Extraction of Liquid Elements by Electrolysis of Oxides

a technology of oxide ores and liquid elements, which is applied in the direction of electrolysis components, instruments, optics, etc., can solve the problems of pig iron further consuming energy, iron produced conventionally in a blast furnace entails significant process emissions, and the need for replacement technologies for basic metal smelting operations is becoming critical

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-06-20
MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH
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  • Abstract
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Problems solved by technology

For example, iron produced conventionally in a blast furnace entails significant process emissions related to coke production and reduction of iron ore.
Making steel from pig iron further entails energy consumption, for example in an electric arc furnace, which may be provided by fossil fuel combustion.
As the tolerance for greenhouse gas emissions diminishes, finding replacement technologies for basic metal smelting operations is becoming critical.

Method used

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  • Extraction of Liquid Elements by Electrolysis of Oxides
  • Extraction of Liquid Elements by Electrolysis of Oxides
  • Extraction of Liquid Elements by Electrolysis of Oxides

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Embodiment Construction

[0019]Molten oxide electrolysis (“MOE”) entails the direct electrolysis of an oxide feedstock compound to extract a target element therefrom. MOE wins the target metal with production of gaseous oxygen and without, or with reduced, release of carbon dioxide or other objectionable fugitive species. Because the target metal is reduced directly from oxide, preparatory processing of source compounds is much cleaner and simpler than for conventional extraction techniques in the case of many metals. MOE has the potential to produce metal of exceptional purity, especially with regard to so-called interstitial elements, namely carbon and nitrogen. Since MOE may produce a target element in liquid form, difficulties associated with dendritic deposits are avoided. MOE is furthermore energy efficient for extraction of an element in its liquid state in that irreversibilities necessarily accompanying the flow of electric current through components of an electrolytic cell also serve to maintain ce...

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Abstract

An electrolytic extraction method wins a target element from an oxide feedstock compound thereof. The feedstock compound is dissolved in an oxide melt in contact with a cathode and an anode in an electrolytic cell. During electrolysis the target element is deposited at a liquid cathode and coalesces therewith. Oxygen is evolved on an anode bearing a solid oxide layer, in contact with the oxide melt, over a metallic anode substrate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of International application No. PCT / US2011 / 001469 filed on Aug. 22, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 375,935, filed on Aug. 23, 2010, and also U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 489,565, filed on May 24, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to extracting high-melting elements from oxide ores. In particular, this invention provides electrolytic methods incorporating metal anodes for electro-winning elements from oxide melts.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]The release of greenhouse gases is an intrinsic result of traditional smelting methods for most metals. For example, iron produced conventionally in a blast furnace entails significant process emissions related to coke production and reduction of i...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): C25C1/00
CPCC25C3/00C25C3/26C25C3/28C25C3/30C25C1/00C25C3/34C25C7/005C25C7/025C25C3/32
Inventor ALLANORE, ANTOINESADOWAY, DONALD R.
Owner MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH
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