Alkali Metal (li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Or Fr) Patents (Class 205/406)
  • Patent number: 12241171
    Abstract: The presently disclosed concepts relate to improved techniques for critical mineral extraction, purification, precipitation, ion exchange, and metal production using a solid electrolyte membrane. By using a solid electrolyte embedded in a matrix, alkali metal (such as lithium) can be more effectively separated from feed solutions. Additionally, energy used to initially extract critical minerals from a feed solution may be stored as electrochemical energy, which in turn, may be discharged when critical minerals are depleted from the electrode. This discharged energy may therefore be reclaimed and reused to extract additional critical minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: LYTEN, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Baucom, Sanjeev Kolli
  • Patent number: 12173387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to conductive multicomponent multiphase metal alloy. The metal alloy has the following (in atom-%):Ni, in a total amount of 35-70; wherein the remaining 30-65 comprises at least three elements selected from the list consisting of Sn, Nb, Ta, B, Cr, Ce, Fe, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Ti, Zr, Mn, Hf, Si, P, Al, Y and V in a total amount of at least 30. The metal alloy comprises at least three distinct crystalline phases, at least one phase being an intermetallic phase. The present invention also relates to an electrode material comprising said alloy, to a method for forming a coating on said alloy, and to a method for manufacturing said alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: VSCA AS
    Inventors: David Jarvis, Rosanna Jarvis
  • Patent number: 9201404
    Abstract: An alkali metal cell is disclosed, including a substrate in which is formed an opening which penetrates from one face to the other face thereof; a first transparent substrate bonded to the other face of the substrate; and a second transparent substrate bonded to the one face of the substrate, wherein an alkali metal is sealed into a space surrounded by the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate in the opening of the substrate, wherein, in the substrate and the second transparent substrate, the space is enclosed by a bonding between a first bonding metal layer formed by a first bonding metal and a second bonding metal layer formed by a second bonding metal, and wherein the second bonding metal layer has a bonding temperature higher than that of the first bonding metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Harasaka, Kazuhiko Adachi, Hiroyoshi Shouji, Akihiro Itoh, Shunichi Sato, Shinji Satoh
  • Patent number: 8999123
    Abstract: Electrodes are positioned substantially in contact with at least one surface of a solid to generate or absorb alkali metals when a voltage is applied between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Bernstein, Mark J. Mescher, William L. Robbins
  • Patent number: 8440067
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing small amounts of water and possible further constituents from alkali metal amalgam, wherein the alkali metal amalgam is brought into contact with an element which is insoluble in mercury and catalyzes the reaction of water with the alkali metal amalgam and the possible further constituents to form hydroxides and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Marc Martin, Günther Huber, Michael Lutz, Wolfgang Kanther, Josef Guth, Holger Friedrich
  • Patent number: 7931794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for electrolytic fabrication of cells. A cell can be formed of a silicon layer (cathode) sandwiched between layers of glass. One or more holes are formed in the silicon layer. An alkali metal enriched glass material is placed in or associated with the one or more holes. Electrolysis is used to make the alkali metal ions in the alkali metal enriched glass material combine with electrons from the silicon cathode to form neutral alkali metal atoms in the one or more holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Princeton University
    Inventors: William Happer, Yuan-Yu Jau, Fei Gong, Katharine Estelle Jensen
  • Patent number: 7897028
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method for regenerating materials from a desulfurization/demetallation reaction. The desulfurization/demetallation reaction preferably has products including one or more of an alkali sulfide, polysulfide or hydrosulfide, or alkali earth sulfide, polysulfide, or hydrosulfide. The method includes the steps of reacting the desulfurization/demetallation products with a halogen, liberating and removing sulfur from the product, and then electrolyzing the halogenated products to separate the halogen from the alkali metal or alkali earth metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Gordon, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 7713396
    Abstract: Lithium cobaltate forming the positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery is subjected together with lithium metal to reducing reaction in molten lithium chloride to produce lithium oxide and to precipitate and separate cobalt or cobalt oxide. The lithium oxide is subjected to electro-deposition in molten lithium chloride contained in a lithium electro-deposition tank provided with an anode and a cathode to recover lithium metal deposited on the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth
    Inventors: Toshiya Kakuta, Shingo Hirata, Tatsuhiro Higashi, Seiichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7608178
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Lutgard De Jonghe, Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon
  • Publication number: 20090090638
    Abstract: Electrochemical processes and apparatus for obtaining metals from metal salts, including for separating alkali metal and alcohols from alkali metal alkoxide compounds, are disclosed. Aqueous solutions of metal alkoxides or metal carbonates are converted to metals by electrochemical processes which may also be integrated into processes for the production of borohydrides, such as sodium borohydride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Michael T. Kelly, Oscar A. Moreno, Jeffrey V. Ortega, Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 7361276
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the concentration of a first inorganic compound in a first aqueous solution of a first process of a heavy chemical plant, the method comprising (a) feeding the first solution having the first compound at a first concentration and a first water vapor pressure to an osmotic membrane distillation means comprising a hydrophobic, gas and water vapor permeable membrane separating (i) a first chamber for receiving the first solution, from (ii) a second chamber for receiving a receiver feed aqueous solution having a second water vapor pressure lower than the first water vapor pressure; (b) feeding the receiver aqueous feed solution to the second chamber as to effect transfer of water vapor through the membrane from the first chamber to the second chamber, and to produce (i) a resultant first solution having a second concentration of the first compound greater than the first concentration and (ii) a diluted receiver feed aqueous solution; and (c) collecting the resultant first solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Aker Kvaemer Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Twardowski, Thomas S. Drackett, Dmitri Bessarabov, Peter E. Fetissoff
  • 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: 7108777
    Abstract: A process and electrolytic cell for reducing in an ionic alkali metal compound, the cell containing anode and cathode electrodes, by supplying an electrolyte containing the alkali metal compound to the cell, applying an electric voltage to the cell to reduce said alkali metal compound at the cathode, and passing hydrogen or a hydrogen containing gas to at least one electrode while the compound is reduced at the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignees: Millennium Cell, Inc., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianguo Xu, Michael Kelly, Guido Pez, Ying Wu, Stefanie Sharp-Goldman
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040178080
    Abstract: A low temperature alkali metal electrolysis process is provided. The process comprises carrying out the electrolysis in the presence of a co-electrolyte and an alkali metal halide. The co-electrolyte comprises (1) a nitrogen-containing compound and optionally one ore more Group IB halides, Group IIIA halides, Group VIII halides; (2) a Group IIIA halide, a Group VB halide, or combinations of a Group IIIA halide and a Group VB halide; or (3) water. Also provided is a low temperature electrolysis process, which comprises carrying out the process using a cathode that comprises (1) a liquid alkali metal; (2) an alloy of two or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, antimony, indium, gallium, thallium, and cadmium; or (3) an electrically conductive liquid solvated alkali metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Thompson, Howard M. Blank, Walter John Simmons, Oswald Robert Bergmann
  • Patent number: 6787019
    Abstract: A low temperature electrolysis process that can be used for producing an alkali metal from an alkali metal halide is provided, which comprises electrolyzing an electrolyte composition comprising at least one alkali metal halide and a co-electrolyte comprising (a) a halide or halides of Group IIIA, Group IB, or Group VIII metals and (b) a halide-donating compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Stephen Ernest Jacobson, Dennie Turin Mah
  • Patent number: 6730210
    Abstract: A low temperature alkali metal electrolysis process is provided. The process comprises carrying out the electrolysis in the presence of a co-electrolyte and an alkali metal halide. The co-electrolyte comprises (1) a nitrogen-containing compound and optionally one ore more Group IB halides, Group IIIA halides, Group VIII halides; (2) a Group IIIA halide, a Group VB halide, or combinations of a Group IIIA halide and a Group VB halide; or (3) water. Also provided is a low temperature electrolysis process, which comprises carrying out the process using a cathode that comprises (1) a liquid alkali metal; (2) an alloy of two or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, antimony, indium, gallium, thallium, and cadmium; or (3) an electrically conductive liquid solvated alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Thompson, Howard M. Blank, Walter John Simmons, Oswald Robert Bergmann
  • Patent number: 6669836
    Abstract: An electrolysis process is provided which comprises carrying out the process in an electrolyte that comprises an alkali metal halide and a strontium halide. The process can be carried out at a current density in the range of from about 7 to about 10 kA/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: New Mexico Tech Research Foundation
    Inventors: Stephen John Keppler, Thomas A. Messing, Kevin Bernard Proulx, Davendra Kumar Jain
  • Publication number: 20030094379
    Abstract: A low temperature electrolysis process that can be used for producing an alkali metal from an alkali metal halide is provided, which comprises electrolyzing an electrolyte composition comprising at least one alkali metal halide and a co-electrolyte comprising (a) a halide or halides of Group IIIA, Group IB, or Group VIII metals and (b) a halide-donating compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen Ernest Jacobson, Dennie Turin Mah
  • Patent number: 6475654
    Abstract: An automatic reactant dispenser for use in an electrolysis cell for electrolyzing a reactant product into reactants, the dispenser comprising a container generally surrounding the electrodes with a cover that controls dispensation of a reactant produced at the electrode during electrolysis of the reactant product. In one embodiment, the cover has a plurality of apertures that allow passage of droplets of liquid reactant through the cover. The apertures are spaced on the cover so as to maintain separation of the droplets as they pass through the cover. In another embodiment, the bottom of the cover has a plurality of pockets which collect liquid reactant. Buoyant forces from the accumulated liquid reactant cause the cover to pivot open to release the accumulated liquid reactant. The pivoting of the cover may also temporarily interrupt the electrical circuit energizing the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne Thomas Bliesner
  • Publication number: 20020088719
    Abstract: A low temperature alkali metal electrolysis process is provided. The process comprises carrying out the electrolysis in the presence of a co-electrolyte and an alkali metal halide. The co-electrolyte comprises (1) a nitrogen-containing compound and optionally one ore more Group IB halides, Group IIIA halides, Group VIII halides; (2) a Group IIIA halide, a Group VB halide, or combinations of a Group IIIA halide and a Group VB halide; or (3) water. Also provided is a low temperature electrolysis process, which comprises carrying out the process using a cathode that comprises (1) a liquid alkali metal; (2) an alloy of two or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, antimony, indium, gallium, thallium, and cadmium; or (3) an electrically conductive liquid solvated alkali metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Thompson, Howard M. Blank, Walter John Simmons, Oswald Robert Bergmann
  • Patent number: 6368486
    Abstract: A low temperature alkali metal electrolysis process for carrying out the electrolysis in the presence of a co-electrolyte and an alkali metal halide. The co-electrolyte comprises (1) a nitrogen-containing compound and optionally one ore more Group IB halides, Group IIIA halides, Group VIII halides; (2) a Group IIIA halide, a Group VB halide, or combinations of a Group IIIA halide and a Group VB halide; or (3) water. Further provided is an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal halide and a co-electrolyte that comprises (1) a nitrogen-containing compound and optionally one ore more Group IB halides, Group IIIA halides, Group VIII halides or (2) a Group IIIA halide, a Group VB halide, or combinations of a Group IIIA halide and a Group VB halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Thompson, Howard M. Blank, Walter John Simmons, Oswald Robert Bergmann
  • Patent number: 6368487
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprises an agitated, alkali metal amalgam-containing anode, an alkali metal ion-conducting solid electrolyte and a cathode, wherein the solid electrolyte and the cathode are separated from one another by a liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Günther Huber, Hermann Pütter, Kerstin Schierle-Arndt, Dieter Schläfer, Josef Guth
  • Patent number: 6368736
    Abstract: A reactant product valve for an electrolysis cell. The valve comprises first and second members disposed generally horizontally in the reactant product above the electrodes. The second member floats on liquid reactant product, sinks in liquid reactant and is movable between a closed position and open positions to control flow of reactant product through the valve. A plurality of apertures in the second member are offset horizontally from a plurality of apertures in the first member. The valve has at least one open position at which the second member is spaced from the first member so that the apertures in the first member communicate with the apertures in the second member, thereby allowing movement of reactant product through the valve. In the closed position the second member is adjacent the first member and the apertures do not communicate, thereby prohibiting movement of reactant product through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne Thomas Bliesner
  • Publication number: 20010045365
    Abstract: An electrolysis process is provided which comprises carrying out the process in an electrolyte that comprises an alkali metal halide and a strontium halide. The process can be carried out at a current density in the range of from about 7 to about 10 kA/m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Stephen John Keppler, Thomas A. Messing, Kevin Bernard Proulx, Davendra Kumar Jain
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5744020
    Abstract: A process for treating a radioactive waste, includes drying a radioactive waste containing a radioactive substance(s) and a sodium compound(s), to convert it into a dried material, heating the dried material to convert it into a molten salt, and subjecting the molten salt to electrolysis using the salt as an anolyte and .beta.-alumina as a sodium ion-permeable membrane. This process can recover metallic sodium or sodium hydroxide, each of extremely low radioactivity from a radioactive waste containing a radioactive substance(s) and a sodium compound(s), at a high purity at a high current efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignees: Douryokuro Kakunenryo Kaihatsu Jigyoudan, NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Akiyama, Yoichi Miyamoto, Shunji Inoue, Yoshihiko Kurashima, Yoichi Karita