An inert metal anode for magnesium electrowinning
Results from the development of a novel type of anode for electrowinning Mg are reported. A tailored alloy system based on the binary Cu-Al can be made to form a thin alumina layer on its surface that is relatively impervious to attack by the molten chloride melt at high temperature. This barrier is thin enough (5--50 nm) to conduct electrical current without significant IR loss. As the layer slowly dissolves, the chemical potential developed at the surface drives the diffusion of aluminum from the bulk alloy to reform (heal) the protective alumina layer. In this way, an anode that generates Cl{sub 2} (melt electrolysis) and O{sub 2} (wet feed hydrolysis) and no chlorocarbons can be realized. Further, the authors expect the rate of loss of the anode to be dramatically less than the coke-derived carbon anodes typically in use for this technology, leading to substantial cost savings and ancillary pollution control by eliminating coke plant emissions, as well as eliminating chlorinated hydrocarbon emissions from Mg electrowinning cells.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 750611
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ES/CP-100633; TRN: AH200019%%104
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS) Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN (US), 03/12/2000--03/16/2000; Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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