Removal of substances from metal and semi-metal compounds

摘要

The present invention pertains to a method for removing a substance (X) from a solid metal or semi-metal compound (M<1>X) by electrolysis in a melt of M<2>Y, which comprises conducting the electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M<2 >deposition occurs at a electrode surface, and that X dissolves in the electrolyte M<2>Y. The substance X is either removed from the surface (i.e., M<1>X) or by means of diffusion extracted from the case material. The temperature of the fused salt is chosen below the melting temperature of the metal M<1>. The potential is chosen below the decomposition potential of the electrolyte.