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Title: Survey of electrochemical metal winning processes. Final report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6063735· OSTI ID:6063735

The subject program was undertaken to find electrometallurgical technology that could be developed into energy saving commercial metal winning processes. Metals whose current production processes consume significant energy (excepting copper and aluminum) are magnesium, zinc, lead, chromium, manganese, sodium, and titanium. The technology of these metals, with the exception of titanium, was reviewed. Growth of titanium demand has been too small to justify the installation of an electrolyte process that has been developed. This fact and the uncertainty of estimates of future demand dissuaded us from reviewing titanium technology. Opportunities for developing energy saving processes were found for magnesium, zinc, lead, and sodium. Costs for R and D and demonstration plants have been estimated. It appeared that electrolytic methods for chromium and manganese cannot compete energywise or economically with the pyrometallurgical methods of producing the ferroalloys, which are satisfactory for most uses of chromium and manganese.

Research Organization:
Battelle Columbus Labs., OH (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6063735
Report Number(s):
ANL/OEPM-79-3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English