A method of and system for electrolytic production of reactive metals is presented. The method includes providing a molten oxide electrolytic cell including a container, an anode, and a current collector and disposing a molten oxide electrolyte within the container and in ion conducting contact with the anode and the current collector. The electrolyte includes a mixture of at least one alkaline earth oxide and at least one rare earth oxide. The method also includes providing a metal oxide feedstock including at least one target metal species into the molten oxide electrolyte and applying a current between the anode and the current collector, thereby reducing the target metal species to form at least one molten target metal in the container.

The present invention pertains to a method for electrolytic reduction of feedstock elements, made from feedstock, in a melt. In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus for electrolytic reduction of feedstock elements, made from feedstock, and can be used for the reduction of oxides of metals belonging to Groups 3-14 of the Periodic Table. The method is implemented using the apparatus that, according to the invention, comprises an electrolyzer bath; an electrolytic cell; an electrolyzer bath insert plate; a cover with evolved gas outlets. Moreover, the electrolytic cell contains at least one cathode chamber and two anode plates, which are vertically arranged relative to each other, at least one current source, independently connected to the cathode chamber and one or two anode plates, and a device for horizontal reciprocating movement of the said electrolytic cell, which is found outside of the electrolyzer cover.

The present invention pertains to a method for electrolytic reduction of feedstock elements, made from feedstock, in a melt. In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus for electrolytic reduction of feedstock elements, made from feedstock, and can be used for the reduction of oxides of metals belonging to Groups 3-14 of the Periodic Table. The method is implemented using the apparatus that, according to the invention, comprises an electrolyzer bath; an electrolytic cell; an electrolyzer bath insert plate; a cover with evolved gas outlets. Moreover, the electrolytic cell contains at least one cathode chamber and two anode plates, which are vertically arranged relative to each other, at least one current source, independently connected to the cathode chamber and one or two anode plates, and a device for horizontal reciprocating movement of the said electrolytic cell, which is found outside of the electrolyzer cover.

New dual temperature electrochemical methods and systems for the production of sodium metal from sodium polysulfides have been discovered. The technology provides high conductivity for sodium ions and extended service life for the electrochemical cell.

An electrolysis apparatus for the electrolytic production of oxygen from oxide-containing starting material includes at least one cathode which at least partly delimits a receiving region which in at least one operation state is configured for receiving the oxide-containing starting material and at least one anode, wherein the electrolysis apparatus has at least one selective oxygen pump which is at least partly realized integrally with the anode.

A centrifugal molten regolith electrolysis (MRE) reactor that can volatilize and capture volatiles (i.e., .sup.3He or other noble gases) and electrochemically decompose, while under centrifugal action, lunar regolith into oxygen, metals, and semiconductor materials is disclosed. The high-temperature centrifugal MRE reactor comprises four principal components; namely: (1) a rotatable concentric electrolytic cell comprising an outer metallic shell cathode positioned about an inner central drum anode; (2) a motor sized and configured to rapidly spin (rotate) the concentric electrolytic cell reactor about its central longitudinal axis; (3) a stationary (relative to the spinning electrolytic cell) induction coil (connected to an external stationary AC current source) wrapped about, and adjacent to, the rotatable concentric electrolytic cell (for, when selectively energized, melting regolith contained within the concentric electrolytic cell); and (4) a stationary voltage source (for supplying an applied voltage to the concentric electrolytic cell). The centrifugal MRE reactor electrowins metals and oxygen.

A centrifugal molten regolith electrolysis (MRE) reactor that can volatilize and capture volatiles (i.e., .sup.3He or other noble gases) and electrochemically decompose, while under centrifugal action, lunar regolith into oxygen, metals, and semiconductor materials is disclosed. The high-temperature centrifugal MRE reactor comprises four principal components; namely: (1) a rotatable concentric electrolytic cell comprising an outer metallic shell cathode positioned about an inner central drum anode; (2) a motor sized and configured to rapidly spin (rotate) the concentric electrolytic cell reactor about its central longitudinal axis; (3) a stationary (relative to the spinning electrolytic cell) induction coil (connected to an external stationary AC current source) wrapped about, and adjacent to, the rotatable concentric electrolytic cell (for, when selectively energized, melting regolith contained within the concentric electrolytic cell); and (4) a stationary voltage source (for supplying an applied voltage to the concentric electrolytic cell). The centrifugal MRE reactor electrowins metals and oxygen.

A cathode assembly for an electrolytic cell including a cathode block having a second surface and a first surface. The cathode block also including at least one sealing groove opening onto its first surface and a plurality of electrical contact plugs mounted in electrical contact with the first surface of the cathode block. The cathode assembly includes at least one current supply plate in electrical contact with at least one electrical contact plug, and is connected to at least one unit for connection to an electric current source. The cathode assembly includes at least one current supply bar having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially identical to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the current supply plate and is sealed within the at least one sealing groove while being fastened to at least one current supply plate.

A method of electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising oxygen and a first metal 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, the anode comprising a molten second metal and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock to form a reduced feedstock. The oxygen removed from the feedstock reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. The second metal is aluminium. The reduced feedstock may comprise a proportion of aluminium.

The invention relates to a process and devices for reducing impurities in molten salts, a molten salt being purified in an electrochemical process by applying a voltage between two electrodes. According to the invention, the voltage is varied so that in different phases different electrodes act as cathode or anode.