Method and Device for Producing Zinc

Abstract

A method for producing zinc is disclosed. The method includes an electrolysis step and a reduction step. The electrolysis step includes pressurizing and heating liquid water to a critical state to obtain critical water, and electrolyzing the critical water to obtain super critical state hydrogen and super critical state oxygen. The reduction step includes reacting the super critical state hydrogen with a zinc oxide to reduce the zinc oxide to zinc.

1 . A method for producing zinc comprising:
 an electrolysis step including: pressurizing and heating liquid water to a critical state to obtain critical water, and electrolyzing the critical water to obtain super critical state hydrogen and super critical state oxygen; and   a reduction step including reacting the super critical state hydrogen with a zinc oxide to reduce the zinc oxide to zinc.   
     
     
         2 . The method for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 1 , with the liquid water in the critical state having a pressure of 221 atm and a temperature of 672K. 
     
     
         3 . The method for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 1 , with the super critical state hydrogen and the super critical state oxygen having a pressure of 230 atm and a temperature of 700K. 
     
     
         4 . The method for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pre-step including heating and pressurizing the liquid water into a high temperature/high pressure state, with the liquid water in the high temperature/high pressure state having a pressure of 20 atm and a temperature higher than 330K. 
     
     
         5 . A device for producing zinc comprising:
 at least one adjustment unit each having a pressurizing member and a heating member;   an electrolysis unit connected to the adjustment unit by a pipe and outputting a critical state gas; and   a reduction unit connected to the electrolysis unit by a gas inlet pipe.   
     
     
         6 . The device for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a reservoir, with the at least one adjustment unit having two adjustment units connected between the reservoir and the electrolysis unit. 
     
     
         7 . The device for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 5 , further comprising a storage tank connected to the electrolysis unit by a gas outlet pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The device for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 7 , with a plurality of heat dissipating members mounted between the electrolysis unit and the storage tank. 
     
     
         9 . The device for producing zinc as claimed in  claim 5 , with the electrolysis unit connected to a current supplier supplying the electrolysis unit with electric current.