A method and means for application of anode covering material (ACM) in an electrolysis cell for aluminium production where the cell being of Hall-Hroult type with prebaked anodes. The cell contains a cathode pot with a rectangular footprint and a superstructure with a gas collecting hood that lays onto the top of the cathode pot. A floor construction at least substantially surrounds the cell at a level below the top of the cathode pot and ventilation openings provided with grates are arranged in the floor in the close vicinity to the cell. The superstructure's hood is provided with removable lids that are removed for giving access to the cell's anodes through openings. ACM is applied via a feed tube to cover the anodes and the deposit of ACM is supported by a shuttering.

The invention concerns non-ferrous metallurgy, particularly an anode for electrolytically obtaining aluminum by the electrolysis of fluoride melts. The anode for obtaining aluminum by means of the electrolysis of melts at a temperature of less than 930 C. consists of a base executed of an alloy containing 65-96%.sub.wt of iron, less than 35%.sub.wt of copper, less than 20%.sub.wt of nickel, and one or several additives from molybdenum, manganese, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, chromium, aluminum (less than 1%.sub.wt) cobalt, cerium, yttrium, silicon, and carbon totaling less than 5%, and a protective oxide layer comprising iron oxides and complex oxides of iron, copper, and nickel. The protective oxide layer on the anode surface is obtained by preliminary oxidation in air at a temperature of 850-1050 C. or subsequently in the electrolysis process by oxidation with oxygen evolving at the anode.

The invention concerns non-ferrous metallurgy, particularly an anode for electrolytically obtaining aluminum by the electrolysis of fluoride melts. The anode for obtaining aluminum by means of the electrolysis of melts at a temperature of less than 930 C. consists of a base executed of an alloy containing 65-96%.sub.wt of iron, less than 35%.sub.wt of copper, less than 20%.sub.wt of nickel, and one or several additives from molybdenum, manganese, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, chromium, aluminum (less than 1%.sub.wt) cobalt, cerium, yttrium, silicon, and carbon totaling less than 5%, and a protective oxide layer comprising iron oxides and complex oxides of iron, copper, and nickel. The protective oxide layer on the anode surface is obtained by preliminary oxidation in air at a temperature of 850-1050 C. or subsequently in the electrolysis process by oxidation with oxygen evolving at the anode.

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.

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.

An insulation assembly is provided, including: a body of an insulating material with a lower surface configured to contact a sidewall an electrolysis cell; an upper surface generally opposed to the lower surface; and a perimetrical sidewall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface to surround the remainder of the body, the perimetrical sidewall including: an inner portion configured to face an anode surface of the electrolysis cell and provide a gap between the body and the anode surface of the electrolysis cell; wherein the body is configured to extend from the sidewall towards the anode surface.

The design of a metal inert anode is proposed, it is made in the form of a perforated structure with through-openings, in particular formed by longitudinal and transverse anode elements intersecting each other and limited by the lateral sides of the intersecting anode elements, and contains vertical or inclined fins that protrude from the bath and are integrated with the anode elements or a current conductor. As a result, it ensures a reduction in the voltage drop in the anode and in the bubble layer under the anode, a reduction in the anode overvoltage and anode consumption, an increase in current efficiency and the reliability of the cryolite-alumina crust, which leads to an increase in the anode service life and promotes the formation of a reliable and durable cryolite-alumina crust above the melt surface, which improves process efficiency.

The design of a metal inert anode is proposed, it is made in the form of a perforated structure with through-openings, in particular formed by longitudinal and transverse anode elements intersecting each other and limited by the lateral sides of the intersecting anode elements, and contains vertical or inclined fins that protrude from the bath and are integrated with the anode elements or a current conductor. As a result, it ensures a reduction in the voltage drop in the anode and in the bubble layer under the anode, a reduction in the anode overvoltage and anode consumption, an increase in current efficiency and the reliability of the cryolite-alumina crust, which leads to an increase in the anode service life and promotes the formation of a reliable and durable cryolite-alumina crust above the melt surface, which improves process efficiency.

In some embodiments, an anode apparatus comprises: (a) an anode body comprising at least one outer sidewall, wherein the outer sidewall is configured to define a shape of the anode body, and to perimetrically surround a hole in the anode body, wherein the hole comprises an upper opening in a top surface of the anode body and wherein the hole axially extends into the anode body; (b) a pin comprising: a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end extends downward into the upper end of the anode body and into the hole of the anode body; and (c) a sealing material configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the following: (1) an inner sidewall of the anode body; (2) the top surface of the anode body; (3) the pin; and (4) the anode support.