Carol Larson

Production of C from CO2 in a two-step solar process utilizing FeO and Fe3O4

An analytical model of a solar process which produces C from CO2 is presented. The proposed process is carried out in two steps according to the following reaction scheme: 6FeO(s) + CO2 → 2Fe3O4(s) + C(graphite) (low temperature), 2Fe3O4(s) → 6FeO(1) + O2 (high temperature). We demonstrate the theoretical effects of operating conditions on process performance.

Thermal electrolytic production of Mg from MgO: Reflections on commercial viability

We are exploring the commercial viability for producing Mg from MgO for which thermal energy is supplied to the cell as a substitute for some electric energy. The thermal input source may be concentrated sunlight or natural gas. Laboratory-scale electrochemical studies near 1250 K for two cell concepts show that we reached current densities above 0.5 A-cm−2at an overvoltage of 1.0 V. Current efficiency values exceeded 80%. The discussion of the relationship between these bench-top experimental results and the industrial potential of the process has been initiated.