Electrochemical reduction of metal oxides
US7470355B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25C7/005
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for electrochemically reducing a metal oxide, such as titania, in a solid state in an electrochemical cell that includes a bath of molten electrolyte, a cathode, and an anode, which process includes the steps of: a) applying a cell potential across the anode and the cathode that is capable of electrochemically reducing the metal oxide supplied to the molten electrolyte bath, b) continuously or semi-continuously feeding the metal oxide in powder and/or pellet form into the molten electrolyte bath, c) transporting the powders and/or pellets along a path within the molten electrolyte bath and reducing the metal oxide as the metal oxide powders and/or pellets move along the path, and d) continuously or semi-continuously removing metal from the molten electrolyte bath. Also disclosed and claims is an electrochemical cell for carrying out this process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.