Demonstration of solar-pumped laser-induced magnesium production form magnesium oxide

Abstract

Studies of storing solar energy into chemical energy of magnesium (Mg) through reduction from magnesium oxide (MgO) by solar-pumped laser were conducted. We succeeded in solar-pumped laser-induced Mg production. Laser system consists of a 4 m2 Fresnel lens mounting on a sun tracker platform which focus solar radiation into laser head therefore over 100W (CW) output laser can be irradiated. A single laser beam is focused on a mixture of magnesium oxide and reducing agent silicon. High power density of focused laser leads to high temperature and the reduction reaction resulting in Mg production. The resultant vapor is collected on a copper plate and analyzed in terms of magnesium deposition efficiency. As a result, deposition efficiency of 2.3 mg/kJ was achieved.