About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Next Generation Electrometallurgical Technologies for Metal Extraction, Refining, and Recycling
|
| Presentation Title |
Decarbonizing metal extraction through molten salt electrolysis with non consumable anodes |
| Author(s) |
Gudrun A. Saevarsdottir, Sai Krishna Padamata |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Gudrun A. Saevarsdottir |
| Abstract Scope |
Metal production involves significant greenhouse gas emissions, and developing alternative, emission free, processes is important for climate goals. Electrolysis in molten salts using inert anodes is a promising approach for some applications. Aluminum is currently produced using the Hall Héroult process, which uses a cryolite based electrolyte and carbon anodes generating CO2. Significant progress has been made over the past decades in developing a version of this process, with non consumable oxygen evolving anodes, using a modified electrolyte which allows operation at a lower and more anode-friendly temperature. Oxygen activity and cell volatage must also be taken into account for anode longevity, and to prevent contamination of the cathode product. The loss of carbon as a chemical energy source must also be considered in the overall energy balance and a carbon footprint that includes electric energy generation. Learnings from this approach can feed into other processes, such as Silicon production. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Electrometallurgy, Sustainability |