Abstract: An electrorefining process for refining relatively purer lithium metal from a lithium-alloy feedstock material using a three-layer electrorefining apparatus can include a) providing an anode layer comprising a molten, lithium-alloy feedstock material that includes a combination of lithium metal having a first purity and a carrier material; b) providing an electrolyte layer comprising a molten salt electrolyte material; c) providing a product layer comprising molten lithium metal having a second purity that is greater than the first purity above the electrolyte layer; and d) applying an activation electric potential that is sufficient to electrolyze the lithium-alloy feedstock material between an anode layer and the product layer that is electrically isolated from the anode layer, whereby lithium metal is liberated from the lithium-alloy feedstock material, migrates through the electrolyte layer and collects in the product layer.

Abstract: A process for producing refined lithium metal can include: a) processing a lithium chemical feedstock material using an electrowinning apparatus to produce a crude lithium metal having a first purity; b) combining the crude lithium metal with a carrier material to create a lithium-rich feed alloy; c) introducing the lithium-rich feed alloy as a feedstock material to an electrorefining apparatus and processing the lithium-rich feed alloy using the electrorefining apparatus to separate lithium metal from the carrier material thereby producing i) a refined lithium metal having a second purity that is greater than the first purity and ii) a lithium-depleted alloy that comprises the carrier material and less lithium metal than the lithium-rich feed alloy; and d) extracting the lithium-depleted alloy from the electrorefining apparatus and recycling at least a portion of the lithium-depleted alloy to provide at least a portion of the carrier material used in step b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing metallic lithium, and specifically a method for preparing lithium metal according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: preparing lithium phosphate; preparinge a mixture by adding a chlorine compound to the lithium phosphate; heating the mixture; obtaining lithium chloride by reacting the lithium phosphate and the chloride compound in the mixture; producing molten lithium metal by electrolyzing the lithium chloride; and recovering the molten lithium metal is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a safe and efficient method for producing lithium metal which facilitates efficient production of anhydrous lithium chloride without corrosion of the system materials by chlorine gas or molten lithium carbonate, and which allows production of lithium metal by molten salt electrolysis of the produced anhydrous lithium chloride as a raw material. The method includes the steps of (A) contacting and reacting lithium carbonate and chlorine gas in a dry process to produce anhydrous lithium chloride, and (B) subjecting the raw material for electrolysis containing the anhydrous lithium chloride to molten salt electrolysis under such conditions as to produce lithium metal, wherein the chlorine gas generated by the molten salt electrolysis in step (B) is used as the chlorine gas in step (A) to continuously perform steps (A) and (B).

Abstract: A valuable-substance recovery method according to the present invention includes: a solvent peeling step (S3) of dissolving a resin binder included in an electrode material by immersing crushed pieces of a lithium secondary battery into a solvent, so as to peel off the electrode material containing valuable substances from a metal foil constituting the electrode; a filtering step (S4) of filtering a suspension of the solvent, so as to separate and recover the electrode material containing the valuable substances and a carbon material; a heat treatment step (S5) of heating the recovered electrode material containing the valuable substances and the carbon material, under an oxidative atmosphere, so as to burn and remove the carbon material; and a reducing reaction step (S6) of immersing the resultant electrode material containing the valuable substances into a molten salt of lithium chloride containing metal lithium, so as to perform a reducing reaction.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing metallic lithium by electrolysis using a non-aqueous electrolyte at low temperature. The method for preparing metallic lithium according to the present invention can directly prepare metallic lithium by electrolysis at a low temperature, and enable mass production, and reduce the manufacturing cost due to its simple process and easy control of electrolytic conditions, and thus the method for preparing lithium thin films according to the present invention can be applied in the industry.

Abstract: A method is provide for preparing potassium metal which comprises embedding a polycrystalline alkali metal ??-Al2O3 molding in an oxidic powder containing potassium and aluminum of a molar K2O:Al2O3 ratio within the range of 1:(x?1) to 1:(x+1), the weight of oxidic powder amounting to at least two times the weight of the molding; heating the embedded molding at a rate of at least 100° C. per hour to at least 1100° C.; and further heating to at least 1300° C., this temperature being maintained for at least one hour prior to cooling.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a safe and efficient method for producing lithium metal which facilitates efficient production of anhydrous lithium chloride without corrosion of the system materials by chlorine gas or molten lithium carbonate, and which allows production of lithium metal by molten salt electrolysis of the produced anhydrous lithium chloride as a raw material. The method includes the steps of (A) contacting and reacting lithium carbonate and chlorine gas in a dry process to produce anhydrous lithium chloride, and (B) subjecting the raw material for electrolysis containing the anhydrous lithium chloride to molten salt electrolysis under such conditions as to produce lithium metal, wherein the chlorine gas generated by the molten salt electrolysis in step (B) is used as the chlorine gas in step (A) to continuously perform steps (A) and (B).

Abstract: A process for production of polysilicon and silicon tetrachloride is provided in which a raw material that is supplied stably and is available at low cost can be used, chlorination reaction can be smoothly promoted, impurities generated after chlorination reaction can be controlled, and production efficiency is superior in a polysilicon producing step. The process includes a step of chlorination in which a granulated body consisting of silicon dioxide and carbon-containing material is chlorinated to generate silicon tetrachloride, a step of reduction in which silicon tetrachloride is reduced by a reducing metal to generate polysilicon, and a step of electrolysis in which chloride of the reducing metal by-produced in the reduction step is molten salt-electrolyzed to generate the reducing metal and chlorine gas.

Abstract: A method for producing sodium carbonate monohydrate, according to which an aqueous sodium chloride solution (5) is electrolyzed in a membrane-type cell (1) from which an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (9) is collected, and carbonated by direct contact with carbon dioxide (15) to form a slurry of crystals of a sodium carbonate monohydrate (16), and the slurry or its mother liquor is evaporated (3) to collect sodium carbonate monohydrate (18).

Abstract: A method is provide for preparing potassium metal which comprises embedding a polycrystalline alkali metal ??-Al2O3 moulding in an oxidic powder containing potassium and aluminium of a molar K2O:Al2O3 ratio within the range of 1:(x?1) to 1:(x+1), the weight of oxidic powder amounting to at least two times the weight of the moulding; heating the embedded moulding at a rate of at least 100° C. per hour to at least 1100° C.; and further heating to at least 1300° C., this temperature being maintained for at least one hour prior to cooling.

Abstract: A solid polycrystalline potassium ion conductor having a ??-Al2O3 structure, its production, and the preparation of potassium metal using this potassium ion conductor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing lithium alloy or lithium metal from lithium carbonate or its equivalent lithium ion source such as spudomene ore without creating toxic byproducts such as halogen gases and a system adopted for such a process.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Method for producing sodium carbonate, according to which an aqueous sodium chloride solution (5) is electrolyzed in a membrane-type cell (1) from which an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (9) is collected, and carbonated by direct contact with carbon dioxide (15) to form a slurry of crystals of a sodium carbonate (16), and the slurry or its mother liquor is evaporated (3) to collect sodium carbonate (18).

Abstract: Provided is a safe and efficient method for producing lithium metal which facilitates efficient production of anhydrous lithium chloride without corrosion of the system materials by chlorine gas or molten lithium carbonate, and which allows production of lithium metal by molten salt electrolysis of the produced anhydrous lithium chloride as a raw material. The method includes the steps of (A) contacting and reacting lithium carbonate and chlorine gas in a dry process to produce anhydrous lithium chloride, and (B) subjecting the raw material for electrolysis containing the anhydrous lithium chloride to molten salt electrolysis under such conditions as to produce lithium metal, wherein the chlorine gas generated by the molten salt electrolysis in step (B) is used as the chlorine gas in step (A) to continuously perform steps (A) and (B).

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: A valuable-substance recovery method according to the present invention includes: a solvent peeling step (S3) of dissolving a resin binder included in an electrode material by immersing crushed pieces of a lithium secondary battery into a solvent, so as to peel off the electrode material containing valuable substances from a metal foil constituting the electrode; a filtering step (S4) of filtering a suspension of the solvent, so as to separate and recover the electrode material containing the valuable substances and a carbon material; a heat treatment step (S5) of heating the recovered electrode material containing the valuable substances and the carbon material, under an oxidative atmosphere, so as to burn and remove the carbon material; and a reducing reaction step (S6) of immersing the resultant electrode material containing the valuable substances into a molten salt of lithium chloride containing metal lithium, so as to perform a reducing reaction.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Lithium is isolated from lithium amalgam by electrolysis over a solid lithium ion conductor having the composition Li4−xSi1−xPxO4, where x is at least 0.3 and not more than 0.7.

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.

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.

Abstract: In a process for producing an alkali metal from alkali metal amalgam by electrolysis using an alkali metal amalgam as anode, a solid electrolyte which conducts alkali metal ions and a liquid alkali metal as cathode, the alkali metal amalgam as anode is kept in motion.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of magnesium in which a magnesium chloride (which may be partially dehydrated) and/or magnesium oxide-containing feedstock is reacted with an electrolyte consisting essentially of magnesium cations, lithium and/or calcium cations, and fluoride and chloride anions, whereby the magnesium chloride and/or magnesium oxide react with and dissolve in the electrolyte, and lithium or calcium initially is produced electrochemically and transiently at the cathode and reacts chemically with magnesium cations in the electrolyte to produce magnesium metal. Thus, the method essentially involves a first electrochemical step to produce lithium or calcium metal and a subsequent second chemical step in which lithium or calcium reacts with magnesium fluoride in the electrolyte to produce magnesium metal.

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.

Abstract: In the electrolytic production of magnesium from an electrolyte comprising magnesium chloride and impurity quantities of magnesium oxide which adversely affects the efficiency of cell operation, the magnesium oxide is chemically and electrolytically removed from the electrolyte by sparging the electrolyte with hydrogen and/or hydrocarbon gas adjacent the anode such that MgO reacts with H.sub.2 or, e.g., CH.sub.4 and Cl.sub.2 (generated at the anode) under the electrical potential of the cell to form magnesium chloride. Similarly, magnesium oxide may be mixed and stirred in molten magnesium chloride and reacted with Cl.sub.2 and H.sub.2 (and/or hydrocarbon) to form anhydrous MgCl.sub.2 for use in magnesium production.