Multi-Physics Modeling of Molten Salt Transport in Solid Oxide Membrane (SOM) Electrolysis and Recycling of Magnesium
- Metal Oxygen Separation Technologies, Inc.
Solid Oxide Membrane (SOM) Electrolysis is a new energy-efficient zero-emissions process for producing high-purity magnesium and high-purity oxygen directly from industrial-grade MgO. SOM Recycling combines SOM electrolysis with electrorefining, continuously and efficiently producing high-purity magnesium from low-purity partially oxidized scrap. In both processes, electrolysis and/or electrorefining take place in the crucible, where raw material is continuously fed into the molten salt electrolyte, producing magnesium vapor at the cathode and oxygen at the inert anode inside the SOM. This paper describes a three-dimensional multi-physics finite-element model of ionic current, fluid flow driven by argon bubbling and thermal buoyancy, and heat and mass transport in the crucible. The model predicts the effects of stirring on the anode boundary layer and its time scale of formation, and the effect of natural convection at the outer wall. MOxST has developed this model as a tool for scale-up design of these closely-related processes.
- Research Organization:
- Metal Oxygen Separation Technologies, Inc.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE EE Office of Industrial Technologies (EE-2F)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0003454
- OSTI ID:
- 1037590
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/EE/0003454-2
- Journal Information:
- CFD Modeling and Simulation in Materials Processing, Journal Name: CFD Modeling and Simulation in Materials Processing
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Magnesium Recycling of Partially Oxidized, Mixed Magnesium-Aluminum Scrap through Combined Refining and Solid Oxide Membrane Electrolysis Processes
Magnesium production by molten salt electrolysis with liquid tin cathode and multiple effect distillation