mg from MgO for which thermal energy is supplied to the cell as a substitute for some electric energy. The thermal input source may be concentrated sunlight or natural gas. Laboratory-scale electrochemical studies near 1250 K for two cell concepts show that we reached current densities above 0.5 A-cm−2at an overvoltage of 1.0 V. Current efficiency values exceeded 80%. The discussion of the relationship between these bench-top experimental results and the industrial potential of the process has been initiated.
Keywords
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
U. B. Pal, D.E. Wooley, A. Krishman, T. Keenan, C.P. Manning, and G.B. Kenney “Solid-Oxide-Oxygen-Ion-Conducting Membrane (SOM) Technology for Green Synthesis of Magnesium from its Oxides” Magnesium Technology TMS (2002).
Xiaofei Guan, Uday B. Pal, and Adam C. Powel, “Energy-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Solid Oxide Membrane Electrolysis Process for Magnesium Oxide Reduction: Experiment and Modeling”; Metallurgical and Materials Transactions E, 1A (2014) pp. 132–144.
Qui Zhuxian, Zhang, Mingjie, and W. Jing, “Preparation of Aluminum-Magnesium Master Alloys by electrolysis of Magnesium Oxide in Fluoride Melts” Light Metals (1991)
R. Palumbo, L. Venstrom, S. Dunan, S. Nudhehi, M. Korenko, and J. Schoer, “The solar thermal electrolytic production of Mg from MgO with Concentrated Solar Energy” (ARPA-E DE-AR0000421 Quarter 2 Report (July, 2014).
Jomar Thonstad, Pavel Fellner, Geir Martin Haarberg, Jan Hives, Halvor Kvande, Asmund Sterten, Aluminum Electrolysis: Fundamentals of the Hall-Heroult Process. Dusseldorf, Aluminum-Verlag Marketing & Communication (2001).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 TMS (The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Palumbo, R. et al. (2015). Thermal Electrolytic Production of Mg from MgO: Reflections on Commercial Viability. In: Manuel, M.V., Singh, A., Alderman, M., Neelameggham, N.R. (eds) Magnesium Technology 2015. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48185-2_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48185-2_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-48611-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-48185-2
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)