CA1215940A - Conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cells - Google Patents
Conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cellsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1215940A CA1215940A CA000428125A CA428125A CA1215940A CA 1215940 A CA1215940 A CA 1215940A CA 000428125 A CA000428125 A CA 000428125A CA 428125 A CA428125 A CA 428125A CA 1215940 A CA1215940 A CA 1215940A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bus bars
- cells
- bus
- bars
- cell
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
- C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
- C25C3/16—Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A conductor bar assembly for conducting electricity between electrolytic cells whereby a substantially even current transfer is attained between electrodes in the end cell of one row of cells and electrodes in the end cell of an adjacent row of cells. Single or laminated bus bars electrically connected preferably at equally-spaced intervals along the length of a contact bar in an end cell are connected to corresponding bus bars electrically connected at preferably equally-spaced intervals to a contact bar in the end cell of the adjacent row of cells by a vertical V-shaped configuration of the bus bars.
A conductor bar assembly for conducting electricity between electrolytic cells whereby a substantially even current transfer is attained between electrodes in the end cell of one row of cells and electrodes in the end cell of an adjacent row of cells. Single or laminated bus bars electrically connected preferably at equally-spaced intervals along the length of a contact bar in an end cell are connected to corresponding bus bars electrically connected at preferably equally-spaced intervals to a contact bar in the end cell of the adjacent row of cells by a vertical V-shaped configuration of the bus bars.
Description
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This invention relates to a conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cells for the recovery of metals and, more particularly, relates to a conductor bar assembly for conducting electrical current between electrolytic cells.
In electro-deposition processes for the recovery of metals, direct electrical current is usually conducted through ele~trolytic cells, each of which contains a multiplicity of alternating cathodes and anodes. The electrodes are supported from head bars in electrical contact with electrode contact bars positioned on the side walls of the cells. The cells are often arranged in groups which can be connected in series by conductor bars, or bus bars.
Conventional conductor bars are made of an electri-cally conductive material such as copper or aluminum and must be of sufficient cross-sectional area to conduct the required current. Because it is very desirable that the electrode current is the same for each electrode in a cell, conductor bars, ideally, must also provide an even current distribution.
Conductor bars used in the past have not been designed with this requirement in mind and their use often resulted in uneven current distribution. Moreover, conventional conductor bars, which are usually of considerable dimensions to provide sufficient current carrying capacity~ are usually space-consuming.
We have now found that substantially even current transfer from one group or row of cells to the next and, consequently, substantially even current distribution from and to electrodes in the end cells of the rows, can be attained by a conductor bar assembly having a multiplicity of bus bars of 30 equal length which are connected between corresponding points ~J~
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over the lengths of two adjacent end cells and to the electrode contact bars positioned on the end walls of the two end cells.
The provision of multiple paths of equal length between corresponding points of the contact bars on the end cells thus results in the same resistance and current for each path which substantially eliminates uneven current distribution.
We have further found that equal paths can be realized, while alleviating spac~ requirements, by connecting the bus bars to each other in a generally V-shaped configuration and by connecting the bus bars to the cells in an overlapping fashion to form the conductor bar assembly.
To attain even current distribution, not only must the length of each current path between corresponding points on the respective contact bars be the same, but there must ideally be a current path between each electrode in the one cell and its corresponding electrode in the other cell. It is difficult, however, to realize this ideal situation because of the number of bus bars involved and the complexity of the resulting assembly. For practical reasons, therefore, it is desirable to connect a number of adjacent electrodes in the corresponding position in a pair of cells via thèir respective contact barsO
The number of electrodes that can be connected is determined by the requirement that essentially even current distribution should be maintained.
Tb make it possible for a multiplicity of V-shaped bus bars to fit in a fairly small space with a small cross~sectional area, each V-shaped bar is preferably made up of a number of laminated individual bus bar plates. These laminated bus bar plates allow the weaving together of the V-shaped bus bars into a conductor bar assembly, the use of standard size metal bar stock for the bus bar plates, and L5~
facile construction and assembly. Laminated bus bars also provide improved cooling of the assembly due to the larger exposed surface areas and allow a total cross-sectional area of the bus bar plates which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of one-piece bus bars. Conversely, it is possible to handle a greater amount of power for a given metal cross-sectional area of the assembly. The number of laminations, i.e. the number of bus bar plates making up a bus bar, depends on the amount of current to be carried, the metal cross-sectional area and, to a minor extent, on the size and price of available metal bar stock.
Accordingly, there is provided a conductor bar assembly for use in processes for the electro-deposition of metals in which an electrical current passes through a multiplicity of cells arranged in adjacent rows of cells, said rows being connected in series by said conductor bar assembly, said cells each containing a multiplicity of alternating cathodes and anodes supported on electrode contact bars positioned on the sides of the cells, said conductor bar assembly comprising a first plurality of bus bars of equal length extending laterally and downwardly externally from a cell in a first row of cells towards an equal number of a second plurality of bus bars o equal length extending laterally and downwardly towards said first plurality of bus bars externally from a cell in an adjacent row of cells, each bus bar having an upper end and a lower end, the upper ends of the first plurality of bus bars electri~ally connected to an electrode contact bar on the side of a cell in the first row of cells, along the length of said contact bar~ the upper ends of ~he second plurality of bus bars electrically connected to an electrode contact bar on the side of a cell in the adjacent row ~2~ 4~
of cells along the length o~ said contact bar, the lower end of each bus bar of the first plurality of bus bars connected to the lower end of a corresponding bus bar of the second plurality of bus bars such that each pair of bus bars forms a generally V-shaped configuration, whereby substantially even current distribution is maintained along the lengths of the electrically connected electrode contact bars to the anodes and cathodes supported on said electrode contact bars.
According to one preferred embodiment, the conductor bar assembly consists of a multiplicity of pairs of equal length bus bars, each pair connected in a V-shaped configuration.
~ ~ccording to another preferred embodiment, each V-shaped configuration of bus bars is made up of a lamination of bus bar plates.
PrPferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevation of the conductor bar assembly of the invention;
Figure 2 is a vertical section along line 2-2 of Figure 1 of an upper portion of a bus bar and an electrolytic cell showing connection between a bus bar and an electrode contact bar with electrodes seated thereon;
Figure 3 is a vertical section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing lamination of the bus bars;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of components connecting a bus bar with a contact bar;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an angle connection plate;
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Figure 6 is a perspective view, partly cut away of spacer plates with bus bar plates of laminated bus bars;
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the inter-connection of bus bars at their lower end in a V-shaped configuration;
Figure 8 is a top view of the V-shaped configuration shown in Figure 7 for laminated bus bars; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a conducting spacer pla e as used in the connection shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The conductor bar assembly of the preferred embodiments is shown to comprise 16 bus bars, each connected to a number of electrodes via an electrode contact bar and connected in eight Y-shaped configurations of two bus bars each. It is understood that the assembly can comprise more or less than 16 bus bars connected in pairs in a V-shaped configuration.
With reference to ~igures 1 and 2, cell 10 is the last cell of a first row of cells 12 and cell 14 is the first cell of a second row of cells lb. The designations "last" and "first" are used to indicate that electrical current is supplied from rectifiers to the first cell (not shown) in the first row 12 of cells, passes through the electrically connected cells to the last cell 10 of the first row 12, crosses over from the first row to the first cell 14 of the second row 16 of cells, passes through the electrically connected cells of the second row and leaves the last cell (not shown) of the second row to either cross over to a third row to continue its flow or to complete the electrical circuit~
Electrode contact bars 18 are mounted on walls 22 of adjoining cells in the rows to provide electrical contact for essentially equispaced cathodes 24 and anodes 26 supported from head bars 28, 30 in each cell. The electrode contact bars 18 can have a number of designs, such as typified by the electrode contact bars disclosed in Canadian Patent 1 034 533 which issued on 11 July, 1978. According to this patent, a contact bar formed from electrically conductive metal is provided to support the alternating equispaced anodes and cathodes supported by their respective head bars. Each head bar 28, 30 has an end extension 32 at one end which is provided on its underside with a notch 34 adapted to seat in a groove 36 formed in a spooled central section 38 of the contact bar 18, shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 4, the spooled central section 38 having a plurality of identical grooves 36 equally spaced alonq the length of said spooled central section, the grooves 36 each comprising a cylindrical middle portion 42 which is of substantially smaller diameter than cylindrical end section 44 and is narrower than the wid~h of the notched end extensions 32 of the head bars 28, 30. The grooves 36 are shown to be formed by bevelled portions 40, 41 facing one another on the opposite sides of ~aid cylindrical middle portion 42 of each groove 360 In accordance with the present invention, the end cells 10, 14 are each provided on their outer wall 20 with a contact bar 18a similar to contact bar 18 but modified such that it has a flattened underside 48 as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Contact bars 18 are supported by insulators 50 more fully described in applicants' assignee's co-pending Canadian Patent Application 425,172 filed on April 5, 1983 and comprise 30 an elongated body formed of a synthetic material havinq longitudinal outwardly and downwardly slopinq upper surfaces 55~4~
extending $rom a centre line to the side edges of the body and a row of equi~spaced shoulclers formed longitudinally on each upper surface adjacent to the said centre line offset relative to each other, each row of shoulders having a transverse channel formed between each pair of adjacent shoulders for draining liquid towards a side edge of the body. A
longi~udinal V-shaped groove is formed between the two rows of shoulders for supporting the spooled electrode contact bar between the rows of shoulders and a cavity is formed in each upper surface opposite each shoulder between the shoulder and the respective edge of the body for receiving an insulating block therein for supporting one end of the electrode head bars.
Contact bars 18a rest on contact bar connection plate 52 seated on smooth sloping surface 54 of modified insulator 50a (Figures 2, 3 and 4) outwardly inclined at a downward slope of preferably about 3 degrees such that any accumulation of liquid is prevented. Modified insulator 50a, supported on cell wall 20 and by brackets 53, is similar to insulator 50 in that it has sloping top surfaces, which slope away from its longitudinal centre line to prsmote the drainage of liquid, but it has only one set of shoulders 51, the other set having been removed to accomodate modified contact bar 18a. The cavities in insulator 50 may be retained or filled in for the modified insulator 50a.
Plate 52 has a flat rectangular shape and is made of a conductive metal such as copper. If desired, connection plate 52 can be made up of a number of sections. Contact bar connection plate 52 extends the length of the contact bar 18a on each cell wall 20 of cells 10 and 14. Contact bar 18a is bolted with its flattened underside 48 on the top surface of connection plate 52 at its upper side edge 56 abutting ~- ~21~
shoulders 51 of modified insulator 50a. Any gap betw~en bar 18a and plate 52 is filled with solder and further sealed with an acid resistant putty. Contact bar connection pl~te 52 is provided with bolt holes to receive bolts 58 for attachment of angle connection plates 60, to be described.
The electrodes, comprising a multiplicity of alternating cathodes 24 and anodes 26 each suspended from a head bar, are supported on contact bars 18, 18a which extend across substantially the length of side walls 20, 22 of cells 10, 14 as shown in Figure 2. Spaced along the length of and attached to contact bar connection plate 52 are angle connection plates 60. Each angle connection plate 60, shown in detail in Figure 5, consists of an angle made of a conductive metal such as copper and of sufficient cross section to carry the desired amount of current. Each plate 60 comprises a flange 62 and a flange 64, flange 62 defining an obtuse angle of preferably about 93 with flange 64 such that when angle connection plates 60 are attached to the sloping contact bar connection plate 52 (slope preferably 3), flanges 64 are in a substantially vertical plane. Flanges 62 and 64 are provided with oblong slots 66 for adjustable attachment with bolts 58 to contact bar connection plate 52 and bus bar attachment plate 70, respectively. Preferably, eight bolt slots are provided in each of flanges S2, 64 to permit the use of eight connecting bolts to provide good electrical contact and 11 evenly spaced apart pla~es 60 are used for each of electrolytic cells 10, 14.
With reference to Figure 4, bus bar attachment plates 70 are elongated vertically positioned plates with rectangular cross-sections, made of a conductive metal such as copper. The bus bar attachment plates 70 are provided with holes 72 in the upper portion 73, which correspond with slots 66 in flange 64.
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In this preferred embodiment, 11 sets of eight holes 72, arranged in rectangular shaped patterns, are equispaced along the upper portion of plate 70 to receive bolts 76. The lower portion 78 of bus bar attachment plates 70 is provided with holes to receive bolts 80 for attaching the bus bars 82 to - be described In this preferred embodiment, eight sets of four holes each, arranged in diamond-shaped patterns, are equispaced along the lower portion 78. One plate 70 is located at cell 10 and one at cell 14~
10With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 7, bus bars generally indicated at 82 are made of an electrically conductive metal such as copper. Bus bars 82 can be of substantially rectangular stock having an upper portion 84 and a lower portion 86. Intermediate portion 88 of bus bars 82 is preferably electrically insulated with an insulating material such as, for example, a layer of fibre-reinforced plastic 90.
Upper portion 84 has an end surface 92 bevelled such that the bevelled end of bus bar 82 is horizontal when the bus bar is bolted to bus bar attachment plate 70. Roles are provided in upper portion 84 to correspond with holes in the lower portion 78 of attachment plate 70, such that bus bars 82 can be bolted thereto in the desired configuration for electrical continuity. Lower portions 86 are bolted together in a V-shaped connection as shown in Figure 7. The upper ends 84 of the bus bars 82 are electrically connected to the electrode contact bar~ 18a on outer walls 20 of cells 10 and 14 via attachment plates 70, angle connection plates 60 and connection plates 52. Preferably, the upper ends are electrically connected substantially equidistant along the length of the con~act barsa 9.
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The number of pairs of bus bars 82 is determined by the desired degree of evenness of current distribution along contact bars 18a. It has been found that the use of eight pairs of bus bars 82 attached to attachment plate 70 and connected via eleven angle connection plates 60 and connection plate 52 to contact bar 18a, gives essentially even current distribution. The use of eight bus bars 82 for each cell also provides a conductor bar assembly which requires relatively little space. Each of the end cells 10 and 14 accommodates 51 anodes and 50 cathodes and each bus bar 82 i5, therefore, indirectly connected with one-eighth of the electrodes in an end cell, i~e., about six electrodesO
The eight bus bars 82 are attached to each of attachment plates 70 on cells 10 and 14 such that the bevelled end surfaces 92 are horizontal and the bus bars angle downwardly in the direction of the other cell. The lower portions 86 of corresponding bus bars from cells 10, 14 cross each other in a V-shaped connection or common joint 96 and are bolted together by bolts 98.
Common joints 96 form a sequence of horizontally aligned joints extending from the first joint between the first bus bar on cell 10 and the first bus bar on cell 14, i.e. to the right as viewed in Figure 1, to the last joint between the last bus bar on cell 10 and the last bus bar on cell 14, such that each pair of bus bars 82 has a symmetrical V-shaped configuration. The angle at which the bus bars are positioned may vary and is generally determined by space requirementsO We have found that an angle of about 30 from the horizontal is preferred. It is understood that the other suitable angles may 30 be used.
10 .
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Bus bars 82 are further guided and supported by a horizontal spacer 94 a~ cell 10 and a horizontal spacer 94a at cell 14. Spacers 94 and 94a, generally indicated in Figures 1 and 2, which are similar to spacers 106, 108, 110 and 112 which will be described hereinbelow with references to Figures 3 and 6, consist of a bar with generally rectangular cross-~ection made of an insulating material such as fibre-reinforced polyester or high density polyethylene. Spacers 94 and 94a have a number of equispaced9 diagonal grooves, not shown, of a width and depth equal the width and thickness of a bus bar 82.
The number of grooves in each spacer 94, ~4a corresponds to the number of bus bars 82 attached to each of the cells 10 and 14, i.e. eight grooves according to this preferred embodiment. The angle of each groove to the horizontal is the same as the angle with which bus bars 82 slope downwardly from the cells. Spacer 94 is fitted behind the bus bars 82 attached to cell 10, as shown in Figure 2, and spacer 94a is fitted in front of the bus bars 82 attached to cell 14. This fitting laterally off-sets the set of bus bars attached to cell 10 from that attached to cell 14 allowing intermediate portions 88 of each set to cross without physical contact until at the lower portions where the bus bars are joined to form common joints 96. It is understood that other means of off-setting the bus bars can be used.
Preferably, each bus bar 82 is laminated to form laminated bus bars 82a. A laminated bus bar 82a consists of at least two spaced-apart bus bar plates. With reference now to Figure 3, 4, 6 and 8, each laminated bus bar 82a is made of a lamination of spaced-apart bus bar plates 100. Preferably four spaced-apart bus bar plates 100 are used but a lesser or greater number can be used equally well~ The cross-sectional area of laminated bus bars 82a is about the same as but usually 11 .
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less than that of rectangular bus bars 82 with equal current-carrying capability and should be sufficient to carry the desired amount of current. The bus bar plates 100 are of uniform rectangular shape with bevelled ends; the upper ends bent inwardly at 102, Figures 3 and 4, for securement in pairs to each side of attachment plates 70, as shown for the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
In order to form a spaced apart lamination, the four bus bar plates 100 of a bus bar 82a have lateral off-sets 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d at their upper ends, shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, formed symmetrically about the bus bar longitudinal centre line 101. Bus bar plates 100 are separated by spacers similar to horizontal spacers 94, 94a. Inner plates lOOb and lOOc are separated by a horizontal spacer 106, shown in Figures 3 and 6, and outer plates lOOa and lOOd are separated from inner plates lOOb and lOOc by horizontal spacers 108 and 110. Each of spacers 106, 108 and 110, together with rear spacer 112, consists of a bar with a generally rectangular cross-section made of an insulating material, such as fibre-reinforced plastic or high density polyethylene. Each spacer 106, 108, 110 and 112 has a number of equispaced parallel, diagonal grooves 114 of a width and depth equal to the width and thickness of a bus bar plate 100. The number of grooves 114 corresponds to the number of bus bars 82a attached to ~ither cell 10 or 14, i.e., in this preferred embodiment there are eight grooves. The angle to the horizontal of each groove is the same as the angle with which bus bars 82a or bus bar plates 100 slope downwardly from the cells, i.e. 30 from the horizontal.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3, each set of bus bars 82 or 82a from cell 10 and cell 14 has horizontal spacers 5~4~
94, 94a and spacers 106, 108, 110 and 112, respectively, clamped together by means of bolts 118 extending between two vertical support plates 120, 122 through holes 123 in the horizontal spacers. Vertical support plates 120, 122 are welded perpendicularly to horizontal support plates 123, 126 respectively for securement onto concrete piers 128 with lag bolts 130. Concrete piers 128 are provided at cells 10 and 14 on both sides of the conductor bar assembly. ~orizontal support plates 124, 126 extend over and straddle piers 128 at both cells 10 and 14. An insulator 132 is provided between concrete piers 128 and the horizontal support plates 124, 126.
With reference now to Figures 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9, the lower portions 86 of each bus bar 82 and of bus bar plates 100 of bus bars 82a are joined in fixed relationship in a rigid V-shaped configuration at common join~ 96. In common joints 96, each bus bar 82 from cell 10 is separated from the corresponding bus bar 82 from cell 14 with a V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 interposed therebetween to provide the required off-sets. Similarly, each bus bar plate lOOa lOOb, lOOc and lOOd of bus bar 82a is separated from its adjacent plate with a V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 interposed there- between. V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 is a rectangularly-shaped plate made of an electrically conductive metal such as copper. Holes 142 are provided which correspond with holes formed in bus bars 82 or the bus bar plates 100 for securement together by bolts 98.
The four bus bar plates lOOa, lOOb, lOOc and lOOd comprising each bus bar 82a from cell 10 are interwoven in partly overlapping fashion with the four corresponding bus bar plates 30 from cell 14 with the V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 between adjacent bus bar plates. The bus bar plates and 13.
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conducting spacer plates are joined in fixed relation with bolts 98 to form the rigid V-shaped connection or common joint 9~ .
Bolts, nuts and washers used to connect the various metal parts to form the conductor bar assembly are made of a conductive metal. When using copper as material for the metal parts of the assembly, it is preferred to use silicon bronze bolts, nuts and washers.
It is understood that modifications can be made in the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
14.
This invention relates to a conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cells for the recovery of metals and, more particularly, relates to a conductor bar assembly for conducting electrical current between electrolytic cells.
In electro-deposition processes for the recovery of metals, direct electrical current is usually conducted through ele~trolytic cells, each of which contains a multiplicity of alternating cathodes and anodes. The electrodes are supported from head bars in electrical contact with electrode contact bars positioned on the side walls of the cells. The cells are often arranged in groups which can be connected in series by conductor bars, or bus bars.
Conventional conductor bars are made of an electri-cally conductive material such as copper or aluminum and must be of sufficient cross-sectional area to conduct the required current. Because it is very desirable that the electrode current is the same for each electrode in a cell, conductor bars, ideally, must also provide an even current distribution.
Conductor bars used in the past have not been designed with this requirement in mind and their use often resulted in uneven current distribution. Moreover, conventional conductor bars, which are usually of considerable dimensions to provide sufficient current carrying capacity~ are usually space-consuming.
We have now found that substantially even current transfer from one group or row of cells to the next and, consequently, substantially even current distribution from and to electrodes in the end cells of the rows, can be attained by a conductor bar assembly having a multiplicity of bus bars of 30 equal length which are connected between corresponding points ~J~
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over the lengths of two adjacent end cells and to the electrode contact bars positioned on the end walls of the two end cells.
The provision of multiple paths of equal length between corresponding points of the contact bars on the end cells thus results in the same resistance and current for each path which substantially eliminates uneven current distribution.
We have further found that equal paths can be realized, while alleviating spac~ requirements, by connecting the bus bars to each other in a generally V-shaped configuration and by connecting the bus bars to the cells in an overlapping fashion to form the conductor bar assembly.
To attain even current distribution, not only must the length of each current path between corresponding points on the respective contact bars be the same, but there must ideally be a current path between each electrode in the one cell and its corresponding electrode in the other cell. It is difficult, however, to realize this ideal situation because of the number of bus bars involved and the complexity of the resulting assembly. For practical reasons, therefore, it is desirable to connect a number of adjacent electrodes in the corresponding position in a pair of cells via thèir respective contact barsO
The number of electrodes that can be connected is determined by the requirement that essentially even current distribution should be maintained.
Tb make it possible for a multiplicity of V-shaped bus bars to fit in a fairly small space with a small cross~sectional area, each V-shaped bar is preferably made up of a number of laminated individual bus bar plates. These laminated bus bar plates allow the weaving together of the V-shaped bus bars into a conductor bar assembly, the use of standard size metal bar stock for the bus bar plates, and L5~
facile construction and assembly. Laminated bus bars also provide improved cooling of the assembly due to the larger exposed surface areas and allow a total cross-sectional area of the bus bar plates which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of one-piece bus bars. Conversely, it is possible to handle a greater amount of power for a given metal cross-sectional area of the assembly. The number of laminations, i.e. the number of bus bar plates making up a bus bar, depends on the amount of current to be carried, the metal cross-sectional area and, to a minor extent, on the size and price of available metal bar stock.
Accordingly, there is provided a conductor bar assembly for use in processes for the electro-deposition of metals in which an electrical current passes through a multiplicity of cells arranged in adjacent rows of cells, said rows being connected in series by said conductor bar assembly, said cells each containing a multiplicity of alternating cathodes and anodes supported on electrode contact bars positioned on the sides of the cells, said conductor bar assembly comprising a first plurality of bus bars of equal length extending laterally and downwardly externally from a cell in a first row of cells towards an equal number of a second plurality of bus bars o equal length extending laterally and downwardly towards said first plurality of bus bars externally from a cell in an adjacent row of cells, each bus bar having an upper end and a lower end, the upper ends of the first plurality of bus bars electri~ally connected to an electrode contact bar on the side of a cell in the first row of cells, along the length of said contact bar~ the upper ends of ~he second plurality of bus bars electrically connected to an electrode contact bar on the side of a cell in the adjacent row ~2~ 4~
of cells along the length o~ said contact bar, the lower end of each bus bar of the first plurality of bus bars connected to the lower end of a corresponding bus bar of the second plurality of bus bars such that each pair of bus bars forms a generally V-shaped configuration, whereby substantially even current distribution is maintained along the lengths of the electrically connected electrode contact bars to the anodes and cathodes supported on said electrode contact bars.
According to one preferred embodiment, the conductor bar assembly consists of a multiplicity of pairs of equal length bus bars, each pair connected in a V-shaped configuration.
~ ~ccording to another preferred embodiment, each V-shaped configuration of bus bars is made up of a lamination of bus bar plates.
PrPferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an elevation of the conductor bar assembly of the invention;
Figure 2 is a vertical section along line 2-2 of Figure 1 of an upper portion of a bus bar and an electrolytic cell showing connection between a bus bar and an electrode contact bar with electrodes seated thereon;
Figure 3 is a vertical section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing lamination of the bus bars;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of components connecting a bus bar with a contact bar;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an angle connection plate;
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Figure 6 is a perspective view, partly cut away of spacer plates with bus bar plates of laminated bus bars;
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the inter-connection of bus bars at their lower end in a V-shaped configuration;
Figure 8 is a top view of the V-shaped configuration shown in Figure 7 for laminated bus bars; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of a conducting spacer pla e as used in the connection shown in Figures 7 and 8.
The conductor bar assembly of the preferred embodiments is shown to comprise 16 bus bars, each connected to a number of electrodes via an electrode contact bar and connected in eight Y-shaped configurations of two bus bars each. It is understood that the assembly can comprise more or less than 16 bus bars connected in pairs in a V-shaped configuration.
With reference to ~igures 1 and 2, cell 10 is the last cell of a first row of cells 12 and cell 14 is the first cell of a second row of cells lb. The designations "last" and "first" are used to indicate that electrical current is supplied from rectifiers to the first cell (not shown) in the first row 12 of cells, passes through the electrically connected cells to the last cell 10 of the first row 12, crosses over from the first row to the first cell 14 of the second row 16 of cells, passes through the electrically connected cells of the second row and leaves the last cell (not shown) of the second row to either cross over to a third row to continue its flow or to complete the electrical circuit~
Electrode contact bars 18 are mounted on walls 22 of adjoining cells in the rows to provide electrical contact for essentially equispaced cathodes 24 and anodes 26 supported from head bars 28, 30 in each cell. The electrode contact bars 18 can have a number of designs, such as typified by the electrode contact bars disclosed in Canadian Patent 1 034 533 which issued on 11 July, 1978. According to this patent, a contact bar formed from electrically conductive metal is provided to support the alternating equispaced anodes and cathodes supported by their respective head bars. Each head bar 28, 30 has an end extension 32 at one end which is provided on its underside with a notch 34 adapted to seat in a groove 36 formed in a spooled central section 38 of the contact bar 18, shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 4, the spooled central section 38 having a plurality of identical grooves 36 equally spaced alonq the length of said spooled central section, the grooves 36 each comprising a cylindrical middle portion 42 which is of substantially smaller diameter than cylindrical end section 44 and is narrower than the wid~h of the notched end extensions 32 of the head bars 28, 30. The grooves 36 are shown to be formed by bevelled portions 40, 41 facing one another on the opposite sides of ~aid cylindrical middle portion 42 of each groove 360 In accordance with the present invention, the end cells 10, 14 are each provided on their outer wall 20 with a contact bar 18a similar to contact bar 18 but modified such that it has a flattened underside 48 as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Contact bars 18 are supported by insulators 50 more fully described in applicants' assignee's co-pending Canadian Patent Application 425,172 filed on April 5, 1983 and comprise 30 an elongated body formed of a synthetic material havinq longitudinal outwardly and downwardly slopinq upper surfaces 55~4~
extending $rom a centre line to the side edges of the body and a row of equi~spaced shoulclers formed longitudinally on each upper surface adjacent to the said centre line offset relative to each other, each row of shoulders having a transverse channel formed between each pair of adjacent shoulders for draining liquid towards a side edge of the body. A
longi~udinal V-shaped groove is formed between the two rows of shoulders for supporting the spooled electrode contact bar between the rows of shoulders and a cavity is formed in each upper surface opposite each shoulder between the shoulder and the respective edge of the body for receiving an insulating block therein for supporting one end of the electrode head bars.
Contact bars 18a rest on contact bar connection plate 52 seated on smooth sloping surface 54 of modified insulator 50a (Figures 2, 3 and 4) outwardly inclined at a downward slope of preferably about 3 degrees such that any accumulation of liquid is prevented. Modified insulator 50a, supported on cell wall 20 and by brackets 53, is similar to insulator 50 in that it has sloping top surfaces, which slope away from its longitudinal centre line to prsmote the drainage of liquid, but it has only one set of shoulders 51, the other set having been removed to accomodate modified contact bar 18a. The cavities in insulator 50 may be retained or filled in for the modified insulator 50a.
Plate 52 has a flat rectangular shape and is made of a conductive metal such as copper. If desired, connection plate 52 can be made up of a number of sections. Contact bar connection plate 52 extends the length of the contact bar 18a on each cell wall 20 of cells 10 and 14. Contact bar 18a is bolted with its flattened underside 48 on the top surface of connection plate 52 at its upper side edge 56 abutting ~- ~21~
shoulders 51 of modified insulator 50a. Any gap betw~en bar 18a and plate 52 is filled with solder and further sealed with an acid resistant putty. Contact bar connection pl~te 52 is provided with bolt holes to receive bolts 58 for attachment of angle connection plates 60, to be described.
The electrodes, comprising a multiplicity of alternating cathodes 24 and anodes 26 each suspended from a head bar, are supported on contact bars 18, 18a which extend across substantially the length of side walls 20, 22 of cells 10, 14 as shown in Figure 2. Spaced along the length of and attached to contact bar connection plate 52 are angle connection plates 60. Each angle connection plate 60, shown in detail in Figure 5, consists of an angle made of a conductive metal such as copper and of sufficient cross section to carry the desired amount of current. Each plate 60 comprises a flange 62 and a flange 64, flange 62 defining an obtuse angle of preferably about 93 with flange 64 such that when angle connection plates 60 are attached to the sloping contact bar connection plate 52 (slope preferably 3), flanges 64 are in a substantially vertical plane. Flanges 62 and 64 are provided with oblong slots 66 for adjustable attachment with bolts 58 to contact bar connection plate 52 and bus bar attachment plate 70, respectively. Preferably, eight bolt slots are provided in each of flanges S2, 64 to permit the use of eight connecting bolts to provide good electrical contact and 11 evenly spaced apart pla~es 60 are used for each of electrolytic cells 10, 14.
With reference to Figure 4, bus bar attachment plates 70 are elongated vertically positioned plates with rectangular cross-sections, made of a conductive metal such as copper. The bus bar attachment plates 70 are provided with holes 72 in the upper portion 73, which correspond with slots 66 in flange 64.
5~
In this preferred embodiment, 11 sets of eight holes 72, arranged in rectangular shaped patterns, are equispaced along the upper portion of plate 70 to receive bolts 76. The lower portion 78 of bus bar attachment plates 70 is provided with holes to receive bolts 80 for attaching the bus bars 82 to - be described In this preferred embodiment, eight sets of four holes each, arranged in diamond-shaped patterns, are equispaced along the lower portion 78. One plate 70 is located at cell 10 and one at cell 14~
10With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 7, bus bars generally indicated at 82 are made of an electrically conductive metal such as copper. Bus bars 82 can be of substantially rectangular stock having an upper portion 84 and a lower portion 86. Intermediate portion 88 of bus bars 82 is preferably electrically insulated with an insulating material such as, for example, a layer of fibre-reinforced plastic 90.
Upper portion 84 has an end surface 92 bevelled such that the bevelled end of bus bar 82 is horizontal when the bus bar is bolted to bus bar attachment plate 70. Roles are provided in upper portion 84 to correspond with holes in the lower portion 78 of attachment plate 70, such that bus bars 82 can be bolted thereto in the desired configuration for electrical continuity. Lower portions 86 are bolted together in a V-shaped connection as shown in Figure 7. The upper ends 84 of the bus bars 82 are electrically connected to the electrode contact bar~ 18a on outer walls 20 of cells 10 and 14 via attachment plates 70, angle connection plates 60 and connection plates 52. Preferably, the upper ends are electrically connected substantially equidistant along the length of the con~act barsa 9.
.. ~ . .
~2~5~3?4~
The number of pairs of bus bars 82 is determined by the desired degree of evenness of current distribution along contact bars 18a. It has been found that the use of eight pairs of bus bars 82 attached to attachment plate 70 and connected via eleven angle connection plates 60 and connection plate 52 to contact bar 18a, gives essentially even current distribution. The use of eight bus bars 82 for each cell also provides a conductor bar assembly which requires relatively little space. Each of the end cells 10 and 14 accommodates 51 anodes and 50 cathodes and each bus bar 82 i5, therefore, indirectly connected with one-eighth of the electrodes in an end cell, i~e., about six electrodesO
The eight bus bars 82 are attached to each of attachment plates 70 on cells 10 and 14 such that the bevelled end surfaces 92 are horizontal and the bus bars angle downwardly in the direction of the other cell. The lower portions 86 of corresponding bus bars from cells 10, 14 cross each other in a V-shaped connection or common joint 96 and are bolted together by bolts 98.
Common joints 96 form a sequence of horizontally aligned joints extending from the first joint between the first bus bar on cell 10 and the first bus bar on cell 14, i.e. to the right as viewed in Figure 1, to the last joint between the last bus bar on cell 10 and the last bus bar on cell 14, such that each pair of bus bars 82 has a symmetrical V-shaped configuration. The angle at which the bus bars are positioned may vary and is generally determined by space requirementsO We have found that an angle of about 30 from the horizontal is preferred. It is understood that the other suitable angles may 30 be used.
10 .
3~2~4~
Bus bars 82 are further guided and supported by a horizontal spacer 94 a~ cell 10 and a horizontal spacer 94a at cell 14. Spacers 94 and 94a, generally indicated in Figures 1 and 2, which are similar to spacers 106, 108, 110 and 112 which will be described hereinbelow with references to Figures 3 and 6, consist of a bar with generally rectangular cross-~ection made of an insulating material such as fibre-reinforced polyester or high density polyethylene. Spacers 94 and 94a have a number of equispaced9 diagonal grooves, not shown, of a width and depth equal the width and thickness of a bus bar 82.
The number of grooves in each spacer 94, ~4a corresponds to the number of bus bars 82 attached to each of the cells 10 and 14, i.e. eight grooves according to this preferred embodiment. The angle of each groove to the horizontal is the same as the angle with which bus bars 82 slope downwardly from the cells. Spacer 94 is fitted behind the bus bars 82 attached to cell 10, as shown in Figure 2, and spacer 94a is fitted in front of the bus bars 82 attached to cell 14. This fitting laterally off-sets the set of bus bars attached to cell 10 from that attached to cell 14 allowing intermediate portions 88 of each set to cross without physical contact until at the lower portions where the bus bars are joined to form common joints 96. It is understood that other means of off-setting the bus bars can be used.
Preferably, each bus bar 82 is laminated to form laminated bus bars 82a. A laminated bus bar 82a consists of at least two spaced-apart bus bar plates. With reference now to Figure 3, 4, 6 and 8, each laminated bus bar 82a is made of a lamination of spaced-apart bus bar plates 100. Preferably four spaced-apart bus bar plates 100 are used but a lesser or greater number can be used equally well~ The cross-sectional area of laminated bus bars 82a is about the same as but usually 11 .
5~
less than that of rectangular bus bars 82 with equal current-carrying capability and should be sufficient to carry the desired amount of current. The bus bar plates 100 are of uniform rectangular shape with bevelled ends; the upper ends bent inwardly at 102, Figures 3 and 4, for securement in pairs to each side of attachment plates 70, as shown for the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.
In order to form a spaced apart lamination, the four bus bar plates 100 of a bus bar 82a have lateral off-sets 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d at their upper ends, shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, formed symmetrically about the bus bar longitudinal centre line 101. Bus bar plates 100 are separated by spacers similar to horizontal spacers 94, 94a. Inner plates lOOb and lOOc are separated by a horizontal spacer 106, shown in Figures 3 and 6, and outer plates lOOa and lOOd are separated from inner plates lOOb and lOOc by horizontal spacers 108 and 110. Each of spacers 106, 108 and 110, together with rear spacer 112, consists of a bar with a generally rectangular cross-section made of an insulating material, such as fibre-reinforced plastic or high density polyethylene. Each spacer 106, 108, 110 and 112 has a number of equispaced parallel, diagonal grooves 114 of a width and depth equal to the width and thickness of a bus bar plate 100. The number of grooves 114 corresponds to the number of bus bars 82a attached to ~ither cell 10 or 14, i.e., in this preferred embodiment there are eight grooves. The angle to the horizontal of each groove is the same as the angle with which bus bars 82a or bus bar plates 100 slope downwardly from the cells, i.e. 30 from the horizontal.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3, each set of bus bars 82 or 82a from cell 10 and cell 14 has horizontal spacers 5~4~
94, 94a and spacers 106, 108, 110 and 112, respectively, clamped together by means of bolts 118 extending between two vertical support plates 120, 122 through holes 123 in the horizontal spacers. Vertical support plates 120, 122 are welded perpendicularly to horizontal support plates 123, 126 respectively for securement onto concrete piers 128 with lag bolts 130. Concrete piers 128 are provided at cells 10 and 14 on both sides of the conductor bar assembly. ~orizontal support plates 124, 126 extend over and straddle piers 128 at both cells 10 and 14. An insulator 132 is provided between concrete piers 128 and the horizontal support plates 124, 126.
With reference now to Figures 1, 3, 7, 8 and 9, the lower portions 86 of each bus bar 82 and of bus bar plates 100 of bus bars 82a are joined in fixed relationship in a rigid V-shaped configuration at common join~ 96. In common joints 96, each bus bar 82 from cell 10 is separated from the corresponding bus bar 82 from cell 14 with a V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 interposed therebetween to provide the required off-sets. Similarly, each bus bar plate lOOa lOOb, lOOc and lOOd of bus bar 82a is separated from its adjacent plate with a V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 interposed there- between. V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 is a rectangularly-shaped plate made of an electrically conductive metal such as copper. Holes 142 are provided which correspond with holes formed in bus bars 82 or the bus bar plates 100 for securement together by bolts 98.
The four bus bar plates lOOa, lOOb, lOOc and lOOd comprising each bus bar 82a from cell 10 are interwoven in partly overlapping fashion with the four corresponding bus bar plates 30 from cell 14 with the V-connection conducting spacer plate 140 between adjacent bus bar plates. The bus bar plates and 13.
~;~lS~4~
conducting spacer plates are joined in fixed relation with bolts 98 to form the rigid V-shaped connection or common joint 9~ .
Bolts, nuts and washers used to connect the various metal parts to form the conductor bar assembly are made of a conductive metal. When using copper as material for the metal parts of the assembly, it is preferred to use silicon bronze bolts, nuts and washers.
It is understood that modifications can be made in the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
14.
Claims (10)
1. A conductor bar assembly for use in processes for the electro-deposition of metals in which an electrical current passes through a multiplicity of cells arranged in adjacent rows of cells, said rows being connected in series by said conductor bar assembly, said cells each containing a multiplicity of alternating cathodes and anodes supported on electrode contact bars positioned on the sides of the cells, said conductor bar assembly comprising a first plurality of bus bars of equal length extending laterally and downwardly externally from a cell in a first row of cells towards an equal number of a second plurality of bus bars of equal length extending laterally and downwardly towards said first plurality of bus bars externally from a cell in an adjacent row of cells, each bus bar having an upper end and a lower end, the upper ends of the first plurality of bus bars electrically connected to an electrode contact bar on the side of a cell in the first row of cells, along the length of said contact bar, the upper ends of the second plurality of bus bars electrically connected to an electrode contact bar on the side of a cell in the adjacent row of cells along the length of said contact bar, the lower end of each bus bar of the first plurality of bus bars connected to the lower end of a corresponding bus bar of the second plurality of bus bars such that each pair of bus bars forms a generally V-shaped configuration, whereby substantially even current distribution is maintained along the lengths of the electrically connected electrode contact bars to the anodes and cathodes supported on said electrode contact bars.
2. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which said bus bars are electrically connected to the electrode contact bar by an elongated connection plate extending lengthwise on the side of the cell for support of an electrode contact bar thereon, said connection plate having an outwardly inclined slope for the drainage of liquid therefrom, at least one angle plate rigidly connected to said connection plate, said angle plate having a pair of flanges with an included obtuse angle whereby securement of said angle plate to said connection plate disposes one of said flanges substantially vertical and parallel to the cell wall, means for rigidly securing said bus bars to said at least one angle plate, and means for supporting said bus bar assembly external of the cell.
3. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which said means for supporting said conductor bar assembly comprises at least one horizontally disposed elongated insulating spacer having diagonal grooves formed therein for receiving the bus bars therein, means for clamping said bus bars and insulating spacer together, and means for vertically supporting said clamping means.
4. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 2 in which said bus bars each comprises a plurality of elongated spaced-apart bus bar plates secured together at their upper ends for electrical connection to the angle plate and secured at their lower ends in an interwoven manner such that the plates comprising the bus bars from a cell in the first row of cells form the generally V-shaped configuration with the plates of the corresponding bus bars from a cell in an adjacent row of cells.
5. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 4 in which said means for supporting the conductor bar assembly comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed elongated insulating spacers each having a plurality of equispaced superimposed diagonal grooves formed thereon for receiving the bus bar plates therein, means for clamping said bus bar plates and insulating spacers together, and means for vertically supporting said clamping means.
6. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 3 or 5, wherein said insulating spacers are composed of an electrically insulating material formed of fibre-reinforced polyester or high density polyethylene.
7. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bus bars are connected at their lower ends in a rigid generally V-shaped configuration with an electrically conductive spacer plate interposed between corresponding bus bars.
8. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the bus bars are connected at their lower ends in a rigid generally V-shaped configuration with electrically conductive spacer plates interposed between adjacent bus bar plates.
9. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein all bus bars are of equal length.
10. A conductor bar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper ends of said first plurality of bus bars and the upper ends of said second plurality of bus bars are electrically connected to said electrode contact bars substantially equidistant along the length of said electrode contact bars.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428125A CA1215940A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | Conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cells |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428125A CA1215940A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | Conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cells |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1215940A true CA1215940A (en) | 1986-12-30 |
Family
ID=4125236
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000428125A Expired CA1215940A (en) | 1983-05-13 | 1983-05-13 | Conductor bar assembly for electrolytic cells |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1215940A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2345044A1 (en) * | 2008-09-10 | 2011-07-20 | 9128-5270 Quebec Inc. | Process for making high electrical conductivity aluminium plates |
-
1983
- 1983-05-13 CA CA000428125A patent/CA1215940A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2345044A1 (en) * | 2008-09-10 | 2011-07-20 | 9128-5270 Quebec Inc. | Process for making high electrical conductivity aluminium plates |
| EP2345044A4 (en) * | 2008-09-10 | 2014-01-15 | 9128 5270 Quebec Inc | Process for making high electrical conductivity aluminium plates |
| US8707543B2 (en) | 2008-09-10 | 2014-04-29 | 9128-5270 Quebec Inc. | Process for making high electrical conductivity aluminium plates |
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