Patent ID: 9475998
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: C01B,C10G,C25B,C25C

Claim Text:
1. An electrolytic cell for oxidizing an alkali metal monosulfide or alkali metal polysulfides comprising: an anolyte compartment configured with an anode and containing an anolyte solution comprising an alkali metal monosulfide, an alkali metal polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and an anolyte solvent that partially dissolves elemental sulfur, the anolyte compartment further comprising an anolyte solution inlet and an anolyte solution outlet; a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode and containing a catholyte, wherein the catholyte comprises a molten alkali metal, the catholyte compartment further comprising a catholyte outlet; an alkali ion conductive membrane configured to selectively transport alkali ions, wherein the alkali ion conductive membrane is substantially impermeable to anions, the anolyte solvent, and dissolved sulfur; a source of electric potential electrically coupled to the anode and the cathode and configured to: an elemental sulfur settling zone where the liquid elemental sulfur forms a second liquid phase and separates from the anolyte solution; and a sulfur outlet for removal of the liquid elemental sulfur from the electrolytic cell disposed at a location lower than the anolyte solution outlet.