Scientists at Freiberg University in Germany have pioneered a new low carbon technology for smelting tin

[Caribbeans]

Scientists Smelt Tin with Hydrogen

Fuel Cells Works | May 23, 2025

Scientists at Freiberg University in Germany have pioneered a new low carbon technology for smelting tin. The researchers used a ‘direct reduction’ process using hydrogen instead of carbon to reduce cassiterite to metallic tin.

Cassiterite (SnO2), the main tin ore, is typically processed with high-temperature reduction using carbon-based materials. The new approach offers an important potential for reduced carbon footprint, especially when the hydrogen used is produced using renewable energy sources.

The research team showed that using 3 g of hydrogen per 100 g of cassiterite concentrate at 1,300 °C produces tin metal with over 99% purity.

During the reduction process a slag phase also formed which contained impurities including around 13% tin as SnO. The tin was successfully leached and recovered using chemical leaching...more
https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/05/23/green-technology/scientists-smelt-tin-with-hydrogen

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