Process of electrolysis and fractional crystallization for aluminum purification
Abstract
A method is described for purifying aluminum that contains impurities, the method including the step of introducing such aluminum containing impurities to a charging and melting chamber located in an electrolytic cell of the type having a porous diaphragm permeable by the electrolyte of the cell and impermeable to molten aluminum. The method includes further the steps of supplying impure aluminum from the chamber to the anode area of the cell and electrolytically transferring aluminum from the anode area to the cathode through the diaphragm while leaving impurities in the anode area, thereby purifying the aluminum introduced into the chamber. The method includes the further steps of collecting the purified aluminum at the cathode, and lowering the level of impurities concentrated in the anode area by subjecting molten aluminum and impurities in said chamber to a fractional crystallization treatment wherein eutectic-type impurities crystallize and precipitate out of the aluminum. The eutectic impurities that have crystallized are physically removed from the chamber. The aluminum in the chamber is now suited for further purification as provided in the above step of electrolytically transferring aluminum through the diaphragm. 2 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Aluminum Co of America
- OSTI Identifier:
- 7258107
- Patent Number(s):
- 4411747 A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 6-412833
- Assignee:
- Aluminum Co. of America, Pittsburgh, PA (United States) HQPR; EDB-94-123674
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC01-77CS40079
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 30 Aug 1982
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ALUMINIUM; ELECTROLYSIS; PURIFICATION; CONCENTRATION RATIO; CRYSTALLIZATION; ELECTROLYTIC CELLS; MEMBRANES; PRECIPITATION; REMOVAL; ELEMENTS; LYSIS; METALS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; SEPARATION PROCESSES; 320303* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
Citation Formats
Dawless, R.K., Bowman, K.A., Mazgaj, R.M., and Cochran, C.N. Process of electrolysis and fractional crystallization for aluminum purification. United States: N. p., 1983.
Web.
Dawless, R.K., Bowman, K.A., Mazgaj, R.M., & Cochran, C.N. Process of electrolysis and fractional crystallization for aluminum purification. United States.
Dawless, R.K., Bowman, K.A., Mazgaj, R.M., and Cochran, C.N. Tue .
"Process of electrolysis and fractional crystallization for aluminum purification". United States.
@article{osti_7258107,
title = {Process of electrolysis and fractional crystallization for aluminum purification},
author = {Dawless, R.K. and Bowman, K.A. and Mazgaj, R.M. and Cochran, C.N.},
abstractNote = {A method is described for purifying aluminum that contains impurities, the method including the step of introducing such aluminum containing impurities to a charging and melting chamber located in an electrolytic cell of the type having a porous diaphragm permeable by the electrolyte of the cell and impermeable to molten aluminum. The method includes further the steps of supplying impure aluminum from the chamber to the anode area of the cell and electrolytically transferring aluminum from the anode area to the cathode through the diaphragm while leaving impurities in the anode area, thereby purifying the aluminum introduced into the chamber. The method includes the further steps of collecting the purified aluminum at the cathode, and lowering the level of impurities concentrated in the anode area by subjecting molten aluminum and impurities in said chamber to a fractional crystallization treatment wherein eutectic-type impurities crystallize and precipitate out of the aluminum. The eutectic impurities that have crystallized are physically removed from the chamber. The aluminum in the chamber is now suited for further purification as provided in the above step of electrolytically transferring aluminum through the diaphragm. 2 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1983},
month = {10}
}