RI 5959 Electrorefining Beryllium - Studies Of Operating Variables ? Introduction And Summary

Beryllium possesses attractive properties for use in the nuclear and space fields. Since fused-salt electrorefining can be employed to produce this metal in high-purity form from low-grade or scrap metals, the Bureau of Mines investigated electrorefining of beryllium in electrolytes composed of a LiC1-KC1 eutectic mixture plus varying amounts of BeC12. Results showed a 99- percent or better reduction of oxygen and magnesium and a substantial reduction of other minor metallic impurities. Extremely pure beryllium metal was produced. Operating variables, including BeCl2 concentration in the bath (3.5 to 16.5 mole-percent), temperature of operation (450° to 550° C.), and cathode current density (45 to 770 a,/sq, ft.), were studied; their effects on the deposition of metal, working condition of the bath, and purity of the refined metal are discussed. The safety precautions used in handling beryllium in the laboratory are also described.