Minimising carbon transfer in an electrolytic cell
US7628904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25C7/005
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An electrochemical cell for electrochemical reduction of a metal oxide in a solid state is disclosed. The cell includes a molten electrolyte (14), an anode (10) formed from carbon in contact with the electrolyte, a cathode (20) formed at least in part from the metal oxide in contact with the electrolyte, and a membrane (28) that is permeable to oxygen anions and is impermeable to carbon in ionic and non-ionic forms positioned between the cathode and the anode to thereby prevent migration of carbon from the anode to the cathode. The membrane includes a body (32) and a lining (34) on the surface of the body on the cathode side of the membrane. The lining is formed from a material that is inert with respect to dissolved metal in the electrolyte and is impermeable to the dissolved metal. An electrochemical method based on the cell is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.