Page 166 - CW E-Magazine (5-8-2025)

Special Report Special Report

The fi rst use that comes to mind for An unintended consequence of ral gas or biogas; however the quality the traditional electrode of yttria-stabi- Regional trends Sc O producers, and most of the pro-
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these alloys is aerospace, as it makes these traits is that it could reduce basic requirements for inputs are stringent. lized zirconia (YSZ). Other advantages duction is from acid wastes of TiO
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for lighter and stronger structures. The aluminium consumption. SOFCs operate at high temperatures up of SSZ use are: China industry.
MIG-29 aircraft, made in Russia, sup- to 900°C.  Improved ionic conductivity: Add- China is the world’s largest producer
posedly uses Al-scandium alloy struc- Sold Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) ing scandium oxide (Sc O ) helps of scandium, but exact statistics are Bayan Obo is the world’s largest
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tures. In the passenger aircraft segment, SOFCs are high effi ciency station- When Scandia-Stabilized-Zirconia boost conductivity, improving the diffi cult to get as under HS classifi ca- known REE deposit. The fl uorspar
Airbus introduced Al-Mg-Sc alloys. ary fuels cells with 80-85% (even 90%) (SSZ) is used as the solid electrolyte fuel cell’s performance. tion rare earth metals and scandium are content of the ores also makes it the
The 45% weight reduction for its A320 effi ciency with a modular capacity up layer of the SOFC, it allows longer life  Increased durability: Sc O helps clubbed together and scandium may be world’s largest fl uorspar deposit.
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planes reduces its fuel consumption to 250-kW. They can operate with natu- and higher power density compared to stabilize parts of the fuel cell, a very small percentage of the total. Reserves are estimated at more than
and lowers its carbon footprint. making them more resistant to heat 40-mt of REE minerals grading at 3-5.4%
Table 2: Applications of Sc O in SOFCs and mechanical stress. The vast majority of Sc O pro- REE (70% of world’s known REE
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There is also very large potential Application Benefi ts  Lower operating temperature: Scan- duced in China comes from the waste reserves); 1 million tons of neodymium
use for Al-Sc alloys in the auto- Stationary power generation Sc O -enhanced SOFCs are perfect for dium provides the highest known acid discharged during the production oxide (Nd O ) and 470-mt of iron.
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motive industry if the cost can be stationary power generation, such as power rate of transport of oxygen, and of TiO by the sulphuric acid process. The quantity of REE deposits mined
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brought down. plants, backup systems, and distributed this permits the SOFC to operate at For every tonne of TiO produced, is not clear, but there are two large
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energy. Their high effi ciency and durability temperatures around 700°C, much about 8-10 tonnes of waste acid con- mines. Various ores in the Bayan Obo
Scandium is also used in manu- make them a reliable source of clean energy, lower than the roughly 1000°C of taining 10-25 mg/l Sc2O is released deposit have Sc O contents between
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facture of premium tennis rackets, especially in remote areas or where a steady conventional yttrium-doped SOFCs. during the hydrolysis process. 40-169 ppm. In the REE ore tailing,
baseball bats, sports cycles, tent poles power supply is critical. This lower operating tempera- the Sc O content reaches 250-ppm,
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and mountain climbing gear. Smith & Transportation Sc O -enhanced SOFCs can power vehicles ture makes the system much more With the wide application of TiO , therefore it is expected it should be a
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Wesson revolvers are a faster draw as where long-range and low emissions are mechanically robust with less wear increasing amount of waste acid con- major producer.
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they have become lighter with use of essential (e.g., trucks, ships, and even planes). on the materials, a longer lifespan, taining scandium will be discharged
Al-Sc alloys. Some of the other uses Their ability to use diff erent fuels makes them and reduced cost of insulation and during the production of TiO . There- Hunan Oriental Scandium extracts
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of Al-Sc alloys are high-performance, fl exible for various transport needs. cooling. fore, TiO waste acid is a signifi cant scandium from waste acid of TiO
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lightweight mobility devices – such raw material for recovering Sc O . plants. The company’s products include
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as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, Combined heat and power (CHP) SOFCs generate electricity and use leftover The future of Sc O in SOFCs is Sc O and scandium metal. It has a
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crutches, canes, and prosthetic and or- systems heat for heating, boosting overall effi ciency promising. As the need for clean energy China has TiO capacity of 7-mtpa, Sc O production line with a capacity
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thotic device – that can enable people to about 85%. Sc O improves the perfor- grows, so will the demand for effi cient of which about 12-13% is via the chloride of more than 10-tpa. The oxide is used
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with physical disabilities participate in mance and durability of these systems, mak- and reliable fuel cells. Ongoing re- route, and the rest by the sulphate route. in the preparation of Al-Sc master alloy
sports and other physical activities are ing them more attractive for homes, busi- search aims to enhance Sc O ’s proper- and the development and production
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also made from Al-Sc alloys. nesses, and factories. ties, making it even more eff ective China is known to have a dozen of Al-Sc alloys for civilian use. It has
Table 1: Properties and the benefi ts of Al-Sc alloys in fuel cells. Advances in production Table 3: Sc O producers in China
Property Benefi t methods may also help reduce costs, Company 2 3 Scandium source
Increased strength to weight ratio Overall weight may reduce by 10-15%. making Sc O more accessible. Bayan Obo Deposit (REE plant and recovery of Sc O ) REE
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Increased fuel effi ciency Reduction in fuel consumption and consequently emissions. Bloom Energy (USA) has commer- Hunan Oriental Scandium Co. Ltd. (TiO ) route 2 3 TiO waste acid
Enhanced weldability and durability Typically, high-strength aluminium alloys suff er from poor weldability, limit- cialised use of Sc O in SOFCs and 2 2
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ing its use. Components made from Al-Sc alloys can be welded without losing appears to be the biggest scandium Taojiang Ruilong Metals New Materials Ltd. TiO waste acid
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strength at the weld joints, maintaining durability and longevity in structural consumer globally. Guangxi Maoxin Technology Co., Ltd. TiO waste acid
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applications. Jiaozuo Rongjia Scandium Industry Science & Technology TiO waste acid
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Improved high-temperature performance Al-Sc alloys remain stronger and more stable at higher temperatures than Other applications Co., Ltd.
conventional aluminium alloys, making it ideal for use in aerospace and auto- Scandium-based lasers have unique MCC Ramu New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Nickel recovery
motive components, where materials are subjected to extreme heat. This properties: Huizhou Top Metal Material Co., Ltd. TiO waste acid
makes them especially useful in engines, exhaust systems, and other high-heat  Erbium-chromium: yttrium scandium- 2
applications. gallium-garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) Hunan Jinkun New Material Co., Ltd. REE
lasers are used in dentistry.
Increased corrosion resistance Al-Sc alloys off er excellent resistance to corrosion, including pitting and stress  Gadolinium scandium-gallium gar- Ganzhou Wanfeng Advanced Material Technology Co., REE
corrosion cracking, particularly in harsh environments such as marine with net (GSGG) lasers have been Ltd.
exposure to salt water. extensively studied in strategic Hunan Kunwell Advanced Materla Co. Ltd. TiO waste acid
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Enhanced formability Can be easily shaped into complex structures without compromising mechanical defence applications (laser defence Henan Rongija Scandium Vanadium Technology Co., Ltd. TiO waste acid
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properties. There is improved toughness and enhanced fatigue resistance. systems). Hunan Oriental Scandium New Material Co., Ltd. TiO waste acid
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166 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025 167
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