Provided is a method for producing metal by molten salt electrolysis, by which the metal can be efficiently produced. A method for producing metal by using an apparatus for molten salt electrolysis having an electrolytic cell and an electrode pair, wherein the molten salt electrolysis in the electrolytic cell and heating of the molten salt by a Joule heat generation between a pair of electrodes for electrolysis are simultaneously performed; and wherein the apparatus for molten salt electrolysis has at least two sets of electrode pair, and at least one set of the electrode pairs is electrically opened.

The method, apparatus and product relate to the electrochemical reduction of a solid feedstock (20) to produce a product. A container (2) is filled with a fused salt (6), and one or more anodes (14) contact the fused salt. A cathode (18) is loaded with feedstock and engages with a transport apparatus (22, 36, 40) which locates and moves the cathode past the anodes(s), while the cathode and the feedstock contact the fused salt. As the cathode moves past the anodes(s), a voltage applied between the cathode and the anode(s) electrochemically reduces the solid feedstock to form the product.

Broadly, the present disclosure relates to sidewall features (e.g. inner sidewall or hot face) of an electrolysis cell, which protect the sidewall from the electrolytic bath while the cell is in operation (e.g. producing metal in the electrolytic cell).

A molten salt electrolyzer having a metal collection chamber, an electrolysis chamber, and two or more electrolytic cell units positioned in the electrolysis chamber. Each electrolytic cell unit has a cathode having an inner space in a prism form; at least one bipolar electrode in a rectangular cylinder form and disposed in the cathode inner space; and an anode in a prism form and disposed in an inner space of the bipolar electrode. At least part of individual planes forming an outer side of the bipolar electrode closest to the cathode faces a plane forming the prism-form inner space of the cathode. At least part of individual planes forming the inner side of the bipolar electrode closest to the anode faces a plane forming the prism of the anode. At least one plane of the cathode constitutes one plane of a cathode of another electrolytic cell unit.

The invention comprises methods and apparatuses for the electrorefining of Mg from Al or Mg alloy scrap. The invention utilizes the density and charge features of Mg present in a melted alloy to continuously extract Mg and Mg alloys from a melted Al alloy feed.

The invention comprises methods and apparatuses for the electrorefining of Mg from Al or Mg alloy scrap. The invention utilizes the density and charge features of Mg present in a melted alloy to continuously extract Mg and Mg alloys from a melted Al alloy feed.

Broadly, the present disclosure relates to sidewall features (e.g. inner sidewall or hot face) of an electrolysis cell, which protect the sidewall from the electrolytic bath while the cell is in operation (e.g. producing metal in the electrolytic cell).

Molten oxide electrolysis may be used for extracting one or more metals from a mixture of metal oxides. The mixture of metal oxides may be complex and include at least three metal oxides, each present at 0.5 wt % or greater based on a total weight of the metal oxide electrolyte precursor, to produce a metal oxide electrolyte. In some instances, two or more metals may be extracted in a series of molten oxide electrolysis process where metal oxides having higher Gibbs free energy of formation at 1500 C. are preferentially reduced in each respective molten oxide electrolysis unit before metal oxides having lower Gibbs free energy of formation at 1500 C.

Modular cathode assemblies are useable in electrolytic reduction systems and include a basket through which fluid electrolyte may pass and exchange charge with a material to be reduced in the basket. The basket can be divided into upper and lower sections to provide entry for the material. Example embodiment cathode assemblies may have any shape to permit modular placement at any position in reduction systems. Modular cathode assemblies include a cathode plate in the basket, to which unique and opposite electrical power may be supplied. Example embodiment modular cathode assemblies may have standardized electrical connectors. Modular cathode assemblies may be supported by a top plate of an electrolytic reduction system. Electrolytic oxide reduction systems are operated by positioning modular cathode and anode assemblies at desired positions, placing a material in the basket, and charging the modular assemblies to reduce the metal oxide.

Lead from lead acid battery scrap is recovered in two separate production streams as clean grid lead and as high-purity lead without smelting. In preferred aspects, lead recovery is performed in a continuous process that uses an aqueous electroprocessing solvent and electro-refining, and spent electroprocessing solvent can be recycled to the recovery process.