Process and apparatus for low temperature electrolysis of oxides
AssigneeAluminum Company of America
InventorsAlfred F. La Camera, Kathleen M. Tomaswick, Siba P. Ray, Donald P. Ziegler
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Abstract
A process for electrowinning metal in a low temperature melt is disclosed. The process utilizes an inert anode for the production of metal such as aluminum using low surface area anodes at high current densities.
Claims20
A method of varying power input to an electrolyte-containing, electrolytic cell having electrodes in the form of interleaved anodes and cathodes, comprising sensing cell temperature and varying the amount of electrolyte between the electrodes to control cell temperature sensed in the step of sensing.
A temperature control method for an electrolytic cell containing an electrolytic bath, comprising providing in the cell interleaved anodes and cathodes which are at least partially immersed in said bath and further comprising the steps of sensing cell electrolyte temperature and varying the extent of cross-sectional area available for current flow between the interleaved anodes and cathodes to vary I.sup.2 R loss to control temperature sensed in the step of sensing.
An apparatus for electrowinning metal comprising a crucible containing a molten salt bath;
- a vertical array of interleaved anode and cathode means, at least a portion of which are positioned within said molten salt bath:
- means providing current between said anode and cathode means;
- and
- means controlling temperature of said molten salt bath and said anode and cathode means, comprising salt bath temperature sensing means supplying a temperature-indicative signal to a computer means, said computer means controlling an electrode positioning means in response to said signal, which positioning means varies the degree of wetting of said anode and/or cathode means by said molten salt bath, thereby varying I.sup.2 R loss and controlling the temperature in said molten salt bath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.