Periodic Shorting of SOM Cell to Remove Soluble Magnesium in Molten Flux and Improve Faradaic Efficiency

Solid oxide membrane (SOM) electrolysis has been used for magnesium production directly from magnesium oxide. Magnesium dissolution in molten flux electrolyte is of particular concern in SOM electrolysis, because it imparts electronic conductivity to the flux and thereby decreases the faradaic current efficiency. In this work, a new approach for removing soluble magnesium in the flux is explored. Periodic shorting is performed between the anode and the cathode of SOM electrolysis cell. During shorting, soluble magnesium in the flux is oxidized to magnesium oxide. This significantly reduces the electronic current in the flux and therefore keeps the faradaic current efficiency high during SOM electrolysis. Electronic transference numbers in the flux are measured to assess the soluble magnesium concentration. Potentiodynamic scan results also confirm the feasibility of shorting the electrodes to remove soluble magnesium.