The present disclosure relates to aluminum production, more particularly, to a method of breaking an electrolyte crust in reduction cells of all types. According to a disclosed method for breaking electrolyte crust by means of separation cutting in a reduction cell for production of aluminum, the crust is cut and broken by means of the thermal melting of a crust material with a high-speed high-temperature concentrated flow of thermal plasma jet heat energy, for which a directed thermal plasma jet is generated and moved above the electrolyte crust along a predetermined path, a formed molten material is continuously removed from a zone of the thermal plasma jet impact to create in the electrolyte crust a slit with the thermal plasma jet, wherein the slit is enough for of crust continuous separation cutting and breaking. The technical effect in the addressing the mentioned object, reduction of the amount of broken electrolyte crust, avoiding the formation of electrolyte crust pieces during the breakage process and, consequently, reduction of power consumption for heating-up the covering material consisting of a mixture of alumina and crushed electrolyte used to form an electrolyte crust.

In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly 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 fluidly coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly 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 fluidly coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

Apparatus for feeding doses of fluidisable materials comprising one upper Intel pipe (1, 1), one lower outlet pipe (2, 2) and a Pausing (6,6). and a fluidising element (5,5) for controlling outflow of materials through the outlet pipe (2, 2). The apparatus further comprising a control volume constituted by a chamber (3,3) between the Intel pipe (1, 8) and the outlet pipe (2,2) and a fluidising element (4, 4) for controlling inflow of materials Into the chamber (3, 3). A diverter (7,7) la arranged between the Inlet pipe (1, 8) and the outlet pipe {2, 2) defining said chamber (3, 3) between said Inlet pipe (1,8) diverter (7,7) the housing (6, 6) and the fluidising element (5,5). The Invention also relates to a method for feeding doses of fluidisable materials by the apparatus.

Apparatus for feeding doses of fluidisable materials comprising one upper Intel pipe (1, 1), one lower outlet pipe (2, 2) and a Pausing (6,6). and a fluidising element (5,5) for controlling outflow of materials through the outlet pipe (2, 2). The apparatus further comprising a control volume constituted by a chamber (3,3) between the Intel pipe (1, 8) and the outlet pipe (2,2) and a fluidising element (4, 4) for controlling inflow of materials Into the chamber (3, 3). A diverter (7,7) la arranged between the Inlet pipe (1, 8) and the outlet pipe {2, 2) defining said chamber (3, 3) between said Inlet pipe (1,8) diverter (7,7) the housing (6, 6) and the fluidising element (5,5). The Invention also relates to a method for feeding doses of fluidisable materials by the apparatus.

Systems and methods for feeding solid material and a gas into a container (e.g., electrolytic cell) are generally described. Certain methods comprise feeding solid material and a gas into an electrolytic cell through an inlet; wherein: the gas comprises an inert gas; and the inlet is positioned, relative to an anode of the electrolytic cell, within a distance that is less than or equal to 5 times the shortest cross-sectional dimension of the anode. Certain systems comprise a container configured for molten salt electrolysis; a passageway configured for feeding solid material and a gas into the container; an anode; a cathode; and an outlet configured for releasing a gas from the container; wherein an inlet from the passageway to the container is positioned, relative to the anode, within a distance that is less than or equal to 5 times the shortest cross-sectional dimension of the anode.

Systems and methods for feeding solid material and a gas into a container (e.g., electrolytic cell) are generally described. Certain methods comprise feeding solid material and a gas into an electrolytic cell through an inlet; wherein: the gas comprises an inert gas; and the inlet is positioned, relative to an anode of the electrolytic cell, within a distance that is less than or equal to 5 times the shortest cross-sectional dimension of the anode. Certain systems comprise a container configured for molten salt electrolysis; a passageway configured for feeding solid material and a gas into the container; an anode; a cathode; and an outlet configured for releasing a gas from the container; wherein an inlet from the passageway to the container is positioned, relative to the anode, within a distance that is less than or equal to 5 times the shortest cross-sectional dimension of the anode.

The application is directed towards methods for purifying an aluminum feedstock material. A method provides: (a) feeding an aluminum feedstock into a cell (b) directing an electric current into an anode through an electrolyte and into a cathode, wherein the anode comprises an elongate vertical anode, and wherein the cathode comprises an elongate vertical cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are configured to extend into the electrolyte zone, such that within the electrolyte zone the anode and cathode are configured with an anode-cathode overlap and an anode-cathode distance; and producing some purified aluminum product from the aluminum feedstock.

The application is directed towards methods for purifying an aluminum feedstock material. A method provides: (a) feeding an aluminum feedstock into a cell (b) directing an electric current into an anode through an electrolyte and into a cathode, wherein the anode comprises an elongate vertical anode, and wherein the cathode comprises an elongate vertical cathode, wherein the anode and cathode are configured to extend into the electrolyte zone, such that within the electrolyte zone the anode and cathode are configured with an anode-cathode overlap and an anode-cathode distance; and producing some purified aluminum product from the aluminum feedstock.

The invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy and may be suitable for controlling the feed of alumina to electrolytic cells for producing aluminum to maintain the alumina concentration in the electrolytic melt equal or close to the saturation value. To maintain the alumina concentration within the set range, reduced voltage U or pseudo-resistance R is measured and recorded at fixed time intervals. Underfeeding or overfeeding phases occur compared to a theoretical alumina feeding rate during electrolysis, wherein the duration of underfeeding phases is based on the alumina concentration in the electrolytic melt, and the duration of overfeeding phases is based on the change of one or more electrolytic cell parameters being recorded: reduced voltage, U, pseudo-resistance, R, rates of reduced voltage, dU/dt, pseudo-resistance, dR/dt, change. Adjustments to the anode-cathode distance to maintain the electrolytic cell energy balance may be performed during any of the feeding phases.