Eric Gratz

EFFICIENCY AND STABILITY OF SOLID OXIDE MEMBRANE ELECTROLYZERS FOR MAGNESIUM PRODUCTION

Solid oxide membrane (SOM) process has been successfully employed for the production of magnesium directly from its oxide. The process involves dissolving MgO in a fluoride based ionic flux and electrochemically pumping out the oxygen ions from the flux via an oxygen-ion-conducting SOM to the anode where they are oxidized, while reducing magnesium ions at the cathode. Understanding the long-term stability of the SOM in the flux is critical for the commercial success of this technology. In this study long term SOM stability is investigated under potentiostatic conditions. Additionally, study utilizes electrochemical techniques such as impedance spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry to investigate key concepts related to MgO dissociation and current efficiency. Results show that the dissociation potential of MgO is dependent on the partial pressures at which magnesium is generated and the membrane stability is likely related to the current efficiency.