Abstract:
An electrolysis system for generating a metal and molecular oxygen includes a container for receiving a metal oxide containing a metallic species to be extracted, a cathode positioned to contact a metal oxide housed within the container; an oxygen-ion-conducting membrane positioned to contact a metal oxide housed within the container; an anode in contact with the oxygen-ion-conducting membrane and spaced apart from a metal oxide housed within the container, said anode selected from the group consisting of liquid metal silver, oxygen stable electronic oxides, oxygen stable crucible cermets, and stabilized zirconia composites with oxygen stable electronic oxides.
Abstract:
In order to carry out a selective extraction of cations (Mn+) by an electrochemical transfer in a solution from a first electrolyte (E1) to a second electrolyte (E2), the method includes using as an electrolyte separation wall a transfer wall (2) made of chalcogenide with molybdenum clusters (MonXn+2 or MxMonXn+2) and ensuring the cation transfer through the transfer wall by generating a potential difference (ΔE) between the electrode A1 in the first electrolyte (E1) and the electrode C2 in the second electrolyte (E1) or the transfer wall (2) in order to induce an interleaving of the cations in the transfer wall on the side of the first electrolyte, a scattering of the cations therein, and the de-interleaving thereof in the second electrolyte.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell for electrochemical reduction of a metal oxide in a solid state is disclosed. The cell includes a molten electrolyte (14), an anode (10) formed from carbon in contact with the electrolyte, a cathode (20) formed at least in part from the metal oxide in contact with the electrolyte, and a membrane (28) that is permeable to oxygen anions and is impermeable to carbon in ionic and non-ionic forms positioned between the cathode and the anode to thereby prevent migration of carbon from the anode to the cathode. The membrane includes a body (32) and a lining (34) on the surface of the body on the cathode side of the membrane. The lining is formed from a material that is inert with respect to dissolved metal in the electrolyte and is impermeable to the dissolved metal. An electrochemical method based on the cell is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method for producing a metal by an electrolytic process using an yttria-containing porous ceramic body as a diaphragm is provided; the calcium formed by electrolysis cannot pass through the diaphragm, hence the back reaction can be effectively inhibited. Preferably, to be used is a diaphragm comprising a porous ceramic body having a purity of yttrium of 90 mass % or more (more preferably, 99% or more), a porosity of 1% or more and a pore diameter of 20 μm or less, and having a thickness of 0.05-50 mm and a metal halide is used as the electrolytic bath. The method can be utilized for producing metals such as calcium or rare earth elements, in particular. For example, when the method is applied to the production of calcium, metallic calcium can be produced with ease and at low cost without the need for enormous heat energy.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electrolysis cell for preparing liquid alkali metal from a liquid alkali metal-heavy metal alloy, which comprises a tube (1) which is arranged essentially horizontally and has a closure device (4) at each of the two ends of the tube (1), at least one solid electrolyte tube (12) arranged in the tube (1), which conducts alkali metal ions and is closed at one end and has an opening (11) at the other end, with the solid electrolyte tube (12) being arranged concentrically in the tube (1) and having the opening (11) facing one end of the tube (1) so that a first annular gap (13) for conducting the liquid alkali metal-heavy metal alloy which forms one anode is present between the inside of the tube (1) and the outside of the solid electrolyte tube (12), an interior space (14) in the solid electrolyte tube (12) for accommodating the liquid alkali metal which can be utilized as cathode, where the closure device (4) comprises an alkali metal-heavy metal alloy inlet (8) or outlet (9) opening into the first annular gap (13), a holder for the solid electrolyte tube (12), an alkali metal outlet (15) connected to the interior space (14) of the solid electrolyte tube (12) and a sealing system for sealing the interior space (14) of the solid electrolyte tube (12) and the alkali metal outlet (15) off from the first annular gap (13), the alkali metal-heavy metal alloy inlet (8) or outlet (9) and from the surroundings of the electrolysis cell.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell for electrochemical reduction of a metal oxide in a solid state is disclosed. The cell includes a molten electrolyte (14), an anode (10) formed from carbon in contact with the electrolyte, a cathode (20) formed at least in part from the metal oxide in contact with the electrolyte, and a membrane (28) that is permeable to oxygen anions and is impermeable to carbon in ionic and non-ionic forms positioned between the cathode and the anode to thereby prevent migration of carbon from the anode to the cathode. The membrane includes a body (32) and a lining (34) on the surface of the body on the cathode side of the membrane. The lining is formed from a material that is inert with respect to dissolved metal in the electrolyte and is impermeable to the dissolved metal. An electrochemical method based on the cell is also disclosed.
Abstract:
In a process for the electrolytic production of magnesium by the molten salt electrolysis of magnesium chloride using a molten salt cell bath comprised mainly of one or more salts selected from alkali metal chlorides and alkaline earth metal chlorides, the molten salt bath is enriched with magnesium chloride by suspending a magnesium oxide and/or magnesium carbonate powder to form a molten suspension and passing a chlorine-containing gas through the molten suspension at a temperature of 600.degree.-900.degree. C. so as to react the suspended powder with chlorine to form magnesium chloride. The resulting molten salt enriched with magnesium chloride can be directly introduced into the cell for electrolysis, thereby eliminating moisture absorption by the highly hygroscopic magnesium chloride. A pure magnesium can be produced with a high yield and improved current efficiency.
Abstract:
This invention includes apparatus and method for providing a support mechanism for electrode assemblies including positioning means of electrically nonconductive material having an inside surface forming an internal cavity, means for passing a heat transfer fluid through the cavity along the inside surface, and wire or fiber in the path of the fluid. The wire or fiber is positioned essentially normal to the flow of the fluid and is positioned to provide a substantially unobstructed line of sight between the wire or fiber and the inside surface, the wire or fiber having a high radiative absorptance and emittance.
Abstract:
An electrolytic cell for the electrochemical separation of selected metals from electrodissociatable compounds thereof in the molten state utilizing as electrode separator a plurality of solid electrolyte tubes which, under the influence of an electrical potential, are permeable to the flow of selected cations, but impermeable to fluids and the flow of anions and other cations.