Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal
AssigneePhoenix Tailings, Inc.
InventorsThomas Anthony Villalon, Jr., Benjamin David Brakenwagen, Richard Robert Salvucci
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Abstract
Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.
Claims37
A method of operating a system comprising a reactor, a collection vessel, a first phase comprising molten metal, and a second phase contained in the reactor, wherein the collection vessel comprises a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas and to a source of negative pressure, the method comprising:
- contacting the collection vessel with the second phase;
- and
- applying negative pressure to the collection vessel using the source of negative pressure such that at least a portion of the molten metal within the reactor enters the collection vessel.
A method of operating a system comprising a reactor and a collection vessel, wherein the collection vessel comprises a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas and to a source of negative pressure, the method comprising:
- transporting gas from the source of the gas into the collection vessel via the second opening;
- subsequently, applying negative pressure to the collection vessel using the source of negative pressure such that molten metal within the reactor enters the collection vessel;
- after the molten metal enters the collection vessel, removing the collection vessel from a container of the reactor;
- after removing the collection vessel from the container of the reactor, solidifying at least a portion of the molten metal in the collection vessel to form solidified material;
- and
- after solidifying the at least a portion of the molten metal in the collection vessel to form the solidified material, reheating the collection vessel such that the solidified material remelts,
- wherein the gas is an inert gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.