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.

Processes are described for the production of a pitch for use in the manufacture of carbon composite materials. The process comprises the steps of providing a purified coal product (PCP), wherein the PCP is in particulate form, and wherein at least about 90% by volume (% v) of the particles are no greater than about 25 ?m in diameter; wherein the PCP has an ash content of less than about 10% m; and combining the PCP with a feedstock for pitch to create a combined blended mixture suitable for thermal reaction followed by distillation to create a resultant pitch. The combined blended mixture comprises at least around 0.1% m and at most around 90% m PCP. Composite materials that find utility as carbon electrodes, particularly electrolytic baked carbon anodes, can be made from combining the pitch and PCP with a filler material, such as a pet coke.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing process for an anode assembly intended for cells for the production of aluminum by electrolysis, the anode assembly being of the type having an anode rod, a longitudinal member interdependent with one end of the anode rod and a carbon anode including a cavity in which is housed the longitudinal member, the method comprising a formation phase of at least one sealed area filled with sealing material and at least one unsealed area devoid of sealing material, said at least one unsealed area extending to one of the longitudinal ends of the longitudinal member.

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 disclosed method proposes, for the mixing of a solid and dry granular mixture and a liquid bituminous binder, the solid and dry granular mixture being a mixture of two fractions of constituents, one of which is a coarse fraction including aggregates, the other fraction a fraction of submillimeter fines, that the mixing includes at least two consecutive mixing steps: an aggregate-preimpregnation step, consisting of mixing the coarse fraction of the granular mixture with a part of the bituminous binder, in a quantity at least sufficient for coating the aggregates and at least partially filling the open pore spaces of the aggregates; and a covering mixing step, which consists of mixing the preimpregnated coarse fraction of bituminous binder and originating from the first mixing step, with the balance of the bituminous binder, required for the manufacture of the electrodes, and with the fraction of fines of the granular mixture.

A pitch product having a petroleum-derived distillation residue and a coal tar-derived distillation residue, said pitch product characterized by a concentration of at least 84% asphaltenes (SARA). Further, the present invention is directed to a pitch binder including said pitch product useable in manufacturing of graphite electrodes for electric arc furnaces, and carbon anodes and Soederberg paste for aluminum production. The present invention is further directed also to a graphite electrode having said pitch binder, as well as to a carbon anode comprising said pitch binder. The present invention also provides a process for producing a pitch product including a petroleum-derived distillation residue and a coal tar-derived distillation residue, said process including a petroleum vacuum distillation process step for obtaining said petroleum-derived distillation residue, and a process for manufacturing a graphite electrode or a carbon anode including said process for producing a pitch product.

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.

This handling device comprises a chassis carrying the intervention tool, and a means of displacement allowing movement of the chassis, in particular along the superstructure of the electrolytic cell. The means of displacement is adapted to rest against the superstructure.

The present document describes an electrolytic cell comprising a protective layer comprising elemental copper covering at least in part or all of a refractory material assembly covering an interior surface thereof. Also described is a copper oxide containing composition comprising copper oxide and any one of a reducing agent and a binder. Also described is a method of protecting a refractory material assembly covering an interior surface of an electrolytic cell, comprising covering at least in part, or all of the refractory material assembly with a copper sheet, a structure comprising elemental copper, a copper oxide, an elemental copper comprising composite material, a copper oxide containing composition and combinations thereof, to provide a protective layer comprising elemental copper.

The invention relates to a green carbon paste comprising electrically calcined anthracite coal (ECA) and a green binder comprising glucose, glycerol and a minimum amount of epoxy resin which is used as a tamping/ramming paste in lining cathodes in an aluminium electrolysis cell. The binder is substantially devoid of volatile organic compounds and thereby the paste is environment friendly.