GB487393A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for carrying out electrolysis of fused electrolytes - Google Patents

Abstract

487,393. Fused electrolyte apparatus for the production of metals. MAGALL AKT.-GES. ZURICH. Sept. 11, 1936, Nos. 24855, 24856, 24857, and 24858. Void. Convention dates, Oct. 4, 1935, Oct. 4, 1935, Feb. 25, 1936, and Feb. 25, 1936. [Class 41] An electrolytic cell for the production of light metals such as magnesium using a fused electrolyte is provided with a horizontal grating to support a heap of starting material, such as a mixture of ore and carbon, in the form of lumps. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 2, the grating is formed by a set of inverted channelled bars 32 of refractory insulating material surmounting cathode strips 31. The deposited metal is led by the channels to a collecting hood 33 from which it may be withdrawn through a pipe 35 provided with a plug 36. In a modification the channelled bars meet at the centre so as to be self-supporting and are provided with holes opening into the collecting hood. In another modification the channels slope upwardly from the centre and open into collecting hoods provided at the sides. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 7, the grating is constituted by a set of vertical anode plates 52 seated on a bed 51 of a rammed carbon composition. The cathodes 54 rest on an insulating member 55 and are enclosed by a chamber 53 of refractory insulating- material in which the separated metal collects. The chamber 53 is supported on the anode plates and may be provided with lugs engaging between them. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 9, the cathodes consist of U-shaped plates 58 connected by rails 59, 60, and surmounted by a collecting chamber 57. The cathode plates are separated by prismatic bodies 62 of refractory material which constitute the grating supporting the solid charge.