A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM (Al) FROM CHLORIDE OF ALUMINUM (Al' Cl
Year: 1885

page_text: I HECTOR VON GRONSILLIERS of Lange Strasse in the town of Springe, Hannover,
Germany, Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for A PROCESS
FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM (Al) FROM CHLORIDE OF ALUMINUM (Al' Cl)," and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an improved process for manufacturing Aluminum (Al)
from Chloride of Aluminum (A12 C16) by employing pressure.
As Chloride of Aluminum Al Cl is very volatile it has hitherto been customary
to employ a less volatile and at the same time readily melting double salt, the
double chloride of aluminum and sodium for producing aluminum. by the electro-
lytical or chemical process.
These processes however have. the disadvantage that the less volitile auxiliary
salt such as chlorine of sodium separates out, envelopes the undecomposed salts or
the aluminum separated out and weakens the electric current it hinders or the
chemical decomposition, or renders the subsequent separation from the compound
salt more difficult.
All these disadvanges are overcome by decomposing chloride of aluminum"
under pressure in closed vessels whereby the melting point is raised and the
volatilization prevented.
In order to carry my said invention into operation I introduce pure chloride of
aluminum into a vessel which can be hermetically closed and is provided with a..
lining of good resisting material such as clay or magnesia.
Figure 1 is a vertical section.
Figure 2 a cross section of an apparatus which can be employed in carrying out
my process although I do not contine myself to the same, as my said process can
be carried out in any suitable apparatus without departing from my said invention,
the representations being given in order that my said invention may be more
readily understood.
If the decomposition is to be effected electrolytically, the vessel or apparatus is
provided with two electrodes 61 6 of appropriate form which are in conductive
connection with the source of the electricity by means of two tubular or other
projections cl

page_text: A partition or division wall d is also employed in order to assure that the
chlorine formed on the anode passes off upwards without coming in contact with
the aluminum formed at the cathode and thus again reducing or dissolving the
same.
If the decomposition is to be effected chemically the two tubular projections c¹ c³
can be employed-for introducing indifferent gases such as Hydrogen, Nitrogen or
their equivalents.
The charge of chloride of aluminum is first moderately warmed by introducing
an indifferent gas until all the hydrochloric vapors are fully eliminated.
The vessel or apparatus A is now hermetically closed by means of a. cover B
provided with like lining with the inner walls a of the vessel or in other suitable
manner.
The apparatus represented in the drawings shows the cover firmly pressed down
onto the flange of the vessel or apparatus by means of screws although it is
evident that any other of the known methods of closing such or similar vessels
can be employed.
If the decomposition is to be effected by a chemical process the decomposing
matter must be introduced before closing the cover and if found desirable such
substance can be added as will cause the salt to more readily melt.
The apparatus is now treated to a high temperature and in the electrolytical
process the electric current introduced.
A valve f of a suitable material which will not be affected by the heat or
products of the process is arranged in the cover of the apparatus so that if the
pressure of the liberated gases is too high a portion of the same can be allowed to
escape whereby the tube g can be employed for leading off the same in order that
the said gases may be utilized. Any chloride of aluminum which may escape can
be recovered by a suitable cooling process.
I desire it to be understood that I do not confine myself to carrying out my
invention in the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing as any other
suitable apparatus can be substituted for the saine without departing from the
tenor of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The process of manufacturing Aluminum (Al) from Chloride of Aluminum
(Al³ Clº) by employing pressure substantially as set forth in the foregoing
specification.
2. The employment and application of closed vessels and pressure in manu-
facturing Aluminum from Chloride of Aluminum substantially as set forth in the
foregoing specification,