A method and means for application of anode covering material (ACM) in an electrolysis cell for aluminium production where the cell being of Hall-Hroult type with prebaked anodes. The cell contains a cathode pot with a rectangular footprint and a superstructure with a gas collecting hood that lays onto the top of the cathode pot. A floor construction at least substantially surrounds the cell at a level below the top of the cathode pot and ventilation openings provided with grates are arranged in the floor in the close vicinity to the cell. The superstructure's hood is provided with removable lids that are removed for giving access to the cell's anodes through openings. ACM is applied via a feed tube to cover the anodes and the deposit of ACM is supported by a shuttering.

A method and electrolysis cell for producing lithium metal at a low temperature. The method includes combining (i) phenyl trihaloalkyl sulfone and (ii) an organic cation bis(trihaloalkylsulfonyl)imide or organic cation bis(trihalosulfonyl)imidic acid in a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) about 10:90 to about 60:40 to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte composition. A lithium compound selected from the group consisting of LiOH, Li.sub.2O and Li.sub.2CO.sub.3 is dissolved in the electrolyte composition to provide a soluble lithium ion species in the electrolyte composition. Power is applied to the electrolyte composition to form lithium metal on a cathode of an electrolysis cell. The lithium metal is separated from the cathode has a purity of at least about 95 wt. %.

An electrolytic cells for refining metals, and more particularly components, assemblies and methods making use of conductive elements configured to enhance distribution of electrical current.

There is described a method of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel is added to an electro-reduction cell containing a halide salt electrolyte at a temperature above the melting point of the metallic form of uranium and higher actinides present in the spent nuclear fuel. The cell is operated so as to electrochemically reduce the spent nuclear fuel to an alloy of uranium and higher actinides present in the spent nuclear fuel, wherein electrochemical reduction is continued until a concentration of unreduced components of the spent nuclear fuel is sufficiently low for the ahoy to agglomerate.

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.

In some embodiments, an anode apparatus comprises: (a) an anode body comprising at least one outer sidewall, wherein the outer sidewall is configured to define a shape of the anode body, and to perimetrically surround a hole in the anode body, wherein the hole comprises an upper opening in a top surface of the anode body and wherein the hole axially extends into the anode body; (b) a pin comprising: a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end extends downward into the upper end of the anode body and into the hole of the anode body; and (c) a sealing material configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the following: (1) an inner sidewall of the anode body; (2) the top surface of the anode body; (3) the pin; and (4) the anode support.

The present description relates to a process for producing magnesium metal from magnesium-bearing ores using serpentine. The process described herein consists generally in a mineral preparation and classification followed by leaching with dilute hydrochloric acid. The slurry is filtered and the non-leached portion, containing amorphous silica is recovered. The residual solution is neutralized and purified by chemical precipitation with non activated and activated serpentine. The nickel is also recovered by precipitation at higher pH. A final neutralisation and purification step of magnesium chloride solution by precipitation allows eliminating any traces of residual impurities. The purified magnesium chloride solution is evaporated until saturation and the MgCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2O is recovered by crystallization in an acid media. The salt is dehydrated and subsequent electrolysis of anhydrous magnesium chloride produces pure magnesium metal and hydrochloric acid.

The present invention relates to a self-calcining electrode material for electric arc furnaces, containing one or more carbon components and a binder, wherein the binder is hard bitumen and having a needle penetration at 25 C. according to DIN EN 1426 of <50 [per 0.1 mm] and/or a softening point (ring and ball) according to DIN EN 1 427 of at least 65 C. and/or having a density at 25 C. according to DIN EN 52004 of 0.5 to 2 g/cm3, wherein the electrode material has a PAH content of <500 ppm. The hard bitumen is preferably derived by flash distillation from soft and medium-hard bitumen types and has a high sulfur content.

There is described a method of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel. The spent nuclear fuel is added to an electro-reduction cell containing a halide salt electrolyte at a temperature above the melting point of the metallic form of uranium and higher actinides present in the spent nuclear fuel. The cell is operated so as to electrochemically reduce the spent nuclear fuel to form an alloy of uranium and higher actinides present in the spent nuclear fuel, wherein electrochemical reduction is continued until a concentration of unreduced components of the spent nuclear fuel is sufficiently low for the alloy to agglomerate.

Provided is a method for electrowinning neodymium compound. The method includes providing a fluoride-based electrolyte through an opening defined in an electrolytic bath including a cathode and an anode. The method includes providing granules, each including a neodymium compound and having at least one cavity defined therein, through the opening defined in the electrolytic bath. The method includes dissolving at least a portion of the granule in a molten salt of the fluoride-based electrolyte. The method also includes reducing neodymium at the cathode. The cavity is defined inside or on the surface of the granule, and the apparent density of the granules is lower than the density of the molten salt. The method proposed has an improved process compared to those of the related art.