US4140594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molten salt bath circulation patterns in electrolysis
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
•
Filing: 1977-05-17
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Granted: 1979-02-20
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Expires: 1997-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten salt bath containing superimposed electrodes, at least one of which is a bipolar electrode. The arrangement of the electrodes creates interelectrode spaces between them. Bath is swept through these interelectrode spaces. This method is improved by providing circulation of the bath from one interelectrode space to the next at a location inwards of the outer peripheries of the electrodes. This can be accomplished e.g. by boring holes through the electrodes. It can also be accomplished by breaking the electrodes into individual, mutually separated stacks of electrodes, the circulation of the improvement then occurring e.g. in the space between the stacks.
Inventors
- 👤 Elmer H. Rogers, Jr.
- 👤 Stanley C. Jacobs
- 👤 Lester L. Knapp
- 👤 William R. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:17
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25C; C25C3/00; C25C3/06; C25C3/08; C25C7/00; C25C7/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten salt bath containing superimposed electrodes, at least one of which is a bipolar electrode, said method including the sweeping of bath through interelectrode spaces between the electrodes, wherein the improvement comprises circulating the bath between interelectrode spaces through a passage at a location inwards of the outer pheripheries of the electrodes, the bath being circulated upwards in said passage and downwards at the outer peripheries of the electrodes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten salt bath containing superimposed electrodes, at least one of which is a bipolar electrode, said method including the sweeping of bath through interelectrode spaces between the electrodes, wherein the improvement comprises circulating the bath between interelectrode spaces through a passage at a location inwards of the outer pheripheries of the electrodes, the bath being circulated upwards in said passage and downwards at the outer peripheries of the electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sweeping is sufficient for sweeping the forming metal off the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electrodes are divided into two stacks.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten salt bath containing superimposed electrodes, at least one of which is a bipolar electrode, said method including the sweeping of bath through interelectrode spaces between the electrodes, wherein the improvement comprises circulating the bath between interelectrode spaces through a passage at a location inwards of the outer peripheries of the electrodes, the bath being circulated downwards in said passage and upwards at the outer peripheries of the electrodes.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten salt bath containing superimposed electrodes, at least one of which is a bipolar electrode, said method including the sweeping of bath through interelectrode spaces between the electrodes, wherein the improvement comprises circulating the bath between interelectrode spaces through a passage at a location inwards of the outer peripheries of the electrodes, the bath being circulated downwards in said passage and upwards at the outer peripheries of the electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the sweeping is sufficient for sweeping the forming metal off the electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the electrodes are divided into two stacks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3554893A
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US3909375A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-02-19 | 1982-08-21 | 1983-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-19 | 1986-08-21 | 1987-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-19 | 1990-08-21 | 1991-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |