ELECTROREFINING BERYLLIUM. STUDIES OF OPERATING VARIABLES

Technical Report · Wed Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4796689

Wong, M M; Campbell, R E; Baker, Jr, D H

An investigation was made of the electrorefining of beryllium in electrolytes composed of a LiCl- KCl eutectic mixture plus varying amounts of BeCl/sub 2/. Results showed a 99% or better reduction of oxygen and magnesium and a substantial reduction of other minor metallic impurities. Extremely pure beryllium metal was produced. Operating variables, including BeCl/sub 2/ concentration in the bath (3.5 to 16.5 mole%), temperature of operation (450 to 55 deg C), and cathode current density (45 to 770 amp/ft/sup 2/), were studied. Their effects on the deposition of metal, working condition of the bath, and purity of the refined metal are discussed. The safety precautions used in handling beryllium in the laboratory are also described. (auth)

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines. Boulder City Metallurgy Research Lab., Nev.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-015117
• OSTI ID: 4796689
• Report Number(s): BM-RI-5959
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BERYLLIUM
BERYLLIUM CHLORIDES
CATHODES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
EUTECTICS
IMPURITIES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
MAGNESIUM
METALS, CERAMICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS
MONITORING
OXYGEN
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
SAFETY
TEMPERATURE