METHOD OF PRODUCING METALS AND SEMIMETALS BY CATHODIC DISSOLUTION OF THEIR COMPOUNDS IN ELECTROLYTIC CELLS, AND METALS AND METALLOIDS PRODUCED

摘要

Metals and metalloids are produced by cathodically dissolving compounds thereof in electrolytic cells. These cells have one or more heterogenous bipolar electrodes in series, with a terminal electrode as cathode and another terminal electrode as a soluble or inert anode. A common electrolyte is in contact with all electrodes. The compounds of the metals or metalloids are introduced into the cells and are brought into contact with the cathodic sides of the heterogenous electrodes. A cathodic half reaction takes place on the heterogenous bipolar electrode which permits the reduction and dissolution of the metal and metalloid compounds into the common electrolyte. The terminal negative electrodes are the site of the electrolytic deposition of the metals. The cells may also include an electrowinning system of anodes and cathodes, connected by way of the common electrolyte, for depositing the dissolved metals.