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.

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 provides an anode replacement system for electrolytic cells of an aluminum production plant, the system comprises a support frame and at least one movable member mounted on the support frame wherein the at least one movable member supports at least one anode gripping apparatus. Each of the at least one anode gripping apparatus is configured to grip a shaft of at least one anode assembly at any position along the shaft of the at least one anode assembly. The system comprises a sensor system configured to generate or collect position information to control the position of the at least one anode gripping apparatus.

The invention provides an anode replacement system for electrolytic cells of an aluminum production plant, the system comprises a support frame and at least one movable member mounted on the support frame wherein the at least one movable member supports at least one anode gripping apparatus. Each of the at least one anode gripping apparatus is configured to grip a shaft of at least one anode assembly at any position along the shaft of the at least one anode assembly. The system comprises a sensor system configured to generate or collect position information to control the position of the at least one anode gripping apparatus.

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).

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 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.

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 includes a method for purifying aluminum. The method includes producing purified aluminum from an aluminum feedstock in an aluminum purification cell and flowing the purified aluminum from a cell chamber of the aluminum purification cell to a purified metal reservoir via an overflow passage, wherein the purified metal reservoir is located internal to the aluminum purification cell. In some embodiments, a feeding reservoir is located internal to the aluminum purification cell and can be accessed via a feeding port located in a refractory top cover of the cell chamber. In some embodiments, the method includes removing the purified aluminum from the purified metal reservoir via a tapping port located in a refractory top cover of the cell chamber. In some embodiments, concomitant with the removing step, the method includes restricting or preventing oxidation of the purified aluminum.