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Abstract

The iron and steel industry has a history of environmental consciousness, and efforts are continually made to reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. However, the carbothermic process has approached limits on the further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and only marginal improvements can be expected. Low temperature electrolysis using a dispersion medium to efficiently distribute charge throughout a colloid mixture including iron oxide provides an environmentally friendly method for performing an electrochemical reduction of Fe₂O₃ to produce granular Fe. An electrical-ionic conductive colloidal electrode containing the electrochemically active species (Fe₂O₃ particles), the liquid electrolyte (NaOH solution), and a percolating electrical conductor (carbon network) is utilized to produce Fe. The resulting simultaneous percolation of electrons and ions effectively increases the area of the current collector, and enables the process to function at higher currents and rate of charge transfer than static electrolysis.

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First Claim