SADOWAY TARGET METAL
The vast majority of mined manganese is used to alloy steel and iron, drastically improving strength, toughness, and wear resistance.
Manganese dioxide is utilized in standard alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries, while compounds like potassium permanganate act as powerful oxidizing agents used in water purification and medical treatments.
Consider manganese
Mn
Manganese 25
PROOF OF CONCEPT
Manganese experiments at MIT
Based on work performed by Prof. Sadoway at MIT presented below, is evidence of conversion of manganese oxide into manganese by molten silicate electrolysis.
Consider a process in which manganese oxide (MnO2) which is found in manganese ores is dissolved in a solvent composed of a solution of other metal oxides into which are immersed two electrodes. By the action of electric current manganese oxide is decomposed into liquid manganese which pools on the bottom of the cell and into oxygen which vents through the top of the cell. No electric arc furnaces, no carbon reducing agent (coke or coal), no CO2 emissions, ultra-low carbon metal product which is advantageous for high-performance stainless steels.
Experimental conditions
Melt- SiO2 31 wt %, CaO 11 wt %, CaF2 4 wt %,Al2O3 18 wt %, Li2O 6 wt %, MnO2 30 wt %
Cathode – molybdenum rod
Anode- iridium rod
Electrolysis carried out at 1575℃ in a molybdenum crucible with a pool of liquid iron acting as a cathode host into which manganese was deposited. A constant current of 10 A was passed through the cell over 4-hr period.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
In one step we move from dirt to liquid metal of requisite purity, and at or below the market price point. One-pot smelting. Processing compression.