Applications of molten salts in reactive metals processing

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/199216.0184PV· OSTI ID:6661984

Mishra, B; Olson, D L ^[1]; Averill, W A ^[2]

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1. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States). Kroll Inst. for Extractive Metallurgy
2. EG and G Rocky Flats, Inc., Golden, CO (United States). Rocky Flats Plant

Pyrochemical processes using molten salts provide a unique opportunity for the extraction and refining of many reactive and valuable metals either directly from the beneficiated ore or from other process effluent that contain reactive metal compounds. This research program is aimed at developing a process for the production and recovery of reactive and valuable metals, such as zinc, tin, lead, bismuth and silver, in a hybrid reactor combining electrolytic production of the calcium reductant and in-situ utilization of this reductant for pyrochemical reduction of the metal compounds, such as halide or oxides. The process is equally suitable for producing other low melting metals, such as cadmium and antimony. The cell is typically operated below 1000C temperature. Attempts have been made to produce silver, lead, bismuth, tin and cerium by calciothermic reduction in a molten salt media. In a separate effort, calcium has been produced by an electrolytic dissociation of lime in a calcium chloride medium. The most important characteristic of the hybrid technology is its ability to produce metals under zero-waste'' conditions.

• Research Organization: EG and G Rocky Flats, Inc., Golden, CO (United States). Rocky Flats Plant
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC34-90DP62349
• OSTI ID: 6661984
• Report Number(s): RFP-4651; CONF-930366-1; ON: DE93003368
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 1992-16; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: Engineering foundation conference, Miami, FL (United States), 16 Mar 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CALCIUM
ELECTROMETALLURGY
METALLURGY
MATERIALS RECOVERY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
METALS
MOLTEN SALTS
REDUCTION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
MANAGEMENT
PROCESSING
SALTS
WASTE PROCESSING
320305* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management
360101 - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication