Norsk Hydro, A.s.

Peder R Solheim

Knut A Andreassen

Henry K Johnsen

Oddmund Wallevik

Leiv B Ognedal

Sigbjorn Kleveland

Oystein Boyum

Magnesium is electrolytically produced from a salt melt comprising magnesium chloride by the use of an electrolyzer having at least one electrolysis compartment and at least one metal separating compartment separated from the electrolysis compartment by a partition wall. Magnesium chloride is fed in solid form in a direction counter current to the flow of chlorine gas liberated during electrolysis to a melting room or chamber in the electrolysis compartment arranged such that contact between the magnesium chloride and the anodes of the electrolyzer is avoided. Flow patterns are produced in the melt to ensure that sludge forming impurities in the fed magnesium chloride are continuously removed from the electrolysis compartment to the metal separating compartment.

Method and electrolyzer for production of magnesium

A high current switch includes first and second contact plates, each having a contact surface. The contact plates are moved between a closed position with the contact surfaces in contact and an open position with the contact surfaces separated. An electric bridge has opposite ends connected to the contact plates and spans the contact surfaces. During opening of the switch, the electric bridge, in the form of a fuse, remains integral and provides a secondary electrical connection between the contact surfaces, thus preventing arcing therebetween. Upon complete opening of the switch, the electrical bridge ruptures.

Electrical bridge attached to high current switch

A replaceable cathode unit, suitable as a module for the building up of stable, non-deformable cathode systems in electrolyzers for the production of magnesium by melted salt electrolysis, is the form of a straight, longitudinal main cathode with active cathode side surfaces and two shorter transverse cathodes arranged approximately at right angles in relation to the main cathode. One transverse cathode is at the front end of the main cathode, and the other transverse cathode is at the back end of the main cathode.

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Porsgrunn, Norway

Peder R Solheim