Contribution of Electricity to Materials Processing: Historical and Current Perspectives

Abstract

Introduction: Most major materials extraction processes are more than 100 years old, developed at a time of limited awareness of their environmental impact and the issue of resources limitations. In this context, it is proposed to look back at materials processes progress in parallel with the history of electric power generation. This overview reveals that electricity became a key energy vector for chemical and materials processing in less than a century. The role of electricity in the production of the highest tonnage metals (i.e., aluminum and steel) proved to be crucial, leading to higher productivity and lower energy consumption for both metals. Finally, a review of the recent developments in electrolytic steel shows that new electricity- based processes are possible, offering the opportunity for a symbiosis between future carbon-free power generation and materials processing.