About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Gas Evolution during Nd and DyFe Electrowinning |
| Author(s) |
Ole S. Kjos, Henrik Gudbrandsen, Samuel Senanu, Arne Petter Ratvik |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ole S. Kjos |
| Abstract Scope |
Rare earth electrolysis from fluoride melts have a lot in common with aluminium electrolysis, however, there are significant differences that needs to be investigated and understood to develop an efficient process control. A laboratory setup was developed to efficiently trap gases and obtain a mass balance of the components in gas phase to verify the anode reactions.
Using this setup with a NdF<sub>3</sub>-LiF electrolyte added Nd<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, it was possible to concentrate the off gas (CO and CO<sub>2</sub>) to approximately 10 %, facilitating the ability to better detect traces of PFC (perfluorinated carbon) gases. The laboratory cell produced metal, and the yield was 83 % based on the mass balance of CO+CO<sub>2</sub>.
One finding was a very reproducible increase in CO prior to anode effect, as well as a steady and reproducible voltage increase. Thus either of these could be used as a process control input to completely avoid PFC evolution. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Electrometallurgy, Environmental Effects, Other |