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Antoine Allanore. Angarita Fonseca, Maria Paula Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Technology and Policy Program. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division 2015-07-31T19:13:43Z 2015-07-31T19:13:43Z 2015 2015 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98004 914731759 Thesis: S.M. in Technology and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-66). To ensure the sustainability of a world whose growing population demands more materials, products, and energy, we must closely examine the sustainability of the industries that supply them. Metal-making industries encounter an opportunity space at the extraction stage of a metal life cycle when aiming at making a significant impact in energy efficiency and carbon emission mitigation. We first develop a thermodynamic model that establishes the technical criteria for the most efficient operation of an electrolytic cell for a variety of metals. Second, we explore the rigidity of the operating boundary conditions and their impact on energy consumption. We then proceed to examine the energy and carbon impact of a hypothetical electrolytic ferrochromium operation in the United States. This case study demonstrates that the thermodynamic model can serve as a reference framework through which diverse stakeholders can compare the environmental impact of existing and innovative metal extraction processes in order to make informed decisions about environmental regulation, investments, subsidies, and mineral resource management. by Maria Paula Angarita Fonseca. S.M. in Technology and Policy 90 pages eng Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 Engineering Systems Division. Technology and Policy Program. Electrolytic extraction of a metal from its metal compound: estimates of optimal energy requirements and their consequences Thesis application/pdf false Publication unknown unknown <Publication xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/1.1/" id="7bfbfa5c-e713-4342-9aa7-6517f9202cf6"> <Type xmlns="https://www.openaire.eu/cerif-profile/vocab/COAR_Publication_Types">http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843</Type> <Language>eng</Language> <Title>Electrolytic extraction of a metal from its metal compound: estimates of optimal energy requirements and their consequences</Title> <PublishedIn> <Publication> </Publication> </PublishedIn> <PublicationDate>2015</PublicationDate> <Authors> <Author> <DisplayName>Angarita Fonseca, Maria Paula</DisplayName> <Affiliation> <OrgUnit> </OrgUnit> </Affiliation> </Author> </Authors> <Editors> </Editors> <Publishers> <Publisher> <DisplayName>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</DisplayName> <OrgUnit /> </Publisher> </Publishers> <License>http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582</License> <Keyword>Engineering Systems Division.</Keyword> <Keyword>Technology and Policy Program.</Keyword> <Abstract>To ensure the sustainability of a world whose growing population demands more materials, products, and energy, we must closely examine the sustainability of the industries that supply them. Metal-making industries encounter an opportunity space at the extraction stage of a metal life cycle when aiming at making a significant impact in energy efficiency and carbon emission mitigation. We first develop a thermodynamic model that establishes the technical criteria for the most efficient operation of an electrolytic cell for a variety of metals. Second, we explore the rigidity of the operating boundary conditions and their impact on energy consumption. We then proceed to examine the energy and carbon impact of a hypothetical electrolytic ferrochromium operation in the United States. This case study demonstrates that the thermodynamic model can serve as a reference framework through which diverse stakeholders can compare the environmental impact of existing and innovative metal extraction processes in order to make informed decisions about environmental regulation, investments, subsidies, and mineral resource management.</Abstract> <Access xmlns="http://purl.org/coar/access_right" > </Access> </Publication>