| Project Detail |
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is developing technology to use electrowinning to convert pulverized iron ore into pure iron that is deposited on a cathode. The approach leverages a rotating impeller to speed up chemical reactions ten-fold and facilitate the transport of iron to the electrode. The goal is to create a laboratory-scale prototype of an impeller-accelerated reactor that maintains the production of one kilogram per hour of over 98% pure iron for 100 hours.
Market Impact Potential:
This project will convert domestic iron ore into a pure iron product at fast rates and produce no direct carbon emissions. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ approach is distinct from other low-temperature, aqueous electrowinning concepts being developed commercially, because it incorporates an active advection-enhancing and electrolyte-refreshing component via its impeller. If successful, the technology can be scaled to produce over 15 million tons of steel per year. |
