A novel cathode assembly and its use for the production of aluminum in an electrolysis cell.

A novel cathode assembly and its use for the production of aluminum in an electrolysis cell.

Compositions suitable for use in an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum are provided. The compositions can contain a powder blend of boron oxide, a titanium dioxide, aluminum, and titanium diboride. The powder blend can be compacted into tiles and arranged as a cathode surface. The boron oxide and the titanium dioxide in the tiles can be made to react under low temperature molten aluminum to produce titanium diboride in situ. The reaction yields a dense dimensionally stable wettable cathode substrate that can reduce the power consumption in the aluminum electrowinning process.

Compositions suitable for use in an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum are provided. The compositions can contain a powder blend of boron oxide, a titanium dioxide, aluminum, and titanium diboride. The powder blend can be compacted into tiles and arranged as a cathode surface. The boron oxide and the titanium dioxide in the tiles can be made to react under low temperature molten aluminum to produce titanium diboride in situ. The reaction yields a dense dimensionally stable wettable cathode substrate that can reduce the power consumption in the aluminum electrowinning process.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The invention relates to method and apparatus for lining the cathode of the electrolytic cell. The method comprises filling the cell's shell with powder material, leveling it with a rack, covering the fill material with a dust-proof film, and compaction. Compaction is performed in two stages: preliminary static and final dynamic treatment by consequent movement of static and dynamic work tools of compaction along the longitudinal axis of the cathode of the electrolytic cell through a cushion, which is made of at least 2 layers: a lower layer, which prevents pushing powder material forward in the direction of travel, and an upper layer, which provides for a coupling between the cushion and the static work tool. Static treatment unit of the apparatus is designed in the form of a roller with a drive, connected to a dynamic treatment unit with a vibratory exciter by means of elastic elements.

The invention relates to method and apparatus for lining the cathode of the electrolytic cell. The method comprises filling the cell's shell with powder material, leveling it with a rack, covering the fill material with a dust-proof film, and compaction. Compaction is performed in two stages: preliminary static and final dynamic treatment by consequent movement of static and dynamic work tools of compaction along the longitudinal axis of the cathode of the electrolytic cell through a cushion, which is made of at least 2 layers: a lower layer, which prevents pushing powder material forward in the direction of travel, and an upper layer, which provides for a coupling between the cushion and the static work tool. Static treatment unit of the apparatus is designed in the form of a roller with a drive, connected to a dynamic treatment unit with a vibratory exciter by means of elastic elements.