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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
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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 22:28
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)

US1569606A Cited
US2194443A Cited
US3374163A Cited
US3554893A Cited
US3822195A Cited
US3909375A Cited

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

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