Method of producing aluminum
US4668351A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1985 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22B21/064
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of purifying aluminum contaminated with cerium or other rare earth metal comprises bringing the molten metal into contact with a halogenating agent. Preferred halogenating agents are aluminum fluoride for reducing cerium levels to around 0.1% to 0.3%, and chlorine gas for reducing cerium levels still further, and these may advantageously be used in sequence. Particulate aluminum fluoride may be introduced into the vortex of a stirred body of the molten metal. The controlled addition of chlorine may be effected by bubbling a mixture of chlorine and an inert gas into a body of the molten metal. The cerium contamination may arise from the use of a dimensionally stable anode comprising cerium dioxide in an aluminum reduction cell.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.