Electrical Conductivity and Transference Number Measurements of FeO - CaO - MgO - SiO2 Melts

Abstract

Accurate knowledge of the electrical properties of molten salts is paramount in the design of industrial electrolytic cells because Joule heating of the electrolyte is central to establishing the thermal balance of the reactor. Molten oxides have been named candidate electrolytes for prospective high-temperature electrochemical processes. In particular, Sadoway has speculated on the utility of producing a variety of metals by direct electrolytic reduction of their oxides dissolved in a suitable molten oxide solvent. In this vein, the electrical conductivities and transference numbers were measured as a function of FeO concentration in the FeO - CaO - MgO - SiO2 system. The dominant effect of FeO addition is to render the melt electronically conductive in proportion to the concentration of FeO.