EXTRACTION OF METALS

摘要

A method of producing a metal or an alloy from metalliferous material by removing O, S, or N from a solid body of metalliferous material by electrolysis in an electrolytic cell is disclosed. The cell includes a molten halide salt or mixture of halide salts as an electrolyte. The cation of the salt is selected from the group that includes Ca, Ba, Li, Na, K, Mg, Sr, Cs and Y. In one aspect of the invention the method includes conducting the electrolysis under conditions wherein the solid body of metalliferous material is made part of a cathode of the electrolytic cell, the cathode includes a conductor for electrically connecting the cathode with an electrical potential, the conductor has high resistance to chemical attack by the electrolyte at high temperatures, and the conductor is at least partly immersed in the electrolyte. In another aspect of the invention the method includes conducting the electrolysis under conditions wherein the potential applied between an anode and the cathode of the electrolytic cell is chosen such that permanent decomposition of the electrolyte is avoided to an extent that substantial deposition of the electrolyte cation at the cathode is avoided and anode material transport towards and into the cathode is substantially prevented. A cathode for use in the method is also disclosed. The cathode includes a body of metalliferous material distributed around one or more electrical conductors that are substantially inert in the electrolyte at high temperatures and which provide a plurality of reduction zones at the cathode.