Patent ID: 7628904
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: C22B,C25C

Abstract:
1. An electrochemical cell for electrochemical reduction of a metal oxide in a solid state includes: a molten electrolyte, an anode formed from carbon in contact with the electrolyte, a cathode formed at least in part from the metal oxide in contact with the electrolyte, and a membrane that is permeable to oxygen anions and is impermeable to carbon in ionic and non-ionic forms positioned between the cathode and the anode to thereby prevent migration of carbon from the anode to the cathode, the membrane includes a body and a lining on the surface of the body on the cathode side of the membrane, and the lining is formed from a material that is inert with respect to dissolved metal in the electrolyte and is impermeable to the dissolved metal.