Electrolytic systems and methods for making metal halides and refining metals
US9039885B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 9, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25C3/34
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods for producing a halide of a non-alkali metal and for electrorefining the halide. The systems typically involve an electrochemical cell having a cathode structure configured for dissolving a hydrogen halide that forms the halide into a molten salt of the halogen and an alkali metal. Typically a direct current voltage is applied across the cathode and an anode that is fabricated with the non-alkali metal such that the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed adjacent the anode. Electrorefining cells and methods involve applying a direct current voltage across the anode where the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed and the cathode where the non-alkali metal is electro-deposited. In a representative embodiment the halogen is chlorine, the alkali metal is lithium and the non-alkali metal is uranium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.