Fused Bath Patents (Class 204/243.1)
  • Patent number: 11959185
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the electro-refinement of titanium aluminides to produce titanium-aluminum master alloys which process is effective even in the presence of substantial amounts of aluminum and in the presence of ten (10) or more weight percent oxygen in the material(s) to be refined. The process is likewise effective without the addition of titanium chlorides or other forms of soluble titanium to the electrolyte bath comprising halide salts of alkali metals or alkali-earth metals or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ACHEMETAL TITANIUM, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Cox, Chanaka L. DeALWIS, Benjamin A. Kohler, Michael G. Lewis, Juliane B. Kluck
  • Patent number: 11942658
    Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a fixed cover, and a removable cover arranged over battery modules and a high voltage distribution system. The battery system includes a busbar arranged at least partially over a region of the battery modules and under the removable cover. The busbar includes a fixed section and a movable section, or a hinge, such that the busbar can be repositioned out of the way. The support tray includes a link between the fixed and movable sections. Floating fasteners, allowing at least one of radial float and axial float are used to secure the link to the support tray, thereby avoiding safety hazards and reducing the potential for short circuits in high voltage distribution systems or conductors thereof. The floating fasteners include a head, a neck, an engagement section, and a washer, which prevent removal from a component once installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ehsan Baseri, Kyle Butterfield, Luke Rayment Morrow, Akshay Kishor Murkute, Jonathan Verghese
  • Patent number: 11767597
    Abstract: An electrolytic system and method of manufacturing white phosphorus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yogesh Surendranath, Andrew Licini
  • Patent number: 11486050
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid mixture for filling blind holes in copper foil, relating to the technical field of electroplating hole filling. The liquid mixture comprises copper sulfate pentahydrate 210-240 g/L, citric acid 40-50 g/L, tartaric acid 10-20 g/L, chloride ion 40-70 ppm, accelerator 0.5-2 g/L, leveling agent 5-15 g/L, inhibitor 5-10 g/L, and sulfonate ion liquid 50-180 g/L. The leveling agent comprises tetranitro blue tetrazolium blue and triazolyl acetyl hydrazide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: An Xie, Dongya Sun, Xiangjun Lu, Yuechan Li, Chunyan Cao, Liang Yang
  • Patent number: 11384026
    Abstract: A hot repair material of refractory materials is provided and includes main materials and binding agents. The main materials include silicon carbide powders with six different particle sizes and a mass ratio according to particle sizes from large to small is 8:5:8:15:8:10. The binding agents include silicon nitride powders, a sodium silicate powder, an aluminum phosphate powder, a furfuryl alcohol, a silicone resin powder, a silica sol powder, an aluminum sol powder, a silicon oxide micronized powder, a vanadium oxide powder, a silicon powder, a borax and a rare earth oxide micronized powder, and a corresponding mass ratio is 20:10:4:1:5:1:1:2:0.5:0.5:0.5:0.5. The silicon carbide powders in the main materials have a good synergistic effect to improve strength of the repair material. The binding agents include low-, medium- and high-temperature binding agents for a full range of temperatures, so the repair material could gain strength continuously without a collapse temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: NAVAL UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING
    Inventors: Zichun Yang, Guobing Chen, Feiyue Yang, Shuang Zhao, Zhifang Fei, Jun Chen, Jun Li, Lei Zhang, Kunfeng Li, Wencai Sun
  • Patent number: 11332837
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode material, preferably an inert anode material comprising at least a metal core and a cermet material, characterized in that: said metal core contains at least one nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) alloy, said cermet material comprises at least as percentages by weight: 45 to 80% of a nickel ferrite oxide phase (2) of composition NixFeyMzO4 with 0.60 ?x?0.90; 1.90?y?2.40; 0.00?z?0.20 and M being a metal selected from aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), tin (Sn), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta) and hafnium (Hf) or being a combination of these metals, 15 to 45% of a metallic phase (1) comprising at least one alloy of nickel and copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: ELYSIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Christian Barthelemy, Sylvie Bouvet, Armand Gabriel, Veronique Laurent, Ariane Marmottant
  • Patent number: 11076981
    Abstract: High purity lithium and associated products are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a lithium metal product in which the lithium metal is obtained using a selective lithium ion conducting layer. The selective lithium ion conducting layer includes an active metal ion conducting glass or glass ceramic that conducts only lithium ions. The present lithium metal products produced using a selective lithium ion conducting layer advantageously provide for improved lithium purity when compared to commercial lithium metal. Pursuant to the present disclosure, lithium metal having a purity of at least 99.96 weight percent on a metals basis can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: alpha-En Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Ralph Swonger, Emilie Bodoin
  • Patent number: 10673066
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a reticulated lead electrode for a lead-acid battery, including: preparing a molten metal in a container; applying a DC voltage to the molten metal and the substrate; while the DC voltage is applied, placing a reticulated ceramic substrate in the molten metal; while the DC voltage is applied, withdrawing the substrate from the molten metal; and cooling the substrate. The method may be used to form reticulated electrodes for other types of batteries or capacitors. Also described is a method for making a reticulated ceramic substrate, including: adhering mineral fibers such as milled glass fibers on the surfaces of a reticulated PU substrate with an adhesive; coating the reticulated PU substrate with a ceramic slurry with the assistance ultrasonic waves; pre-baking the dried slurry at a low temperature to vaporizes the polymer substrate; and baking the substrate at sintering temperature of the ceramic slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Jonathan Jan
  • Patent number: 10465306
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing titanium by using electrowinning and, more specifically, to a method for preparing titanium by using electrowinning, comprising the steps of: preparing a mixture by mixing a solid electrolyte, which contains an oxide of a Group 1 element and boron oxide, with titanium dioxide; and forming a molten oxide from the mixture by putting the mixture in an electrowinning apparatus comprising an anode and an insoluble cathode and heating the same, and then forming titanium on the cathode by applying voltage to the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kyung-Woo Yi, Jong-Ha Park, Ho-Gil Choi
  • Patent number: 10443140
    Abstract: Anode assembly (100) comprising an anode (3) and an anode support (4) for the production of aluminum, characterized in that the anode assembly (100) comprises an electrical connecting element (1) to electrically connect the anode support (4) with the anode (3), and at least one thermally insulating element (6) arranged to reduce heat transfer between the anode (3) and the anode support (4) during the production of aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Sébastien Becasse, Jean-François Bilodeau, Denis Laroche, Laurent Fiot, Steve Langlois
  • Patent number: 10415122
    Abstract: A cermet material includes as mass percentages, at least: 50% to 90% of a metallic phase containing an alloy of copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni), and 10% to 50% of an oxide phase containing at least iron, nickel and oxygen with the following proportion by mass of Ni: 0.2%?Ni?17%. An electrode, preferably an anode, may include this cermet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ELYSIS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Christian Barthelemy, Ariane Marmottant, Véronique Laurent, Sylvie Bouvet, Vincent Stabrowski
  • Patent number: 10020543
    Abstract: The present invention provides a molten sodium secondary cell. In some cases, the secondary cell includes a sodium metal negative electrode, a positive electrode compartment that includes a positive electrode disposed in a molten positive electrolyte comprising Na-FSA (sodium-bis(fluorosulonyl)amide), and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the positive electrolyte. One disclosed example of electrolyte membrane material includes, without limitation, a NaSICON-type membrane. Non-limiting examples of the positive electrode include Ni, Zn, Cu, or Fe. The cell is functional at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C., and preferably between about 110° C. and about 130° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FIELD UPGRADING USA, INC.
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Robins
  • Patent number: 9926636
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising an oxide of a first metal. The method comprises the steps of arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock. The anode comprises a second metal, which at the temperature of electrolysis within the cell is a molten metal. The second metal is a different metal to the first metal. Oxygen removed from the feedstock during electrolysis reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. Thus, oxygen is not evolved as a gas at the molten anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: METALYSIS LIMITED
    Inventor: Greg Doughty
  • Patent number: 9147904
    Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage unit is proposed. The rechargeable energy storage unit has a first and a second electrode. The first electrode is associated with metallic particles composed of a metal which can be reduced during charging operation of the energy storage unit and can be oxidized during discharging operation of the energy storage unit. The rechargeable energy storage unit has an electrolyte arranged between the electrodes. The metallic particles additionally contain a material which constrains sintering of the metallic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Horst Greiner, Alessandro Zampieri
  • Publication number: 20150122664
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell for aluminum electrolysis includes a cell body, in which an anode and a cathode are arranged inside the cell body, the cell body is filled with an electrolyte, and at least a part of the anode is immersed in the electrolyte; the anode is arranged above the cell body, the cathode is arranged at the bottom of the electrolytic cell and is covered by aluminum liquid, the electrolyte is located between the anode and the cathode and covers the aluminum liquid; and an insulating layer is arranged on the inner sidewall of the cell body for isolating oxygen or the electrolyte from a carbon block. The anode contains Fe and Cu as primary components; and the electrolyte is composed of 30-38 wt % of NaF, 49-60 wt % of AlF3, 1-5 wt % of LiF, 1-6 wt % of KF and 3-6 wt % of Al2O3, and the molar ratio of NaF to AlF3 is 1.0-1.52.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Songtao Sun, Yulin Fang
  • Publication number: 20150083584
    Abstract: An electrolysis cell, particularly for the production of aluminum, contains a cathode, a layer of liquid aluminum arranged on the upper side of the cathode, a melt layer thereon and an anode on the top of the melt layer. The cathode is composed of at least two cathode blocks, wherein at least one of the at least two cathode blocks differs from at least one of the other cathode blocks with regard to the average compressive strength, the average thermal conductivity, the average specific electrical resistivity and/or the apparent density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Ghazanfar Abbas
  • Publication number: 20150083606
    Abstract: Molten salt electrolytes are described for use in electrochemical synthesis of hydrocarbons from carboxylic acids. The molten salt electrolyte can be used to synthesize a wide variety of hydrocarbons with and without functional groups that have a broad range of applications. The molten salt can be used to synthesize saturated hydrocarbons, diols, alkylated aromatic compounds, as well as other types of hydrocarbons. The molten salt electrolyte increases the selectivity, yield, the energy efficiency and Coulombic efficiency of the electrochemical conversion of carboxylic acids to hydrocarbons while reducing the cell potential required to perform the oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: James Mosby, Sai Bhavaraju
  • Patent number: 8906219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolytic process, methods and apparatus for the preparation of carbon monoxide and in particular to electrolysis of molten carbonates to yield carbon monoxide which may be used for chemical storage of electrical energy and further as chemical feedstock for other organic products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Igor Lubomirsky, Valery Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20140353159
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing lithium iron arsenic superconductor materials. An example of the method comprises providing at least one cathode comprised of iron arsenic, providing at least one anode comprised of a chemically inert material, placing the at least one cathode and at least one anode into an electrolyte comprised of molten lithium chloride and/or lithium bromide, and applying a voltage such that electrical current flows between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Milan Majoros, Maria Kanuchova, Michael D. Sumption, Edward W. Collings
  • Patent number: 8858677
    Abstract: A valuable-substance recovery method according to the present invention includes: a solvent peeling step (S3) of dissolving a resin binder included in an electrode material by immersing crushed pieces of a lithium secondary battery into a solvent, so as to peel off the electrode material containing valuable substances from a metal foil constituting the electrode; a filtering step (S4) of filtering a suspension of the solvent, so as to separate and recover the electrode material containing the valuable substances and a carbon material; a heat treatment step (S5) of heating the recovered electrode material containing the valuable substances and the carbon material, under an oxidative atmosphere, so as to burn and remove the carbon material; and a reducing reaction step (S6) of immersing the resultant electrode material containing the valuable substances into a molten salt of lithium chloride containing metal lithium, so as to perform a reducing reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiya Kakuta, Seiichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8764962
    Abstract: An electrolytic extraction method wins a target element from an oxide feedstock compound thereof. The feedstock compound is dissolved in an oxide melt in contact with a cathode and an anode in an electrolytic cell. During electrolysis the target element is deposited at a liquid cathode and coalesces therewith. Oxygen is evolved on an anode bearing a solid oxide layer, in contact with the oxide melt, over a metallic anode substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Antoine Allanore, Donald R. Sadoway
  • Patent number: 8747644
    Abstract: In a method for reducing a solid feedstock (110), such as a solid metal compound, feedstock is arranged on upper surfaces of elements (60, 80, 81) in a bipolar cell stack contained within a housing (25). A molten salt electrolyte is circulated through the housing so that it contacts the elements of the bipolar stack and the feedstock. A potential is applied to terminal electrodes (50, 60) of the bipolar stack such that the upper surfaces of the elements become cathodic and the lower surfaces of the elements become anodic. The applied potential is sufficient to cause reduction of the feedstock. The invention also provides an apparatus for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Metalysis Limited
    Inventors: Peter G. Dudley, Allen Richard Wright
  • Publication number: 20140138257
    Abstract: A method for removing tritium from liquid lithium includes mixing the liquid lithium containing trace amounts of tritium with a molten salt and forming a salt of lithium and tritium. The method also includes separating the liquid lithium from the salt of lithium and tritium and circulating the molten salt in an electrolyzer to form molecular tritium. The method further includes bubbling an inert gas through the electrolyzer to remove the molecular tritium and circulating the argon and removed molecular tritium in a titanium getter to recover the tritium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin J. Kramer, Daniel L. Flowers, Jeffery Latkowski, Joel Martinez-Frias, Susana Reyes
  • Publication number: 20140076723
    Abstract: An electrolysis cell for the production of aluminum has a liquid aluminum layer on a cathode, a melt layer on the liquid aluminum, and an anode above the melt layer. An upper side of the cathode has surface profiling with two or more elevations provided at at least two of the twenty points of the surface of the upper side of the cathode vertically beneath those regions of the boundary surface between the layer of liquid aluminum and the melt layer in which peaks with the twenty highest maxima are present in the distribution of a reference wave formation potential in the boundary surface. The reference wave formation potential is defined as the wave formation potential which, when the electrolysis cell is operated with a reference cathode without surface profiling is present at a point in the boundary surface between the layer of liquid aluminum and the melt layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SGL CARBON SE
    Inventors: THOMAS FROMMELT, FRANK HILTMANN
  • Patent number: 8647481
    Abstract: Pot tending machine for a series of electrolysis cells designed for the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis including: a) an overhead traveling crane which can be relocated above said electrolysis cells, b) a tool carriage onto which is fixed a service module comprising tools; c) a tapping winch, interdependent of said overhead traveling crane, designed to grasp and position near cell a tapping assembly including a ladle, a tapping tube and a vacuum device; d) a freestanding device able to generate compressed air; characterized in that said compressed air generating device of includes a first compressor, able to provide a flow of compressed air at least equal to the minimum air flow necessary for operations other than tapping, and at least one second compressor mounted in such a way that, when operating simultaneously with said first compressor, the unit provides a flow of compressed air at least equal to the minimum output of air necessary during tapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: E.C.L.
    Inventors: Arnaud Wattel, Stéphane David
  • Patent number: 8628646
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an anode block (13, 13a-13e) made of carbon for a pre-baked anode (4) for use in a metal electrolysis cell (1) comprising a higher face (24), a lower face (23), designed to be laid out opposite a higher face of a cathode (9), and four side faces (21,22,34), and including at least one first groove (31a-31e) leading onto at least one of the side faces, in which the first groove has a maximum length Lmax in a plane parallel to the lower face, and characterized in that the first groove does not lead onto said lower or higher faces, or leads onto said lower or higher faces over a length L0 less than half the maximum length Lmax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Berlin, Jean Camire, Daran Emmett, Yvan Foster, Guillaume Servant, Christian Jonville, Malcolm Manwaring
  • Publication number: 20130299341
    Abstract: A removable electrode module for engagement with an electrolysis chamber comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a suspension structure. The suspension structure comprises a suspension rod coupled to the first electrode. The second electrode is suspended or supported by the suspension structure, which comprises at least one electrically-insulating spacer element for retaining the second electrode in spatial separation from the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: METALYSIS LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter G. Dudley, Allen Richard Wright
  • Publication number: 20130292259
    Abstract: Grid energy storage is very challenging due to its large scale, required quick response, versatility, round trip efficiency, and new system infrastructure. However, the benefit is also huge because it would enable utilisation of intermittent renewable energy, leverage load, and allow energy management in hours/diurnal to seconds/minutes. A new invention is described to store up to 4-6% the entire grid energy by aluminum production, while returning its baseload back to the grid by idling aluminum smelter cells. The round trip efficiency will be close to 100%; switching between storage and load release can be instantaneous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Xin Xiao
  • Patent number: 8500970
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell is suitable for production of aluminium, and includes at least one collector bar made of first metal and at least one complementary bar made of a second metal having an electrical conductivity greater than the first metal and arranged adjacent to one of the side faces of the collector bar so that the external end of the complementary bar is at a specified distance from a specified end face of the block. The second end terminates so as to limit heat losses from said cell. The cell makes it possible to obtain significantly lower voltage drops while avoiding excessive heat losses through the collector bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Bertrand Allano, Delphine Bonnafous, Jean Camire, Martin Desilets, Laurent Fiot, Pierre Fournier, Yvon Gauthier, Denis Laroche, Oliver Martin, Pascal Thibeault, Serge Bouchard
  • Publication number: 20130192998
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to apparatuses for and methods of conducting electrical current in an oxygen and liquid metal environment. In another aspect, the invention relates to methods for production of metals from their oxides comprising providing a cathode in electrical contact with a molten electrolyte, providing a liquid metal anode separated from the cathode and the molten electrolyte by a solid oxygen ion conducting membrane, providing a current collector at the anode, and establishing a potential between the cathode and the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Adam Clayton Powell, IV, Soobhankar Pati, Stephen Joseph Derezinski, Garrett Lau, Uday B. Pal, Xiaofei Guan, Srikanth Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20130164167
    Abstract: A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL RESOURCE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL RESOURCE SERVICES, INC.
  • Patent number: 8440059
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolytic cell for obtaining aluminum, including a pot shell, at least one cathode block arranged at least partially in the pot shell, at least one anode suspended above the cell and dipping into the upper portion of the electrolytic cell, and an insulation at least partially covering the internal surface of the pot shell and located between the cathode block and the pot shell, the pot shell and the elements that it contains delimiting a crucible intended to receive an electrolytic bath in contact with the cathode block, characterized in that the insulation is at least partially made of carbon-based blocks having a heat conductivity lower than 1 W/m/K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Carbone Savoie
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Dreyfus
  • Patent number: 8425112
    Abstract: A measuring device is provided having a protective cover and a sensor arranged in the protective cover. The protective cover has a carrier tube made of metal and closed on one end. A first coating made of an aluminum non-wettable material is arranged on an outer surface of the carrier tube, and a further coating made of aluminum-wettable material is applied on the first coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Verstreken, Jozef Theodoor Aegten
  • Patent number: 8419908
    Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt, the electrolytic apparatus being advantageous in that the electrolysis can be performed without the occurrence of the anode effect even at a high current density and without the occurrence of an anodic dissolution. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt at an applied current density of from 1 to 1,000 A/dm2, the electrolytic apparatus using a conductive diamond-coated electrode as an anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Tojo, Jiro Hiraiwa, Hitoshi Takebayashi, Masashi Kodama
  • Patent number: 8409409
    Abstract: System, method and apparatus for measuring electrolysis cell operating conditions and communicating the same are disclosed. The system includes a selectively positionable member coupled to an analytical apparatus, wherein the selectively positionable is configured to move the analytical apparatus into and out of physical communication with a bath. The system may also include a crust breaker for breaking the surface of a bath and an electronic device for measuring bath level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangwen Wang, Robert Hosler, Gary Tarcy
  • Patent number: 8366891
    Abstract: A metallic oxygen evolving anode for electrowinning aluminum by decomposition of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte, and operable at anode current densities of 1.1 to 1.3 A/cm2, comprises an alloy of nickel, iron, manganese, optionally copper, and silicon. Preferably, the alloy is composed of 64-66 w % Ni; Iron; 25-27 w % Fe; 7-9 w % Mn; 0-0.7 w % Cu; and 0.4-0.6 w % Si. The weight ratio Ni/Fe is in the range 2.1 to 2.89, preferably 2.3 to 2.6, the weight ratio Ni/(Ni+Cu) is greater than 0.98, the weight ratio Cu/Ni is less than 0.01, and the weight ratio Mn/Ni is from 0.09 to 0.15. The alloy surface can comprise nickel ferrite produced by pre-oxidation of the alloy. The alloy, optionally with a pre-oxidized surface, can be coated with an external coating comprising cobalt oxide CoO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Thinh Trong Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130001100
    Abstract: A catalyst removal apparatus and method for removing catalyst from a polycrystalline cutter. The cutter includes a substrate and a cutting table. The apparatus includes a tank forming a cavity therein, an electrolyte fluid occupying the cavity, the cutter, a covering surrounding at least a portion of the cutter's sidewall and extending from at least the substrate's top surface towards the bottom surface, a cathode submersed within the fluid, and a power source. The cutting table is submersed within the fluid and positioned near the cathode, thereby forming a gap therebetween. The power source is coupled to the cutter and the cathode and electrolyzes the fluid to react with the catalyst in the cutting table to produce a salt. The salt dissolves in the fluid and is removed from the cutter. Optionally, a transducer is sonically coupled to the cutter and emits vibrations to remove salt from the cutting table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Varel International Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Gary M. Thigpen, Federico Bellin, Michael R. Reese
  • Publication number: 20120318665
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a fluorine gas generating system which can stably supply high purity fluorine gas while preventing blockade of a purification apparatus for adsorbing and removing hydrogen fluoride. [Solving means] A fluorine gas generating system characterized by including a purification apparatus 20 for adsorbing and removing hydrogen fluoride vaporized from a molten salt of an electrolysis tank 1 and mixed in fluorine gas generated at an anode 7, in which the purification apparatus 20 includes a cylindrical member through which main-product gas containing fluorine gas generated in the electrolysis tank 1 flows, a temperature regulator for regulating temperature of the cylindrical member, and an adsorbent holder disposed inside the cylindrical member, the adsorbent holder being disposed to form an aperture for securing a flow passage of the main-product gas inside the cylindrical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuo Miyazaki, Akifumi Yao, Takuya Kita
  • Publication number: 20120292198
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods for extracting rare earth metals from ores comprising reduction of rare earth metal oxyfluorides. In another aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for extracting rare earth metals from ores comprising reduction of rare earth metal oxyfluorides. The methods and apparatuses described herein generate rare earth metals from ores with reduced requisite pre-removal of metal oxides found as natural impurities in ores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: METAL OXYGEN SEPARATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Joseph Derezinski, Adam Clayton Powell
  • Patent number: 8303795
    Abstract: In the method and system, a number of electrolytic cells are arranged as a cell group, which cells are separated by a number of partition walls; in each cell, a number of anodes and cathodes are arranged in an alternating order, so that in each cell, next to each anode, there is arranged a cathode, and so that in each cell, each individual anode is fitted in the same anode line with the anode of the adjacent cell, and in each cell, each individual cathode is fitted in the same cathode line with the cathode of the adjacent cell, and each anode is galvanically connected to at least one cathode of the adjacent cell. The flowing direction of the current passing in the cell group is deviated in different directions in order to make the current flow mainly in the direction of the cell group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Henri Virtanen, Olli Jarvinen, Lauri Palmu, Ilkka Laitinen
  • Patent number: 8273223
    Abstract: A handling device for hoods of an aluminum production cell by fused bath electrolysis, including a positioning device and a hood-gripping device. The positioning device includes a vertical guide device, a mobile support mounted on the guide device so that it can be moved in at least a vertical direction during use, an articulated arm, a first framework mounted on the articulated arm so that it can pivot about a first rotation axis A substantially horizontal during use, a motor to make the first framework pivot about the first rotation axis A, a second framework mounted on the first framework so that it can be moved along the first translation axis B that is substantially horizontal during use, and means of displacing the second framework along the first translation axis B. The hood-gripping system is fixed to the second framework and includes a set of gripping devices designed to grip a set of hoods at a number of fixing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: E.C.L.
    Inventors: Alain Van Acker, Ludovic Demeulenaere
  • Patent number: 8273224
    Abstract: A collector bar for electrical connection to a busbar system of an electrolytic cell, the collector bar being received within a recess in a cathode block of the cathode of the electrolytic cell; wherein the collector bar comprises a first conductor which electrically connects to the busbar system, the first conductor having an external surface or surfaces which electrically contact the cathode block and at least one second conductor having a lower electrical resistance to the first conductor, the second conductor being positioned on at least one external surface of the first conductor in electrical contact with the first conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ingo Bayer, Bruce Ringsby Olmstead
  • Publication number: 20120228144
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fluorine gas, comprising at least one fluorine generating cell, and at least one fluorine generating cell detector for detecting components of products obtained by the fluorine generating cell, wherein at least one of the fluorine generating cells is connected with the fluorine generating cell detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SOLVAY FLUOR GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Pernice, Johannes Eicher, Francis Feys, Dominique Balthasart, Christoph Sommer, Harald Krueger
  • Patent number: 8252156
    Abstract: Electrode containers and associated methods are provided. In one embodiment, an electrode container includes sides and a top, and the top includes an opening adapted to receive a rod of an electrode. A plurality of flexible members are interconnected about the perimeter of the opening, wherein at least some of the plurality of flexible members overlap with one another. In one embodiment, a method includes removing an electrode from a metal electrolysis cell and placing the electrode into a container, where the placing step includes the steps of engaging at least one lever of a top flap of the container with a surface of the electrode and, concomitant to the engaging step, moving the top flap from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Dumont, Giovanni Pucella
  • Publication number: 20120202279
    Abstract: An onsite integrated production factory having an electrolytic plant, an ethanol plant, a vegetable plant, a culturing plant, and a power generation unit. The onsite integrated production facility is arranged so that fresh water, sulfuric acid or caustic soda produced by and received from the electrolytic plant is used in the ethanol plant to produce and output oxalic acid, sodium oxalate, fuel bioethanol. The oxalic acid or sodium oxalate produced in and received from the ethanol plant is used for removing calcium contained in the sea water in the electrolytic plant. The vegetable plant produces vegetables for generation and outputting of oxygen by receiving the carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation process in the ethanol plant and fresh water from the electrolytic plant. The culturing plant has a fishery farm or reef for using the oxygen generated in the vegetable plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: M HIKARI & ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masataka MURAHARA
  • Patent number: 8221609
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a process for producing rare metals includes the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution to extract a Re oxide at a cathode; recovering the Re oxide, and electrolyzing the Re oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Re; recovering a Nd containing residue solution; treating the Nd containing residue solution to produce Nd oxide; electrolyzing the Nd oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Nd; recovering a Dy containing residue solution; treating the Dy containing residue solution to produce Dy oxide; and electrolyzing the Dy oxide in a molten salt electrolyte to extract metallic Dy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Reiko Fujita, Hitoshi Nakamura, Koji Mizuguchi, Shohei Kanamura, Takashi Omori, Kazuhiro Utsunomiya, Shunji Nomura
  • Patent number: 8211278
    Abstract: Compositions for making wettable cathodes to be used in aluminum electrolysis cells are disclosed. The compositions generally include titanium diboride (TiB2) and metal additives. The amount of selected metal additives may result in production of electrodes having a tailored density and/or porosity. The electrodes may be durable and used in aluminum electrolysis cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Weirauch, Jr., Lance M. Sworts, Brian J. Tielsch, Robert A. DiMilia
  • Patent number: 8206560
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum electrolytic cell having profiled cathode carbon blocks structures, comprising a cell case, a refractory material installed on the bottom, an anodes and a cathode. The cathode carbon blocks include a profiled structure having projections on the top surface of the carbon blocks, that is, a plurality of projections are formed on a surface of the cathode carbon blocks. The aluminum electrolytic cell having the cathode structure according to the present invention can reduce the velocity of the flow and the fluctuation of the level of the cathodal molten aluminum within the electrolytic cell, so as to increase the stability of the surface of molten aluminum, reduce the molten lose of the aluminum, increase the current efficiency, reduce the inter electrode distance, and reduce the energy consumption of the production of aluminum by electrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Northeastern University Engineering & Research Institute Co, Ltd., Northeastern University, Shenyang Beiye Metallurgical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naixiang Feng
  • Patent number: 8142623
    Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt, the electrolytic apparatus being advantageous in that the electrolysis can be performed without the occurrence of the anode effect even at a high current density and without the occurrence of an anodic dissolution. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by an electrolytic apparatus for producing fluorine or nitrogen trifluoride by electrolyzing a hydrogen fluoride-containing molten salt at an applied current density of from 1 to 1,000 A/dm2, the electrolytic apparatus using a conductive diamond-coated electrode as an anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Tojo, Jiro Hiraiwa, Hitoshi Takebayashi, Masashi Kodama
  • Patent number: 8142749
    Abstract: Additions of substitutional transition metal elements are made to improve the densifiability of titanium diboride while eliminating or minimizing the presence of deleterious grain boundary phases in the resultant bulk titanium diboride articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Sean E. Landwehr, Russell L. Yeckley