Reduction of metal oxides in an electrolytic cell
US7918985B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22B34/129
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of reducing a titanium oxide in a solid state in an electrolytic cell which includes an anode, a cathode formed at least in part from the titanium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode titanium oxide, which method includes operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which cations of the metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode titanium oxide deposit as the metal on the cathode, whereby the metal chemically reduces the cathode titanium oxide, and which method is characterized by refreshing the electrolyte and/or changing the cell potential in later stages of the operation of the cell as required having regard to the reactions occurring in the cell and the concentration of oxygen in the titanium oxide in the cell in order to produce high purity titanium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.