Title

OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM OF THE DEHYDRATION OF LANTHANUM CHLORIDE HEPTAHYDRATE

OPERATIONAL DIAGRAM OF THE DEHYDRATION OF LANTHANUM CHLORIDE HEPTAHYDRATE

Authorship

SILVA, FLÁVIO TEIXEIRA DA; OLIVEIRA, DEIVSON PAULO MENDES DE

SILVA, FLÁVIO TEIXEIRA DA

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OLIVEIRA, DEIVSON PAULO MENDES DE

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5327-3908

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Abstract

In order to produce lanthanum metal from molten salt electrolysis of lanthanum chloride, it is necessary to guarantee its complete dehydration. The main difficulty in obtaining an anhydrous chloride is related to oxychloride formation, which decreases substantially the current efficiency of electrolysis. Any thin film of lanthanum oxychloride or oxide will tend to inhibit the subsequent reduction process during molten salt electrolysis. The main purpose of the present work is to develop operational diagrams of the dehydration of lanthanum chloride hexahydrate, in order to preview best conditions to avoid oxychloride formation. From those diagrams, a dry chlorine atmosphere and high temperatures were necessary to promote the feasibility of anhydrous chloride formation.

In order to produce lanthanum metal from molten salt electrolysis of lanthanum chloride, it is necessary to guarantee its complete dehydration. The main difficulty in obtaining an anhydrous chloride is related to oxychloride formation, which decreases substantially the current efficiency of electrolysis. Any thin film of lanthanum oxychloride or oxide will tend to inhibit the subsequent reduction process during molten salt electrolysis. The main purpose of the present work is to develop operational diagrams of the dehydration of lanthanum chloride hexahydrate, in order to preview best conditions to avoid oxychloride formation. From those diagrams, a dry chlorine atmosphere and high temperatures were necessary to promote the feasibility of anhydrous chloride formation.

Keywords

Dehydration, anhydrous chloride, lanthanum

Dehydration, anhydrous chloride, lanthanum