Good post on why replacing Chinese Gallium and Germanium will be very expensive and difficult. π§΅
zhihu.com
zhihu.com
At scale, both these elements are produced as a residual of smelting Aluminum.
In the HallβHΓ©roult process, Aluminum Oxide ore is melted and electrolyzed to produce pure Aluminum.
Small amounts of Gallium and Germanium is also produced and sold in this process.
In the HallβHΓ©roult process, Aluminum Oxide ore is melted and electrolyzed to produce pure Aluminum.
Small amounts of Gallium and Germanium is also produced and sold in this process.
This process requires a huge amount of energy and logistic infrastructure.
Trying to produce Gallium or Germanium without an existing Aluminum smelting industry will be like a farm raising cows just for their horns.
It will be extremely inefficient and expensive.
Trying to produce Gallium or Germanium without an existing Aluminum smelting industry will be like a farm raising cows just for their horns.
It will be extremely inefficient and expensive.
OECD countries have declining electricity production for the past two decades.
Trying to move the Aluminum smelting industry out of China will cause capacity issues and inflation.
Trying to move the Aluminum smelting industry out of China will cause capacity issues and inflation.
Loading suggestions...