Apparatus and method for the electrolytic production of metals

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:867737

Sadoway, Donald R ^[1]

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1. Belmont, MA

Improved electrolytic cells and methods for producing metals by electrolytic reduction of a compound dissolved in a molten electrolyte are disclosed. In the improved cells and methods, a protective surface layer is formed upon at least one electrode in the electrolytic reduction cell and, optionally, upon the lining of the cell. This protective surface layer comprises a material that, at the operating conditions of the cell: (a) is not substantially reduced by the metal product; (b) is not substantially reactive with the cell electrolyte to form materials that are reactive with the metal product; and, (c) has an electrochemical potential that is more electronegative than that of the compound undergoing electrolysis to produce the metal product of the cell. The protective surface layer can be formed upon an electrode metal layer comprising a material, the oxide of which also satisfies the protective layer selection criteria. The protective layer material can also be used on the surface of a cell lining.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG07-83ID12380
• Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4999097
• OSTI ID: 867737
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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method
electrolytic
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metals
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protective
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substantially
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metal
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electronegative
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comprising
oxide
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protective surface
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electrolytic reduction
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cell electrolyte
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improved cells
electrochemical potential
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