Patent ID: 9725815
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: C25C

Claim:
1. A removable electrode module for engagement with an electrolysis chamber and reduction of a solid feedstock, the removable electrode module comprising, a first electrode, in which the solid feedstock is retainable in contact with a first surface of the first electrode such that the solid feedstock can be reduced by electrolysis, a second electrode, and a suspension structure comprising a suspension rod coupled to the first electrode, in which the second electrode is suspended by, or supported by, the suspension structure and in which the suspension structure comprises at least one electrically-insulating spacer element for retaining the second electrode in spatial separation from the first electrode, the removable electrode module further comprising one or more bipolar electrode having a composite structure, the one or more bipolar electrode having a first portion or cathodic portion made of a metallic material, and a second portion or anodic portion made of a material selected from the list consisting of an inert anode material for the evolution of oxygen, a dimensionally-stabilised anode material and a carbon material, in which the first portion and/or second portion of the one or more bipolar electrode are formed from a porous or perforated or foraminous material, such that molten salt can flow through the first and/or second portion of the bipolar electrode.