It is disclosed an electrolytic cell including one anode module having a plurality of anodes (preferably oxygen-evolving anodes); one cathode module, opposing the anode module, having a plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein each of the anodes and cathodes being vertically oriented and spaced one from another; a cell reservoir; and a cell bottom supporting the cathode module. The cell bottom comprises upper surfaces and a channel, with the vertical cathodes extending upward from the upper surfaces. The upper surfaces are configured to direct via gravity substantially all of the liquid aluminum produced in the electrolytic cell to the channel, and the channel is configured to receive liquid aluminum from the upper surfaces. The liquid aluminum produced at the outer surfaces of the cathodes flows via gravity therefrom across the upper surfaces and into the channel, thereby creating a flowing layer of liquid aluminum over the upper surfaces.
In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidity coupled to the distribution unit, wherein the control unit comprises: a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and a feeder unit fluidity coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidity coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.
B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
In one embodiment, an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum from alumina includes: at least one anode module having a plurality of anodes; at least one cathode module, opposing the anode module, wherein the at least one cathode module comprises a plurality of cathodes, wherein the plurality of anodes are suspended above the cathode module and extending downwards towards the cathode module, wherein the plurality of cathodes are positioned extending upwards towards the anode module, wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of cathodes are alternatingly positioned, wherein the plurality of anodes is selectively positionable in a horizontal direction relative to adjacent cathodes, wherein the anode module is selectively positionable in a vertical direction relative to the cathode module, and wherein a portion of each of the anode electrodes overlap a portion of adjacent cathodes.
An insulation assembly (10) is provided, including a body (12) of an insulating material with a lower surface (14) configured to contact a sidewall (120) of an electrolysis cell (100); an upper surface (16) generally opposed to the lower surface; and a perimetrical sidewall (18) extending between the upper surface and the lower surface to surround the remainder of the body, the perimetrical sidewall including an inner portion (20) configured to face an anode surface (112) of the electrolysis cell and provide a gap (54) between the body and the anode surface of the electrolysis cell; wherein the body is configured to extend from the sidewall of the electrolysis cell towards the anode surface.
A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 30% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
The present disclosure related to an inert anode which is electrically connected to the electrolytic cell, such that a conductor rod is connected to the inert anode in order to supply current from a current supply to the inert anode, where the inert anode directs current into the electrolytic bath to produce non-ferrous metal (where current exits the cell via a cathode).
Broadly, the present disclosure relates to sidewall features (e.g. inner sidewall or hot face) of an electrolysis cell, which protect the sidewall from the electrolytic bath while the cell is in operation (e.g. producing metal in the electrolytic cell).
A system is provided including an electrolysis cell configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath, the bath including at least one bath component, the electrolysis cell including: a bottom, and a sidewall consisting essentially of the at least one bath component; and a feeder system, configured to provide a feed material including the least one bath component to the molten electrolyte bath such that the at least one bath component is within 2% of saturation, wherein, via the feed material, the sidewall is stable in the molten electrolyte bath.
Broadly, the present disclosure relates to sidewall features (e.g. inner sidewall or hot face) of an electrolysis cell, which protect the sidewall from the electrolytic bath while the cell is in operation (e.g. producing metal in the electrolytic cell).
A method of monitoring an electrolytic cell including detecting information indicative of a thermite reaction, comparing the information indicative of a thermite reaction to a threshold, generating a thermite response signal according to the comparison, and reacting to the thermite response signal by adjusting the operation of the electrolytic cell.
Stable anodes (50) comprising iron oxide useful for the electrolytic production of metal such as aluminum (80) are disclosed. The iron oxide may comprise Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeO or a combination thereof. During the electrolytic aluminum production process, the anodes (50) remain stable at a controlled bath temperature of the aluminum production cell and current density through the anodes (50) is controlled. The iron oxide-containing anodes (50) may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.
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