Method and an electrolysis cell for production of a metal from a molten chloride

Abstract

The present method relates to a method and a cell for electrolytic production of zinc from a salt melt comprising zinc chloride. The cell has at least one electrolysis chamber ( 2 ) containing an electrolyte and at least one adjacent chamber ( 1 ) separated from said electrolysis chamber by means of at least one partition wall ( 7, 8 ). The atmosphere(s) in the electrolysis chamber(s) is separated from the atmosphere(s) in the adjacent chamber(s) by the at least one partition wall. The electrolyte is directed to flow between the electrolysis chamber(s) and the adjacent chamber(s) through at least one opening in or at the partition wall(s) below the level of the electrolyte level. The Zinc metal produced is collected in the bottom of the cell. The electrolyte flow can be controlled in a substantial laminar manner.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A method for electrolytic production of zinc from a salt melt comprising zinc chloride by the use of an electrolysis cell having at least one electrolysis chamber ( 2 ) containing an electrolyte and at least one adjacent chamber ( 1 ) separated from said electrolysis chamber by means of at least one partition wall ( 7 ,  8 ), wherein the atmosphere(s) in the electrolysis chamber(s) is separated from the atmosphere(s) in the adjacent chamber(s) by the at least one partition wall, and where the electrolyte is directed to flow between the electrolysis chamber(s) and the adjacent chamber(s) through at least one opening in or at the partition wall(s) below the level of the electrolyte level, and where zinc produced is collected in the bottom of the cell. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the liquid zinc produced is pumped out of the cell. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein solid or liquid ZnCl 2  is fed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner. 
   
   
       13 . An electrolysis cell for electrolytic production of zinc from a salt melt comprising zinc chloride, the cell having at least one electrolysis chamber ( 2 ) with electrodes and further containing an electrolyte, the cell further comprises at least one adjacent chamber ( 1 ) separated from said electrolysis chamber by means of at least one partition wall ( 7 ,  8 ), wherein at least one partition wall is arranged to separate the atmosphere(s) in the electrolysis chamber(s) from the atmosphere(s) in the adjacent chamber(s), and where at least one opening in or at the partition wall is arranged below the level of the electrolyte to allow the electrolyte to flow between the electrolysis chamber(s) and the adjacent chamber(s) and where the bottom of the cell is adapted to collect the zinc produced. 
   
   
       14 . An electrolysis cell according to  claim 13 , wherein the cell comprises two or more monopolar electrodes. 
   
   
       15 . An electrolysis cell according to  claim 13 , wherein the cell comprises two monopolar electrodes and one or more bipolar electrodes. 
   
   
       16 . An electrolysis cell according to  claim 14 , wherein the monopolar electrodes are cooled by a cooling medium such as water. 
   
   
       17 . An electrolysis cell according to  claim 13 , wherein the cell comprises electrode(s) based upon a graphitic material. 
   
   
       18 . An electrolysis cell according to  claim 13 , wherein the material in the cell's lining is containing more than 95% SiO 2    
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein solid or liquid ZnCl 2  is fed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner. 
   
   
       20 . An electrolysis cell according to  claim 15 , wherein the monopolar electrodes are cooled by a cooling medium such as water.