ELECTROLYSIS CELL FOR PRODUCING METALS FROM METAL OXIDES IN MOLTEN ELECTROLYTES Russian patent published in 2019 - IPC C25C3/00 

FIELD: technological processes.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method of producing metals or alloys by electrolysis of suspensions of metal oxides in molten electrolytes. Electrolysis is carried out using installed vertically or inclined and parallel to each other cathodes and low-consumption anodes, connected to DC source. Each cathode or its active surface is made of open-porous material wetted with the produced metal. In the cathode and anode there are through internal channels connecting the bottom and the top for transportation of electrolysis products along them. Electrolyte is convected with gaseous reaction products via anode inner channel from bottom to top. Said gas bubbles formed on active surface of anode are sucked through holes in anode wall inside through channel of anode by means of ejector effect. Fresh electrolyte is supplied by injection of alumina and correcting additives into electrolyte, in thermogradient gravitational-gradient closed convection circuit of electrolyte circulation. Conducting of aluminum along inner through channel of cathode by ascending flow upwards due to difference of density of aluminum in heated state inside cathode and cold state outside cathode and thermal dissipation of part of energy in thermogradient gravitational-gradient convectional circulation circuit of liquid aluminum.

EFFECT: higher energy efficiency of the electrolysis cell due to reduction of the inter-pole gap and elimination of difficulties of separation of products of anode and cathode reactions.

8 cl, 2 dwg