Patent ID: 7410561

Claim:
An electrochemical cell comprising an anode at which oxygen evolves during cell operation; a metal oxide cathode including one or more oxide of the actinides and rare earths; a halide salt electrolyte molten during cell operation having a cation selected from one or more of the alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals, the eutectics and mixtures thereof; a third electrode of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal or mixtures or alloys thereof wherein at least one constituent of the third electrode is the same as at least one cation in the electrolyte; and independent power supplies connecting said anode and said third electrode and connecting said cathode and said third electrode, whereby upon cell operation the third electrode operates sequentially as an anode and as a cathode during reduction of the metal oxide cathode to produce the metal while said independent power supplies maintain substantially constant voltage between said anode and said third electrode and between said cathode and said third electrode.