3 ms·

Can this reasonably be more efficient than the direct electrolysis process? There was a major breakthrough in 2013 with a ferrochromium anode: https://europepm

by scythe 4y ago

Can this reasonably be more efficient than the direct electrolysis process? There was a major breakthrough in 2013 with a ferrochromium anode: https://europepmc.org/article/med/23657254 https://europepmc.org/article/med/23657254 which led to an NSF grant: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1534664 https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1534664 which spawned a startup that is now seeking private investors: https://www.bostonmetal.com/transforming-metal-production/ https://www.bostonmetal.com/transforming-metal-production/

actionfromafar 4y ago
Maybe not but the hydrogen process is probably a game changer regardless, because there is less research and productisation needed. It is similar to existing processes. It’s also perfectly positioned to take advantage of wind power. The gas storage tanks can make up for variations in electricity production. It’s all set to be deployed at a large scale already. Watt for watt it might not (I have no idea) be as efficient as electrolysis, but as a total solution I see how it could be deployed at scale. Combined with the advances in electric mining equipment like what Volvo is offering, the industry is all set to go fully carbon neutral and electric. (No tech hurdles left.)
pfdietz 4y ago
It's not just a question of efficiency. How expensive is the equipment? And in particular, if it's using intermittently available power, how expensive is the part that must be ready to absorb that power? For hydrogen it's electrolysers (and perhaps compressors); for that scheme it would be the oxide electrolysis cells.
jl6 4y ago
I recently came across Boston Metal’s proposed use of this inert anode material but I couldn’t find much detail on whether the “breakthrough” claim was genuine. It still seems early days, though if true it would be a transformative enabler for the production of low-carbon steel.

by scythe 4y ago

actionfromafar 4y ago

Maybe not but the hydrogen process is probably a game changer regardless, because there is less research and productisation needed. It is similar to existing processes. It’s also perfectly positioned to take advantage of wind power. The gas storage tanks can make up for variations in electricity production. It’s all set to be deployed at a large scale already. Watt for watt it might not (I have no idea) be as efficient as electrolysis, but as a total solution I see how it could be deployed at scale. Combined with the advances in electric mining equipment like what Volvo is offering, the industry is all set to go fully carbon neutral and electric. (No tech hurdles left.)

pfdietz 4y ago

It's not just a question of efficiency. How expensive is the equipment? And in particular, if it's using intermittently available power, how expensive is the part that must be ready to absorb that power? For hydrogen it's electrolysers (and perhaps compressors); for that scheme it would be the oxide electrolysis cells.

jl6 4y ago

I recently came across Boston Metal’s proposed use of this inert anode material but I couldn’t find much detail on whether the “breakthrough” claim was genuine. It still seems early days, though if true it would be a transformative enabler for the production of low-carbon steel.