Influence of Temperature Distribution on Products Quality in 3KA Rare Earth Electrolytic Cell

Abstract

An investigation was carried out into temperature distribution in 3KA rare earth electrolytic cell and changes of products quality in neodymium electrolysis from a factory in China, The results show that the different temperature distributions have direct effects on the neodymium products quality. In same production cycle, the cell voltage of electrolytic cell is stable and curre rocessing before discharging bascially stays the same; In different cycles, temperature distribution not always alike, mainly reflected in lateral distribution of temperature in electrolytic cell, one form is temperature gradually increased from cathode to anode, and the anode temperature is highest; another is temperature declined then elevated again, anode temperature is slightly higher than the temperature of cathode. The second distribution is benefit for improve the quality of products.

An Ex-ante LCA Study of Rare Earth Extraction from NdFeB Magnet Scrap Using Molten Salt Electrolysis

“…It was assumed that the typical Chinese 3 kA technology is representative of the technology size of the equipment which would be used for the NdFeB recycling when implemented on an industrial scale. 4 It has been mentioned in the literature that the process temperature is a factor considered in optimization efforts for the industry process [30]. The process developed at TU Delft can be conducted at a slightly lower temperature than the industrial-scale reduction of REO to REM.…”