Cast ceramic anode for metal oxide electrolytic reduction

Abstract

The invention is a method for producing a cast ceramic anode for metal oxide electrolytic reduction by feeding metallic iron and metallic nickel in solid form to an oxidizing reactor; melting and oxidizing the iron and nickel and forming molten nickel ferrite; mixing the molten nickel ferrite with dopant in a holding vessel such as ladle or tundish to increase electrical conductivity of the mixture, and casting the mixture into a mold to form a near net shape of the desired anode. Apparatus for carrying out the method, and the resulting product are also disclosed.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A cast ceramic anode product for metal oxide electrolytic reduction, made by the method comprising the steps of: 
 feeding metallic iron and metallic nickel in solid form to an oxidizing reactor;    melting and oxidizing the iron and nickel and forming molten nickel ferrite;    discharging molten nickel ferrite from the oxidizing reactor at a temperature sufficient to maintain the molten nickel ferrite in the molten state;    adding a dopant to the nickel ferrite and forming a mixture; and    casting the mixture into a mold to form a near net shape anode product.    
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus for producing a cast ceramic anode for metal oxide electrolytic reduction, comprising: 
 an oxidizing reactor;    means for feeding metallic iron and metallic nickel to said oxidizing reactor;    a ladle or tundish positioned for receiving molten material;    means for adding a dopant to said ladle or tundish;    a mold positioned to receive molten material from said ladle or tundish; and    means for discharging molten material from said ladle or tundish into said mold to form said anode.    
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising means for providing stirring action in said ladle or tundish.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising means for adding heat to molten material within said ladle or tundish.