High-speed reduction method by bubbles induced emulsified metal droplets in molten salt bath

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18250
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Metal making/Resorce production engineering
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Natsui Shungo 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (70706879)
• Research Collaborator: SUZUKI Ryosuke ; KIKUCHI Tatsuya ; SUUDO Takuya ; NASHIMOTO Ryota ; TAKAI Hifumi
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: コロイダルメタル / 溶融塩電解 / その場観察 / 界面活性 / 数値流体力学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the thermic reduction of oxide XOx-1(s)(X = Ti, Zr, or difficult reducibility metals) using electrodeposited liquid metal (Me = Ca, Li, or their alloys), the presence of dissolved Me at the vicinity of the cathode is essential, when the oxide is placed close to the cathode. To understand the transient behavior of Me droplets in the molten salt bath, the interface between the electrodeposited phase and the bath system was observed in-situ using a high-speed digital microscope. Further, the transient behaviors of multi-fluid system were investigated using the SPH model. We found that the droplets on the electrode are slightly flattened, when the colloidal Me content decreases. This mechanism indicates that the heterogeneous distribution of the colloidal Me may be due to the local Me solubility in the electrolyte.

Free Research Field

金属・資源生産工学