Abstract

Systems and processes for the production of lithium metal from molten salts. Systems can include a ceramic tube affixed by or to a freeze-composite. The freeze-composite includes a matrix, of a salt and a dispersed phase. The freeze is maintained with a cooling collar to maintain a temperature below the melting point of the salt. Systems can include a molten-catholyte and a molten-anolyte each adjacent to separate surfaces of the ceramic tube. The freeze-composite forms a fluidic and non-conductive barrier between the molten-catholyte and the molten-anolyte. Processes include a freeze-composite affixed to the ceramic tube. The ceramic tube is adjacent to a composite collar which is adjacent to a cooling collar; The cooling fluid is passed through the cooling collar. A molten-catholyte is passed along a first surface of the ceramic tube. A molten-anolyte is passed along to a second surface of the ceramic tube.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 7/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cellsServicing or operating of cells
• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals

Abstract

A process for producing refined lithium metal can include: a) processing a lithium chemical feedstock material using an electrowinning apparatus to produce a crude lithium metal having a first purity; b) combining the crude lithium metal with a carrier material to create a lithium-rich feed alloy; c) introducing the lithium-rich feed alloy as a feedstock material to an electrorefining apparatus and processing the lithium-rich feed alloy using the electrorefining apparatus to separate lithium metal from the carrier material thereby producing i) a refined lithium metal having a second purity that is greater than the first purity and ii) a lithium-depleted alloy that comprises the carrier material and less lithium metal than the lithium-rich feed alloy; and d) extracting the lithium-depleted alloy from the electrorefining apparatus and recycling at least a portion of the lithium-depleted alloy to provide at least a portion of the carrier material used in step b).

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals
• C25C 7/04 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements
• C25C 7/06 - Operating or servicing

Abstract

A process for producing refined lithium metal can include: a) processing a lithium chemical feedstock material using an electrowinning apparatus to produce a crude lithium metal having a first purity; b) combining the crude lithium metal with a carrier material to create a lithium-rich feed alloy; c) introducing the lithium-rich feed alloy as a feedstock material to an electrorefining apparatus and processing the lithium-rich feed alloy using the electrorefining apparatus to separate lithium metal from the carrier material thereby producing i) a refined lithium metal having a second purity that is greater than the first purity and ii) a lithium-depleted alloy that comprises the carrier material and less lithium metal than the lithium-rich feed alloy; and d) extracting the lithium-depleted alloy from the electrorefining apparatus and recycling at least a portion of the lithium-depleted alloy to provide at least a portion of the carrier material used in step b).

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals
• C25C 7/04 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements
• C25C 7/06 - Operating or servicing

Abstract

A process for electrowinning a metal can include the steps of: a) conveying an anolyte material and a metal chemical feedstock material along an anolyte flow path within an anolyte chamber; b) conveying catholyte material along a catholyte flow path within a catholyte chamber that has a cathode; c) applying an activation electric potential between the anode and a cathode that is sufficient to electrolyze and liberate metal ions from the metal chemical feedstock material in the anolyte chamber, thereby causing a flux of metal ions to migrate through a porous membrane from the anolyte chamber to the catholyte chamber and a metal product to be formed in the catholyte chamber; and while applying the activation electric potential, extracting a feedstock-depleted anolyte material from the anolyte chamber; and extracting an outlet material comprising the catholyte material and the metal product from the catholyte chamber via a catholyte outlet.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 3/08 - Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
• C25C 1/22 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions of metals not provided for in groups
• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals
• C25C 7/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cellsServicing or operating of cells
• C25C 7/04 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements
• C25C 7/06 - Operating or servicing

Abstract

An electrorefining process for refining relatively purer lithium metal from a lithium-alloy feedstock material using a three-layer electrorefining apparatus can include a) providing an anode layer comprising a molten, lithium-alloy feedstock material that includes a combination of lithium metal having a first purity and a carrier material; b) providing an electrolyte layer comprising a molten salt electrolyte material; c) providing a product layer comprising molten lithium metal having a second purity that is greater than the first purity above the electrolyte layer; and d) applying an activation electric potential that is sufficient to electrolyze the lithium-alloy feedstock material between an anode layer and the product layer that is electrically isolated from the anode layer, whereby lithium metal is liberated from the lithium-alloy feedstock material, migrates through the electrolyte layer and collects in the product layer.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals
• C25C 7/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cellsServicing or operating of cells
• C25C 7/02 - ElectrodesConnections thereof

Abstract

A process for electrowinning a metal using a flow-through electrowinning apparatus can include the steps of: a) conveying an anolyte material and a metal chemical feedstock material along an anolyte flow path within an anolyte chamber; b) conveying catholyte material along a catholyte flow path within a catholyte chamber that has a cathode; c) applying an activation electric potential between the anode and a cathode that is sufficient to electrolyze and liberate metal ions from the metal chemical feedstock material in the anolyte chamber, thereby causing a flux of metal ions to migrate through a porous membrane from the anolyte chamber to the catholyte chamber and a metal product to be formed in the catholyte chamber; and while applying the activation electric potential, extracting a feedstock-depleted anolyte material from the anolyte chamber; and extracting an outlet material comprising the catholyte material and the metal product from the catholyte chamber via a catholyte outlet.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 7/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cellsServicing or operating of cells
• C25C 1/22 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions of metals not provided for in groups
• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals
• C25C 7/04 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements
• C25C 7/06 - Operating or servicing

Abstract

A molten salt, membrane electrolyzer apparatus may include an anolyte compartment containing a molten salt anolyte comprising primarily chloride salts and a lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) feed material. A first and second electrode assemblies each having respective anodes, cathode housings proximate the first anode within the anolyte compartment and in fluid contact with the molten salt anolyte and having a primary transfer portion comprising a porous membrane and cathodes positioned within the first catholyte compartment so that the primary transfer portion is disposed between respective anode and cathode. A power supply can be configured to apply an electric potential between the first anode and the first cathode that is sufficient to initiate electrolysis of lithium carbonate and is greater than the electric potential required to initiate LiCl electrolysis.

IPC Classes  ?

• C25C 7/00 - Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cellsServicing or operating of cells
• C25C 3/02 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of alkali or alkaline earth metals
• C25C 7/04 - DiaphragmsSpacing elements