GB841551A - Electrolysis apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

841,551. Electric heating. NEWCOMBE, F. A. April 11, 1945 [April 28, 1944], No. 9080/45. Class 39(3). [Also in Group XXXVI] An apparatus for electrodeposition of a metal, e.g. uranium, from a fused salt bath 20, comprises a container 11 in which is heatinsulating material 21, e.g. magnesia, surrounding a graphite crucible 15 for the electrolyte, the crucible 15 beihg enclosed in a rigid sleeve 13 separated from the crucible 15 by a layer of graphite 27, an electric heating coil 16 surrounding the sleeve 13, and a conducting rod 22 projecting downwardly from the crucible 15 through a ring 14 which supports the sleeve 13 and the crucible 15 from the base 10 of the container 11. A cathode 19 depends in the bath 20, and the rod 22, which is silver-plated, is threaded into a graphite bushing 23 connected to the bottom of the crucible 15. The sleeve 13 and ring 14 may be of cast iron or alundum, and the coil 16 may be a resistance heater or an induction coil. Leads 24 to the rod 22, which is the anode lead for the crucible 15, may be a cooling coil. Graphite cement 26 on a ring 25 seals the material 21, sleeve 13 and coil 16 from gases and vapours emitted during operation of the cell. In one modification, the bushing 23 is omitted and the rod 22 is secured to or is integral with the crucible 15, in the last cast being of graphite. In another modification, which may be combined with the first modification, the parts 25, 26 are dispensed with, and a graphite ring fitted by a tongue and groove joint to the top of the crucible 15 to overlap a cover 12 and seal off the parts of the cell external to the crucible from gases and vapours.