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Processes and reactors for alkali metal production

a technology of alkali metal and reactor, which is applied in the direction of monoborane/diborane hydrides, manufacturing tools, electrolysis components, etc., can solve the problems of high market price of sodium, high quantity of sodium salt by-products, and increase the cost of sodium borohydride production

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-04-09
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 a sodium salt by-product, which is typically valueless.
As a result, the market price of sodium is high, which in turn raises the cost of making sodium borohydride.

Method used

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  • Processes and reactors for alkali metal production
  • Processes and reactors for alkali metal production
  • Processes and reactors for alkali metal production

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

example 1

[0058]A reaction flask was charged with a 30 weight % sodium methoxide in methanol solution. A tube with a ceramic membrane bottom was inserted into the solution. The tube bottom comprised the membrane or separator. The volume inside the tube is the cathode compartment and the volume outside the tube, but inside the reaction flask, is the anode compartment. The anode was a Ni-frit with flowing hydrogen gas immersed in the methanolic anolyte. The cathode was a Ni-wire that was immersed within the catholyte which consisted of molten sodium metal.

[0059]The reactor was operated between 110° C. and 120° C. under 10 psig H2 while the sodium metal compartment inside the membrane tube was placed under 10 psig N2. Under these conditions, the sodium in the cathode compartment was molten. After a potential was applied to the cell and the desired amount of current passed through the cell, the cell was cooled to room temperature and the amount of sodium metal that was generated was measured. Sod...

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Abstract

Electrochemical processes and apparatus for obtaining metals from metal salts, including for separating alkali metal and alcohols from alkali metal alkoxide compounds, are disclosed. Aqueous solutions of metal alkoxides or metal carbonates are converted to metals by electrochemical processes which may also be integrated into processes for the production of borohydrides, such as sodium borohydride.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0001]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[0002]The invention is directed to electrochemical reduction of metal compounds with applications in, for example, elemental metal and metal borohydride production.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Sodium borohydride is a very versatile chemical and is used in organic synthesis, waste water treatment, and pulp and paper bleaching.[0004]Several processes exist for making sodium borohydride, all of which depend on some form of sodium borate to supply the boron. Traditionally, the source of boron is the mineral borax. One process which is currently used to supply commercial sodium borohydride is known as the Schlesinger process. During the Schlesinger process, the sodium and boron contents of the mine...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): C25C3/02
CPCC01B6/21C25B1/14C25C3/02C25C1/02C25B9/08C25B9/19
Inventor KELLY, MICHAEL T.MORENO, OSCAR A.ORTEGA, JEFFREY V.WU, YING
Owner MILLENNIUM CELL
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