The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 2019
Filed:
Apr. 29, 2016
James L. Willit, Batavia, IL (US);
Mark A. Williamson, Naperville, IL (US);
Stanley G. Wiedmeyer, Glen Ellyn, IL (US);
Magdalena M. Tylka, Willow Springs, IL (US);
James L. Willit, Batavia, IL (US);
Mark A. Williamson, Naperville, IL (US);
Stanley G. Wiedmeyer, Glen Ellyn, IL (US);
Magdalena M. Tylka, Willow Springs, IL (US);
UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
The invention provides a system for collecting metal in an electrorefining process, the system having a hollow cathode; and a container defining an upwardly extending surface adapted to be received by the hollow cathode. An embodiment of the invention provides for metal reduction to occur on laterally facing and medially facing surfaces of the cathode such that electrolyte resides between surfaces of the cathode. Also provided is a metal electrorefining process having the steps of subjecting molten salt containing metal moieties to electrolysis wherein reduced metal accumulates in a cathode-cup construct in a first position; raising the construct to a second position above the molten salt while subjecting the construct to heat from the molten salt; withdrawing the cathode from the construct into a vestibule to the electrorefiner to a third position; and removing the cathode and cup from the electrorefiner to a fourth position.