US3620942A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Natural circulation of cathode metal of electrolytic cell
Assignee: HASKETT BARRY F
•
Filing: 1969-03-19
•
Granted: 1971-11-16
•
Expires: 1989-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A natural circulation process for the removal of the product of electrolysis from a flowing molten metal cathode wherein such removal of the product of electrolysis is achieved through the flash vaporization of the metal of the electrolyte salt in a vacuum still with recirculation of the cathode metal to the electrolytic cell by gravity due to increased density associated with the vaporization of the metal of the electrolyte salt and the cooling of the cathode metal from the flash vaporization. The process is particularly applicable to the separation of sodium from a lead-sodium system, the sodium being separated containing approximately 0.1-1 percent lead impurity.
Inventors
- 👤 George G Day
- 👤 Charles F Bonilla
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:02
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C7/00; C25C7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said cathode metal comprises lead and said electrolyte metal, sodium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the condensation of the vaporized electrolyte metal produces a sodium product containing from 0.1 to 1 percent by weight lead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
153 words
A process of operating an electrolytic cell employing a flowing molten metal cathode and a molten electrolyte salt, which process comprises introducing into the electrolytic cell a cathode composition comprising a molten cathode metal and the metal of the electrolyte salt; withdrawing under vacuum conditions a portion of the cathode composition richer in the electrolyte metal as a result of the electrolysis of the electrolyte salt; vaporizing a portion of the electrolyte metal from the withdrawn cathode composition under vacuum conditions and without added heat so as to remove all of the electrolyte metal resulting from the electrolysis of the electrolyte salt and to provide a cathode composition for recirculation to the electrolytic cell of the same composition as that initially introduced; and recirculating the cathode metal composition by gravitational forces through an increase in density associated with the vaporizing to the electrolyte metal and decrease in temperature of said recirculated cathode metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said cathode composition comprises lead containing a minor amount of sodium and said electrolyte metal comprises sodium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said cathode composition comprises molten lead containing approximately 10 perceNt by weight sodium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the condensation of the vaporized electrolyte metal produces a sodium product containing from 0.1 to 1 percent by weight lead.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |