Patent · US Expired

Electrolysis cell and method for metal production

US5658447A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
15References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1996
Grant dateAug 19, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC25C3/06
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An electrolytic reduction cell for the production of metal is provided, in which liquid metal is deposited at or adjacent an upper surface of a cathode. The electrolytic reduction cell includes an anode structure and a cathode located beneath the anode structure, wherein an upper portion of the cathode comprises an aggregate of particles sized and shaped such that in operation of the cell liquid metal is present in at least an upper part of the aggregate and a slurry of liquid metal and particles is established, the slurry comprising a substantially uniform dispersion of the particles in a continuous liquid phase of the liquid metal, the slurry having a viscosity sufficiently high such that under operating conditions of the cell the slurry is relatively immobile. Methods for the production of a metal by electrolysis in the electrolytic cell are also provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.