Method and Apparatus for Producing Metal by Molten-Salt Electrolysis

Abstract

A method for production of metal by molten-salt electrolysis of the present invention is a method for production of metal by molten-salt electrolysis which is performed by filling a molten salt of calcium chloride in an electrolysis vessel having a anode and a cathode, one of the anode or cathode is arranged surrounding the other electrode, the cathode has at least one hole communicating the inner area surrounded by the cathode with the outer area, and the molten salt flows through the communicating holes from one area including the anode (the inner area or outer area) to the other area.

1 . A process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis, the process comprising a step of filling calcium chloride in an electrolysis vessel having a anode and a cathode;
 wherein one of the negative or anode is arranged surrounding the other electrode,   the cathode has at least one hole which communicates an inner area surrounded by the cathode and an outer area, and   the molten salt is flowed from one of the inner or outer area having the anode therein to the other area through the communicating hole.   
     
     
         2 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the cathode is arranged surrounding the anode,   the cathode has at least one hole which communicates an inner area surrounded by the cathode and an outer area, and   the molten salt is flowed from the inner area to the outer area through the communicating hole.   
     
     
         3 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein calcium chloride is supplied to the inner area.   
     
     
         4 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the molten salt containing calcium metal generated at the cathode is extracted from the outer area.   
     
     
         5 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the electrolysis vessel is made of carbon to enable functioning as the anode,   a hollow cylindrical cathode is arranged in the electrolysis vessel,   the cathode has at least one hole which communicates the inner area of the cathode and the outer area, and   the molten salt is flowed from the outer area to the inner area through the communicating hole.   
     
     
         6 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein inert gas is supplied from the bottom part of the inner area of the cathode.   
     
     
         7 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a finned cylindrical cathode having plural communicating holes all inclined at a predetermined angle from the normal line direction of the side surface of the cylinder, is used as the hollow cylindrical cathode,   the finned cylindrical cathode is rotated to flow the molten salt from the inner area to the outer area, or from the outer area to the inner area.   
     
     
         8 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein calcium chloride is supplied to the outer area.   
     
     
         9 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the molten salt containing calcium metal generated at the cathode is extracted from the inner area.   
     
     
         10 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the metal is recovered as a mixed material with the molten salt or recovered as a molten material.   
     
     
         11 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the molten salt consists of calcium chloride, sodium chloride, barium chloride, and lithium chloride.   
     
     
         12 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a titanium tetrachloride supplying pipe is arranged in the inner area in which the metal is generated by the molten-salt electrolysis, and   titanium metal is generated by supplying titanium tetrachloride in a gas state through the titanium tetrachloride supplying pipe.   
     
     
         13 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein an upward flow of the electrolysis bath is generated in the inner area by an upward flow of the titanium tetrachloride in a gas state, and   the metal generated is recovered at the electrolysis bath.   
     
     
         14 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the finned cylindrical cathode is used as the cathode,   the titanium tetrachloride supplying pipe is arranged at the lower end of the inner area,   a downward flow of the electrolysis bath is generated in the inner area by rotating the finned cylindrical cathode, and   titanium tetrachloride is supplied to be contacted against the downward flow, to generate metal.   
     
     
         15 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the titanium tetrachloride supplying pipe is arranged at a lower end of the inner area and the agitating fin is arranged at the inner area, and   a downward flow of the electrolysis bath is generated in the inner area by rotating the agitating fin and titanium tetrachloride is supplied to contact the downward flow to generate titanium metal.   
     
     
         16 . The process for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the metal is calcium or titanium.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis comprising:
 an electrolysis vessel and   a anode and a cathode in the electrolysis vessel;   wherein one of the negative or anode is arranged surrounding the other electrode,   the cathode has at least one hole which communicates an inner area surrounded by the cathode and an outer area,   the molten salt of calcium chloride is supplied to one of the two divided areas in which the anode is included therein,   the molten salt of calcium chloride is flowed to the other area through the communicating hole,   the molten salt of calcium chloride containing calcium metal generated at the cathode is extracted from the other area.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the cathode is arranged so as to be rotatable.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein an agitating fin to enable the molten salt flowing from the inner area to the outer area or from the outer area to the inner area of the cathode, is arranged at the lower end of the inside of the cathode.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for production of a metal by molten-salt electrolysis according to  claim 17 ,
 wherein the metal is calcium metal or titanium metal.