METHOD OF PRODUCING METAL BY MOLTEN-SALT ELECTROLYSIS Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC C25C3/08 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: method for electrolytic production of metal in an electrolysis cell, having a cathode, an anode and collectors of impurities dissolved in the electrolyte, involves passing cathodic current through the cathode to obtain metal at the cathode and deposit impurities on the collector. The collector, which is placed between the anode the cathode, is a bipolar porous collector electrode which is a cellular matrix which is inert to the metal deposited at the cathode and the electrolyte. The bipolar porous collector electrode is in form of an open porous structure having internal pores or capillaries, or channels, or cavities, which are particularly V-shaped and/or W-shaped and/or S-shaped and are filled with the metal which is deposited at the cathode. The method employs a bipolar porous collector electrode, wherein the internal pores or capillaries, or channels or cavities are wettable by metal, and have dimensions, particularly diameter and length, which are sufficient for them to hold the metal and prevent spontaneous flow of metal from them due to surface tension forces of the metal.

EFFECT: efficient separation of cathode and anode process products, high current output, lower ohmic resistance of the pole gap and specific power consumption, and removing impurities from the cathode metal.

11 cl, 4 dwg