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Title: Molten salt bath circulation design for an electrolytic cell

Patent ·
OSTI ID:678562

An electrolytic cell for reduction of a metal oxide to a metal and oxygen has an inert anode and an upwardly angled roof covering the inert mode. The angled roof diverts oxygen bubbles into an upcomer channel, thereby agitating a molten salt bath in the upcomer channel and improving dissolution of a metal oxide in the molten salt bath. The molten salt bath has a lower velocity adjacent the inert anode in order to minimize corrosion by substances in the bath. A particularly preferred cell produces aluminum by electrolysis of alumina in a molten salt bath containing aluminum fluoride and sodium fluoride. 4 figs.

Research Organization:
Aluminum Co of America
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FC07-89ID12848
Assignee:
Aluminum Co. of America, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,938,914/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-934,252
OSTI ID:
678562
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 17 Aug 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English