| Project Detail |
The Pennsylvania State University is developing an efficient, productive, and reliable electrochemical process for the economical reduction of iron ore at temperatures below 600°C without direct greenhouse gas emissions. Iron oxide ore would be electrochemically reduced to metallic iron at the cathode, and oxygen gas would be generated as the only byproduct at the anode using stable oxygen-evolving anode materials. The approach of a metallic anode protected by a solid metal oxide would overcome many of the challenges of anodic degradation that have hindered historical progress in this area. A host of electrolytes will be investigated while processing mixed Fe(II) and Fe(III) ores and simultaneously addressing ore impurities.
Market Impact Potential:
The Pennsylvania State University’s approach could be modular, lending to its ability to be deployed near renewable power assets. Estimates of the operating cost for the proposed electrowinning process is potentially competitive with blast furnaces and superior to hydrogen-direct reduction and other electrowinning approaches. Since the approach uses a low-melting point molten salt, it will enable reactor construction from low-cost, widely available steels. |
