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Thermodynamic Effect of NaCl and KCl Addition on the Equilibrium Between Molten ZnCl2-Based Salt and Liquid Zn–Cd Alloy

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Abstract

Purification of molten salt is essential for producing highly pure metal from melts by chemical reactions and electrolysis. Cementation is a technique used for refining molten ZnCl2-based salt. In this study, we investigated the thermodynamics involved in the reduction of CdCl2 in molten ZnCl2-based salt with Zn metal to optimize the separation conditions for Cd; this is difficult as both Cd and Zn have similar electrochemical potentials. We experimentally investigated the thermodynamic equilibrium between the molten ZnCl2-based salt and liquid Zn–Cd alloy at 723 K (450 °C). The equilibrium concentration of CdCl2 in 40 mol pct ZnCl2-NaCl-KCl coexisting with Zn-Cd alloy changed as the ratio of NaCl and KCl was altered. The activity coefficient of CdCl2 in the system at 723 K (450 °C) was obtained with the calculated activity coefficient of ZnCl2 using several thermodynamic solution models. A two-step cementation process was used to demonstrate the possibility of lowering the concentration of Cd. The Cd content in molten salt was lowered to ~ 10 mass ppm by the two-step reaction, and the feasibility of multi-step cementation was demonstrated.

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Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Professor Kazuo Terashima, Professor Kazuki Morita, Professor Toru H. Okabe, and Lecturer Kazuaki Kato from the University of Tokyo for their valuable suggestions. This research was supported by the 59th (2018) Toray Science and Technology Grant of Toray Science Foundation. We greatly appreciate the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba, 277-8561, Japan

    Gen Kamimura

  2. Department of Materials Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan

    Hiroyuki Matsuura

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  1. Gen Kamimura
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  2. Hiroyuki Matsuura
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Correspondence to Gen Kamimura.

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Manuscript submitted April 20, 2020; accepted September 27, 2020.

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Kamimura, G., Matsuura, H. Thermodynamic Effect of NaCl and KCl Addition on the Equilibrium Between Molten ZnCl2-Based Salt and Liquid Zn–Cd Alloy. Metall Mater Trans B 52, 156–162 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-020-01994-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-020-01994-7

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