Molten salt bath circulation design for an electrolytic cell

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872452

Dawless, Robert K ^[1]; LaCamera, Alfred F ^[2]; Troup, R Lee ^[3]; Ray, Siba P ^[3]; Hosler, Robert B ^[4]

---

1. Monroeville, PA
2. Trafford, PA
3. Murrysville, PA
4. Sarver, PA

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.

• Research Organization: Aluminum Co of America
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-89ID12848
• Assignee: Aluminum Company of America (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5938914
• OSTI ID: 872452
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

molten
salt
bath
circulation
design
electrolytic
cell
reduction
metal
oxide
oxygen
inert
anode
upwardly
angled
roof
covering
mode
diverts
bubbles
upcomer
channel
agitating
improving
dissolution
velocity
adjacent
minimize
corrosion
substances
particularly
preferred
produces
aluminum
electrolysis
alumina
containing
fluoride
sodium
particularly preferred
salt bath
electrolytic cell
metal oxide
molten salt
inert anode
bath containing
containing aluminum
cell produces
minimize corrosion
improving dissolution
produces aluminum
angled roof
/205/204/