Molten Salt Electrolytic Cell and Process for Producing Metal Using the Same

Abstract

A molten salt electrolytic cell comprises a vessel filled with a molten salt bath, an anode immersed in the bath, and a cathode immersed in the bath, and the cathode is hollow.

1 . A molten salt electrolytic cell comprising:
 a vessel filled with a molten salt bath;   an anode immersed in the bath; and   a cathode immersed in the bath,   wherein the cathode is hollow and is provided with a fin member on the outer surface thereof, and   wherein a through hole is provided at the cathode directly above the connected portion to which the fin member is connected.   
   
   
       2 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises a vessel with a lid holding the molten salt bath, the anode and the cathode immersed and disposed in the molten salt bath passing through the lid from above the vessel, and the cell further comprises:
 a pressure reducing device connected to the cathode;   a nozzle for introducing a gas from the outside of the vessel into the vessel;   a nozzle for discharging the gas from the inside of the vessel to the outside thereof; and   a nozzle for feeding a molten salt from the outside of the vessel into the vessel.   
   
   
       3 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 2 , wherein one end of the cathode immersed in the molten salt bath is closed, and another end of the cathode, which is not immersed in the molten salt, is connected to the pressure reducing device. 
   
   
       4 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises a vessel with a lid holding the molten salt bath, the anode immersed and disposed in the molten salt bath passing through the lid from above the vessel, and the cathode immersed and disposed under the anode in the molten salt bath with being upwardly widely open, and the cell further comprises:
 a tube for discharging the bath, which is connected to the cathode and is extended to the outside of the vessel;   a pressure reducing device connected to the tube for discharging the bath at the outside of the vessel;   a nozzle for introducing a gas from the outside of the vessel into the vessel;   a nozzle for discharging the gas from the inside of the vessel to the outside thereof; and   a nozzle for feeding a molten salt from the outside of the vessel into the vessel.   
   
   
       5 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 4 , wherein insulating layers are provided at the cathode at the surface which does not face the anode and to the outer surface of the tube for discharging the bath. 
   
   
       6 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 4 , wherein a flow guide is disposed by extending from the inside wall of the vessel to an intermediate portion between the cathode and the anode and is upwardly inclined with respect to the horizontal surface. 
   
   
       7 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 4 , wherein the tube for discharging the bath is extended to the outside of the vessel passing through the lid of the vessel. 
   
   
       8 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 4 , wherein the tube for discharging the bath is extended to the outside of the vessel passing through one of the bottom of the vessel and the side of the vessel. 
   
   
       9 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the anode is composed of a graphite, and the cathode is composed of a carbon steel or a stainless steel. 
   
   
       10 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 9 , wherein the surface of the anode is formed with longitudinal grooves having a larger width than the diameter of bubble of chlorine gas which are produced on the anode. 
   
   
       11 . The molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 1 , wherein the molten salt is composed of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or a mixture of calcium chloride and potassium chloride. 
   
   
       12 . A process for producing metal using the molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       13 . A process for producing metal using the molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 2 . 
   
   
       14 . A process for producing metal using the molten salt electrolytic cell according to  claim 4 . 
   
   
       15 . The process for producing metal according to  claim 12 , wherein molten calcium or molten magnesium is produced as the metal.