Title: Electrochemical cells for direct oxide reduction, and related methods

Abstract

A method of direct oxide reduction includes forming a molten salt electrolyte in an electrochemical cell, disposing at least one metal oxide in the electrochemical cell, disposing a counter electrode comprising a material selected from the group consisting of osmium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, platinum, silver, gold, lithium iridate, lithium ruthenate, a lithium rhodate, a lithium tin oxygen compound, a lithium manganese compound, strontium ruthenium ternary compounds, calcium iridate, strontium iridate, calcium platinate, strontium platinate, magnesium ruthenate, magnesium iridate, sodium ruthenate, sodium iridate, potassium iridate, and potassium ruthenate in the electrochemical cell, and applying a current between the counter electrode and the at least one metal oxide to reduce the at least one metal oxide. Related methods of direct oxide reduction and related electrochemical cells are also disclosed.

Inventors:

Tripathy, Prabhat K.

Issue Date:

2020-12-22

Research Org.:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1771748

Patent Number(s):

10872705

Application Number:

15/886,041

Assignee:

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25C - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

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C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25C - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS

C25C3/34 - of metals not provided for in groups C25C3/02 - C25C3/32
C25C3/36 - Alloys obtained by cathodic reduction of all their ions
C25C7/025 - {used in cells for the electrolysis of melts}

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C19/48 - Non-aqueous processes
G21C19/50 - of irradiated fluid fuel {, e.g. regeneration of fuels while the reactor is in operation}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02W - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT

Y02W30/50 - Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC07-05ID14517

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 02/01/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English