Aluminum reference electrode

Patent · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866683

Sadoway, Donald R ^[1]

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1. Belmont, MA

A stable reference electrode for use in monitoring and controlling the process of electrolytic reduction of a metal. In the case of Hall cell reduction of aluminum, the reference electrode comprises a pool of molten aluminum and a solution of molten cryolite, Na.sub.3 AlF.sub.6, wherein the electrical connection to the molten aluminum does not contact the highly corrosive molten salt solution. This is accomplished by altering the density of either the aluminum (decreasing the density) or the electrolyte (increasing the density) so that the aluminum floats on top of the molten salt solution.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG07-83ID12380
• Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4764257
• OSTI ID: 866683
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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