SADOWAY TARGET METAL
Consider antimony
Sb
Antimony 51
Antimony—indispensible for the functioning of modern society, powering ecological innovation and enabling advancements, in renewable energy, electronics and defense systems. With Sadoway’s breakthrough processing, this critical mineral can be produced cleanly, reliably, and at scale, to strengthen domestic supply chains where it is needed most.
PROOF OF CONCEPT
Antimony experiments carried out at Sadoway Labs
Based on work directed by Prof. Sadoway at Sadoway Labs Foundation presented below is evidence of conversion of antimony sulfide into liquid antimony by molten borate electrolysis.
Consider a process in which antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) which is found in stibnite ores is dissolved in a solvent composed of a solution of metal oxides into which are immersed two electrodes. By the action of electric current antimony sulfide is decomposed into liquid antimony which pools on the bottom of the cell and into sulfur gas which is ducted through the top of the cell for condensation into bricks of solid sulfur. No blast furnace, no CO2, no SO2 emissions.
Experimental conditions
Melt- NaF 15 wt %,B2O3 70 wt %, Li2O 5 wt %, SbCS3 10 wt %
Cathode – graphite crucible
Anode- suspended graphite rod
Electrolysis carried out at 725℃..
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.