Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for electrolytic production and refining of metals having a melting point above about 1000° C., particularly silicon, where there is provided a first electrolytic cell having an upper molten electrolyte layer of a first electrolyte, a lower molten alloy layer of an alloy of the metal to be refined and at least one metal more noble than the metal to be refined. The lower alloy layer is the cathode in the first cell and an anode is positioned in the upper molten electrolyte layer. A second electrolytic cell is also provided with an upper molten metal layer of the same metal as the metal to be refined, said layer constituting a cathode, a lower molten alloy layer, said lower layer constituting an anode, said alloy having a higher density than the metal to be refined, and an intermediate molten electrolyte layer having a density between the density of the upper and lower molten layers. Both electrolytes are oxide based electrolytes containing oxide of the metal to be refined, and the electrolyte is in molten state and has a melting point below the operating temperature of the process. Raw material comprising an oxide of the metal to be refined is added to the first cell and direct electric current is passed through the anode to the cathode such that the metal to be refined is moved from the anode and deposited in molten state at the cathode. The two cells can be operated in two separate steps. One to produce an alloy and the other to refine metal from the alloy.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a dimensionally stable oxygen-evolving anode for use in an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium. The anode comprises of a container made from an alloy comprising aluminium and at least one metal more noble than aluminium; a fluid bath in the bottom of the container having the ability to dissolve aluminium, said fluid having a density that is higher than the density of molten aluminium at the operating temperature of the cell, a pool of molten aluminium floating on top of the fluid bath in the bottom of the container; a refractory layer arranged on the inner sidewalls of the container at least in the area of the pool of molten aluminium, said refractory layer protecting the molten aluminium from contacting the inner sidewalls of the container.
Abstract:
The electrode arrangement uses vertically oriented electrodes with side wall contacts for an electrothermic smelting furnace for aluminum production. The side wall contacts are radially moveable into the furnace to compensate for wear on the contacts. The side wall contacts can be hollow to allow a slag forming charge to be fed to the furnace.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an arrangement for manufacturing crystalline silicon ingots by directional solidification, where the melt and carbonaceous structural parts of the crystallization furnace is protected from the fumes of the melt by applying a gas conduit which leads the fumes directly out of the directional solidification compartment of the furnace.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for electrolytic production and refining of metals having a melting point above about 1000° C., particularly silicon, where there is provided a first electrolytic cell having an upper molten electrolyte layer of a first electrolyte, a lower molten alloy layer of an alloy of the metal to be refined and at least one metal more noble than the metal to be refined. The lower alloy layer is the cathode in the first cell and an anode is positioned in the upper molten electrolyte layer. A second electrolytic cell is also provided with an upper molten metal layer of the same metal as the metal to be refined, said layer constituting a cathode, a lower molten alloy layer, said lower layer constituting an anode, said alloy having a higher density than the metal to be refined, and an intermediate molten electrolyte layer having a density between the density of the upper and lower molten layers. Both electrolytes are oxide based electrolytes containing oxide of the metal to be refined, and the electrolyte is in molten state and has a melting point below the operating temperature of the process. Raw material comprising an oxide of the metal to be refined is added to the first cell and direct electric current is passed through the anode to the cathode such that the metal to be refined is moved from the anode and deposited in molten state at the cathode. The two cells can be operated in two separate steps. One to produce an alloy and the other to refine metal from the alloy.
Abstract:
A hollow partition wall is employed to feed carbon material to an underflow of a carbothermic reduction furnace used to make aluminum. The partition wall divides a low temperature reaction zone where aluminum oxide is reacted with carbon to form aluminum carbide and a high temperature reaction zone where the aluminum carbide and remaining aluminum oxide are reacted to form aluminum and carbon monoxide.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to high strength, oxidation and wear resistant titanium-silicon base alloy containing: 2.5-12 wt % Si 0-5 wt % Al 0-0.5% B 0-2% Cr 0-1 wt % rare earth metals and/or scandium balance Ti with unavoidable impurities.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum comprising an anode and an electrolytic tank where the electrolytic tank comprises an outer shell made from steel and carbon blocks in the bottom of the tank forming the cathode of the electrolytic cells. At least a part of the sidewall of the electrolytic tank consists of one or more evaporation cooled panels, and wherein high temperature, heat resistant and heat insulating material is arranged between the evaporation cooled panels and the steel shell. The invention also includes a method for maintaining a crust on the sidewall of the tank and for recovering heat from the cooling medium inside the panel for transformation into electrical energy.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an arrangement for manufacturing crystalline silicon ingots by directional solidification, where the melt and carbonaceous structural parts of the crystallisation furnace is protected from the fumes of the melt by applying a gas conduit which leads the fumes directly out of the directional solidification compartment of the furnace.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a dimensionally stable oxygen-evolving anode for use in an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium. The anode comprises of a container made from an alloy comprising aluminium and at least one metal more noble than aluminium; a fluid bath in the bottom of the container having the ability to dissolve aluminium, said fluid having a density that is higher than the density of molten aluminium at the operating temperature of the cell, a pool of molten aluminium floating on top of the fluid bath in the bottom of the container; a refractory layer arranged on the inner sidewalls of the container at least in the area of the pool of molten aluminium, said refractory layer protecting the molten aluminium from contacting the inner sidewalls of the container.