Electrochemical reduction of beryllium oxide in an electrolytic cell

摘要

An electrolytic cell for reducing a beryllium oxide in solid state, and a method for achieving this reduction, are provided. The electrolytic cell and method employ an anode, a cathode formed in part from beryllium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of reducing beryllium oxide. The reduction process involves operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which the reducing cations in the electrolyte will deposit as a metal on the cathode.