Apparatus and method for reduction of a solid feedstock

摘要

In a method for reducing a solid feedstock (110), such as a solid metal compound, feedstock is arranged on upper surfaces of elements (60, 80, 81) in a bipolar cell stack contained within a housing (25). A molten salt electrolyte is circulated through the housing so that it contacts the elements of the bipolar stack and the feedstock. A potential is applied to terminal electrodes (50, 60) of the bipolar stack such that the upper surfaces of the elements become cathodic and the lower surfaces of the elements become anodic. The applied potential is sufficient to cause reduction of the feedstock. The invention also provides an apparatus for implementing the method.

主权项

1. A method of reducing a solid feedstock comprising the steps of,
arranging the feedstock on the upper surfaces of bipolar elements in a bipolar cell stack disposed within a housing, circulating molten salt through the housing such that the salt contacts the elements and the feedstock, applying a potential to terminal electrodes of the bipolar cell stack such that the upper surface of the elements become cathodic and the lower surface of the elements become anodic, the applied potential being sufficient to cause reduction of the solid feedstock, and in which one or more bipolar element in the bipolar stack has a composite structure comprising an upper portion defining the upper surface and a separate lower portion electrically-couplable to the upper portion, the method comprising the further step of recovering the reduced product by separating the upper portion from the lower portion.