Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic synthesis – Utilizing fused bath
Patent
1997-12-05
1999-08-24
Gorgos, Kathryn
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic synthesis
Utilizing fused bath
204246, C25C 308
Patent
active
059420979
ABSTRACT:
The present invention includes a conceptually new process to produce primary aluminum through the modification/adaptation for the HHC of a non-consumable anode of the type used for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) with the provision to electrochemically utilize/burn a fuel. The present invention is believed to work most effectively when the dissolution and fragility problems of the zirconia-base solid electrolyte can be sufficiently alleviated, e.g., through the use of a lower electrolysis temperature, through the use of melt additives to restrict dissolution, and/or through modern methods for the fabrication/deposition of the electrolyte onto an appropriate internal metal anode. The present invention thus achieves, through the use of the solid-electrolyte-coated anode, the long-sought non-consumable anode. The electrochemical oxidation, inside the NCA in accordance with the present invention, of an inexpensive fuel, e.g., reformed natural gas (as is done in the modern SOFC), constitutes a significantly more favorable anodic oxidation reaction than the evolution of pure oxygen disclosed by Marincek.
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Gorgos Kathryn
Smith-Hicks Erica
The Ohio State University
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