ELECTROLYZER FOR THREE-LAYERED ELECTROLYTIC REFINING OF METALS Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: electrolyzer has steel bath 1 with electrolyte level indicator 8 and cathode formed as sleeve 4 with bottom 5 faced upward. Bath is provided with union 9 for supplying compressed gas. Sleeve 4 has unit 10 for communicating with vacuum system. When sufficient quantity of metal is accumulated in bath 1 at the site adjacent to sleeve 4, metal is periodically transferred into sleeve 4. To do that, compressed gas is supplied through union 9 into bath 1. Electrolyte with metal flows through openings 7 into sleeve 4. When gas pressure is relieved, a portion of electrolyte flows into bath cavity and metal remains there. On a number of metal transfer operations, metal is removed from sleeve 4. The advantage of electrolyzer is elimination of possible breakage of bath or deterioration of its surface, which may affect purity of metal obtained. EFFECT: increased service life of electrolyzer and improved quality of metal, usage of widely spread cheap steel as constructional material. 4 cl, 1 dwg