Abstract: Magnetically attractive impurities such as oxides of iron are removed from a molten salt bath using a magnetic force in the form of either a permanent magnet or an electromagnet encased in a magnetically transparent refractory capable of withstanding both the heat and chemical corrosiveness of a molten salt bath in which the impurities such as iron oxides are present.

Abstract: Metal is produced in a cell containing a plurality of electrodes which are horizontally disposed and arranged in at least one vertical stack. Each stack includes a cathode, at least one intermediate bipolar electrode and an anode. The electrodes in each stack are arranged in a superimposed, spaced relationship defining inter-electrode spaces between each pair of adjacent electrodes. The upper face of each cathode and of each of the bipolar electrodes has at least one reservoir, bounded by a perimetric wall, for collecting metal produced in the cell. Each perimetric wall has level maintaining means associated therewith so that a pool of the metal in the reservoir will be maintained at a predetermined level beneath the top of the perimetric wall. Metal produced during operation of the cell in excess of that required to fill the reservoir to the predetermined level will drain from the reservoir via the level maintaining means.

Abstract: An improved cell is disclosed for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a metal halide in a molten bath comprising the metal halide dissolved in at least one molten halide of higher electrodecomposition potential than the metal halide. The cell includes an inner refractory lining and a plurality of electrodes which are located adjacent to and in abutment with the lining. The electrodes are disposed generally horizontally and arranged in at least one vertical stack. The electrodes in each stack are located beneath the upper level of the bath, and are arranged in a superimposed, spaced relationship defining inter-electrode spaces between each pair of adjacent electrodes. The cell also includes a vertical gas-lift passage associated with each stack of electrodes, which is in fluid communication with each inter-electrode space in the stack.

Abstract: An improved cell is disclosed for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a metal halide dissolved in at least one molten halide of higher electrodecomposition potential than the metal halide. The cell includes a plurality of cell elements, including an inner refractory lining and a plurality of carbonaceous elements. Included among the carbonaceous elements are carbonaceous lining elements located inside of and abutting a portion of the inner refractory lining and carbonaceous electrode elements abutting the inner refractory lining. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, some carbonaceous lining elements abut other carbonaceous lining elements, and some carbonaceous electrode elements abut other carbonaceous electrode elements. The improved cell also includes carbon felt gaskets located between at least some of the abutting elements for sealing of the joints of abutment in order to minimize the effects of physical shifts in the carbonaceous elements.