Method and apparatus for producing metal by electrolytic reduction

Abstract

A method is provided for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising an oxide of a first metal. The method comprises the steps of arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock. The anode comprises a second metal, which at the temperature of electrolysis within the cell is a molten metal. The second metal is a different metal to the first metal. Oxygen removed from the feedstock during electrolysis reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. Thus, oxygen is not evolved as a gas at the molten anode.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising an oxide of a first metal and oxygen, the apparatus comprising a cathode and an anode arranged in contact with a molten salt in which the cathode is in contact with the feedstock and the anode comprises a molten metal, the molten metal being capable of forming an oxide. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which the molten metal is, or is an alloy of, any metal selected from zinc, tellurium, bismuth, lead, or magnesium. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , in which there is no carbon in contact with the molten salt.