In this work, we successfully applied the Fray-Farthing-Chen Cambridge
electro-reduction process on the preparation of chromium from chromium
oxide, and for the first time, the synthesis of ferrochromium alloy from
chromium oxide and iron oxide mixture and the chromite ore in molten calcium
chloride. The present work systematically investigated the influences of
sintered temperature of the solid precursor, electrochemical potential,
electrolysis temperature and time on the products by using a set of advanced
characterization techniques, including XRD and SEM/EDS analyses. In
particular, our results show that this process is energy-friendly and
technically-feasible for the direct extraction of ferrochromium alloy from
chromite ore. Our findings thus provide useful insights for designing a
novel green process to produce ferrochromium alloy from low-grade chromite
ore or stainless steel slag.
Synthesis of chromium and ferrochromium alloy in molten salts by the electro-reduction method
