| Abstract Scope |
While the capital footprints for pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy are well-documented, limited literature exists for estimating the capital costs of electrowinning processes. Despite the use of electrolysis to produce key materials such as aluminum, copper, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and chlorine, a general model for the cost of an electrolytic facility based on operating parameters has previously not been proposed. In this study, reported capital investments for existing electrochemical facilities are examined to determine the economy of scale for electrolysis technology. Capital costs for electrowinning facilities are assessed in four parts: materials feed, electrolyzers, downstream product handling, and rectifier costs. The capital investments for electrolyzer cell technologies are explored as a function of operating parameters such current density, throughput, and temperature. Modern aqueous and molten salt electrolysis technologies are shown to be cost competitive, while emerging molten oxide and sulfide technologies may exhibit lower capital costs due to higher supported current densities. |