Solar/Electric Powered Magnesium Production

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Program:
METALS
Award:
$3,599,299
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
01/01/2014 - 06/30/2017

Technology Description:

University of Colorado, Boulder (CU-Boulder) is developing a new solar-powered magnesium production reactor with dramatically improved energy efficiency compared to conventional technologies. Today’s magnesium production processes are expensive and require large amounts of electricity. CU-Boulder’s reactor can be heated using either concentrated solar power during the day or by electricity at night. CU-Boulder’s reactor would dramatically reduce CO2 emissions compared to existing technologies at lower cost because it requires less electricity and can be powered using solar energy. In addition, the reactor can produce syngas, a synthetic gasoline precursor, which could be used to power cars and trucks.

Potential Impact:

If successful, CU-Boulder’s renewable-energy-powered reactor could reduce CO2 emissions and lower costs associated with producing magnesium while also creating a synthetic fuel.

Security:

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

Environment:

Enabling reactors that operate using renewable energy technologies would reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency associated with magnesium production.

Economy:

Improving the efficiency of magnesium production processes could lower the cost of light metals manufacturing throughout the industry.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Patrick McGrath
Project Contact:
Prof. Alan Weimer
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
alan.weimer@colorado.edu

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Release Date:
03/20/2013