ARPA-E
THE VALPO TEAM AND FACILITIES
EXPERTISE
Thermal Sciences, Machine and Manufacturing Sciences, Electrochemical Science, Finite Element Modeling
FACILITIES
State-of-the-art 5 kW solar furnace, state-of-the-art manufacturing laboratory (i.e. CNC machining, 3D printing, and Plasma cutting), Gamry 3000 electrochemical work station, 490 Varion Micro GC, Rigaku MiniFlex 600 Benchtop XRD system, and high-temperature electric furnaces.
FUNDING
ARPA-E Light Metals Program;
Award No. : DE-AR0000421Highlights of Recent AccomplishmentsWhy the Electrolysis of MgO?Details of Latest Cell Concept and Expected Economics with Natural Gas as Thermal InputEconomic Information – Natural GasConcept for Solar Input
- We produced and recovered Mg by electrolysis of MgO in a molten fluoride.
- The cell operated with a current efficiency of 86 %
- The cell reached a current density of 0.5 A-cm-2 at 2.4 V
- Validated thermal input to cell via external heating and natural convection possible: h > 200 W/m2-K
- Magnesium is a valuable commodity with an expected rise in demand
- Electrolysis of MgO much less capital intensive than current MgCl2 process
- Cleaner, less energy and labor intensive than the Pidgeon process
SUSTAINABLE MAGNESIUM PRODUCTION PROCESS:
For:
(a) Lightweight Vehicles
(b) Recreational Equipment
(c) Casting
(d) Chemical Applications
THERMAL ENERGY DISPLACES THE ELECTRICAL ENERGY DEMAND BY AS MUCH AS 50%
Production level: 17,000 metric tons per year (requires 12 cells)
Description:
- Anode/Anode Bank
- Cathode/Cathode Bank
- Shroud
- Cathode Chamber Inlet
- Anode Chamber Inlet
- Cathode Chamber Argon Outlet with Flash Vaporization
- Anode Chamber Argon Outlet and Anode Electrical Connection
- Cathode Electrical Connection
- $32.5 million – Capital
- $2.38/kg Mg – Operating Cost (today’s dollars)
- 6.48 kWhr/kg Mg – Processing Energy
- 2.5 kg CO2/kg Mg – CO2 Emissions
Contact Information
Robert D. Palumbo Ph.D.
Alfred W. Sieving
Chair of Engineering
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Valparaiso University
P: 219.464.5107
Email: robert.palumbo@valpo.edu
Project Partners
- Chrysler Group LLC
- Navigant Consulting Inc.
- Diver Solar LLC & Professor Peter Kissinger at Purdue University
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry Slovak Academy of Sciences