초록 ▼

An electrolytic cell for the recovery of metal from a molten electrolyte and an electrode assembly for use in such a cell. The cell (10) comprises an electrode assembly consisting of an anode (17), a cathode (19) and one or more bipolar electrodes (18) disposed between the anode and the cathode so a

An electrolytic cell for the recovery of metal from a molten electrolyte and an electrode assembly for use in such a cell. The cell (10) comprises an electrode assembly consisting of an anode (17), a cathode (19) and one or more bipolar electrodes (18) disposed between the anode and the cathode so as to form interpolar spaces (16) in which electrolysis occurs. In the electrode assembly, the bipolar electrode (if there is only one) or the innermost bipolar electrode (if there are more than one) substantially surrounds the anode and forms a single mechanical and electrical entity. The cathode in turn preferably substantially surrounds the one or more bipolar electrodes. The electrode assembly comprising the cathode and bipolar electrode(s) is preferably unitary, forming an electrode cassette that can be assembled outside a cell and then introduced into, or withdrawn from, the cell as a single self-supporting unit. Structures of this kind simplify cell fabrication and may lead to cells that operate with improved efficiency.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An electrolytic cell for recovery of a metal from a molten electrolyte containing a metal compound, said cell having a housing containing at least one internal electrolysis compartment, at least one electrode assembly in each said compartment, said assembly including an anode, a ca

[ We claim:] [1.] An electrolytic cell for recovery of a metal from a molten electrolyte containing a metal compound, said cell having a housing containing at least one internal electrolysis compartment, at least one electrode assembly in each said compartment, said assembly including an anode, a cathode and at least one bipolar electrode disposed between said anode and said cathode so as to form interpolar spaces in which electrolysis occurs, and connections for conveying electrical current to and from said cell, wherein said bipolar electrode, or each said bipolar electrode when there is more than one, mechanically and electrically comprises a single entity and substantially completely surrounds the principal electrolysing surface of said anode, or a next-innermost bipolar electrode, and wherein said cathode substantially completely surrounds the principal electrolysing surface of said bipolar electrode or, when there is more than one of said bipolar electrodes, an outermost one of said bipolar electrodes.