Abstract: Methods separates a gas comprising providing a first electrode in ion-conducting contact with an electrolyte, providing a second electrode in ion-conducting contact with the electrolyte, wherein the second electrode comprises a liquid metal, providing a displacing material comprising a first surface in contact with the second electrode and a second surface exposed to an environment outside the second electrode, wherein said material permits flow of gas and impedes flow of liquid metal, and establishing a potential between the first and second electrodes, whereby gas flows toward the liquid metal. Other aspects include methods and apparatuses comprising electrodes, electrolytes and displacing materials.

Abstract: Methods separates a gas comprising providing a first electrode in ion-conducting contact with an electrolyte, providing a second electrode in ion-conducting contact with the electrolyte, wherein the second electrode comprises a liquid metal, providing a displacing material comprising a first surface in contact with the second electrode and a second surface exposed to an environment outside the second electrode, wherein said material permits flow of gas and impedes flow of liquid metal, and establishing a potential between the first and second electrodes, whereby gas flows toward the liquid metal. Other aspects include methods and apparatuses comprising electrodes, electrolytes and displacing materials.

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.

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.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to liquid anodes and fuels for production of metals from their oxides. In one aspect, the invention relates apparatuses for producing a metal from a metal oxide comprising a cathode in electrical contact with an electrolyte, a liquid metal anode separated from the cathode and the electrolyte by a solid oxygen ion conducting membrane, a fuel inlet, and a power supply for establishing a potential between the cathode and the anode. 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 fuel inlet, delivering a gaseous fuel comprising hydrogen to the liquid metal anode via the fuel inlet, and establishing a potential between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: Methods for condensing metal vapors comprising directing a mixture of metal vapor and carrier gas into at least one inlet conduit are provided. Some methods comprise directing the mixture of metal vapor and carrier gas into a holding tank for liquid metal and subsequently into at least one outlet conduit operatively connected to the tank; cooling the at least one outlet conduit to cause some of the metal vapor inside the conduit to condense to solid metal; subsequent to condensing solid metal, stopping the cooling of at least one of the outlet conduits and commencing heating of the same outlet conduits to cause the solid metal to melt to form liquid metal; collecting the liquid metal in the tank; and preventing the remaining metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the same outlet conduits during at least a portion of the heating of the same outlet conduits.

Abstract: Recycling methods and apparatus produce elements of high purity from diverse feedstock materials melted in an electronically conductive liquid. Distinct anodes are used in respective circuits configured for electrorefining and electrowinning. The electrorefining circuit is operable to produce an element in a gaseous state. The electrowinning circuit includes a SOM anode, allowing feedstock materials incorporating significant oxide constituents to be recycled. The methods and apparatus are suitable for magnesium recycling.

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: An apparatus for condensing metal vapors has at least one inlet conduit that is cooled to cause a portion of the metal vapor to condense to liquid. The apparatus also has a holding tank that is connected to the inlet conduit that collects condensed liquid metal. The apparatus also has at least one outlet conduit connected to the holding tank that is cooled to cause a portion of the remaining metal vapor to condense to solid metal. The apparatus also has at least one heater that heats the at least one outlet conduit to cause the solid metal to melt to liquid metal and subsequently flow in to the holding tank. The apparatus also has at least one sealing mechanism located at a distal end of the at least one outlet conduit for preventing metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the outlet conduit during heating of the outlet conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing metal vapors has at least one inlet conduit that is cooled to cause a portion of the metal vapor to condense to liquid. The apparatus also has a holding tank that is connected to the inlet conduit that collects condensed liquid metal. The apparatus also has at least one outlet conduit connected to the holding tank that is cooled to cause a portion of the remaining metal vapor to condense to solid metal. The apparatus also has at least one heater that heats the at least one outlet conduit to cause the solid metal to melt to liquid metal and subsequently flow in to the holding tank. The apparatus also has at least one sealing mechanism located at a distal end of the at least one outlet conduit for preventing metal vapor and carrier gas from exiting the outlet conduit during heating of the outlet conduit.

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: 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.