Solid oxide membrane process for magnesium production directly from magnesium oxide

The solid oxide membrane (SOM) process is an emerging technology for the environmentally friendly extraction of high-energy-content metals such as magnesium, tantalum, and titanium directly from their respective oxides. This paper reports on the recent success of the SOM process for magnesium production from magnesium oxide dissolved in fluoride-based fluxes in the temperature range 1150 degrees C to 1300 degrees C. This process employs an inert oxygen-ion-conducting stabilized zirconia membrane to separate the inert cathode in the flux from the anode. When the applied electrical potential between the electrodes exceeds the dissociation potential of magnesium oxide, oxygen ions are pumped out of the melt and through the zirconia membrane to the anode where they are oxidized. Reduced magnesium evolves at the cathode as a vapor and is condensed in a separate chamber yielding a high-purity product. The SOM cell has been electrochemically characterized, and key concepts related to MgO dissociation, leakage current, and mass transfer relevant to the SOM process are explained.