A system (100) for refining a metal oxide can include a target material (110) and at least one energy source (120) associated with the target material (110). The target material (110) can include a metal oxide to be reduced to a metallic element. The energy source (120) can be configured to apply an energy input (130) to the target material (110). The energy input (130) can include as oscillating component having a frequency that is resonant with a molecular resonant frequency of at least one component of target material (110). Additionally, a method of refining a metal oxide can include supplying an energy input to a target material that includes the metal oxide to reduce the metal oxide to a metallic element. The energy input can include an oscillating component having a frequency that is resonant with a molecular resonant frequency of at least one component of the target material.

A method for starting up an electrolytic cell (20) for aluminum production having a cathode block (26) with an upper surface (32), the method comprising: disposing contact resistance material (46) over the upper surface (32) of the cathode block (26); lowering a plurality of anodes (28) to abut the contact resistance material (46); filling the electrolytic cell (20) and covering the anodes (28) with solid electrolyte material (72) comprising crushed electrolytic bath material, cryolite, or mixtures thereof; delivering electrical current to the anodes (28) to at least partially melt the solid electrolyte material (72) and raising the anodes (28) when a predetermined depth of molten electrolyte material has been reached.

A method for starting up an electrolytic cell (20) for aluminum production having a cathode block (26) with an upper surface (32), the method comprising: disposing contact resistance material (46) over the upper surface (32) of the cathode block (26); lowering a plurality of anodes (28) to abut the contact resistance material (46); filling the electrolytic cell (20) and covering the anodes (28) with solid electrolyte material (72) comprising crushed electrolytic bath material, cryolite, or mixtures thereof; delivering electrical current to the anodes (28) to at least partially melt the solid electrolyte material (72) and raising the anodes (28) when a predetermined depth of molten electrolyte material has been reached.

A method and ionic liquid for the electrorecovery of metal from a metal salt including at least one metal ion. The method includes the steps of dissolving the metal salt in an ionic liquid, the ionic liquid including an ionic liquid cation and an ionic liquid anion; whereby the metal ion of the metal salt forms a metal complex in solution with at least the ionic liquid cation; and subjecting the metal complex to an electrical potential between a cathode and anode to recover metal at the cathode. The ionic liquid includes an ionic liquid cation and an ionic liquid anion, wherein the ionic liquid cation has an affinity for the metal ion which is at least about equal to that of the ionic liquid anion for the metal ion.

A method and ionic liquid for the electrorecovery of metal from a metal salt including at least one metal ion. The method includes the steps of dissolving the metal salt in an ionic liquid, the ionic liquid including an ionic liquid cation and an ionic liquid anion; whereby the metal ion of the metal salt forms a metal complex in solution with at least the ionic liquid cation; and subjecting the metal complex to an electrical potential between a cathode and anode to recover metal at the cathode. The ionic liquid includes an ionic liquid cation and an ionic liquid anion, wherein the ionic liquid cation has an affinity for the metal ion which is at least about equal to that of the ionic liquid anion for the metal ion.

An electrolytic cell for producing primary aluminum by using inert anodes is disclosed, in which an electrolyte system KFNaFAlF.sub.3 is used and the operating temperature of the cell is 700-850 C. The electrolytic cell comprises a cell shell, heat insulating refractory lining, a melting pot, a heat insulating cover, inert electrodes, electrode stems, anode bus-bars, cathode bus-bars, anode branching bus-bars, heat insulating plates, partitions between anodes and cathodes and a feeding device. The quality of the aluminum product obtained by using the electrolytic cell is not less than 99.7%. The cell is free from emission of carbon dioxide and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and hardly has consumption of electrodes, so the distances between anodes and cathodes can be kept stable. The cell is sealed and the volatilization of dust and fluorides can be prevented, and it is useful to recover oxygen gas.

An electrolytic cell for producing primary aluminum by using inert anodes is disclosed, in which an electrolyte system KFNaFAlF.sub.3 is used and the operating temperature of the cell is 700-850 C. The electrolytic cell comprises a cell shell, heat insulating refractory lining, a melting pot, a heat insulating cover, inert electrodes, electrode stems, anode bus-bars, cathode bus-bars, anode branching bus-bars, heat insulating plates, partitions between anodes and cathodes and a feeding device. The quality of the aluminum product obtained by using the electrolytic cell is not less than 99.7%. The cell is free from emission of carbon dioxide and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and hardly has consumption of electrodes, so the distances between anodes and cathodes can be kept stable. The cell is sealed and the volatilization of dust and fluorides can be prevented, and it is useful to recover oxygen gas.

A method for preparing an aluminum-zirconium-boron alloy and synchronously preparing a cryolite is provided. The method includes the following steps: Step A: placing aluminum in a reactor, heating the reactor to 700-850 degrees centigrade, and adding a mixture consisting of fluorozirconate and fluoborate in a molar ratio of x: y into the reactor; Step B: stirring the reactants for 4-6 hours and extracting the upper molten liquid to obtain a cryolite, wherein the lower substance is an aluminum-zirconium-boron alloy, and aluminum is added in an excess amount. The method provided herein for preparing an aluminum-zirconium-boron alloy which is mild in reaction condition, easy to control and simple in technical flow can prepare a high-quality product through a complete reaction, besides, the use of the synchronously prepared low molecular ratio cryolites (KF.AlF.sub.3 and NaF.AlF.sub.3) in the aluminum electrolysis industry can achieve a proper electrical conductivity.

A method for preparing an aluminum-zirconium-boron alloy and synchronously preparing a cryolite is provided. The method includes the following steps: Step A: placing aluminum in a reactor, heating the reactor to 700-850 degrees centigrade, and adding a mixture consisting of fluorozirconate and fluoborate in a molar ratio of x: y into the reactor; Step B: stirring the reactants for 4-6 hours and extracting the upper molten liquid to obtain a cryolite, wherein the lower substance is an aluminum-zirconium-boron alloy, and aluminum is added in an excess amount. The method provided herein for preparing an aluminum-zirconium-boron alloy which is mild in reaction condition, easy to control and simple in technical flow can prepare a high-quality product through a complete reaction, besides, the use of the synchronously prepared low molecular ratio cryolites (KF.AlF.sub.3 and NaF.AlF.sub.3) in the aluminum electrolysis industry can achieve a proper electrical conductivity.

Spent potlining material contains spent potliner from aluminium electrolysis cells, and at least one hydrophobic binder. The hydrophobic binder being selected from wax, a waxlike compound or mixtures thereof. A method for producing a spent potlining material includes the steps of (a) providing spent potliner from aluminium electrolysis cells, (b) comminuting the spent potliner in at least one comminuting apparatus, (c) fractionating the spent potliner through a separating apparatus, (d) mixing the spent potliner with at least one hydrophobic binder, selected from wax, a waxlike compound or mixtures thereof, in a mixing apparatus, (e) portioning the mixture obtained in step (d), (f) withdrawing the spent potlining material The steps (b) to (d) are carried out in an inert gas atmosphere. Also, spent potlining material is used as fuel in power stations and also in connection with the production of mineral wool, cement and steel.