Monatomic electrolyte and electrochemical process including the same

Abstract

A device and process that broadens the commercial and industrial applicability of metal extraction from ore by utilizing a novel substance as an electrolyte. The process overcomes the technical limitations of conventional electrolytic processes. A monatomic substance is used to create an electrolyte that avoids degradation, improves process kinetics, and minimizes end-product contamination. The electrolyte enables an electrochemical process at a lower operating temperature, offers a wider electrochemical potential window, and runs at higher reaction rates than either molten or aqueous processes. The device comprises a reactor, an electrochemical cell, a means for generating electromagnetic radiation, and a waveguide. The electrochemical cell is located within the reactor, and the means for generating electromagnetic radiation is coupled to the waveguide, and the waveguide is communicatively coupled to the reactor.

1 . A device for electrolysis, comprising: a reactor, an electrochemical cell, a means for generating electromagnetic radiation, and a waveguide; where the electrochemical cell is disposed within the reactor, where the means for generating electromagnetic radiation is coupled to the waveguide and the waveguide is communicatively coupled to the reactor. 
     
     
         2 . The electrolysis device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell further comprises an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, and a means to apply an electrical potential across the anode and cathode, where the anode and cathode are separated from each other and immersed in the electrolyte. 
     
     
         3 . The electrolysis device of  claim 2 , wherein the electrolyte comprises an ionized noble gas. 
     
     
         4 . The electrolysis device of  claim 3 , wherein the ionized noble gas is an ionized species from the group consisting of Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), or Radon (Rn). 
     
     
         5 . The electrolysis device of  claim 4 , wherein the cathode is a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         6 . The electrolysis device of  claim 4 , wherein the cathode is a flat plate. 
     
     
         7 . The electrolysis device of  claim 4 , wherein the cathode is a feedstock confined by a conductive mesh. 
     
     
         8 . An electroextraction process comprising:
 a. providing a feedstock;   b. charging the feedstock and a noble gas into the electrolysis device of  claim 4 ;   c. creating an electrolyte by ionizing the noble gas using electromagnetic radiation;   d. dissociating and separating the feedstock by applying an electric potential across the anode and cathode;   e. collecting the desired metal at the cathode;   f. discharging the non-metal and gas from the electrolysis device.   
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the feedstock comprises a metal oxide or metal sulfide. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the noble gas is selected from the group consisting of Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), or Radon (Rn). 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the process is continuously collecting metal on a cathodic conveyor belt. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein electrolyte and feedstock are held in a fluidized bed between the anode and cathode. 
     
     
         13 . An electro-deoxidation process comprising:
 a. providing a feedstock;   b. charging the feedstock and a noble gas into the electrolysis device of  claim 4 ;   c. creating an electrolyte by ionizing the noble gas using electromagnetic radiation;   d. dissociating and separating the feedstock by applying an electric potential across the anode and cathode;   e. reducing the desired metal in place at the cathode;   f. discharging the non-metal and gas from the electrolysis device.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the feedstock comprises a metal oxide or metal sulfide. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the noble gas selected from the group consisting of Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), or Radon (Rn). 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein electrolyte and feedstock are held in a fluidized bed between the anode and cathode. 
     
     
         17 . A process for plasma-deoxidation, comprising:
 a. a reactor;   b. providing a feedstock;   c. charging the feedstock and a noble gas into the reactor;   d. ionizing a noble gas using electromagnetic radiation;   e. creating a metastable noble gas compound by fluidizing the feedstock with the ionized noble gas;   f. retaining a metal agglomeration in the reactor;   g. discharging the metastable noble gas compound from the reactor.   
     
     
         18 . The plasma-deoxidation process of  claim 17 , wherein the noble gas compound comprises a non-metal element and a noble gas. 
     
     
         19 . The plasma-deoxidation process of  claim 17 , wherein the noble gas is an ionized species from the group consisting of Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe), or Radon (Rn). 
     
     
         20 . The plasma-deoxidation process of  claim 18 , wherein the non-metal element is selected from the group consisting of Oxygen (O), Sulfur(S), Fluorine (F), Chlorine (CI), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Bromine (Br), or Iodine (I).