Patent US3907651A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3907651A
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Method for the molten salt electrolytic production of metals from metal chlorides and electrolyzer for carrying out the method
Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
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Filing: 1974-01-29
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-01-29
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a new method and electrolyzer design, especially for the electrolysis of MgCl2. Hollow cathodes having ducts therein provide communication between a metal collection zone and an electrolysis zone, or a gas separation zone to be more accurate. The ''''window opening,'''' at electrolyte surface level, in the partition wall between the metal collection and electrolysis zones is eliminated to avoid the disadvantageous flow pattern associated therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 Knut Anton Andreassen
- 👤 Kjell Bjorn Stiansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:00
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C7/00; C25C7/005; C25C3/00; C25C3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A PROCESS FOR THE MOLTEN SALT ELETROLYSIS OF METAL CHLORIDE , PREFERABLY FOR THE MOLTEN SALT ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF MAGNESI , SAID PROCESS COMPRISING: PROVING AN ELECTROLYZER INCLUDING ALTERNATELY ARRANGED ANODES AND CATHODES OF THE DOUBLE-ACTING TYPE, EACH CATHODE HAVING OPPOSITE ELECTROLYTICALLY ACTIVE SURFACES EACH FACING CORRESPONDING ELECTROLYTICALLY ACTIVE SURFACES OF SEPARATE OF SAID ALTERNATELY ARRANGED ANODES, ELECTROLYSIS ZONES BETWEEN SAID FACING CATHODE AND ANODE SURFACES, AT LEAST ONE GAS SEPARATION ZON POSITIONED ABOVE AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ELECTROLYSIS ZONES, A METAL SEPARATION AND COLLECTION ZONE SEPARATED FROM SAID ELECTROLYSIS AND GAS SEPARATION ZONES, AND PASSAGE MEANS IN EACH SAID CATHODE, SPACED FROM SAID OPPOSITE ELECTROLYTICALLY ACTIVE SURFACES THEREOF, FOR CONNECTING THE TOP OF THE RESPECTIVE SAID ELECTROLYSIS ZONE WITH SAID METAL SEPARATION AND COLLECTION ZONE, CAUSING ELECTROLYTE, GAS AND METAL TO FLOW UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYSIS ZONES,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A PROCESS FOR THE MOLTEN SALT ELETROLYSIS OF METAL CHLORIDE , PREFERABLY FOR THE MOLTEN SALT ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION OF MAGNESI , SAID PROCESS COMPRISING: PROVING AN ELECTROLYZER INCLUDING ALTERNATELY ARRANGED ANODES AND CATHODES OF THE DOUBLE-ACTING TYPE, EACH CATHODE HAVING OPPOSITE ELECTROLYTICALLY ACTIVE SURFACES EACH FACING CORRESPONDING ELECTROLYTICALLY ACTIVE SURFACES OF SEPARATE OF SAID ALTERNATELY ARRANGED ANODES, ELECTROLYSIS ZONES BETWEEN SAID FACING CATHODE AND ANODE SURFACES, AT LEAST ONE GAS SEPARATION ZON POSITIONED ABOVE AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID ELECTROLYSIS ZONES, A METAL SEPARATION AND COLLECTION ZONE SEPARATED FROM SAID ELECTROLYSIS AND GAS SEPARATION ZONES, AND PASSAGE MEANS IN EACH SAID CATHODE, SPACED FROM SAID OPPOSITE ELECTROLYTICALLY ACTIVE SURFACES THEREOF, FOR CONNECTING THE TOP OF THE RESPECTIVE SAID ELECTROLYSIS ZONE WITH SAID METAL SEPARATION AND COLLECTION ZONE, CAUSING ELECTROLYTE, GAS AND METAL TO FLOW UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID ELECTROLYSIS ZONES,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said passage means comprises at least one duct in each said electrode, each said duct having an inlet opening in the top of the respective said electrode; and said step of deflecting comprises passing said electrolyte and metal downwardly through said inlet openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrolyzer for the molten salt electrolysis of metal chlorides, preferably for the molten salt electrolytic production of magnesium, said electrolyzer comprising: alternately arranged anodes and cathodes of the double-acting type, each cathode having opposite exterior electrolytically active surfaces, said opposite surfaces of each cathode facing corresponding electrolytically active surfaces of separate of said alternately arranged anodes; electrolysis zones between said facing cathode and anode surfaces; at least one gas separation zone positioned above and in communication with said electrolysis zones; a metal separation and collection zone separated from said electrolysis zones and said gas separation zone by a partition; and passage means in each said cathode, spaced from said opposite electrolytically active surfaces thereof, for connecting the top of the respective said electrolysis zone with said metal separation and collection zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
An electrolyzer for the molten salt electrolysis of metal chlorides, preferably for the molten salt electrolytic production of magnesium, said electrolyzer comprising: alternately arranged anodes and cathodes of the double-acting type, each cathode having opposite exterior electrolytically active surfaces, said opposite surfaces of each cathode facing corresponding electrolytically active surfaces of separate of said alternately arranged anodes; electrolysis zones between said facing cathode and anode surfaces; at least one gas separation zone positioned above and in communication with said electrolysis zones; a metal separation and collection zone separated from said electrolysis zones and said gas separation zone by a partition; and passage means in each said cathode, spaced from said opposite electrolytically active surfaces thereof, for connecting the top of the respective said electrolysis zone with said metal separation and collection zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrolyzer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrolysis zones extend substantially vertically to said gas separation zone, the flow of electrolyte, gas and metal within each electrolysis zone being substantially vertically upwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electrolyzer as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said passage means comprises at least one duct extending through the respective said cathode and includes means for directing said electrolyte and metal substantially vertically downwardly in a direction opposite to the vertical upward direction of movement of said gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrolyzer as claimed in claim 5, wherein each said duct has an inlet opening at the top of the respective said cathode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electrolyzer as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said electrode comprises a double-walled hollow member with a U-shaped cross section, said member having an open top comprising said inlet opening, said member extending through said partition, each said duct having an outlet opening in a vertical plane of said partition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electrolyzer as claimed in claim 7, wherein each said member, at the portion thereof extending through said partition, has an inclined surface forming a ceiling of said outlet opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrolyzer as claimed in claim 7, wherein each said member has a bottom wall inclined toward said partition and forming a bottom portion of the respective said duct.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |