Electrolysis in a cell having a solid oxide ion conductor
AssigneeAluminum Company of America
InventorsAlfred F. LaCamera, Siba P. Ray
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrolytic cell and electrolytic process for producing a metal by reduction of a metal oxide dissolved in a molten salt bath containing at least one chloride and at least one fluoride. A solid conductor of oxide ions is interposed between the anode and the cathode. The solid conductor preferably comprises zirconia, stabilized in cubic form by addition of a divalent or trivalent metal oxide such as yttria.
Claims17
A cell for producing a metal by electrolysis, comprising:
- an anode,
- a cathode,
- a solid conductor of oxide ions interposed between the anode and cathode and comprising a molecular framework structure, and
- a molten salt bath contacting said cathode and said solid conductor, said bath containing an oxide of a metal and at least one fluoride selected from cryolite and fluorides of sodium and aluminum, and at least one chloride selected from chlorides of sodium and potassium.
A process for producing a metal by electrolysis in a cell comprising an anode, a cathode a solid conductor of oxide ions between the anode and the cathode and comprising a molecular framework structure, and a molten salt bath contacting the cathode and the solid conductor and containing an oxide of a metal and at least one fluoride and at least one chloride, said process comprising:
- passing an electric current between the cathode and the anode, and
- collecting a metal at said cathode.
In a process for producing aluminum by electrolysis in a cell comprising an anode, a cathode, a solid conductor of oxide ions between the anode and the cathode, and a molten salt bath contacting the cathode and the solid conductor, said process comprising passing an electric current between the cathode and the anode, the improvement wherein said molten salt bath comprises alumina dissolved in a mixture comprising at least one fluoride selected from cryolite and fluorides of sodium and aluminum and at least one chloride selected from chlorides of sodium and potassium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.