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Processes for separating metals from metal salts

a technology of metal salt and separation process, which is applied in the field of electrochemical reduction of metal compounds, can solve the problems of large quantities of sodium salt, high market price of sodium, and increase the cost of raw materials for making sodium borohydrid

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-05-18
MILLENNIUM CELL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This process generates large quantities of the sodium salt, typically a valueless by-product.
As a result, the market price of sodium is high and this raises the cost of raw materials for making sodium borohydride.
However, none of these processes has been implemented in commercial practice.

Method used

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  • Processes for separating metals from metal salts
  • Processes for separating metals from metal salts
  • Processes for separating metals from metal salts

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0068] A reaction flask was charged with about 200 g of 5.5 weight percent NaBO2 aqueous solution. A tube with a NaSICON bottom was inserted into the solution. The tube contained 1.03 gram of sodium metal. Embedded into the sodium metal was a nickel wire. Collectively, the sodium metal and the nickel wire comprised the cathode. The tube bottom comprised the membrane or separator. The volume inside the tube defined the cathode compartment and the volume outside the tube, but inside the reaction flask, comprised the anode compartment. The aqueous metaborate solution comprised the anolyte. The anode itself was a nickel wire wrapped around a nickel plate, the combination of the wire and plate together comprising the anode.

[0069] The reaction flask was heated to about 115° C. and pressurized to about 10 psi. Under these conditions, the sodium in the cathode compartment was molten. A potential of about 5 V was applied across the anode and the cathode. After 606 mAh of current passed thro...

example 2

[0070] A reaction flask was charged with about 150 g of NaBO2.4 H2O (sodium metaborate tetrahydrate). A Na-β″-alumina tube was inserted into the solution. The tube contained 0.99 gram of sodium metal. Embedded into the sodium metal was a nickel wire. Collectively, the sodium metal and the nickel wire comprised the cathode. The tube bottom comprised the membrane or separator. The volume inside the tube was the cathode compartment and the volume outside the tube, but inside the reaction flask, comprised the anode compartment. The sodium metaborate comprised the anolyte. The anode itself was a nickel wire wrapped around a nickel plate, the wire and plate together comprising the anode.

[0071] The reaction flask was heated to about 135° C. and pressurized to about 10 psi. Under these conditions, the sodium in the cathode compartment was molten, and the sodium metaborate tetrahydrate in the anode compartment was molten. A potential of about 5 V was applied across the anode and the cathode...

example 3

[0072] A reaction flask was charged with about 200 g of 9.1 weight-% Na2CO3 aqueous solution. A tube with a NaSICON bottom was inserted into the solution. The tube contained about 1 gram of sodium metal. Embedded into the sodium metal was a nickel wire. Collectively, the sodium metal and the nickel wire comprised the cathode. The tube bottom comprised the membrane or separator. The volume inside the tube was the cathode compartment and the volume outside the tube, but inside the reaction flask comprised the anode compartment. The aqueous carbonate solution comprised the anolyte. The anode itself was a nickel wire wrapped around a nickel plate, the wire and plate together comprising the anode.

[0073] The reaction flask was heated to about 115° C. and pressurized to about 10 psi. Under these conditions, the sodium in the cathode compartment was molten. A potential of about 5 V was applied across the anode and the cathode. After passing 500 mAh of current through the cell, it was coole...

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Abstract

Electrochemical processes and apparatus for obtaining metals from metal salts, particularly separating alkali metal and borate ions from alkali metal borate compounds, are disclosed. Aqueous solutions of metal borates or metal carbonates are converted to metals by preferred electrochemical processes. These electrochemical processes also may be integrated into processes for the production of borohydrides, such as sodium borohydride.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 626,485, filed on Nov. 10, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] The invention was made with Government support under Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC36-04G014008 awarded by the Department of Energy. The United States Government has certain rights in this invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The invention is directed to electrochemical reduction of metal compounds with applications in elemental metal and metal borohydride production. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Sodium borohydride is a very versatile chemical and is used in organic synthesis, waste water treatment, and pulp and paper bleaching. The high hydrogen content of this compound also makes it a good candidate for being a hydrogen carrier, and it could play a major role as an enabler of a hydrogen economy if the cost of producin...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C25C3/02
CPCC07F5/04C25B1/00C25B1/14C25C1/02
Inventor KELLY, MICHAEL T.BRADY, JASON C.
Owner MILLENNIUM CELL
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