Metal processing apparatus, and metal processing method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metal processing apparatus, comprising: an electrolytic bath having a reaction space and forming a liquid metal to be tapped; a level measuring unit for measuring the level of the liquid metal by using an electrical signal; a tapping unit for tapping the liquid metal; and a control unit for controlling the tapping unit on the basis of the measurement result of the level measuring unit.

Description

Metal processing device and metal processing method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal processing device and a metal processing method using the same.

[0002] As the hybrid and electric vehicle market expands, demand for permanent magnets, a key component, is also gradually increasing.

[0003] The most efficient of the existing permanent magnets, the Nd-Fe-B magnet, is made up of neodymium (Nd) which accounts for most of its cost.

[0004] Metal processing using electrolytic refining and a metal processing method using the same are being performed to obtain neodymium from neodymium oxide.

[0005] However, in the case of the neodymium manufacturing process using the existing electrolytic refining method, there is a problem in that the process of discharging neodymium (Nd) produced in the electrolytic cell outside the electrolytic cell is not automated.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a metal processing device and a metal processing method using the same.

[0007] The present invention relates to a metal processing device, comprising: an electrolytic cell having a reaction space formed therein and forming a liquid metal to be discharged; a level measuring unit for measuring the level of the liquid metal using an electrical signal; a discharge unit for discharging the liquid metal to the outside; and a control unit for controlling the discharge unit based on the measurement results of the level measuring unit.

[0008] The liquid metal and the liquid electrolyte are located in the reaction space, the liquid electrolyte is composed of at least two components, and the control unit can control the discharge unit to selectively and intermittently discharge only the liquid metal from the reaction space.

[0009] The above reaction space may include a first layer including the liquid metal; and a second layer located on top of the first layer and including the liquid electrolyte.

[0010] The above liquid metal can be formed by reducing a metal oxide through electrolytic refining.

[0011] The above liquid metal may include neodymium.

[0012] The above liquid electrolyte may include LiF and NdF3.

[0013] The above liquid electrolyte may contain LiF and NdF3 in a weight ratio of 5:95 to 40:60.

[0014] The electrolytic cell comprises a cathode; and an anode surrounding the cathode, wherein at least a portion of the cathode and the anode are positioned in the reaction space, and the level measuring unit can measure a voltage between the cathode and the anode.

[0015] The cathode may include at least one of tungsten, molybdenum and iron, and the anode may include graphite.

[0016] A sunken receiving space is formed at the bottom of the above reaction space to receive the liquid metal, and the end of the cathode faces the receiving space, and the outlet can be connected to the receiving space.

[0017] The above-mentioned receiving space has a first level that prevents the liquid metal from being located outside the receiving space; and a second level that is lower than the first level and prevents the liquid electrolyte from being discharged during the discharge, and the control unit can control the discharge unit so that the level of the liquid metal in the receiving space is maintained between the first level and the second level.

[0018] The above-mentioned discharge unit includes a heating means and a cooling means, and the control unit can perform discharge by combining the operation of the heating means and the operation of the cooling means.

[0019] The above-mentioned discharge portion may include a first portion connected to the receiving space and having a cross-sectional area that becomes narrower as it goes downward; and a second portion connected downward from the first portion and having a constant cross-sectional area.

[0020] The above-mentioned discharge unit may include a first section connected to the receiving space and having a cross-sectional area that becomes narrower toward the bottom; a second section located below the first section; a third section located below the second section; a first heating means for heating the first section; a cooling means for cooling the second section; and a second heating means for heating the third section.

[0021] The above heating means may include an induction coil of a high-frequency induction heating method, and the above cooling means may include a nozzle through which a cooling gas passes.

[0022] The control unit may, when the voltage is lower than the first value, turn on the first heating means and the second heating means to discharge the liquid metal, and when the voltage reaches a second value higher than the first value, turn off the first heating means and turn on the cooling means to stop the discharge of the liquid metal, and turn off the second heating means after it operates for a certain period of time after the discharge of the liquid metal has stopped.

[0023] It may further include an ingot manufacturing unit for manufacturing the liquid metal discharged through the above discharge unit into an ingot shape.

[0024] The above ingot production unit may include a first space in an argon (Ar) atmosphere, located below the discharge unit and including a receiving container in which the liquid metal discharged through the discharge unit is stored; a second space located at the front end of the first space and for introducing the receiving container into the first space; and a third space for cooling the receiving container delivered from the first space and removing it to the outside.

[0025] The above ingot manufacturing unit may further include a container transport unit that transports the container along the first space, the second space, and the third space.

[0026] The present invention relates to a metal treatment method, comprising the steps of: supplying a metal oxide and a liquid electrolyte to a reaction space of an electrolytic cell, and forming a liquid metal to be discharged from the metal oxide through electrolytic refining; measuring the level of the liquid metal using an electrical signal; and controlling the discharge of the liquid metal based on the level measurement result; and the metal treatment method for selectively and intermittently discharging only the liquid metal from the reaction space through the discharge control.

[0027] The above-mentioned discharge control step is performed by discharging the liquid inside to the outside and controlling a discharge unit including a heating means and a cooling means, and the control can be performed by a combination of the operation of the heating means and the operation of the cooling means.

[0028] According to the present invention, a metal processing device and a metal processing method using the same are provided.

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates a metal processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is a detailed illustration of a discharge unit in a metal processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 shows the control unit configuration of a metal processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 4a and 4b show voltage changes according to the level of liquid metal in a metal processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a metal processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figures 6a and 6b illustrate the formation and discharge of liquid metal in a metal processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation method of the discharge unit in the metal processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation method of the discharge unit in the metal processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figures 9a and 9b illustrate the first and second levels of liquid metal in another example of the method of operating the spouting unit.

[0038] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings below.

[0039] The attached drawings are merely examples intended to more specifically illustrate the technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings. Furthermore, the attached drawings may exaggerate the size and spacing of components to illustrate the relationships between components.

[0040] In the following description, the liquid metal is described using neodymium (Nd) as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the liquid metal may be another metal, and in particular, may be a rare earth metal.

[0041] Additionally, in the following description, 'voltage' refers to 'voltage between the cathode and the anode' unless otherwise specified.

[0042] A metal processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is described through FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a metal processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 illustrates in detail a discharge unit in a metal processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 illustrates a control unit configuration in a metal processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The metal processing device (10) includes an electrolytic cell (100), a level measuring unit (200), a discharge unit (300), an ingot production unit (400), and a control unit (500).

[0045] An electrolytic cell (100) includes a main body (110), a cathode (120), and an anode (130), and the main body (110) forms a reaction space (111) and a receiving space (112). The main body (110) can be made of a material that can withstand high temperatures during electrolytic refining and does not react with the internal liquid electrolyte.

[0046] Although not shown, a support for supporting the main body (110), a separate external crucible, and an insulation unit may be further provided. The support unit serves to support the main body (110) so that it can be stably maintained, and the external crucible prevents the high-temperature liquid electrolyte inside the main body (110) from being exposed to the outside in the event of an emergency in which the main body (110) is damaged. The insulation unit prevents the heat generated in the main body (110) from being released to the outside.

[0047] The reaction space (111) is a space for forming the liquid metal to be discharged, and may have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. In Fig. 1, the cross-section of the reaction space (111) is depicted as a rectangle, but is not limited thereto.

[0048] Liquid metal is formed by the reduction of metal oxides through electrolytic refining using a liquid electrolyte. Here, the metal oxide may be one or more selected from zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, titanium oxide, tungsten oxide, iron oxide, nickel oxide, zinc oxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide, chromium oxide, tantalum oxide, gallium oxide, lead oxide, tin oxide, silver oxide, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, praseodymium oxide, neodymium oxide, promethium oxide, samarium oxide, europium oxide, gadolinium oxide, terbium oxide, dysprosium oxide, holmium oxide, erbium oxide, thulium oxide, ytterbium oxide, actinium oxide, thorium oxide, protactinium oxide, uranium oxide, neptunium oxide, plutonium oxide, americium oxide, curium oxide, berkelium oxide, californium oxide, einsitanium oxide, fermium oxide, mendelevium oxide, nobelium oxide, and complexes thereof. The metal oxide may include, in particular, neodymium oxide, or may include neodymium oxide and praseodymium oxide together.

[0049] The liquid electrolyte may comprise a mixed salt of a fluoride compound of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and NdF3. The liquid electrolyte may be provided in the form of a molten salt of a fluoride compound of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and NdF3.

[0050] The number of fluoride compounds of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals contained in the liquid electrolyte may be 1 or 2 or more. In the fluoride compounds of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, the alkali metals or alkaline earth metals may be, for example, Li, Mg, Na, K, or Ca. The fluoride compounds of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals may be compounds used in the art, such as LiF or CaF2, without particular limitation. The liquid electrolyte may include, for example, a mixed salt of LiF and NdF3. Due to the high melting point of NdF3, it is difficult to electrorefine NdF3 alone, but by using it together with an alkali fluoride compound such as LiF, a eutectic composition having a low melting point can be utilized in the process.

[0051] Although not limited thereto, the liquid electrolyte may contain 5 to 40 wt% LiF and 60 to 95 wt% NdF3 based on the total weight. Within the liquid electrolyte, LiF and NdF3 may be contained in a weight ratio of about 5:95 to 40:60, for example, about 30:70.

[0052] In another embodiment, the liquid electrolyte may further comprise an additive which is an oxide of one or more metals selected from the group of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.

[0053] The receiving space (112) is formed by the main body (110) being sunken, and is a space where the formed liquid metal is received. The receiving space (112) may have a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. In Fig. 1, the vertical cross-section of the receiving space (112) is depicted as a rectangle, but is not limited thereto. The receiving space (112) is connected to the lower discharge port (300).

[0054] The cathode (120) and the anode (130) are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and a portion of the cathode (130) is positioned within the reaction space (111). The anode (130) is arranged to surround the cathode (120). The anode (130) may be provided in the form of a single plate or multiple plates. The cathode (120) and / or the anode (130), particularly at least a portion of the anode (130), is exposed to the air. That is, the cathode (120) and / or the anode (130) may include a contact portion that is immersed in a liquid electrolyte and comes into contact with the liquid electrolyte, and an exposed portion that is exposed to the air.

[0055] The cathode (120) may include one of tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), and iron (Fe), and the anode (130) may be made of graphite (C). For example, the cathode (120) may be a tungsten (W) electrode made of tungsten (W), and the anode (130) may be a graphite (C) electrode made of graphite (C).

[0056] The lower end of the cathode (120) faces the receiving space (112). Therefore, the liquid metal formed on the surface of the cathode (112) falls freely and is received in the receiving space (112).

[0057] In FIG. 1, the anode (130) is depicted as being arranged to surround the cathode (120), but this is not limited thereto, and any electrode arrangement common in the relevant technical field can be applied to the present invention without limitation.

[0058] Although not shown, the cathode (120) and the anode (130) may be electrically connected to a separate power supply unit that supplies power. For example, the cathode (120) and the anode (130) may each be electrically connected to the power supply unit through a separate power supply line. When the power supply unit supplies current to the cathode (120) and the anode (130) through the power supply line, neodymium oxide at the cathode (120) may be reduced to obtain pure neodymium (Nd).

[0059] The description of the main body (110), cathode (120), and anode (130) described above is exemplary, and the structures of the main body (110), cathode (120), and anode (130) can be modified into a form commonly used in the industry.

[0060] The level measuring unit (200) measures the level of the liquid metal using an electrical signal (e.g., a voltage signal). Specifically, the level measuring unit (200) measures the voltage change between the cathode (120) and the anode (130) that occurs according to the change in the level of the liquid metal within the receiving space (112), thereby measuring the level.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, when the level of the liquid metal in the receiving space (112) is high, as in 4a, the voltage between the cathode (120) and the anode (130) becomes V1, and when the level of the liquid metal in the receiving space (112) is low, as in 4b, the voltage between the cathode (120) and the anode (130) becomes V2. The voltage between the cathode (120) and the anode (130) changes depending on the level of the liquid metal, and V1 when the level of the liquid metal is high has a lower value than V2 when the level of the liquid metal is low. In other words, the voltage decreases as the level of the liquid metal increases.

[0062] The discharge unit (300) discharges liquid metal to the outside. The discharge unit (300) is connected to the receiving space (112) and includes a first portion (A) whose cross-sectional area becomes narrower as it goes downward, and a second portion (B) which is connected downward from the first portion and has a constant cross-sectional area.

[0063] The first part (A) includes a first section (310). The second part (B) includes a second section (320) located below the first section (310) and a third section (330) located below the second section (320).

[0064] In this embodiment, the first section (310) has a truncated cone shape with a cross-sectional area that decreases toward the bottom, and the second section (320) and the third section (330) may have a cylindrical shape that is continuously connected to the bottom of the first section (310), but is not limited thereto.

[0065] The discharge unit (300) includes a heating means (340) and a cooling means (350).

[0066] The heating means (340) includes a first heating means (341) for heating the first section (310) and a second heating means (342) for heating the third section (330).

[0067] The heating means (340) may be formed of an induction coil of a high-frequency induction heating method surrounding the outer side of the first section (310) and the third section (330), but is not limited thereto.

[0068] The cooling means (350) is used to cool the second section (320), and may include a nozzle through which a cooling gas passes, but is not limited thereto. The cooling gas may be argon (Ar) or nitrogen (N2) gas. The cooling gas may be used at room temperature.

[0069] The ingot production unit (400) is for producing liquid metal discharged through the discharge unit (300) into an ingot form, and includes a first space (410), a second space (420), a third space (430), a transport container (440), and a receiving container transfer unit (450).

[0070] The first space (410) is located at the lower portion of the discharge unit (300). The first space (410) can be created as an inert environment using an inert gas. Argon (Ar) or nitrogen (N2) gas can be used as the inert gas.

[0071] In Fig. 1, the receiving container (440) is shaped like a basket, but is not limited thereto. The receiving container (440) receives liquid metal that falls freely through the discharge port (300).

[0072] Although not shown, a separate guide section may be included to guide the discharged liquid metal to the receiving container (440).

[0073] The second space (420) is located at the front end of the first space (410), and the receiving container (440) located in the second space (420) is introduced into the first space (410). Although not shown, a separate receiving container supply device may be additionally installed in the second space (420) to continuously supply the receiving container (440) to the first space (410).

[0074] In the third space (430), the receiving container (440) transferred from the first space (410) is cooled and transported to the outside. Although not shown, a separate cooling device may be additionally installed in the third space (430) to cool the receiving container (440).

[0075] The container transport unit (450) transports the container (440) along the second space (420), the first space (410), and the third space (430). The container transport unit (450) is a device for sequentially transporting the container (440) from the second space (420) to the third space (430), and may use a conveyor belt, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] The control unit (500) controls the discharging unit (300) based on the measurement results of the level measuring unit (200). Specifically, the control unit (500) controls the discharging unit (300) to selectively discharging only liquid metal from the receiving space (112) based on the measurement results of the level measuring unit (200).

[0077] A metal processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is described through FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a metal treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 6a and 6b show the formation and discharge of liquid metal in a metal treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a discharge unit in a metal treatment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] First, metal oxide and liquid electrolyte are supplied to the reaction space (111) of the electrolytic cell (100) and electrolytic refining is performed. (S100)

[0080] Electrorefining produces liquid metal from metal oxides. The electrorefining process is described in detail below.

[0081] Electrorefining is performed by applying electricity to a metal oxide and a liquid electrolyte via electrodes. The metal oxide may be powdered and have an average particle size of 100 μm or less, specifically 1 μm to 20 μm, to ensure stable dispersion within the liquid electrolyte.

[0082] At the cathode (120), neodymium (Nd) metal can be reduced by the reaction according to [Reaction Formula 1] below.

[0083] [Reaction Formula 1]

[0084] Nd 3+ + 3e - = Nd

[0085] At the anode (130), carbon dioxide gas can be generated by a reaction according to [Reaction Formula 2] below.

[0086] [Reaction Formula 2]

[0087] C + 2O 2- = CO2+ 4e -

[0088] The electrorefining process can be conducted at any temperature above which the electrolyte is melted and neodymium oxide is reduced. For example, the electrorefining process can be conducted at a temperature that is most reasonable from a thermal efficiency perspective, ranging from about 800 to 1300°C, about 800 to 1100°C, about 800 to 900°C, or about 800 to 1200°C.

[0089] Referring to Fig. 6a, liquid metal and liquid electrolyte, which are to be discharged, are located in the electrolytic cell (100). The liquid electrolyte may include a metal oxide. The electrolytic cell (100) is formed with a first layer (a) in which the liquid metal is located and a second layer (b) located on the upper part of the first layer (a) and in which the liquid electrolyte is located. The liquid metal accommodated in the receiving space (112) is formed by reducing a metal oxide through electrolytic refining and includes neodymium (Nd), and the liquid electrolyte includes a mixed salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal fluoride compound and NdF3, for example, a mixed salt of LiF and NdF3 is used. In the discharge step to be described later, only the first layer (a) is selectively discharged through an automated process.

[0090] The liquid metal formed at the cathode (120) falls freely within the liquid electrolyte and moves to the receiving space (112) located at the bottom of the cathode (120). Since the receiving space (112) and the discharge unit (300) are connected, the liquid metal is also located at the discharge unit (300), as shown in Fig. 6b.

[0091] As the liquid metal moves to the tapping unit (300), its temperature drops and it solidifies. Due to the solid metal, the tapping unit (300) can be turned OFF. In another embodiment, the cooling means (350) can be operated to reliably maintain the OFF state of the tapping unit (300). The lower part of the tapping unit (300) is blocked by the solidified liquid metal, thereby preventing the liquid electrolyte from easily escaping through the tapping unit (300).

[0092] Next, the level of the liquid metal is measured using an electrical signal. (S200)

[0093] The level of the liquid metal is measured through a level measuring unit (200), and the level of the liquid metal can be measured using an electrical signal (e.g., a voltage signal). Specifically, the level measuring unit (200) measures the voltage between the cathode (120) and the anode (130) generated according to a change in the level of the liquid metal in the internal storage space (112) of the electrolytic cell (100) through electrolytic refining, thereby measuring the level.

[0094] In one embodiment, the level measuring unit (200) may include or utilize information regarding the correlation between voltage and level, and the correlation may be provided in the form of a lookup table or a correlation equation. This correlation may vary depending on the operating time of the electrolytic cell (100), the arrangement and components of the electrodes (120, 130), etc.

[0095] Afterwards, the discharge of liquid metal is controlled based on the level measurement results. (S300)

[0096] The dispensing of liquid metal is controlled through a control unit (500). Specifically, the control unit (500) controls the dispensing of liquid metal by operating the dispensing unit (300) through a combination of the operation of the heating means (340) and the cooling means (350) based on the measurement results of the level measuring unit (200). This step is described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0097] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a discharge unit in a metal processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, it illustrates detailed steps related to the discharge control (S300) of liquid metal by a combination of the operation of a heating means (340) and a cooling means (350) according to voltage.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 6a, when the level of the liquid metal in the receiving space increases and the voltage between the cathode (120) and the anode (130) decreases to V1, the first heating means (341) is turned on. (S310)

[0099] By the operation of the first heating means (341), the liquid metal that was solidified in the first section (310) is melted.

[0100] Afterwards, the second heating means (342) is turned on to initiate the discharge of liquid metal from the first section (310) through the second section (320) and the third section (330). (S320)

[0101] Here, the operation (ON) of the second heating means (342) may be performed simultaneously with the operation of the first heating means (341). By the operation of the first heating means (341) and the second heating means (342), the liquid metal moves downward from the receiving space (112) through the first section (310), the second section (320), and the third section (330).

[0102] Afterwards, as shown in Fig. 6b, when a certain amount of liquid metal in the receiving space (112) is discharged downward through the discharge unit (300), the voltage increases to V2. At this time, the first heating means (341) is turned off and the cooling means (350) is turned on. (S330)

[0103] When the cooling means (350) is turned ON, the liquid metal in the second section (320) becomes solid and the discharge unit (300) is turned OFF. Thereafter, after the discharge of the liquid metal stops or after the cooling means (350) is turned ON, the second heating means (342) is operated for a certain period of time and then turned OFF. (S340) The certain period of time may be several seconds, tens of seconds or minutes, and specifically, may be 10 to 30 seconds, 10 to 60 seconds or 1 to 5 minutes.

[0104] The second heating means (342) can be operated for a certain period of time even after the cooling means (350) is operated to discharge all of the liquid metal located in the third section (330).

[0105] Afterwards, discharge is performed when the voltage drops again, and stops when the voltage rises. Discharge occurs intermittently, and only the liquid metal, excluding the liquid electrolyte, is selectively discharged.

[0106] In this way, voltage measurement and subsequent discharge are performed through an automated process. Then, the formation and discharge of liquid metal are repeated while replenishing metal oxide.

[0107] Although not shown, the process of manufacturing the liquid metal that has been discharged through the discharge unit (300) into a final product in the form of an ingot may be further included.

[0108] The metal processing method described above, particularly the operating method of the spouting unit, can be modified in various ways, and examples of modifications are described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9a and 9b.

[0109] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of an operation method of a tapping unit in a metal processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 9a and 9b show the first level and the second level of liquid metal in another example of an operation method of a tapping unit.

[0110] In this embodiment, the control unit (500) controls the discharge unit (300) so that the level of the liquid metal in the receiving space (112) is maintained between the first level (L1) and the second level (L2).

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the receiving space (112) has a first level (L1) that prevents the liquid metal from being located outside the receiving space (112), i.e., in the reaction space (111), and a second level (L2) that is lower than the first level and prevents the liquid electrolyte from being discharged during discharge.

[0112] The first level (L1) corresponds to a safety level that prevents liquid metal from overflowing outside the receiving space (112) within the receiving space (112). The second level (L2) corresponds to a safety level that prevents the liquid electrolyte from being discharged together with the central portion of the liquid metal when the central portion of the liquid metal becomes lower than the peripheral portion when the liquid metal is discharged.

[0113] The first level (L1) can be selected from 60% to 95%, 60% to 90%, 70% to 90%, 80% to 90%, or 70% to 90% of the height (L) of the receiving space (112). The second level can be selected from 10% to 40%, 20% to 40%, or 10% to 30% of the height (L) of the receiving space (112).

[0114] If the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the receiving space (112) is not constant, the level can be changed to a volume. The first volume can be selected from 60% to 95%, 60% to 90%, 70% to 90%, 80% to 90%, or 70% to 90% of the volume (V) of the receiving space (112). The second volume can be selected from 10% to 40%, 20% to 40%, or 10% to 30% of the volume (V) of the receiving space (112).

[0115] As shown in Fig. 9a, when the level of the liquid metal reaches the first level (L1), the first heating means (341) is turned on. (S310′)

[0116] Afterwards, the second heating means (342) is turned on to initiate the discharge of liquid metal from the first section (310) through the second section (320) and the third section (330). (S320′)

[0117] Next, as shown in Fig. 9b, a certain amount of liquid metal in the receiving space (112) is discharged downward through the discharge unit (300), and when the level of the liquid metal becomes a second level (L2) lower than the first level (L1), the first heating means (341) is turned off and the cooling means (350) is turned on. (S330′)

[0118] Afterwards, after the discharge of the liquid metal has stopped or after the cooling means (350) has been turned on, the second heating means (342) is turned off after operating for a certain period of time. (S340′)

[0119] The above-described examples serve as illustrative examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the potential for various modifications and implementations of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of technical protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a metal processing device, An electrolytic cell in which a reaction space is formed and liquid metal, which is the target of the discharge, is formed; A level measuring unit that measures the level of the liquid metal using an electrical signal; A discharge unit for discharging the liquid metal to the outside; and A metal processing device including a control unit that controls the discharge unit based on the measurement results of the level measurement unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The liquid metal and liquid electrolyte are located in the above reaction space, The above liquid electrolyte is composed of at least two components, A metal processing device in which the control unit controls the discharge unit to selectively and intermittently discharge only the liquid metal from the reaction space.

3. In paragraph 2, In the above reaction space, A first layer comprising the liquid metal; and A metal processing device comprising a second layer located on the upper side of the first layer and containing the liquid electrolyte.

4. In paragraph 3, The above liquid metal is a metal processing device formed by reducing a metal oxide through electrolytic refining.

5. In paragraph 4, The above liquid metal is a metal processing device containing neodymium.

6. In paragraph 3, The above liquid electrolyte contains LiF and NdF3, A metal processing device wherein the liquid electrolyte comprises LiF and NdF3 in a weight ratio of 5:95 to 40:

60.

7. In paragraph 1, The above electrolytic cell, cathode; and Including an anode surrounding the cathode, At least a portion of the cathode and anode are located in the reaction space, The above level measuring unit is a metal processing device that measures the voltage between the cathode and the anode.

8. In paragraph 7, The cathode comprises at least one of tungsten, molybdenum and iron, The above anode is a metal processing device containing graphite.

9. In paragraph 7, At the bottom of the above reaction space, a sunken receiving space is formed to receive the liquid metal, The end of the above cathode faces the above receiving space, The above-mentioned discharge part is connected to the above-mentioned receiving space, The above accommodation space is, A first level that prevents the liquid metal from being located outside the receiving space; and The liquid electrolyte is prevented from being discharged during the above discharge and has a second level lower than the first level. The above control unit, A metal processing device that controls the discharge unit so that the level of the liquid metal in the receiving space is maintained between the first level and the second level.

10. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned discharge unit includes a heating means and a cooling means, The above control unit performs hot water extraction by combining the operation of the heating means and the operation of the cooling means. The above-mentioned boiling part is, A first part connected to the above-mentioned receiving space and having a cross-sectional area that becomes narrower as it goes downward; and It includes a second part that is connected downward from the first part and has a constant cross-sectional area, The above heating means includes an induction coil of high-frequency induction heating method, The above cooling means is a metal processing device including a nozzle through which cooling gas passes.

11. In paragraph 10, The above-mentioned boiling part is, The first section is connected to the above-mentioned receiving space and has a cross-sectional area that becomes narrower as it goes downward; A second section located below the first section; A third section located below the second section; A first heating means for heating the first section; A cooling means for cooling the second section; and A metal processing device including a second heating means for heating the third section.

12. In paragraph 11, The above control unit, If the above voltage is lower than the first value, Turn on the first heating means and the second heating means to discharge the liquid metal, When the above voltage becomes a second value higher than the above first value, Turning off the first heating means and turning on the cooling means to stop the discharge of the liquid metal, The above second heating means is a metal processing device that operates for a certain period of time after the discharge of the liquid metal has stopped and then turns off.

13. In paragraph 1, It further includes an ingot manufacturing unit for manufacturing the liquid metal discharged through the above discharge unit into an ingot shape. The above ingot manufacturing department, A first space having an argon (Ar) atmosphere, located at the lower portion of the above-mentioned discharge part and including a receiving container in which the liquid metal discharged through the above-mentioned discharge part is stored; A second space located at the front end of the first space and for inserting the receiving container into the first space; and A third space for cooling the container transferred from the first space and removing it to the outside; The above ingot manufacturing department, A metal processing device further comprising a container transport unit that transports the container along the first space, the second space, and the third space.

14. In the metal processing method, A step of supplying a metal oxide and a liquid electrolyte to the reaction space of an electrolytic cell and forming a liquid metal to be extracted from the metal oxide through electrolytic refining; A step of measuring the level of the liquid metal using an electrical signal; and A step of controlling the discharge of the liquid metal based on the level measurement result; A metal treatment method for selectively and intermittently discharging only the liquid metal from the reaction space through the above discharging control.

15. In paragraph 14, The above-mentioned hot water control step is: The liquid inside is discharged to the outside, and this is done through the control of the discharge unit including a heating means and a cooling means. The above control is, A metal processing method performed by a combination of operation of the above heating means and operation of the above cooling means.

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