Claims
- 1. An electrolysis anode comprising a compound that forms a self replenishing, adherent magnesium aluminate spinel oxide protective film on the anode during electrolytic production of magnesium, whereby constituents of the film are derived from within the anode, when the anode is utilized in a chloride-based electrolyte and a chloride-based magnesium feed.
- 2. The anode as recited in claim 1 wherein the constituents are magnesium-containing alloys selected from the group consisting of Cu—Al—Mg, Ni—Al—Mg, Fe—Al—Mg, Cr—Al—Mg, Ti—Al—Mg, Fe—Cr—Al—Mg, Cu—Al—Ag—Mg, Cu—Ni—Al—Mg, and combinations thereof.
- 3. The anode as recited in claim 1 wherein the film remains adherent to the anode over a wide temperature range.
- 4. A method for electrolytically producing magnesium, the method comprising:a) supplying an anode comprising an alloy; b) immersing the anode below the surface of a chloride-based electrolyte bath: c) creating a voltage potential between the anode and a cathode; d) collecting reduced magnesium metal at the surface while an adherent protective film forms over the anode during electrolytic production of magnesium, and whereby constituents of the film are derived from within the anode.
- 5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the film comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of aluminum magnesium, zirconium, hafnium, thorium, uranium, yttrium, titanium and combinations thereof.
- 6. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the anode forms a magnesium aluminate spinel oxide protective film.
- 7. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the alloy is a compound selected from the group consisting of Cu—Al—Mg, Ni—Al—Mg, Fe—Al—Mg, Cr—Al—Mg, Ti—Al—Mg, Fe—Cr—Al—Mg, Cu—Al—Ag—Mg, Cu—Ni—Al—Mg, and combinations thereof.
- 8. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the electrolyte bath is maintained at between 460° C. and 1,250° C.
- 9. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the chloride-based electrolyte contains MgCl2.xH2O where x is approximately 2.
- 10. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the chloride-based electrolyte contains MgCl2.xH2O where x=2.
- 11. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the alloy contains a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, aluminum, chromium, titanium, and combinations thereof.
- 12. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the electrolyte contains a chloride feed selected from the group consisting of magnesium chloride, oxychloride, and combinations thereof.
- 13. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the film is replenished during electrolysis.
- 14. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the film remains adherent to the anode over a wide temperature range.
Parent Case Info
This application is a Divisional of Ser. No. 09/129,960 filed Aug. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,362, granted on Jul. 4, 2000.
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 between the United States Government and Argonne National Laboratory.
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