GB1317888A - Electrolysis of melts - Google Patents

Abstract

1317888 Fused electrolyte process NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORP 5 Aug 1970 [8 Aug 1969] 39856/69 Heading C7B A fused electrolyte process for recovering metals from ores or slags, producing Group VA or VIA metals or compounds thereof, e.g. W, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, Cu, Pt group metals, Sn, Al, alkali and alkaline earth metals such as Be or Mg, or purifying ores, e. g. bauxite and ilmenite by removal of Fe, uses a gaseous plasma to conduct an electrolyzing current to or from the electrolyte. The gaseous plasma acts as an anode and/or a cathode, and may be provided by a D. C. plasma torch, the plasma being produced with an inert gas (e.g. argon) or a reactive gas (e.g. CO, H 2 or NH 3 ) which may react with a metal released at a plasma electrode to give a volatile compound or fume. Reactive liquids or solids may also be introduced into the electrolyte. The plasma may also be used to melt the electrolyte. W may be recovered from a scheelite (Ca WO 2 ) melt using a W rod cathode and argon plasma anode, O 2 released at the anode arc root being separated from the argon. For recovering Mg from a Mg Cl 2 melt, an argon plasma cathode may be used with a sacrifical molten Fe anode or in a 2- compartment cell, Fig. 3 (not shown) an argon plasma anode.