Electrolysis cell for reduction of molten metal halide

摘要

Metal is produced in a cell containing a plurality of electrodes which are horizontally disposed and arranged in at least one vertical stack. Each stack includes a cathode, at least one intermediate bipolar electrode and an anode. The electrodes in each stack are arranged in a superimposed, spaced relationship defining inter-electrode spaces between each pair of adjacent electrodes. The upper face of each cathode and of each of the bipolar electrodes has at least one reservoir, bounded by a perimetric wall, for collecting metal produced in the cell. Each perimetric wall has level maintaining means associated therewith so that a pool of the metal in the reservoir will be maintained at a predetermined level beneath the top of the perimetric wall. Metal produced during operation of the cell in excess of that required to fill the reservoir to the predetermined level will drain from the reservoir via the level maintaining means.