Method and apparatus for recycling high-vapor pressure, low-electronegativity metals
AssigneeMetal Oxygen Separation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAdam C. Powell, IV, Steve J. Derezinski, III
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Abstract
Recycling methods and apparatus produce elements of high purity from diverse feedstock materials melted in an electronically conductive liquid. Distinct anodes are used in respective circuits configured for electrorefining and electrowinning. The electrorefining circuit is operable to produce an element in a gaseous state. The electrowinning circuit includes a SOM anode, allowing feedstock materials incorporating significant oxide constituents to be recycled. The methods and apparatus are suitable for magnesium recycling.
Claims55
A method of producing magnesium from a feedstock material including magnesium oxide and magnesium not bonded in the magnesium oxide, comprising:
- providing a liquid electrolyte capable of dissolving magnesium oxide;
- providing a cathode in electrical contact with the electrolyte;
- providing an anode, separated from the electrolyte by a membrane capable of conducting oxygen anions;
- melting the feedstock material, the melted feedstock material being in an electronically conductive liquid, in contact with the electrolyte along a horizontal interface and not in contact with either of the cathode and the membrane;
- extracting electrons from the electronically conductive liquid, thereby generating species bearing magnesium in an oxidized state in the electrolyte;
- and
- providing electrons to the cathode, thereby forming elemental magnesium thereat.
A method of producing magnesium from a feedstock material incorporating magnesium not bonded in a compound, comprising:
- providing a liquid electrolyte;
- providing a cathode in electrical contact with the electrolyte;
- melting the feedstock material, the melted feedstock material being in an electronically conductive liquid, in contact with the electrolyte along a horizontal interface and not in contact with the cathode;
- extracting electrons from the electronically conductive liquid, thereby generating species bearing magnesium in an oxidized state in the electrolyte;
- and
- providing electrons to the cathode, thereby reducing species bearing magnesium in an oxidized state and forming elemental magnesium in a gaseous phase at the cathode.
An apparatus for producing magnesium from a feedstock material including magnesium oxide and magnesium not bonded in the magnesium oxide, comprising:
- a liquid electrolyte, capable of dissolving magnesium oxide;
- a cathode in electrical contact with the liquid electrolyte;
- an anode separated from the liquid electrolyte by a membrane capable of conducting oxygen anions from the electrolyte;
- and
- an electronically conductive liquid incorporating magnesium, not bonded to oxygen, from melted feedstock material, in contact with the electrolyte at a horizontal interface and not in contact with either of the cathode and the membrane;
- and
- a current collector in electrical contact with the metallic liquid.
An apparatus for producing magnesium from a feedstock material including magnesium not bonded in a compound, the apparatus comprising:
- a liquid electrolyte;
- a cathode, in electrical contact with the electrolyte, at a temperature;
- an electronically conductive liquid incorporating magnesium, from melted feedstock material, in contact with the electrolyte along a horizontal interface and not in contact with the cathode;
- a current collector in electrical contact with the electronically conductive liquid;
- and
- a power source configured to extract electrons from the current collector and provide electrons to the cathode,
- wherein the temperature is such that the apparatus is operable to produce magnesium in a gaseous state at the cathode.
An apparatus for producing an element from a feedstock material including an oxide of the element and the element not bonded in the oxide, comprising:
- a liquid electrolyte, capable of dissolving the oxide;
- a cathode in electrical contact with the liquid electrolyte;
- an anode separated from the liquid electrolyte by a membrane capable of conducting oxygen anions from the electrolyte;
- and
- an electronically conductive liquid incorporating the element, not bonded to oxygen, from melted feedstock material, in contact with the electrolyte at a horizontal interface and not in contact with either of the cathode and the membrane;
- and
- a current collector in electrical contact with the electronically conductive liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.