GB191201003A - Improvements in, and Apparatus for, the Electrolytic Manufacture of Light Metals and Reaction Products thereof. - Google Patents

Abstract

1003. Ashcroft, E. A. Jan. 12. Electrolytic furnaces.-In the manufacture of alkali metals and reaction products thereof, the areas of the cathode and anode surfaces exposed to the fused electrolyte are respectively about 10 and 150 square millimetres per ampere, and the distance between the electrodes is from 5 to 20 millimetres. The anode may consist of solid insoluble material or of a molten alloy of the alkali metal. In one form of apparatus, the cathode comprises parallel copper, nickel, or other rods 5, Fig. 1, the rounded or flat ends of which dip into a thin layer of electrolyte, flowing over a molten alloy anode 3 and a weir 9 into a chamber 8. The metal or other product collects in this chamber and may be drawn off through a pipe 11 or bv ladles. The electrolyte is returned to the cell by the pump or worm 10, preferably so as to cause rotation in the cell. The weir may be placed centrally as shown or at one end of a rectangular cell. In a modification, the chamber 8 is wholly outside the cell; it may be cooled to diminish the solubility of the product in the electrolyte. In another form of apparatus, the cathode 18, Fig. 4, is deeply immersed in the electrolyte and may consist of strips or wires. The cathode conductors are surrounded by tubes 16, down which a gas is passed to keep the electrolyte away from the conductors and so restrict the cathode area. The product is collected by a funnel 15. Reagents such as steam, dicyan-diamide, trimethylamine, hydrocyanic acid, ammonia, or ammonia with carbon or benzene, may be fed either into the cell or into the chamber 8 in which the metal separates; in the latter case, the hydrogen or other gas formed may be led into the cell to maintain an inert atmosphere or to react further with the metal. Cyanides, cyanamides, amides, or hydrates may be produced. The electrolyte may be a cyanide, amide, or hydrate. The alloy used as anode may be obtained electrolytically. Specifications 1001/12, 1002/12 and 1004/12 [Class 41, Electrolysis], and 1005/12, are referred to.