Electrochemical Magnesium Extraction from Scrap

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Program:
METALS
Award:
$758,649
Location:
Lexington, Kentucky
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
12/03/2013 - 03/01/2015

Technology Description:

Phinix is developing a specialized cell that recovers high-quality magnesium from aluminum-magnesium scrap. Current aluminum refining uses chlorination to separate aluminum from other alloys, which results in a significant amount of salt-contaminated waste. Rather than using the conventional chlorination approach, Phinix’s cell relies on a three-layer electrochemical melting process that has proven successful in purifying primary aluminum. Phinix will adapt that process to purify aluminum-magnesium scrap, recovering magnesium by separating that scrap based on the different densities within its mix. Phinix’s cell could offer increased flexibility in managing costs because it can handle scrap of various chemical compositions, making use of scrap that is currently in low demand. With a more efficient design, the cell can recover and reuse aluminum-magnesium scrap at low cost with minimal waste.

Potential Impact:

If successful, Phinix’s advanced, low-cost magnesium and magnesium-aluminum alloys recycling process could reduce the need for manufacturing new, expensive primary metals.

Security:

Light-weighting vehicles to improve fuel efficiency could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign fossil fuel resources used in the transportation industry.

Environment:

Light metal recycling could eliminate 2,000,000 tons of aluminum waste each year.

Economy:

Recycling magnesium from scrap could reduce its cost to $2.00/kg, compared to $2.50/kg with conventional primary production methods, resulting in significant reductions in costs throughout automotive and other industries.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. James Klausner
Project Contact:
Dr. Subodh Das
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
skdas@phinix.net

Partners

Materials & Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation

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Release Date:
03/20/2013