Electrolysis for ironmaking
Electrolysis is a method used to separate chemical compounds into their constituent parts using direct electric current.[1] In this process, electricity is applied to an anode (the positively charged electrode) and a cathode (the negatively charged electrode), which are immersed in the chemical to be electrolysed. Electrolysis of water (H2O) produces hydrogen and oxygen which is the method used to produce Green, Pink or Yellow Hydrogen. whereas electrolysis of aluminium oxide (Al2 O3 ) produces metallic aluminium and oxygen.
Electrolysis, like Electrowinning eliminates the need for coke production, iron ore sintering and pelletization like in a coal-based blast furnace or direct reduction plant.
Molten Oxide Electrolysis
Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) is an electrolysis process for ironmaking developed by Boston Metal. Boston Metal's MOE method uses renewable electricity to convert all iron ore grades to high quality liquid metal. In an MOE cell, an inert anode is submerged in an electrolyte to which iron ore is continuously fed and electrified. As the cell reaches a temperature of 1600°C, electrons break the bonds in the iron oxide, yielding pure liquid metal. This process generates only oxygen as a by-product, without any carbon dioxide or other harmful emissions. Additionally, MOE eliminates the need for process water, hazardous chemicals, or precious-metal catalysts. The outcome is a clean, high-purity liquid metal ready for direct transfer to ladle metallurgy without the need for reheating.[2] This method is considered a path to 100% decarbonized steel.[3]
References
- ↑ "Electrolysis in ironmaking" (PDF). World Steel. Retrieved 03 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Green Steel Solution - Boston Metal". www.bostonmetal.com. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ↑ Metal, Boston; Kelly, Dawn (2022-09-20). "Zero CO2 Steel by Molten Oxide Electrolysis: A Path to 100% Global Steel Decarbonization". Boston Metal. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
