Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Wash., is developing a titanium-based catalyst that regenerates an important chemical that will enable a more efficient magnesium extraction process that should cut magnesium production costs in half. PNNL is partnering with Global Seawater Extraction Technologies and Utah magnesium plant owner U.S. Magnesium LLC. The method is based on a crystallization process developed by Global Seawater Extraction Technologies, and will tap electrolysis and production experience from U.S. Magnesium.
The process operates at 300°C or less, much lower than the 900°C required by the current U.S. process. PNNL will draw on its expertise in catalyst development, molecular simulation, powder metallurgy, and metal-organic chemistry for the project. Detailed computer modeling and follow-up lab tests will be used to pinpoint the catalyst’s specific chemical makeup.
The project team plans to develop a prototype system that uses the new process. Commercial-scale magnesium production with the new process should cost less than $1.50/kg and require only 25 kilowatt-hours of energy per kilogram.
