Bath Contains Metal Oxide Or Fluorine Containing Compound Patents (Class 205/401)
  • Patent number: 9181604
    Abstract: A method of producing titanium, comprising providing an oxide of titanium having a level of impurities of at least 1.0 wt %, reacting the oxide of titanium to form a titanium oxycarbide; and electrolyzing the titanium oxycarbide in an electrolyte, with the titanium oxycarbide configured as an anode; and recovering a refined titanium metal from a cathode in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Chinuka Limited
    Inventors: Derek J. Fray, Shuqiang Jiao
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130228469
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing fine metal particles, wherein metal oxide powders can be used as a source of fine metal particles, and a method for producing fine metal particles can be provided avoiding the contamination of the molten salt electrolyte bath and the produced fine metal particles. A method for producing fine metal particles (112) is provided which comprises generating cathodic discharge outside and over the surface of an electrolyte bath (100) comprising metal oxide powders (110) suspended therein, whereby the metal oxide powders (110) are electrochemically reduced into the fine metal particles (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: I'MSEP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ito, Manabu Tokushige, Tokujiro Nishikiori, Hiroyuki Tsujimura
  • Publication number: 20130084206
    Abstract: A method for production of metallic titanium and metallic titanium obtained with the method are provided. The method for production of metallic titanium comprises: taking a titaniferous material as the anode, a metal material as the cathode, and a molten salt material as the electrolyte, and carrying out electrolysis under electrolytic conditions to obtain metallic titanium; wherein, the titaniferous material is in a porous structure, with 1 mm˜10 mm average pore diameter and 20%˜60% porosity, and at least a part of the titanium element in the titaniferous material exists in the form of TiOx, wherein, 2>x>0. With the method provided in the present invention, the process is simplified, and the yield ratio and purity of the obtained metallic titanium are higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: PanGang Group Panzhihua Iron & Steel Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuchang Zhou, Tianzhu Mu, Beilei Yan, Sanchao Zhao, Yangjun Yang
  • Patent number: 8313624
    Abstract: An inert anode material for use in electrolytic processes comprises calcium ruthenate. [Note that the nominal formula for this compound is CaRuO3, although different stoichiometries may apply in practice].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Green Metals Limited
    Inventors: Derek John Fray, Gregory Russlan Doughty
  • Patent number: 7918985
    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 cathode, whereby the metal chemically reduces the cathode titanium oxide, and which method is characterized 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Metalysis Limited
    Inventors: Les Strezov, Ivan Ratchev, Steve Osborn
  • Patent number: 7901561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electrolytic production and refining of metals having a melting point above about 1000° C., particularly silicon, where there is provided a first electrolytic cell having an upper molten electrolyte layer of a first electrolyte, a lower molten alloy layer of an alloy of the metal to be refined and at least one metal more noble than the metal to be refined. The lower alloy layer is the cathode in the first cell and an anode is positioned in the upper molten electrolyte layer. A second electrolytic cell is also provided with an upper molten metal layer of the same metal as the metal to be refined, said layer constituting a cathode, a lower molten alloy layer, said lower layer constituting an anode, said alloy having a higher density than the metal to be refined, and an intermediate molten electrolyte layer having a density between the density of the upper and lower molten layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Elkem AS
    Inventors: Kai Johansen, Donald R. Sadoway, Bjorn Myhre, Marianne Engvoll, Krister Engvoll
  • Patent number: 7504017
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for electrowinning of titanium metal or titanium alloys from electrically conductive titanium mixed oxide compounds in the liquid state such as molten titania slag, molten ilmenite, molten leucoxene, molten perowskite, molten titanite, molten natural or synthetic rutile or molten titanium dioxide. The method involves providing the conductive titanium oxide compound at temperatures corresponding to the liquid state, pouring the molten material into an electrochemical reactor to form a pool of electrically conductive liquid acting as cathode material, covering the cathode material with a layer of electrolyte, such as molten salts or a solid state ionic conductor, deoxidizing electrochemically the molten cathode by direct current electrolysis. Preferably, the deoxidizing step is performed at high temperature using either a consumable carbon anode or an inert dimensionally stable anode or a gas diffusion anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: QIT-Fer et Titane Inc.
    Inventor: Francois Cardarelli
  • Patent number: 7470355
    Abstract: A process for electrochemically reducing a metal oxide, such as titania, in a solid state in an electrochemical cell that includes a bath of molten electrolyte, a cathode, and an anode, which process includes the steps of: a) applying a cell potential across the anode and the cathode that is capable of electrochemically reducing the metal oxide supplied to the molten electrolyte bath, b) continuously or semi-continuously feeding the metal oxide in powder and/or pellet form into the molten electrolyte bath, c) transporting the powders and/or pellets along a path within the molten electrolyte bath and reducing the metal oxide as the metal oxide powders and/or pellets move along the path, and d) continuously or semi-continuously removing metal from the molten electrolyte bath. Also disclosed and claims is an electrochemical cell for carrying out this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Steve Osborn, Ivan Ratchev, Les Strezov, Greg Rigby
  • Publication number: 20080190777
    Abstract: The subject invention concerns an electro-decomposition process wherein a cathode comprising a metal compound is contacted with a fused salt electrolyte in an electrochemical cell. The metal compound is a compound between a metal and another substance, and a voltage is applied between the cathode and an anode such that the substance is removed from the metal compound. In the improved method, the applied voltage increases with time, either continuously or stepwise, up to a predetermined maximum voltage. In addition, or in the alternative, the fused salt composition is selected so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of the substance in the fused salt during electro-decomposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicants: BRITISH TITANIUM PLC., CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventors: Derek John Fray, Carsten Schwandt, Greg Doughty
  • Patent number: 6921473
    Abstract: A method of removing oxygen from a solid metal, metal compound or semi-metal M1O by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface and that oxygen dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y and wherein, M1O is in the form of (sintered) granules or is in the form of a powder which is continuously fed into the fused salt. Also disclosed is a method of producing a metal foam comprising the steps of fabricating a foam-like metal oxide preform, removing oxygen from said foam structured metal oxide preform by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface. The method is advantageously applied for the production of titanium from Ti-dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Charles M Ward-Close, Alistair B Godfrey
  • Publication number: 20040173470
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Les Strezov, Ivan Ratchev, Steve Osborn
  • Patent number: 6663763
    Abstract: A method of reducing a metal oxide in a solid state, in an electrolytic cell, is provided, as is an electrolytic cell suitable for performing the method. The cathode of the electrolytic cell is formed at least in part from the metal oxide to be reduced, and the electrolyte includes cations of a metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode metal oxide. The method includes operating the cell at a potential that is above the potential at which cations of the reducing metal will deposit as metal on the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Lazar Strezov, Ivan Ratchev, Steve Osborn
  • Publication number: 20030173228
    Abstract: A method of reducing a metal oxide in a solid state, in an electrolytic cell, is provided, as is an electrolytic cell suitable for performing the method. The cathode of the electrolytic cell is formed at least in part from the metal oxide to be reduced, and the electrolyte includes cations of a metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode metal oxide. The method includes operating the cell at a potential that is above the potential at which cations of the reducing metal will deposit as metal on the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Lazar Strezov, Ivan Ratchev, Steve Osborn
  • Patent number: 6146513
    Abstract: The present invention includes uranium-bearing ceramic phase electrodes and electrolysis apparatus and electrolysis methods featuring same, including methods of metal production and the like by the electrolytic reduction of oxides or salts of the respective metals. More particularly, the invention relates to an inert type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, useful in the electrolytic production of such metals. The present invention also includes an inert-type electrode composition, and methods for fabricating electrode compositions, used in processes for generating energy from fossil fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Sandhage, Robert L. Snyder