Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A system for collecting metal in an electrorefining process, the system comprising:a. a hollow cathode; andb. a container defining an upwardly extending surface adapted to slidably communicate with interior aspects of the hollow cathode;wherein the container encircles the bottom and laterally facing surfaces of the cathode. 2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the extending surface is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the container and of the cathode. 3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the cathode does not contact the container. 4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the cathode is not in electrical communication with the container. 5. The system as recited in claim 1 adapted to contain metal in two annular spaces between the cathode and the container. 6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the cathode and the container are adapted to be imbedded in molten salt in a first position. 7. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein the container is adapted to be imbedded in molten salt in a second position. 8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein annular spaces defined between the cathode and the container are adapted to retain metal formed during the electrorefining process, while displacing an electrolyte out of the annular spaces. 9. A system for collecting metal in an electrorefining process, the system comprising:a. a rotatable, hollow cathode;b. a container defining an upwardly extending surface adapted to oppose interior surfaces of the hollow cathode;c. a first plate adapted to support the container;d. a second plate superior from the first plate and connected thereto via a plurality of vertically extending struts; ande. a cathode-scraper third plate disposed between the first plate and the second plate and attached to the struts, each of the first, second, and third plates defining a central aperture to slidably receive the cathode, wherein the cathode is collinearly aligned with the apertures of the first, second and third plates. 10. The system as recited in claim 9 further comprising:f) radially extending protuberances on the surface of the cathode; andg) diametrically opposed notches formed in the central aperture of the third plate, said notches in slidable communication with the protuberances upon rotation of the cathode. 11. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the container defines a first annular region and a central protuberance coaxial with the annular region. 12. The system as recited in claim 11 wherein the cathode defines a tube adapted to receive the central protuberance of the container to define a second, inner annular region between the central protuberance and in the interior surfaces of the hollow cathode. 13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the first and second annular regions are adapted to retain metal formed during the electrorefining process, while displacing an electrolyte from the annular regions.