Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell in a smelting process using an adjustable fluid passage to control the heat loss from a preferred area of the electrolytic cell side walls based on operating conditions in the electrolytic cell, and to direct the waste heat from the electrolytic cell side walls back into the electrolytic cell.

Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell in a smelting process using an adjustable fluid passage to control the heat loss from a preferred area of the electrolytic cell side walls based on operating conditions in the electrolytic cell, and to direct the waste heat from the electrolytic cell side walls back into the electrolytic cell.

Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell in a smelting process using an adjustable fluid passage to control the heat loss from a preferred area of the electrolytic cell side walls based on operating conditions in the electrolytic cell, and to direct the waste heat from the electrolytic cell side walls back into the electrolytic cell.

Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell in a smelting process using an adjustable fluid passage to control the heat loss from a preferred area of the electrolytic cell side walls based on operating conditions in the electrolytic cell, and to direct the waste heat from the electrolytic cell side walls back into the electrolytic cell.

A cell includes a pot shell defining an opening through which an anode block is designed to be moved, said anode block being suspended from an anode support forming with said anode block an anode assembly mobile in relation to the pot shell, and a confinement chamber defining a closed volume above said opening for the containment of the gases generated during the production of aluminum, the anode support being connected to an electrical conductor to supply an electrolysis current to the anode block, the anode assembly is fully contained in the confinement chamber, and in that the electrical connection between the mobile electrical conductor and the anode support is made within the confinement chamber.

A cell includes a pot shell defining an opening through which an anode block is designed to be moved, said anode block being suspended from an anode support forming with said anode block an anode assembly mobile in relation to the pot shell, and a confinement chamber defining a closed volume above said opening for the containment of the gases generated during the production of aluminum, the anode support being connected to an electrical conductor to supply an electrolysis current to the anode block, the anode assembly is fully contained in the confinement chamber, and in that the electrical connection between the mobile electrical conductor and the anode support is made within the confinement chamber.

Systems and methods for reducing the capital and operating costs of a smelting process system and improving the environmental impact of the smelting process using an IGT system to remove and filter undesirable and environmentally hazardous gases and particulates from each electrolytic cell in the smelting process system.

Systems and methods for reducing the capital and operating costs of a smelting process system and improving the environmental impact of the smelting process using an IGT system to remove and filter undesirable and environmentally hazardous gases and particulates from each electrolytic cell in the smelting process system.

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.