Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for reducing impurities in electrolysis cells are disclosed. In one approach, a method includes feeding a particulate fines feed stream to a tank, mixing particulate fines (PF) with liquid, the liquid having a first liquid and a second liquid, and separating at least some of the first liquid from at least some of the second liquid. The particulate fines (PF) may include inlet carbon fines (CFI) and inlet recyclable fines (RFI). The first liquid may include a recovered recyclable fines portion (RF1), and the second liquid may include a waste carbon fines portion (CF1). The mass ratio of the recovered recyclable fines portion (RF1) to the inlet recyclable fines (RFI) may be at least about 0.5. The mass ratio of the waste carbon fines portion (CF1) to the inlet carbon fines (CFI) may be at least about 0.1.

Abstract: Electrowinning methods and apparatus are suitable for producing elemental deposits of high quality, purity, and volume. Respective cathodes are used during electrowinning for bearing the elemental product, segregating impurities, dissolving morphologically undesirable material, and augmenting productivity. Silicon suitable for use in photovoltaic devices may be electrodeposited in solid form from silicon dioxide dissolved in a molten salt.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a process for removing one or more contaminants from an electrolytic solution and more particularly to a process for removing the one or more contaminants contained in an electrorefining solution using rare earth metals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing metallic titanium by electrolyzing molten salt with titanium circulation. The method mainly comprises reducing titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) to at least one of titanium trichloride (TiCl3) and titanium dichloride (TiCl2) in chloride molten salt by metallic titanium (Ti), and electrolyzing the at least one of TiCl3 and TiCl2 in the chloride molten salt to form metallic titanium. According to the method for preparing metallic titanium of the present invention, TiCl2, and/or TiCl3 are prepared and electrolyzed continuously without changing the surrounding medium, thereby simplifying process flow, reducing power consumption, and realizing industrialization.

Abstract: A process of producing magnesium metal includes providing magnesium carbonate, and reacting the magnesium carbonate to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The carbon dioxide is used as a reactant in a second process. In another embodiment of the process, a magnesium silicate is reacted with a caustic material to produce magnesium hydroxide. The magnesium hydroxide is reacted with a source of carbon dioxide to produce magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is reacted to produce a magnesium-containing compound and carbon dioxide. The magnesium-containing compound is reacted to produce magnesium metal. The invention also relates to the magnesium metal produced by the processes described herein.

Abstract: A method of winning a metal from its oxide ore by heating the ore in a partial vacuum or under an inert atmosphere in the presence of a reductant. The resulting product may be further reduced electrochemically to produce a purer metal.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering metals from a spent catalyst composition containing an organic contaminant and catalytically active metals on a catalyst support. The metals are leached from the spent catalyst composition by adding under stirring an ionic liquid. The ionic liquid containing the leached metals is separated from the organic contaminant and the catalyst support by adding under stirring an anti-solvent. After removing the organic contaminant and the catalyst support, the leached metals are separated from the ionic liquid for example by selective precipitation, ion exchange, solvent extraction, electrodeposition, chromatographic, or pyrometallurgical methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovery of uranium from a spent nuclear fuel using a carbonate solution, characterized by excellent proliferation resistance of preventing leaching of transuranium element (TRU) nuclides such as Pu, Np, Am, Cm, etc. from the spent nuclear fuel as well as environmental friendliness of minimizing waste generation, wherein a highly alkaline carbonate solution is used to separate uranium alone from the spent nuclear fuel.

Abstract: Magnesiothermic methods of producing solid silicon are provided. In a first embodiment, solid silica and magnesium gas are reacted at a temperature from 400° C. to 1000° C. to produce solid silicon and solid magnesium oxide, the silicon having a purity from 98.0 to 99.9999%. The silicon is separated from the magnesium oxide using an electrostatic technology. In a second embodiment, the solid silicon is reacted with magnesium gas to produce solid magnesium silicide. The magnesium silicide is contacted with hydrogen chloride gas or hydrochloric acid to produce silane gas. The silane gas is thermally decomposed to produce solid silicon and hydrogen gas, the silicon having a purity of at least 99.9999%. The solid silicon and hydrogen gas are separated into two processing streams. The hydrogen gas is recycled for reaction with chlorine gas to produce hydrogen chloride gas.

Abstract: A method of making Gd or Er isotopes from gaseous compounds containing —BH4 and —CH3BH3 ions involves making the Gd or Er compounds (24) in a solid state reactor (10), passing the gaseous compounds (24) to a separation process (16) to provide products enriched in the desired isotopes of Gd or Er heads and Gd or Er tails depleted in these desired isotopes and then reacting the Gd or Er heads and Gd or Er tails with chlorine in a reactor (18) to provide products of 157GdCl3, 155GdCl3 or 167ErCl3 enriched in Gd and Er isotopes.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide including the steps of using scrap containing conductive oxide and performing electrolysis while periodically inverting the polarity, and recovering the scrap as hydroxide. With the foregoing method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide, oxide system scrap is conductive oxide and a substance that can be reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen. This method enables to efficiently recover valuable metal from sputtering target scrap containing conductive oxide or scrap such as mill ends of conductive oxide that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.

Abstract: A cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment is used to electrolyze an alkali metal polysulfide into an alkali metal. The cell includes an anode, wherein at least part of the anode is housed in the anode compartment. The cell also includes a quantity of anolyte housed within the anode compartment, the anolyte comprising an alkali metal polysulfide and a solvent. The cell includes a cathode, wherein at least part of the cathode is housed in the cathode compartment. A quantity of catholyte is housed within the cathode compartment. The cell operates at a temperature below the melting temperature of the alkali metal.

Abstract: Provided is a method of recovering valuable metal from oxide system scrap including the steps of performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an oxide system scrap as a cathode, and recovering the scrap of the cathode as metal or suboxide. Specifically, this method enables the efficient recovery of valuable metal from oxide system scrap of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) sputtering target or oxide system scrap such as mill ends that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.

Abstract: Carbonaceous feedstock is at least partially oxidized using a concentrated metal ion solution that is regenerated in an electrochemical hydrogen gas producing process. The at least partially oxidized feedstock and/or hydrogen are then advantageously used as an energy carrier in a downstream process.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of metal-containing values from an ore and/or from one or more minerals, that are not readily oxidizable and that are susceptible to reduction comprising: subjecting said ore or one or more minerals to reduction in an electrolysis chamber having a single undivided acidic electrolytic medium; the reduction being carried out by hydrogen using a cathode comprising a material that promotes the generation of monatomic hydrogen; whereby one or more metal-containing values is produced in a reduced form.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing Ti or a Ti alloy through reduction of TiCl4 by Ca, which can produce the high-purity metallic Ti or high-purity Ti alloy. A molten salt containing CaCl2 and having Ca dissolved therein is held in a reactor vessel, and a metallic chloride containing TiCl4 is reacted with Ca in the molten salt to generate Ti particles or Ti alloy particles in a molten CaCl2 solution, which allows enhancement of a feed rate of TiCl4 which is of a raw material of Ti, and also allows a continuous operation. Therefore, the high-purity metallic Ti or the high-purity Ti alloy can economically be produced with high efficiency. Further, the method by the present invention eliminates the need of replenishment of expensive metallic Ca and of the operation for separately handling Ca which is highly reactive and difficult to handle.

Abstract: A spent fuel reprocessing method has a dissolution step of dissolving the spent fuel in nitric acid solution, an electrolysis/valence adjustment step of reducing Pu to trivalent, maintaining the pentavalent of Np, a uranium extraction step of collecting UO2 by bringing the fuel into contact with organic solvent and extracting hexavalent U by means of an extraction agent, an oxalic acid precipitation step of causing MA and the fissure products remaining in the nitric acid solution to precipitate together as oxalic acid precipitate, a chlorination step of converting the oxalic acid precipitate into chlorides by adding hydrochloric acid to the oxalic acid precipitate, a dehydration step of synthetically producing anhydrous chlorides by dehydrating the chlorides in a flow of Ar gas, and a molten salt electrolysis step of dissolving the anhydrous chlorides into molten salt and collecting U, Pu and MA at the cathode by electrolysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for recovery of uranium from a spent nuclear fuel using a carbonate solution, characterized by excellent proliferation resistance of preventing leaching of transuranium element (TRU) nuclides such as Pu, Np, Am, Cm, etc. from the spent nuclear fuel as well as environmental friendliness of minimizing waste generation, wherein a highly alkaline carbonate solution is used to separate uranium alone from the spent nuclear fuel.

Abstract: Electro-winning of active metal (e.g., lithium) ions from a variety of sources including industrial waste, and recycled lithium and lithium-ion batteries is accomplished with an electrolyzer having a protected cathode that is stable against aggressive solvents, including water, aqueous electrolytes, acid, base, and a broad range of protic and aprotic solvents. The electrolyzer has a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal cathode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the cathode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or anode material in conjunction with the cathode. The electrolyzer can be configured and operated to claim or reclaim lithium or other active metals from such sources.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing high-purity hafnium by using a hafnium sponge with reduced zirconium as the raw material in which the impurity content of Fe, Cr, and Ni, the impurity content of Ca, Na, and K, the impurity content of Al, Co, Cu, Ti, W, and Zn, the alpha dose, the impurity content of U and Th, the impurity content of Pb and Bi, and the content of C as a gas component contained in the hafnium are reduced. Based on this efficient and stable manufacturing technology, additionally provided are a high-purity hafnium material obtained from the foregoing high-purity hafnium, as well as a sputtering target, a gate insulation film and a metal gate thin film, which are formed from this material. This high-purity hafnium has a purity 6N or higher except Zr and gas components, wherein Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 0.2 ppm or less, Ca, Na and K are respectively 0.1 ppm or less, and Al, Co, Cu, Ti, W and Zn are respectively 0.1 ppm or less.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal, wherein the liquefied metal-containing slag is heated in at least one electric arc furnace (1, 2). In order provide an improved method for recovering especially copper from slags, the invention provides that the metal-containing slag is heated in a first furnace (1) constructed as an AC electric furnace or a DC electric furnace, and the melt is introduced from the first furnace (1) into a second furnace (2) which is constructed as a DC electric furnace. Further, the invention is directed to an arrangement for extracting a metal from a slag containing said metal.

Abstract: There is provided a mixture having a freezing point of up to 50° C., formed by reaction between: (A) one molar equivalent of a salt of formula I (Mn+)(X?)n I or a hydrate thereof; and (B) from one to eight molar equivalents of a complexing agent comprising one or more uncharged organic compounds, each of which compounds has (i) a hydrogen atom that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the anion X?; and (ii) a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of O, S, N and P that is capable of forming a coordinative bond with the metal ion Mn+, which reaction is performed in the absence of extraneous solvent, wherein M, X? mind a have meaning given in the description.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode composed of an Al-M-Cu based alloy, to a process for preparing the Al-M-Cu based alloy, to an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode the use of an Al-M-Cu based alloy as an anode and to a method for extracting a reactive metal from a reactive metal-containing source using an Al-M-Cu based alloy as an anode.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides an electrolytic cell contact bar having a first pole and a pair of second poles. The second poles are opposite in charge to the first pole and each of the pair of second poles are adjacent to and parallel to the first pole. In various embodiments, the contact bar may include an electrode holder capable of holding at least one electrode.

Abstract: Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali polysulfide and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte solution includes alkali metal ions and a catholyte solvent. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfur in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Sulfur is recovered by removing and cooling a portion of the anolyte solution to precipitate solid phase sulfur. Operating the cell at low temperature causes elemental alkali metal to plate onto the cathode. The cathode may be removed to recover the alkali metal in batch mode or configured as a flexible band to continuously loop outside the catholyte compartment to remove the alkali metal.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a method of producing aluminium in an Hall-Héroult cell with prebaked anodes, as well as anodes for same. The anodes are provided with slots in its wear (bottom) surface for gas drainage. The slots are 2-8 millimetres wide, preferably 3 millimetres.

Abstract: In producing Ti or a Ti alloy through reduction by Ca, an electrolytic-bath salt taken out from a reduction process is electrolyzed to recover Ca and the electrolytic-bath salt as a solid substance, and the recovered Ca and electrolytic-bath salt are delivered to the reduction process. Therefore, heat generation is suppressed in the reduction process by utilizing latent heat of fusion possessed by the solid substance, thereby largely improving production efficiency and thermal efficiency. Additionally, a reaction temperature is easily controlled, and a raw-material loading rate can be enhanced to efficiently produce Ti or the Ti alloy. At this point, using a pulling electrolysis method of the invention, the solid-state Ca and electrolytic-bath salt can be obtained at a low voltage and high current efficiency, i.e., with the relatively small power consumption.

Abstract: A process for extracting precious metals form ore that includes: collecting the ore, crushing the ore, enriching the ore using sulphuric acid at least in one washing cycle. Then precious metals are leached from the enriched ore by a non-aqueous solvent containing brome or bromide. The ore is than press filtered and direct electrical current is applied to the solvent bearing the precious metal, following which the metal is collected from the anode.

Abstract: In a metal-winning method, copper ore or copper-ore concentrates is effectively hydraulically leached in a chloride leach liquor and the resultant leached liquor is diaphragm-electrolyzed. A chloride electrolyte containing Br? ions and the leached metals is subjected to a diaphragm-electrolysis in an electrolytic cell comprising an anode compartment (4) and a cathode compartment (3). A portion of the electrolyte in the anode compartment (4) is withdrawn from below an anode (2) of the anode compartment (4) and is returned to the leaching step so as to increase the oxidation potential of the chloride leach liquor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved electrochemical process for winning platinum group and incidental precious metals from ore. The process utilizes a peroxide leach in combination with electricity to produce higher valency metals and comprises the following steps: combining ground ore with a solution comprising water with a selected amount of H2O2 and an anion source to form a slurry; applying a direct current while allowing the metal in the ore to leach into the solution for a selected period of time; filtering and clarifying the leached slurry to obtain a pregnant solution; and treating the pregnant solution to yield metal, metal salts or both.

Abstract: Upon performing electrolysis with a solution containing nickel as the electrolytic solution, anolyte is adjusted to pH 2 to 5; impurities such as iron, cobalt and copper contained in the anolyte are eliminated by combining any one or two or more of the methods among adding an oxidizing agent and precipitating and eliminating the impurities as hydroxide, eliminating the impurities through preliminary electrolysis, or adding Ni foil and eliminating the impurities through displacement reaction; impurities are thereafter further eliminated with a filter; and the impurity-free solution is employed as catholyte to perform the electrolysis. The present invention relates to a simple method of performing electrolytic refining employing a solution containing nickel from nickel raw material containing a substantial amount of impurities, and provides technology on efficiently manufacturing high purity nickel having a purity of 5N (99.999 wt %) or more.

Abstract: A method for operating one or more electrolysis cells (43, 154, 243) for production of aluminium, the cell comprising inert or substantially inert anodes, where an oxygen containing gas (21, 126, 221) evolved by the electrolysis process in the cell is gathered and removed therefrom. The oxygen containing gas is introduced into a combustion chamber (38, 149, 238) where it is reacted with a carbon containing gas (7, 116, 209) in a combustion process. Emisions of CO2 and NOx can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for producing a pure metal M or metal alloy MxNy, of interest, which comprises electrolyzing a molten salt electrolyte of an alkali-metal or alkaline-earth metal halide AX or AX2, with an anode formed of graphite or made of a composite of a metal oxide of the metal of interest and carbon, to discharge the alkali or alkaline-earth metal A, at the cathode, and to discharge nascent chlorine gas at the anode, whereby to produce a halide of the metal of interest MXn and/or NXn, and metallothermically reducing the metal halide MXn and/or NXn either separately or combined, with the alkali or alkaline-earth metal A, obtained cathodically to produce the metal M or the metal alloy MxNy of interest in particulate form.

Abstract: A cathode plate and method for electro-refining or electro-winning of metal. The cathode includes a cathode blade and hanger bar. A quantity of electrically conductive material is wrapped around the hanger bar and along the cathode blade to a position, in use, proximate the level of electrolyte in the electrolytic bath. The provision of a deeper and preferably thicker coating of electrically conductive material, as compared with conventional cathode plates, reduces power consumption in the electrolytic circuit.

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.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for water purification has a stationary electrode opposing a movable electrode which are positioned about a passageway for the water to be purified. The stationary electrode and movable electrode form an arc gap, and the arc gap is fed with a voltage from a pulsatile power supply. The arc gap is reduced when the current is below a first threshold and increased when the current is above a second threshold, and the arc gap change is realized by controlling a motor attached to feeder rollers coupled to the movable electrode. The apparatus causes the formation of oxide nano-particles providing durable bactericidal action.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal by an electrolytic process using an yttria-containing porous ceramic body as a diaphragm is provided; the calcium formed by electrolysis cannot pass through the diaphragm, hence the back reaction can be effectively inhibited. Preferably, to be used is a diaphragm comprising a porous ceramic body having a purity of yttrium of 90 mass % or more (more preferably, 99% or more), a porosity of 1% or more and a pore diameter of 20 ?m or less, and having a thickness of 0.05-50 mm and a metal halide is used as the electrolytic bath. The method can be utilized for producing metals such as calcium or rare earth elements, in particular. For example, when the method is applied to the production of calcium, metallic calcium can be produced with ease and at low cost without the need for enormous heat energy.

Abstract: A process for recovering heavy minerals (e.g., titanium minerals such as TiO2) from a feedstock comprising tar sands or a tar sands-derived solids fraction. The feedstock comprises bitumen and heavy minerals. The process comprises the steps of: (i) contacting the solids fraction with water at a temperature of at least about 100° F. to cause production a bituminous phase and a heavy minerals phase; and (ii) separating the heavy minerals phase from the bituminous phase. Optionally, these steps may be preceded by one or more steps used to produce a tar-sands derived solids fraction from a tar sands feedstock.

Abstract: A low temperature method for reducing and purifying refractory metals, metal compounds, and semi-metals using a catalyst. Using this invention, TiO2 can be reduced directly to Ti metal at room temperature. The catalyst is an ion in an electrolyte that catalyzes the rate of the reduction of a compound MX to M, wherein M is a metal or a semi-metal; MX is a metal compound, a semi-metal compound, or a metal or semi-metal dissolved as an impurity in M; and X is an element chemically combined with or dissolved in M.

Abstract: This invention discloses and claims the low temperature reduction and purification of refractory metals, metal compounds, and semi-metals. The reduction is accomplished using non-aqueous ionic solvents in an electrochemical cell with the metal entity to be reduced. Using this invention, TiO2 is reduced directly to Ti metal at room temperature.

Abstract: A method for separating a metal from a composition including the metal involves forming an electrolytic cell in which the anode comprises a composition including the metal. The electrolyte is an ionic liquid. A sufficient potential difference is applied between the anode and the cathode to cause the metal to transfer from the anode to the cathode deposited thereon.

Abstract: A method of producing a higher purity metal comprising the step of electrolyzing a coarse metal material by a primary electrolysis to obtain a primary electrodeposited metal, the step of electrolyzing the material with the primary electrodeposited metal obtained in the primary electrolysis step used as an anode to obtain a higher purity electrolyte for secondary electrolysis, and the step of further performing secondary electrolysis by employing higher purity electrolytic solution than said electrolytic solution with said primary electrodeposited metal as an anode, whereby providing an electro-refining method that effectively uses electrodes and an electrolyte produced in a plurality of electro-refining steps, reuses the flow of an electrolyte in the system, reduces organic matter-caused oxygen content, and can effectively produce a high purity metal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for recovering metal values from metal-bearing materials. During a reactive process, a seeding agent is introduced to provide a nucleation site for the crystallization and/or growth of solid species which otherwise tend to passivate the reactive process or otherwise encapsulate the metal value, thereby reducing the amount of desired metal values partially or completely encapsulated by such material. The seeding agent may be generated in a number of ways, including the recycling of residue or the introduction of foreign substances. Systems embodying aspects of the present invention may be beneficial for recovering a variety of metals such as copper, gold, silver, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, rhenium, uranium, rare earth metals, and platinum group metals from any metal-bearing material, such as ores and concentrates.

Abstract: Lightweight and reactive metals can be produced from ore, refined from alloy, and recycled from metal matrix composites using electrolysis in electrolytes including an ionic liquid containing a metal chloride at or near room temperature. Low electric energy consumption and pollutant emission, easy operation and low production costs are achieved.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering a metal from a feedstock containing a compound of the metal. The process includes an electrowinning step in which a leachate comprising a salt of the metal, dissolved in an aqueous acid solution, is subjected to electrowinning in an electrolytic cell, wherein elemental metal is deposited on the cathodes of the cell and oxygen is generated at the anodes. The oxygen generated at the anodes is collected and is then at least partially consumed in an oxygen-consuming step of the process. Preferably, the oxygen-consuming step comprises an atmospheric or pressure leaching step in which the metal compounds in the feedstock become dissolved in a leachate in the form of metal salts, preferably sulfates. The recovery and use of anode oxygen in a leaching process encourages the use of mist-reducing technology in existing and new electrowinning facilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an edge insulation member for an electrode plate used for electrolytic refinement of metal, and to a fixing method for it. On a tip portion 22A of a main body 22, a fitting groove 23 and a jaw portion 24 for tightly fitting an electrode plate 1 are formed to extend along the lengthwise direction of the main body 22. On a base end portion of the main body 22, an engagement notch 25 for fitting a support rod 26 is formed to extend along the lengthwise direction of the main body 22. A plurality of pin insertion holes 27 are formed on the side surface of the jaw portion 24. Fitting jigs made up from a pin 30 and a stopper 40 is removably fitted in this pin insertion hole 27. The support rod 26 is removably fitted in the engagement notch 25.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method and apparatus for producing high-purity metals (such as, for example, high-purity cobalt), and also encompasses the high-purity metals so produced. The method can comprise a combination of electrolysis and ion exchange followed by melting to produce cobalt of a desired purity. The method can result in the production of high-purity cobalt comprising total metallic impurities of less than 50 ppm. Individual elemental impurities of the produced cobalt can be follows: Na and K less than 0.5 ppm each, Fe less than 10 ppm, Ni less than 5 ppm, Cr less than 1 ppm, Ti less than 3 ppm and 0 less than 450 ppm.

Abstract: A method of reducing a titanium oxide in a solid state in an electrolytic cell which includes an anode, a cathode formed at least in part from the titanium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode titanium oxide, which method includes operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which cations of the metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode titanium oxide deposit as the metal on the cathod, whereby the metal chemically reduces the cathode titanium oxide, and which method is characterised by refreshing the electrolyte and/or changing the cell potential in later stages of the operation of the cell as required having regard to the reactions occurring in the cell and the concentration of oxygen in the titanium oxide in the cell in order to produce high purity titanium.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a material which comprises at least two elements. More specifically, the method comprises providing an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution extending between the cathode and anode. A metallic product is electrolytically formed within the electrolytic cell. The forming of the metallic product comprises primarily electrorefining of a first element of the at least two elements and primarily electrowinning of a second element of the at least two elements. The invention also includes a mixed metal product comprising at least two elements, such as a product comprising tantalum and titanium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolysis cell comprising an anode compartment which comprises an aqueous solution of at least one alkali metal salt, a cathode compartment and a solid electrolyte which separates the anode compartment and the cathode compartment from one another, wherein that part of the surface of the solid electrolyte which is in contact with the anode compartment and/or that part of the surface of the solid electrolyte which is in contact with the cathode compartment has/have at least one further ion-conducting layer.