Methods of manufacturing a current collector assembly may include iteratively solving a model on a computer. The model may utilize received inputs including a variable number and arrangement of conductive elements to determine as an output a heat distribution within a hypothetical current collector assembly. The methods may also include identifying as a solution to the model a number and arrangement of conductive elements coupled with a current collector that produces a contained heat distribution within the hypothetical current collector assembly. The methods may also include manufacturing the current collector assembly, and the current collector assembly may include a defined plurality of apertures within a refractory base of the current collector assembly in a pattern configured to receive the number and arrangement of conductive elements identified as the solution to the model.

In some embodiments, an electrolytic cell includes: an one anode module having a plurality of anodes; a one cathode module, opposing the anode module, and comprising a plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of vertical cathodes are vertically oriented and spaced one from another; a cell reservoir; and a cell bottom supporting the cathode module, wherein the cell bottom comprise an first upper surface, a second upper surface, and a channel, wherein the plurality of vertical cathodes extends upward from the upper surfaces, wherein at least one cathode block is located below the plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein the first upper surface and the second upper surface are configured to direct substantially all of the liquid aluminum produced in the electrolytic cell to the channel, and wherein the channel is configured to receive liquid aluminum from the upper surfaces.

In some embodiments, an electrolytic cell includes: an one anode module having a plurality of anodes; a one cathode module, opposing the anode module, and comprising a plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of vertical cathodes are vertically oriented and spaced one from another; a cell reservoir; and a cell bottom supporting the cathode module, wherein the cell bottom comprise an first upper surface, a second upper surface, and a channel, wherein the plurality of vertical cathodes extends upward from the upper surfaces, wherein at least one cathode block is located below the plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein the first upper surface and the second upper surface are configured to direct substantially all of the liquid aluminum produced in the electrolytic cell to the channel, and wherein the channel is configured to receive liquid aluminum from the upper surfaces.

A flexible electrical connector assembly is adapted to connect a bus bar of an electrolytic cell to a collector bar of the electrolytic cell. The assembly includes an electrical connector including a plurality of conductive metal sheets, the electrical connector having a collector bar end and a bus bar end. The electrical connector may be adapted for being joined, at the collector bar end, to the collector bar and, at the bus bar end, to the bus bar. The electrical connector may be adapted to implement a change in direction, at a bend along a current-carrying path between the bus bar end and the collector bar end, the bend assisting to define the change in direction as greater than 90 degrees.

A flexible electrical connector assembly is adapted to connect a bus bar of an electrolytic cell to a collector bar of the electrolytic cell. The assembly includes an electrical connector including a plurality of conductive metal sheets, the electrical connector having a collector bar end and a bus bar end. The electrical connector may be adapted for being joined, at the collector bar end, to the collector bar and, at the bus bar end, to the bus bar. The electrical connector may be adapted to implement a change in direction, at a bend along a current-carrying path between the bus bar end and the collector bar end, the bend assisting to define the change in direction as greater than 90 degrees.

An aluminum electrolytic bath having continuous aluminum-frame anode with built-in conductors, solving the problems of the existing aluminum electrolytic baths, such as poor electrical and thermal conductivity and exhausting capability, high energy consumption, complex operation, poor electrolytic bath stability, large amount of asphalt fumes and the difficulties in collecting the same and in electrolytic fume purification, few variety and poor quality of produced products, and influence on integrity of the anode, includes an aluminum-frame anode and a cathode. The disclosure greatly reduces power consumption and improves current efficiency, the stability and yield of the electrolytic bath.

An aluminum electrolytic bath having continuous aluminum-frame anode with built-in conductors, solving the problems of the existing aluminum electrolytic baths, such as poor electrical and thermal conductivity and exhausting capability, high energy consumption, complex operation, poor electrolytic bath stability, large amount of asphalt fumes and the difficulties in collecting the same and in electrolytic fume purification, few variety and poor quality of produced products, and influence on integrity of the anode, includes an aluminum-frame anode and a cathode. The disclosure greatly reduces power consumption and improves current efficiency, the stability and yield of the electrolytic bath.

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.

The invention relates to electrowinning of aluminum from cryolite-alumina melts, and can be used in the shunt design of a cathode assembly. In an aluminum electrolysis cell, cathode vertical metal shunts, are designed such that their top part is melted aluminum, and the bottom part is solid aluminum. Shunts are located in conduits made in a hearth slab lining which has a widening in the middle part which is wider than both parts of the shunts. The widening in the shunt conduit can be filled with a composite material, i.e. titanium diboride-carbon. The shunts can be designed as a tube, and the widening in the conduit and the space inside the tube can be filled with the composite material titanium diboride-carbon. The invention makes it possible to increase the electrical efficiency due to the absence of contact assemblies, reduced current loss, and achieving an effective current distribution and current shunting.

The invention relates to electrowinning of aluminum from cryolite-alumina melts, and can be used in the shunt design of a cathode assembly. In an aluminum electrolysis cell, cathode vertical metal shunts, are designed such that their top part is melted aluminum, and the bottom part is solid aluminum. Shunts are located in conduits made in a hearth slab lining which has a widening in the middle part which is wider than both parts of the shunts. The widening in the shunt conduit can be filled with a composite material, i.e. titanium diboride-carbon. The shunts can be designed as a tube, and the widening in the conduit and the space inside the tube can be filled with the composite material titanium diboride-carbon. The invention makes it possible to increase the electrical efficiency due to the absence of contact assemblies, reduced current loss, and achieving an effective current distribution and current shunting.