Electrolytic production of metals using consumable anodes
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorDonald R. Sadoway
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Abstract
An electrolysis cell for the production of metals is disclosed. Ther cell includes at least one anode that, under the operating conditions of the cell, dissolves into the cell electrolyte to provide a cell feed material. Additionally the anode is fabricated of a material that, under the operating conditions of the cell is electronically conductive as a solid and can provide an ionically conductive medium either when molten or when dissolved in a liuqid.
Claims34
An electrolytic cell for the production of metals, the cell adapted to contain an electrolyte and comprising an anode fabricated of a metal-containing compound that directly dissolves under the operating conditions of the cell to form a dissolution product, wherein the dissolution product comprises a feed material for the cell, and further wherein the anode compound, under the operating conditions of the cell, is electronically conductive as a solid and can provide an ironically conductive medium when molten or dissolved in a liquid.
An anode for use in an electrolytic cell for the production of metals, wherein the anode is associated with an electrolyte during operation of the cell and the anode comprises a metal-containing compound that, under the operating conditions of the cell will directly dissolve into the electrolyte, and further wherein the anode compound, under the operating conditions of the cell, is electronically conductive as a solid and can provide an ironically conductive medium when molten or dissolved in a liquid.
An anode for use in an electrolytic cell for the production of metals, wherein the anode is associated with an electrolyte during operation of the cell and the anode comprises a metal-containing compound that, under the operating conditions of the cell will directly dissolve into the electrolyte to provide at least one feed material for the cell, and further wherein the anode compound, under the operating conditions of the cell, is electronically conductive as a solid and can provide an ironically conductive medium when molten or dissolved in a liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.