GB864640A - Recovery of rare refractory metals - Google Patents

Abstract

864,640. Fused-electrotyte apparatus. UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. Feb. 1, 1945 [Feb. 7, 1944], No. 2612/45. Class 41. A process for recovering a rare refractory metal, e.g. uranium or thorium, by electrodeposition on a cathode 11, in an anode cell 10, comprises introducing a salt of the metal into the electrolyte at a point between the cell wall and an electrically conducting shield 14 electrically connected to the cell 10 and dipping into the electrolyte between the cell wall and the cathode 11 so that the point has substantially no electrical field and volatile impurities in the salt are vaporized before they reach the cathode 11. A graphite ring 14 is supported by conducting brackets 15 from the upper edge of the cell 10 which is of carbon and halides of the refractory metal, e.g. uranium halides, are continuously delivered into the annular space behind the ring 14 from two pipes 17 leading from a housing 16 connected to a feeding device, e.g. of the kind described in Specification 864,641. The cell 10 and ring 14 are at the same electrical potential, and impurities, e.g. boron oxide, are converted to halides and vaporized in the annular space before they can move to the cathode 11 and contaminate the uranium deposited there. The electrolyte 12, which is maintained at about 950‹ C., may be a mixture of calcium chloride and sodium chloride.