Atmospheric control of enclosed electrolytic cells

Abstract

Methods of performing electrolytic reactions in scaled electrolytic cells, methods of passivating electrolytic cell components, and associated systems and electrolytic cells are generally described. Some methods comprise performing electrolytic reactions in sealed electrolytic cells in a manner that results in the passivation of one or more electrolytic cell components.

1 . A method of passivating a component of an electrolytic cell, comprising:
 performing an electrolytic reaction in the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic reaction comprises reducing metallic ions to form a metal and comprises forming a byproduct; and   depositing the byproduct and/or a reaction product of the byproduct on the component, thereby passivating the component.   
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 performing an electrolytic reaction in an electrolytic cell,   wherein the electrolytic reaction comprises reducing metallic ions to form a metal and forming a byproduct, and   wherein, during the electrolytic reaction, the electrolytic cell traps the byproduct and/or a reaction product of the byproduct.   
     
     
         3 . A method, comprising:
 performing an electrolytic reaction in an electrolytic cell, wherein:
 the electrolytic reaction comprises reducing metallic ions to form a metal, 
 during the electrolytic reaction, the electrolytic cell is contained in a container, 
 the container is fluidically connected to an environment, 
 the environment comprises a first species reactive with a second species present in the electrolytic cell during the electrolytic reaction, and 
 during the electrolytic reaction, the container is sealed with respect to the first species. 
   
     
     
         4 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the metal is a rare-earth metal. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the metal is an alkali metal. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the metal is an alkaline earth metal. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the metal is a transition metal. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the metal is Al. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the electrolytic cell comprises an electrolyte that is a molten salt electrolyte. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises depositing the byproduct on the component, thereby passivating the component. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises depositing the reaction product of the byproduct on the component, thereby passivating the component. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein, during the electrolytic reaction, the electrolytic cell traps the byproduct and/or the reaction product of the byproduct. 
     
     
         16 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the component comprises carbon. 
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a metal. 
     
     
         32 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the component is an electrode. 
     
     
         33 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the component is a current collector. 
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the component is an electrolyte container. 
     
     
         37 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the reaction product of the byproduct is formed via a Boudouard reaction. 
     
     
         52 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the reaction product of the byproduct is formed via a reaction of the byproduct with the component. 
     
     
         53 - 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the reaction product of the byproduct is formed via a reaction of the byproduct with oxygen. 
     
     
         59 - 68 . (canceled)