GB730057A - Improvements in electrolytic cells - Google Patents

Abstract

730,057. Electrolytic cells for the production of refractory metals. TITAN CO., Inc. Dec 5, 1952 [Dec. 11, 1951], No. 30971/52. Class 41 An electrolytic cell for the production of refractory metals is characterized by means for stripping from the cathode within the cell, by relative movement between the means and the cathode, metal loosely deposited on the cathode and by means for removing the metal from the cell without exposing the metal to the atmosphere, both such means being operable from outside the cell. An apparatus which may be used for the production of titanium metal from titanium tetrachloride, comprises a line of identical cells, one of which is shown in Fig. 2. A well B formed by refractory blocks 15 in a steel casing 10, has cathodes 39, which may be nickel or tantalum tubes, and an anode 49. The cathodes and anode are separated by a vertical gas barrier 26 of refractory material. Electrolyte 52, comprising fused alkali or alkaline earth metal halides, such as a eutectic mixture of sodium chloride and strontium or magnesium chloride is heated by graphite electrodes 53. Each cathode is surrounded at the'lower end by a ring 43 (see Fig. 4), of metal such as nickel, provided with rod 44 extending through a cover-plate above the cathode. Titanium tetrachloride vapour is passed into the cell through the hollow cathodes and titanium metal deposited on the cathodes, chlorine being removed from above the anode by a tube 48. After certain intervals the rings 43 are moved down into engagement with the titanium metal; which is stripped off and falls into a basket 36 beneath the cathodes. The basket 36 is withdrawn upwardly in an inclined passage 29 in the side of the cell, by means of a handle 37 extending through coverplate 32. An air-lock type gate 35 is opened and the titanium tipped out of the basket into the bottom of a chamber formed by casing 33. The titanium cools in the chamber without being exposed to the atmosphere, arid, after the gate 35 is closed, is removed through a door 34. In a modification, instead of a line of cells side by side, a single long cell is used having cathodes arranged in groups and a gas barrier extending the length of the cell.