Abstract There is provided a process for the manufacture of alkali metal by passing an electroyzing current from an anode to a cathode. The anode is in contact with a fused metal halide salt comprising ions of the alkali metal and no other monovalent cations. The cathode is in the form of liquid alkali metal. Interdisposed between the anode and the cathode is a diaphragm. The diaphragm is polycrystalline ceramic material which has ions of the alkali metal or ions capable of being replaced by the alkali metal. The diaphragm is permeable only to monovalent cations and therefore will pass only the cations of the alkali metal which is being manufactured. Halogen can be recovered as the anode product or a halogenated hydrocarbon can be recovered as the anode product by introducing a hydrocarbon or partially halogenated hydrocarbon into the anode compartment.
A process according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm consists of beta-alumina.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
consecutively through the fused salt and through an electrical insulating diaphragm which is an inorganic polycrystalline ceramic material having ions of said alkali metal or ions capable of replacement by ions of said alkali metal and said ceramic material being permeable only to monovalent cations,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
to a cathode in the form of the liquid alkali metal aNd
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the alkali metal is sodium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the fused metal halide salt is a mixture of the chlorides of sodium and aluminum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
removing alkali metal liberated on the cathode side of the diagram.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein halogen is recovered as the anode product of electrolysis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein a hydrocarbon or a partially halogenated hydrocarbon is fed into the anode compartment of the electrolysis cell and a further halogenated hydrocarbon is recovered as the anode product.