Patent ID: 9150973
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: C25B,C25C

Abstract:
1. A process for recovering at least one metal from a metal containing resource, said process including the steps of: a) providing a crucible containing a chloride salt melt, at least one cathode and an anode connected to the salt melt, heating means for heating the salt melt, and an aluminum melt present at the bottom of the crucible, said aluminum melt forming the anode or a part of the anode, said salt melt being in direct contact with the cathode and the aluminum melt; b) providing an initiating chlorine donor to the salt melt for starting the reactions in the salt melt, said initiating chloride donor being aluminum chloride and/or at least one metal chloride that can be electrolyzed in step f) to form aluminum chloride; c) holding the temperature of the salt melt and the temperature of the aluminum melt at a temperature where both are in liquid phase; d) introducing said metal containing resource into the liquid salt melt; e) reacting the aluminum chloride as a chlorine donor with the metal containing resource to form at least one metal chloride being dissolved in the salt melt; f) electrolyzing the salt melt, thereby forming the at least one metal at the cathode, optionally using a cathode bag, and forming aluminum chloride at the contact surface between the aluminum melt and the salt melt; and g) recovering at least one metal at the cathode or cathode bag.