Advancements in sodium production and slag recovery techniques: A comprehensive review

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2025.01.015

Abstract

Abstract: Sodium is an important light non-ferrous metal with special properties and is widely applied in various fields of pharmaceutical intermediates, airbags metallurgy and nuclear coolants. However, the high energy consumption, low current efficiency of the sodium industry, coupled with the substantial sodium slag byproduct and inefficient sodium slag recovery technology, have greatly hindered the further development of the metallic sodium industry. Although many research papers and new patents continue to emerge, there are very few reviews on the preparation of metallic sodium and the disposal of sodium slag which affects the exchange and development of new technologies in the sodium industry. Herein, this review summarizes the progress in sodium production technology and sodium slag recovery. Based on the ion migration mechanism and the competition discharge mechanism of different cations, constructing suitable electrolyte components containing sodium and selecting appropriate membrane materials can significantly improve current efficiency and reduce the reduction of impurity metals, while sodium slag recovery methods like mechanical separation, solvent leaching, and melting substitution have been developed, enabling the recycling of valuable components. Furthermore, this review explores sodium applications in energy storage, inorganic/organic synthesis, metal smelting, and nuclear reactors. It emphasizes the need for further technological advancements to address energy efficiency, slag recovery, and chlorine gas utilization challenges in sodium production.

摘要： Sodium is an important light non-ferrous metal with special properties and is widely applied in various fields of pharmaceutical intermediates, airbags metallurgy and nuclear coolants. However, the high energy consumption, low current efficiency of the sodium industry, coupled with the substantial sodium slag byproduct and inefficient sodium slag recovery technology, have greatly hindered the further development of the metallic sodium industry. Although many research papers and new patents continue to emerge, there are very few reviews on the preparation of metallic sodium and the disposal of sodium slag which affects the exchange and development of new technologies in the sodium industry. Herein, this review summarizes the progress in sodium production technology and sodium slag recovery. Based on the ion migration mechanism and the competition discharge mechanism of different cations, constructing suitable electrolyte components containing sodium and selecting appropriate membrane materials can significantly improve current efficiency and reduce the reduction of impurity metals, while sodium slag recovery methods like mechanical separation, solvent leaching, and melting substitution have been developed, enabling the recycling of valuable components. Furthermore, this review explores sodium applications in energy storage, inorganic/organic synthesis, metal smelting, and nuclear reactors. It emphasizes the need for further technological advancements to address energy efficiency, slag recovery, and chlorine gas utilization challenges in sodium production.

Keyu Wang, Qiuchen Wang, Man Zhao, Yanzhi Sun, Junqing Pan. Advancements in sodium production and slag recovery techniques: A comprehensive review[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025, 82(6): 270-280.

Keyu Wang, Qiuchen Wang, Man Zhao, Yanzhi Sun, Junqing Pan. Advancements in sodium production and slag recovery techniques: A comprehensive review[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2025, 82(6): 270-280.

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