A cathode element (1) for an electrolysis cell of Hall-Heroult type for producing aluminium, comprises a body (4) of calcinated carbonaceous material connected with the upper side of a metallic collector plate (2). A space between the said carbonaceous body and the collector plate being filled with an electric conductive material preferably comprising conductive particles. The collector plate (2) further can comprise at least one horizontal outlet (5, 5) on at least one side and/or at least one vertical metallic current outlet (7) connected to the lower side of the collector plate (2). In one embodiment the collector plate is divided in two sections (20; 20). The invention also relates to a cell of Hall-Heroult type utilizing such cathode elements (1).

Disclosed are a pin assembly for providing current to an electrode, e.g. an inert or oxygen evolving anode, and its manufacturing method. The pin assembly is configured to be inserted into an electrode body of an electrode for providing an electric current to the electrode body. The pin assembly comprises a structural support member configured to mechanically support the electrode body, and a protective conductive member configured to embed the structural support member. The protective conductive member comprises at least one metal or alloy thereof adapted for conducting the electric current while protecting the structural support member against corrosion during a given period of time of use of the electrode. The pin assembly enables convenient electrical connection of the electrodes, combines electrical and thermal performance for optimizing cell efficiency, provides structural and corrosion durability for extending pin assembly life, and utilizes robust joining processes for high reliability.

Disclosed are a pin assembly for providing current to an electrode, e.g. an inert or oxygen evolving anode, and its manufacturing method. The pin assembly is configured to be inserted into an electrode body of an electrode for providing an electric current to the electrode body. The pin assembly comprises a structural support member configured to mechanically support the electrode body, and a protective conductive member configured to embed the structural support member. The protective conductive member comprises at least one metal or alloy thereof adapted for conducting the electric current while protecting the structural support member against corrosion during a given period of time of use of the electrode. The pin assembly enables convenient electrical connection of the electrodes, combines electrical and thermal performance for optimizing cell efficiency, provides structural and corrosion durability for extending pin assembly life, and utilizes robust joining processes for high reliability.

Metallurgical assemblies and systems according to the present technology may include a refractory vessel including sides and a base. The base may define a plurality of apertures centrally located within the base. The sides and the base may at least partially define an interior volume of the refractory vessel. The assemblies may include a lid removably coupled with the refractory vessel and configured to form a seal with the refractory vessel. The lid may define a plurality of apertures through the lid. The assemblies may also include a current collector proximate the base of the refractory vessel. The current collector may include conductive extensions positioned within the plurality of apertures centrally located within the base.

Metallurgical assemblies and systems according to the present technology may include a refractory vessel including sides and a base. The base may define a plurality of apertures centrally located within the base. The sides and the base may at least partially define an interior volume of the refractory vessel. The assemblies may include a lid removably coupled with the refractory vessel and configured to form a seal with the refractory vessel. The lid may define a plurality of apertures through the lid. The assemblies may also include a current collector proximate the base of the refractory vessel. The current collector may include conductive extensions positioned within the plurality of apertures centrally located within the base.

An anode clamp configured for clamping an anode rod to an anode bus, the anode clamp comprising a first rotating mechanism and a second rotating mechanism. The first rotating mechanism is configured to be rotated by a user and is in contact with the second rotating mechanism. When the first rotating mechanism is rotated, it causes the second rotating mechanism to rotate. The second rotating mechanism as a pawl which is configured for being rotated downwards to apply pressure on an anode rod located below the pawl.

An anode clamp configured for clamping an anode rod to an anode bus, the anode clamp comprising a first rotating mechanism and a second rotating mechanism. The first rotating mechanism is configured to be rotated by a user and is in contact with the second rotating mechanism. When the first rotating mechanism is rotated, it causes the second rotating mechanism to rotate. The second rotating mechanism as a pawl which is configured for being rotated downwards to apply pressure on an anode rod located below the pawl.

This cell (1) comprises a pot shell (2) having two longitudinal sides (18) which are symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal median plane (P) of the electrolytic cell (1), an anode assembly which can only move in vertical translation with respect to the pot shell (2), the anode assembly comprising an anode block (100) and a transverse anode support (200) extending at right angles to the longitudinal sides (18) of the pot shell (2), from which support the anode block (100) is suspended. The anode support (200) comprises two connecting portions (202) from which electrolysis current is supplied to the anode support (200), and the cell (1) comprises electrical connection conductors (20) electrically connected to the two connecting portions (202) of the anode support (200), the two connecting portions (202) being located on either side of the plane (P).

This cell (1) comprises a pot shell (2) having two longitudinal sides (18) which are symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal median plane (P) of the electrolytic cell (1), an anode assembly which can only move in vertical translation with respect to the pot shell (2), the anode assembly comprising an anode block (100) and a transverse anode support (200) extending at right angles to the longitudinal sides (18) of the pot shell (2), from which support the anode block (100) is suspended. The anode support (200) comprises two connecting portions (202) from which electrolysis current is supplied to the anode support (200), and the cell (1) comprises electrical connection conductors (20) electrically connected to the two connecting portions (202) of the anode support (200), the two connecting portions (202) being located on either side of the plane (P).

A method for optimizing stability in an electrolysis cell of the Hall-Hroult type where the cell has suspended prebaked anodes and a cathode panel. The panel comprises several cathode blocks or cathode block sections. A metal pad and an electrolytic bath are located between said anodes and the cathode panel. The force field acting on the metal pad is calculated and monitored in a computer based model of the cell, whereby the local current paths and correspondingly the local forces in the metal above the cathode panel are modified by influencing selectively the current distribution in individual cathode blocks or block sections in the computer based model. At least one modification is implemented in the cell. The invention also relates to a correspondingly modified cell.