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Perfluorocarbon Formation During Rare Earth Electrolysis

Abstract

A challenge during rare earth (RE) electrolysis is to avoid emissions of perfluorocarbon (PFC) green-house gases. The objective of this work was to study how to operate the RE electrolysis process with neither PFC formation nor anode effect. Linear Sweep Voltammetry was carried out at 1050 and 1100 °C, and electrolysis was performed in REF3-LiF melts at ca. 1050 °C during on-line off-gas analysis. To avoid anode effect, the current density values must be strictly less than 0.43 and 0.68 A cm−2 at working temperatures of 1050 and 1100 °C, respectively. The optimal REO batch feed rate for avoiding PFC formation could be established by correlating the onset of PFC with the values and the changes that occurred in the anode potential.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Industry / Sustainable Energy Technology
  • SINTEF Industry / Metal Production and Processing
  • Toulouse 1 University Capitole

Year

2018

Published in

The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series

ISSN

2367-1181

Volume

Part F4

Page(s)

1443 - 1448

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository