Patent ID: 6599413
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: C22C

Abstract:
A method of adding a metal to a melt of a material in a vessel, said method comprising:a) positioning a container outside the vessel; b) positioning within the container a solid-state electrolyte having a wall which includes first and second sides and comprising a conductor for ions of the metal; c) providing a molten compound of the metal, or a solution of a compound of the metal, in the container; d) electrolytically decomposing the compound so that ions of the metal are caused to pass through the wall of the solid-state electrolyte from the first side to the second side thereof; and e) causing the ions to combine with electrons on the second side of the wall and then to flow as a molten metal from the container into the melt, wherein a compound of the metal is provided according to c) which is a hydroxide, carbonate, or oxalate salt of the metal.