Method for electrolyzing molten salt, electrolytic cell, and process for producing ti using said method

A method for electrolyzing molten salt employing an electrolytic cell provided, between an anode and a cathode, with a diaphragm or a partition wall configured so that part of the molten salt can communicate therethrough, comprising:

• supplying molten salt containing the chloride of a metal-fog forming metal to a space between said cathode and said diaphragm or partition wall in a continuous or intermittent manner;
• and,
• providing a flow rate in one direction to the molten salt in the vicinity of the surface of the cathode to thereby cause the formation of a flow of the molten salt in one direction along the surface of the cathode, and
• carrying out the electrolyzing along the flow to thereby enhance the concentration of the metal-fog forming metal.

An electrolytic cell, comprising:

• an electrolytic cell container elongated in one direction and intended for retaining molten salt containing the chloride of the metal-fog forming metal;
• an anode and a cathode disposed along the lengthwise direction of the electrolytic cell container;
• a diaphragm or a partition wall, being configured so that part of the molten salt can communicate therethrough, as disposed between said anode and said cathode;
• a molten salt feeding port capable of supplying the molten salt to a space between said cathode and said diaphragm or said partition wall, as provided at one end of the electrolytic cell container;
• and
• a molten salt drawing out port provided at the other end thereof for drawing out the molten salt increased in Ca concentration as formed by electrolysis of the molten salt.