Alkaline Earth Metal, Beryllium, Or Magnesium Patents (Class 205/402)
  • Publication number: 20140291161
    Abstract: Provided is a method for obtaining a particular metal at high purity, with safety, and at low cost, from a treatment object containing two or more metal elements. The present invention provides a method for producing a metal by molten salt electrolysis, the method including a step of dissolving, in a molten salt, a metal element contained in a treatment object containing two or more metal elements; and a step of depositing or alloying a particular metal present in the molten salt, on one of a pair of electrode members disposed in the molten salt containing the dissolved metal element, by controlling a potential of the electrode members to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Awazu, Masatoshi Majima
  • 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: 7713400
    Abstract: A method of rapidly cooling molten mixtures of alkali metal alloys in which the metal components of said alloys have a wide divergence of melting points that result in separation of the alkali metals during cool down. A calcium-sodium alloy is produced in an electrolysis cell. A method of high pressure atomization of the calcium-sodium alloy and its subsequent rapid cooling produces a calcium nodular particulate that is encased in a sodium flocculant. The material manufactured is used as a nodular electrolytic flocculant reactant in the electrolyte of an alkaline battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Edward Milton McWhorter
  • Publication number: 20080110765
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Tadashi Ogasawara, Makoto Yamaguchi, Masahiko Hori, Toru Uenishi
  • Publication number: 20080078679
    Abstract: A method for production of metal by molten-salt electrolysis of the present invention is a method for production of metal by molten-salt electrolysis which is performed by filling a molten salt of calcium chloride in an electrolysis vessel having a anode and a cathode, one of the anode or cathode is arranged surrounding the other electrode, the cathode has at least one hole communicating the inner area surrounded by the cathode with the outer area, and the molten salt flows through the communicating holes from one area including the anode (the inner area or outer area) to the other area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicants: TOHO TITANIUM CO., LTD., SUMITOMO TITANIUM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Yamaguchi, Yuichi Ono, Susumu Kosemura, Eiji Nishimura, Tadashi Ogasawara, Makoto Yamaguchi, Masahiko Hori, Toru Uenishi
  • Patent number: 7169285
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William E. O'Grady, Graham T. Cheek
  • Patent number: 6958115
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William E. O'Gardy, Graham T. Cheeck
  • Patent number: 6083362
    Abstract: A dimensionally stable electrode is provided comprising a hollow substrate with an open upper end for confining a fluid containing a metal, a film covering portions of the external surface; and a mechanism for replenishing the film. Also provided is a method for maintaining the dimensions of an anode during electrolysis comprising adapting an interior surface of the anode to receive a fluid containing a metal, facilitating transport of the metal to an exterior surface of the anode, forming a protective film on the exterior surface, wherein the transported metal is a cation of the formed protective film, and maintaining the protective film on the exterior surface while the anode is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: University of Chicago
    Inventors: John N. Hryn, Michael J. Pellin, Alan M. Wolsky, Wallis F. Calaway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6074545
    Abstract: A Process for the electrolytic production of metals particularly titanium and alloys starting from the corresponding compounds is disclosed, by means of an apparatus for the electrochemical extraction including: (1) a cathode-crucible containing a mass of solidified metal, a liquid electrolyte with a density which is lower than that of the metal and a pool of liquid metal produced; (2) one or more non-consumable anodes particularly immersed in the electrolyte with means for regulating their distance from the cathodic surface; (3) a feeding system to the electrolyte of the compounds of the metals, of the electrolyte constituents and of alloying materials; (4) a power supply which feeds direct current to the liquid metal, and through the electrolyte, to the anodes, and causes the cathodic reduction of the metal in liquid form and the evolution of anodic gas, with the heat generation which maintains the electrolyte in the molten state; and (5) an air-tight containment structure in which the anodic gases generate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Cathingots limited
    Inventor: Marco Vincenzo Ginatta