Patent ID: 8636892

Claim:
An electrolytic oxide reduction system, comprising: an electrolyte container containing an electrolyte; at least one modular cathode assembly supported above the electrolyte container and extending into the electrolyte; at least one modular anode assembly on a side of the modular cathode assembly; a plurality of cathode assembly electrical contacts, each of the cathode assembly electrical contacts having a same physical configuration permitting mechanical and electrical connection with the at least one modular cathode assembly; and a plurality of anode assembly electrical contacts, each of the anode assembly electrical contacts having a same physical configuration permitting mechanical and electrical connection with the at least one modular anode assembly; wherein the plurality of cathode assembly contacts include at least two cathode assembly contacts configured to electrically connect to a same modular cathode assembly, the system configured such that the at least two cathode assembly contacts provide different electrical power levels.