IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ELECTROLYTIC PROCESSES FOR THE REFINEMENT OF METALS

Patent · Wed Sep 14 04:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4139698

Antill, J E

An electrolytic cell for metal refinement is designed so that metals such as uranium, thorium, and niobium can be readily purified from metals more noble in character and metal carbides. The cell comprises an anode of the impure metal to be refined; a porous diaphragm of sintered glass, silica, beryllia, or alumina surrounding the anode; and a cathode either of a material to which the refined metal does not adhere (e.g.. molybdenum or tungsten) or of the metal being refined. In a second configuration, the cathode, anode, and diaphragm are together surrounded by a porous crucible of the same material as the diaphragm. After refining the crucible is lifted together with the refined metal and allowed to drain, and it is then placed in a furnace to melt the metal. The cell is filled with a molten salt (e.g., a LiCl-KCl eutectic) of a soluble compound of the metal being refined, and electrolysis is begun. The diaphragm stops the impurities but allows the metal ions to pass through to deposit on the cathode. An example of the electrolytic process is given for both configurations using impure uranium (UF/sub 4/) as a source of uranium ions and a tungsten cathode; in the first confignration, the original impurities of 200 ppm iron, 12 ppm nickel. 15 ppm manganese, and 1700 ppm carbon were reduced to 7, 1, 1, and 90 ppm, respectively. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-14-025876
• OSTI ID: 4139698
• Report Number(s): GB 847912
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM OXIDES
ANODES
BERYLLIUM OXIDES
CATHODES
CRUCIBLES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
EUTECTICS
FUSED SALTS
GLASS
IMPURITIES
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
MELTING
MEMBRANES
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MOLYBDENUM
NIOBIUM
POROSITY
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
SILICON OXIDES
SINTERING
THORIUM
TUNGSTEN
URANIUM
URANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE