Process for producing rare earth metals
US5932084A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25C7/005
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for producing rare earth metals including the step of electrolyzing a starting material containing rare earth carbonates as main ingredients in a molten salt electrolytic bath containing rare earth fluorides, lithium fluoride, and barium fluoride at a bath temperature of 750 to 950.degree. C. while adjusting an anode potential to an electrolytic potential of fluorides. This method allows production of rare earth metals at a high current density and a high current efficiency, while ensuring prolongation of life time of an electrolytic cell and electrodes by performing the electrolysis at a lower bath temperature, and suppressing generation of toxic fluorine-containing gases.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.