Patent EA-002205-B1 (EA)
Title: Process for the electrolytic production of metals
Inventor: GINATA MARCO VINCENZO
IPC: C25C7/00
Filed: 1998-01-08
Abstract: 1. A process for the electrolytic production of a titanium and titanium alloys from the metal compounds of metals comprising: an electrowinning apparatus which comprises a cathode-crucible with a solid metal skull, a liquid electrolyte having a density lower than the metal and liquid bath of obtained metal; one or more non-consumable anodes partially immersed in the electrolyte, with means for regulating of a distance from the cathode surface; means for metal compounds supply, electrolyte components and alloying materials to the electrolyte; supplying a direct current through the electrolyte to the anode in order to cause cathodic reduction of the metal in a liquid state to act as a liquid cathode and generate heat sufficient to maintain the electrolyte molten; air-tight vessel, where anodic gases isolated during electrolysis are transfer. 2. The process of Claim 1, for obtaining titanium, wherein the electrolyte comprises a mixture of calcium fluoride, calcium chloride and calcium metal. 3. The process of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrolyte comprises a mixture of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal. 4. The process of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the metal compounds supplied into electrowinning apparatus are fluorides, chlorides, bromides and iodides. 5. The process of Claim 1, wherein the cathode-crucible is a copper crucible. 6. The process of Claim 1, wherein the crucible is sufficiently cooled to cause the solidification of a protecting layer of the electrolyte on the inner surfaces. 7. The process of Claim 1, wherein the air-tight vessel is cooled to condense the vapors generated from the electrolyte to the inner surfaces thereby protecting the vessel from the anodic gases. 8. The process of Claim 1, wherein the gases generated at the anode during the process of electrolytic isolation are conveyed to the air-tight vessel through ducts inside the anodes. 9. The process of Claim 1, wherein the metal compounds are added to the electrolyte by feeding through ducts made inside the anode. 10. The process of Claim 1, wherein the obtained metal compounds are added to the electrolyte by feeding through an electrically insulated tube made of chemically inert material in order to separate the volume, wherein said compounds are reduced, from anodic boundary phase, wherein anodic gases are generated. 11. The process of Claim 1, wherein the production of an alloy with specific chemical composition is achieved by adding compounds and materials in amounts corresponding to electrochemical parameters. 12. The process of Claim 1, wherein a means for electrowinning is supplied by means for continuous diversion of obtained kish. 13. The process of Claim 1, wherein the liquid metal produced is collected by means of a cold finger induction orifice. 14. The process of Claim 1, used to make plates, slabs, blooms and a billet of metal or alloy. 15. The process of Claim 1, wherein the anode submersible into electrolyte has a lower end shaped and machined to enhance evolution of the gases generated at said anode. 16. The method of Claim 1, wherein the current is supplied by means of cooled anodic busbars. 17. The method of Claim 1, wherein the means comprise vacuum-tight bush for anodes mechanism drive. 18. The method of Claim 1, wherein a computer system for monitoring of the steady regime is used in order to maintain the steady condition by regulating a distance between anodes and liquid cathode surface. 19. The electrowinning apparatus having characteristics described in Claim 1. 20. The method of Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electrolyte comprises a mixture of monovalent alkali metals and divalent alkaline earth metals , such as Ca degree  + K degree  or Ca degree  + Mg degree .