EA035309B1 - Anode for use in an electrolysis process for production of aluminium in cells of hall-heroult type, and method for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

An anode for use in an electrolysis process for production of aluminium in cells of Hail-Heroult type, the anode comprises a body or block (120; 20) of calcinated carbonaceous material connected with an electrical current lead, where said current lead being connected with an anode rod (103; 3) and further being part of an anode hanger (101; 1). The current lead comprises at least one metallic suspension plate(s) (104; 4, 4') with vertically oriented redding plates (105, 105''', 5, 5') at least partly embedded by their lower partly in corresponding recesses (113, 113'"', 13,. 13'; 100, 100') in the top of the carbonaceous block (120; 20} and further connected by mechanical fixation means (108; 8; 14, 16). Said recesses are wider than the redding plates and being filled with an electric conductive particulate material only. It Is also described a method for processing an undercut recess (10) in the anode top for mechanically fixing the anode block (20) to a protrusion (8) on the current lead.

Description

The present invention relates to an anode and a method for its manufacture. In particular, the invention relates to prebaked anodes for the electrolytic production of aluminum in Hall-Herou electrolysis cells.

Typically, prebaked anodes are attached to nipples forming part of the anode suspension. The carbon anode block has pre-made holes that allow nipples to be inserted into them. The fastening between the nipple and the anode is carried out by pouring molten iron into the annular space between each individual nipple and the corresponding hole in the anode. The anode suspension also contains a cross member of the anode with nipples, and the cross member of the anode is also suspended on the anode rod, which is attached with its upper part to the anode beam. Often there is a bimetallic connection between the anode rod and the cross member.

The use of molten cast iron has some investment implications, for example, for furnaces that can melt cast iron, and the corresponding distribution and casting system. In some technologies, anode nipples are preheated.

Typically, the prebaked anode wears out after about 30 days in the cell due to consumption of the carbon material of which it is composed. Then it must be replaced. The worn anode (cinder) is transported to the installation, where the nipples of the anode suspension are cleaned by removing residual anode material together with the remains of cast iron. This is usually accomplished using mechanical percussion instruments.

The steps to install a new anode and remove the cinders of a worn anode are time-consuming and expensive.

US 4,574,019 relates to the process of attaching two anode blocks to an anode suspension means comprising two vanes or nipples using an adhesive mass. The mass must be mechanically strong and must have good electrical conductivity at least at a temperature of from 900 to 1000 ° C. The adhesive mass may be a mixture of solids, a binder and a hardener. Solids can be represented by a metal powder, for example, iron, copper or aluminum. The particle size of the metal should be no more than 5 mm. This type of contact mass is also described in EP 0027534.

In accordance with the applicant's patent EP 2242976 A1, electrically conductive particles are used as filling material only between the electric current conductor and the calcined carbon-containing material in the anode. The use of only electrically conductive particles without a reinforcing matrix facilitates the reuse of conductive particles. It was also demonstrated that the electrical resistance of the anodes mounted in accordance with this decision was reduced.

By means of the present invention, the voltage drop across the anode was further reduced due to new cross-beam designs.

First, in one embodiment, the cross member comprises at least two deltoid-shaped suspension plates, with their upper central parts attached to the lower part of the anode rod. The lower parts of the plates, the mounting plates, are fixed in the recesses made in the upper part of the carbon-containing anode block, and in one embodiment, they can be fixed in accordance with the same principles as those given in EP 2242976 A1. That is, through a combination in which the electrically conductive fixing material consists only of conductive particles, and the electric current conductor and the body of the calcined carbon-containing material are connected by various mechanical fixation means.

The cross-member plates can be made of clad or composite material, preferably a layered structure, which can additionally reduce the voltage drop and also maintain various thermal characteristics. An important advantage is that this can lead to less heat loss and less voltage drop. The cross member can be designed to be neutral with respect to the heat balance in the cell, replacing the commonly used cross member.

In one other embodiment, the cross member comprises a horizontally directed suspension plate between the anode rod and the mounting plates. Similarly, the suspension plate may be made of a clad or composite material, preferably a layered structure, which can further reduce the voltage drop and also maintain various thermal characteristics. It also makes it easier to coat with anode lining material (AFM) due to fewer protruding elements.

An important advantage with respect to the above structures is that this can lead to less heat loss and less voltage drop. The cross member can be designed to be neutral with respect to the heat balance in the cell, replacing the commonly used cross member.

Also, the cross member in accordance with the invention will have good mechanical properties and maintain excellent stability.

These and other advantages will be achieved through the invention defined in the attached claims.

- 1,035309

The present invention will be further described below using the figures and examples in which in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an anode suspension with a cross member and an anode rod;

in FIG. 2 shows the anode suspension shown in FIG. 1, on the one hand;

in FIG. 3 shows the anode suspension shown in FIG. 1, in front view;

in FIG. 4 shows the anode suspension, as in FIG. 3 installed in the carbon anode block;

in FIG. 5 shows an anode suspension mounted in a carbon anode block, as in FIG. 4, when viewed from one side in a sectional view;

in FIG. 6 is a plan view of an anode suspension mounted in a carbon anode block, as in FIG. 5, when viewed from above;

FIG. 7 partially corresponds to an enlarged view of the area highlighted by circle A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of the area highlighted by circle B in FIG. 4;

in FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a fully assembled anode;

in FIG. 10 shows an alternative construction of a mechanical means for fixing a cross-sectional view from one end;

in FIG. 11 shows the same alternative construction as in FIG. 10, in a plan view;

in FIG. 12 shows the same alternative construction as in FIG. 10, in cross-sectional view on one side;

in FIG. 13 shows a comparative voltage drop test at one anode in accordance with the present invention and at the anode of the prior art;

in FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of an anode suspension with a cross member comprising a horizontal suspension plate and vertical mounting plates;

in FIG. 15 shows an anode block machined and prepared to secure a cross member;

in FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an anode suspension having a cross member comprising one horizontal suspension plate fixed in an anode block;

in FIG. 17 shows a voltage drop test at a single anode in accordance with the present invention with a horizontal suspension plate.

As shown in FIG. 1, an anode suspension 1 with a cross member 2 and an anode rod 3 is shown in perspective view. The anode rod is usually made of aluminum or an alloy thereof, and it preferably has a rectangular cross section.

The cross member, in principle, can consist of four parts: two deltoid-shaped suspension plates 4, 4 'and two mounting plates 5, 5', which are interconnected by the suspension plates, respectively. The suspension plates 4, 4 'and the fixing plates 5, 5' can be made of sheet steel of an appropriate quality, and they can be connected to each other by welding or by any other suitable means.

However, in one embodiment, the mounting plate 5 and the suspension plate 4 may be made of one piece of a metal plate, for example a steel sheet, by appropriate processing, such as cutting and possibly bending (not shown).

It should be understood that the use of the terms a mounting plate and a suspension plate in this document may also refer to parts of such a completed plate, either made of a single sheet, as mentioned above, or of two sheets, namely in the form of a suspension plate 4 integrated with the mounting plate 5. Completed cross member plates made by any method are designated 54, 54 '.

The protrusions 8, 8 'are located on the mounting plate 5 for interaction with the recesses made on the upper part of the anode. Recesses have also been made to allow mounting plates to be inserted into the upper part of the anode. This will be explained below. Similar protrusions are located on the mounting plate 5 '(not shown).

Also, the upper parts of the suspension plates 4, 4 'are attached to the lower part of the anode rod 3. In order to ensure a low voltage drop between the anode rod 3 and the cross member 2, the connecting elements 6, 6' having good electrical conductivity can be installed so as to be in electrical contact with the anode rod 3 and each suspension plate 4, 4 '.

In FIG. 2 shows the anode suspension 1 on one side. The anode rod 3 is connected to the suspension plate 4 by means of several connecting elements 6, 6 ', 7, 7', 7, 9. The connecting elements 7, 7 ', 7 can be part of a steel sheet of bimetal or a three-layer metal facing the hanging plates 4, 4 '. The connecting elements 6, 6 'are preferably made of aluminum in order to increase the contact area between the anode suspension 3 of aluminum and the bimetal connection or the connection of the three-layer metal. The connecting element 9 acts as the aluminum part of the bimetal or three-layer metal. In the case of a three-layer metal, the connecting plate, represented by a thin sheet of titanium, is additionally located between the connecting element 9 and 7 (and similarly on the connection 3-7 and 6'-7 ').

The connecting elements preferably have good electrical conductivity, and

- 2 035309 also a certain mechanical strength.

The bimetallic element, in principle, will have two contact zones of materials compatible with the materials in the anode rod 3 and the suspension plates 4, 4 ', respectively. The connecting element of a three-layer metal, in addition, will contain a third metal, which allows the proper functioning of the connection at high temperatures.

For example, a connecting element of a three-layer metal may consist of a part made of a material containing steel, titanium, aluminum.

In addition, the figure shows in more detail the protrusions 8, 8 in the mounting plate 5, designed to interact with the corresponding recesses on the upper part of the anode. The protrusions may have a substantially rectangular or circular cross-sectional shape.

In FIG. 3 is a front view of the anode suspension 1 shown in FIG. 1, where two suspension plates 4, 4 'with corresponding mounting plates 5, 5' are attached to the anode rod 3. In the contact zone between these parts, a connecting element 6 'is shown. At the bottom of the mounting plates 5, 5 ', the protrusions 8, 8' are shown. These protrusions in this example have a rectangular shape and can penetrate into the mounting plates 5, 5 'so that they both protrude outward and inward relative to the mounting plates.

In FIG. 4 shows the anode suspension 1, as in FIG. 3 mounted in a carbon anode block 20, where there are first recesses 13, 13 ′ (slots or grooves) directed in the direction of the length of the anode block, into which the mounting plates 5, 5 ′ can enter to some insertion depth. In addition, the protrusions 8, 8 ′ made on the mounting plates 5, 5 ′ coincide with the corresponding recesses 10, 10 ′ in the anode block 20. Details regarding the circle highlighted region B will be explained below in the description of FIG. 8. The anode block may have slots 21, 22, open down, designed to drain the anode gas, and has cantilevered outer surfaces 23 in the region of the corners.

In FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the anode suspension 1 inserted into the carbon anode block 20, as in FIG. 4, where the anode rod 3 is attached to the suspension plate 4, while the mounting plate 5 and the protrusions 8, 8 are engaged with the corresponding cut-out recesses 10, 10 made in the anode block 20. The fixing plate 5 is inserted into the recess 13. The anode block has cantilever surfaces 23, 23 '. Details regarding the protrusion 8 and the recess 10 are shown in FIG. 6 and 7.

In FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an anode suspension inserted in a carbon anode, as shown in FIG. 5, where the anode 20 has recesses 10, 10, 10 ′, 10 ′. Parts of the cross member have protrusions 8, 8, 8 ', 8', which are inserted into the recesses. The recesses can be made using a circular milling tool, for example, having the form of a small circular saw, the axial and radial cutters of which are made of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), and also located on a sufficiently long axis, which allows the tool to make a hole by moving downward on the first stage and cut a recess in the subsequent processing step when the tool is moved along the long axis of the anode block (20).

In FIG. 7, which shows enlarged details of the circle highlighted area indicated by A in FIG. 6, the mounting plate 5 with the protrusion 8 first engages with the upper open part 11 of the recess 10 of the anode unit 20, and then moves horizontally and additionally engages with the upper closed or cut part of the recess 10 of the anode unit 20. This allows the anode unit 20 to be suspended on the cross member by means of cut-out recesses 10, 10 ′, 10, 10 ′ and protrusions 8, 8 ′, 8, 8 ′. This means that these mechanical means of fixation carry the weight of the anode block 20.

FIG. 8 partially corresponds to an enlarged view of the area highlighted by circle B in FIG. 4, and the recesses 13 and 10 are shown in more detail. It shows the first part or hole 11 open from above, similar to that shown in FIG. 7, which was made in the corresponding place of the recess 13. In addition, the recess 10 has a recess and two flanges 12, 12 '. When the mounting plate 5 is inserted into the recess 13, and the protrusion 8 located on the mounting plate 5 is inserted into the hole 11 and further shifted into the cut out part (top closed) of the recess, as shown in the figure, it will remain in this position and will be able to carry vertical loads exerted by the anode block 20 by means of flanges 12, 12 'made in the anode block. At the same time, the protrusions 8, 8 ′, 8 ′ will fit into the corresponding recesses 10, 10 ′, 10 ′, respectively, see FIG. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 9 shows the anode assembly with the anode rod 3, the hanging plates 4, 4 ', the fixing plates 5, 5', the recesses 13, 13 ', the holes 11, 11 (partially) and the anode block 20.

After this mounting step, electrically conductive particles fill the voids between the mounting plates and the recesses in the anode block, and an insulating mass (not shown) can be applied to the metal parts on the upper part of the anode.

The protrusion 8, 8, 8 ', 8' in the above examples may consist of cylindrical rods that extend into the hole through the mounting plates. These rods can be secured by means of a press fit, and they allow easy removal and replacement.

Alternatively, the shape of the protrusions may be flattened, i.e. may have a more extended flat surface interacting with a recess in the anode. This will make it possible to distribute over 3,035,309 loads exerted by the anode block over a larger area. In one embodiment, the protrusions may consist of pins that are welded to the outside and / or inside of the corresponding mounting plate.

In FIG. 10, in cross-sectional view, on one side, an alternative construction of a mechanical fixing means is shown, in which there are slots 21, 22 in the lower part of the anode block 20, and recesses 100, 100 ′ are made in its upper part. Two fastening plates 5, 5 'are inserted into the recesses, respectively, and bolts 14, 15 are used to fasten the cross-plate plates to the anode block. The bolts 14, 15 pass through the holes in the fastening plates 5, 5' and are mounted in the recesses or holes in the anode block . The bolts can be threaded, and the corresponding thread can be made in the mounting plate and / or holes in the anode block 20.

In addition, in the upper parts of the suspension plates 4, 4 'there is an additional sheet material 16, 17 having better electrical conductivity, such as copper or the corresponding copper alloy, which will significantly reduce the voltage drop in this node. The additional sheet material may be either clad material or a material electrically integrated with the cross member plates using another means. Additional sheet material can also serve to optimize heat loss from the cross member.

Details of the connection between the 4,4 'hanging plates and the anode rod are also shown.

3. The figure shows two reinforcing parts 27, 28, which preferably can be welded to the suspension plates 4, 4 '. The reinforcing parts are preferably made of a metal material, such as steel, and enhance lateral stability of the cross member. It will also reduce the voltage drop between the anode rod and the cross member.

In addition, three-layer metal plates 18, 19, 26 are shown located between the suspension plates 4, 4 'and the anode rod 3, similarly shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 11 is a top view showing the same alternative construction as in FIG. 10, where the mounting plates 5, 5 'are attached to the anode block 20 by means of bolts 14, 14', 14 and 15, 15 ', 15.

In FIG. 12, in cross-sectional view, on one side, the same alternative construction is shown as in FIG. 10 and 11, where in the lower part of the anode block 20 there is a slit 21, and the mounting plate 5 is inserted on top. The fixing plate is fixed by means of bolts 14, 14 'and 14. The clad sheet material is indicated by 16, and the anode rod is indicated by 3.

The connection of the three-layer metal is indicated by reference numbers 18, 19, 26.

The dimensions of the suspension and mounting plates depend on which cross member is replaced.

For example, compared with a cross member with four 0180 mm nipples, the carbon contact area is doubled. A 20 mm thick mounting plate will reduce the cross section of heat-conducting steel by 50%.

This means that with a reduction in heat loss they sacrifice a voltage drop, but the voltage drop is still lower than for a cross with nipples, due to a 100% increase in the contact zone between the cross and carbon and a large cross-section of the bimetal.

An increase in the cross section of the plates will lead to an increase in heat loss and a reduction in the voltage drop, which is beneficial for increasing the current strength in the cell.

Downsizing will lead to a reduction in heat loss and an increase in voltage drop, and this can be beneficial for reducing the pole gap.

Suspension plates can be made of steel material with a thickness of 35 mm if there is no clad or composite material in this part. The mounting plate may be made of the same material with a thickness of 20 mm.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the clad copper (Cu) material may be 8 mm, while the thickness of the steel suspension plate is 20 mm. The mounting plate may have a thickness of 20 mm.

Crossbars with mounting plates, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the suspension plates, showed positive results regarding the reduction of heat loss through the anode cross member.

In an undisclosed embodiment, more than two cross member plates with corresponding slots in the anode block may be used. For example, a central cross member plate located between the two shown in the figures may be used.

In FIG. 13 shows a comparative voltage drop test on a single anode in accordance with the embodiment described above, having two pendant / fixing plates named paired (bottom curve) and on a reference prior art anode with a cross member having nipples, and in which on the top holes were made in the anode part, and the fastening was made using cast iron (upper curve). In the figure, the curves were made more suitable for printing by hand-drawing. The voltage drop is measured at appropriate locations on the anode rod and on the top of the anode.

- 4 035309

The curves show the voltage drop (vertical axis) versus time after starting in the electrolysis cell.

From the upper curve corresponding to the reference anode, it is seen that the average voltage drop is approximately 200 mV after stabilizing the passage of current.

From the lower curve relating to the anode in accordance with the invention, the voltage drop stabilized at about 120 mV.

Another comparative test was carried out between 8 anodes in accordance with the invention, such as described above (with a paired installation), and 8 standard anodes, where the average electrical resistance was measured and averaged over a period of operation (from new to used) (see table) .

Electrical resistance of a pair-mounted anode compared to a reference anode

Average electrical resistance Type of suspension per cycle

Ohm χ E-5

Average electrical resistance

Ohm χ E-5

Invention With a steam room 1.35 1.23 1.47 1.4 1,5 1.76 1,56 1.51 1.47 ± 0.16 setting Reference 2.12 2.34 2,32 2.03 2.12 2,33 2.06 2.23 2.19 ± 0.13

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 14, where an anode suspension 101 with a horizontally arranged suspension plate 104 and five fixing plates 105, 105 ′, 105, 105 ′, 105 is shown in perspective view. The fixing plate 105 has two protrusions 108 and 108 ′. Similarly, the mounting plate 105 also has two protrusions 108, 108 '(not shown). These four protrusions coincide with the corresponding recesses in the anode block, and the block can be suspended behind them.

As in FIG. 1, connecting elements 106, 106 ′, 106 between an anode rod and a suspension plate are shown. The connecting elements may be bimetallic and / or of a three-layer metal.

An insert 144 is also shown between the anode rod 103 and the suspension plate 104. The insert can be advantageous in that it separates the connecting elements from the heat and gases produced during the electrolysis. The insert 144 may be made of a metal material, such as steel, and may be welded to the suspension plate. However, in one embodiment, the suspension plate may be connected to the anode rod by means of connecting elements without any insert 144 (not shown). In another embodiment (not shown), the insert 144 can be made of several sheets of electrically conductive material and can also be arranged so that the sheets define a gas-tight space that can be filled with thermal insulation. A similar design can be applied to the suspension plates 4, 4 'in the first example. One advantage of this solution may be that it is possible to reduce and possibly eliminate the need to cover the upper part of the anode with a liner.

In FIG. 15, a perspective view shows the anode block 120, machined and prepared to secure the anode suspension 101. In this anode block 120, five recesses 113, 113 ′, 113, 113 ′, 113 are made into which the corresponding mounting plates mentioned above can be inserted. Furthermore, similarly to that shown in FIG. 7, holes 111, 111 ′, 111, 111 ′ and cut-out recesses 110, 110 ′, 110, 110 ′ are shown / marked for inserting corresponding protrusions 108, 108 ′, 108, 108 ′ on the outer mounting plates 105, 105 and in order to bear the weight of the anode block 120.

In FIG. 16, a perspective view shows an anode with an anode suspension comprising one anode rod 103, connecting elements 106, 106 ′, 106, insert 144, a suspension plate 104, mounted in an anode block 120.

It should be understood that the anode block can be attached to the electric current conductor by means of a crutch, a bolt or the like, connecting the mounting plates (105, 105) and the anode block (120).

During the mounting steps, electrically conductive particles fill the voids between the mounting plates and the recesses in the anode block, and an insulating mass (not shown) can be applied to the metal parts on the upper part of the anode as corrosion protection.

The protrusion 108, 108, 108 ', 108' in the above examples may consist of cylindrical rods that extend into the hole through the mounting plates. These rods can be secured by means of a press fit, and they allow easy removal and replacement.

Alternatively, the shape of the protrusions may be flattened, i.e. may have a more extended flat surface interacting with a recess in the anode. This will allow to distribute the loads exerted by the anode block over a larger area. In one embodiment, the protrusions may consist of pins that are welded to the outside and / or inside of the corresponding mounting plate.

In FIG. 17 shows a voltage drop test at one anode in accordance with this

- 5 035309 invention (lower curves) with a horizontal suspension plate in comparison with a conventional standard anode (upper curve). It can be seen that the voltage drop can be reduced with a resistance of about 12 μOhm relative to the conventional standard anode (lower curves).

In addition, the clad or composite material deposited on the suspension plates may be protected by a screen or any other suitable means to prevent wear. Suitable may be a screen made of steel sheet that covers the clad or composite material.

It should be understood that the main part of the recesses in the upper part of the anode for the mounting plates can be made when the anode is in an unprocessed state, i.e. before firing it. The main part of the recesses can also be made by means of a slotting device in the anode, for example, as shown in the applicant's publication EP 1781441 A1.

By acting in this way, it is possible to calibrate the recess by means of a rotating processing tool, either having a shape complementary to the final shape of the recess, or having dimensions smaller than that of the final shape. The tool can be arranged so as to be suitable for a CNC machine tool or similar machine, thus, machining (processing) will be performed automatically. In the machining process, openings are opened from above, and then the same tool or any other suitable tool is moved along the recesses inside the upper part of the anode to make closed indentations with load-bearing flanges 12, 12 '.

It should be understood that electrically conductive solids or particles can be made of any suitable metal, such as steel, iron, copper, aluminum, etc. or from their alloys. In addition, the form of solids can be spherical, oval or elliptical, scaly, or they can have any suitable shape. Particle size and distribution are subject to change. The maximum size, in general, will be limited by the space that needs to be filled. The uneven distribution of particle sizes can be convenient in order to obtain as compact a filling as possible with a small space between the particles.

In addition to possessing good electrical conductivity properties, the deposited material must have good mechanical properties (crushing properties), must be able to withstand high temperatures. Magnetic properties can be an advantage for processing at a cinder processing plant.

In addition, the size of the mentioned solids can take a value from 0.1 mm to a value close to the minimum clearance (space) between the mounting plates and the walls of the recesses in the anode block. Usually the size can be up to 10 mm.

Electrically conductive particles can be stored in a container or in a suitable storage in a larger quantity than is necessary to fill the recess in the anode. A tube attached to this container with a valve and a corresponding opening facing the slot can control the proper amount of particles supplied to the slot. Thus, transportation and distribution can be carried out by feeding under the influence of gravity. When filling, you can vibrate to get a more compact fill. The anode block and / or the beam of the cross member plate may vibrate. Alternatively, a vibrating rod may be placed in a recess filled with conductive particles to create vibration directly in the aggregate material.

In addition, a widely used anode insulation paste or other protective substance can be applied to create a sealing and protective layer over the electrically conductive particles.

Worn anodes can usually be treated in a sewage treatment plant where the cinder is removed from the cross member (after removal of the anode coating material). Preferably, the cinders are broken so that they fall apart mainly into several large pieces, divided along the direction of fixation. Otherwise, they may be crushed or knocked out of the suspension. Cinder is usually fed to the conveyor.

In cases where magnetically conductive particles have been used as the filling material, the anode cross member is preferably magnetized by appropriate means, as a result of which the particles will be attracted to the cross member during cinder removal.

After removing the cinder, the cross member is preferably transferred to another part of the treatment plant to restore the filling material. The cross member can then be demagnetized to allow the particles to lag behind. The remaining particles on the previously embedded portion of the cross-member can be removed by simple mechanical means, such as scraping, since the particles are easily removed.

As a final cleaning step, the previously embedded portion of the cross member can be blasted (e.g. sandblasted), preferably with particles of the same type that are compatible with the actual filling material, such as iron, steel or any other electrically conductive material. In addition, sandblasting may be carried out with sand, alumina or any other suitable material.

It should be understood that non-magnetic filling materials can also be recovered and reused, even if the removal and recovery technology is slightly different from that described above. Something like a sieve can be used to separate the cinder from the filling material.

Reduced filling material can be removed in the form of clusters of particles. These clusters may need to be crushed to more or less individual particles in order to be reused as filling material, determined by the lumen of the actual recess to be filled. Grinding can be performed by adapting a conventional device.

Claims (18)

1. An anode for use in the electrolysis process for the production of aluminum in HallAeru cells, the anode comprising a housing or block (120; 20) of calcined carbon-containing material connected to an electric current conductor, said current conductor being connected to the anode rod (3), and is also part of the anode suspension (101; 1), while the current conductor is embedded in the recess on the upper part of the carbon-containing block (120; 20), the width of the recess being greater than the width of the conductor, and it is filled only with electrically conductive granular material, while the current conductor and a block of calcined carbon-containing material is connected using mechanical fixing means, characterized in that the current conductor contains at least one metal suspension plate (104; 4, 4 ') of the metal material and has at least two mounting plates (105, 105; 5, 5 '), at least partially embedded by their lower parts into the corresponding recesses (113, 113; 13 , 13 ') in the upper part of the carbon block (120; 20), while the thickness of the mounting plates (105, 105; 5, 5 ') is less than the thickness of at least one suspension plate (104; 4, 4'), and at least one suspension plate (104; 4, 4 ') is electrically connected to the anode rod (103; 3) with its upper part, and at least one suspension plate (104; 4, 4') is connected to the anode rod (103; 3) through one or more connecting elements (106, 106 '; 6, 6', 7, 7 ', 7, 9), which are a bimetallic connecting element or a trimetallic connecting element, while at least one of the connecting elements (106, 106; 6, 6') is made with the possibility of increasing the contact area between the anode rod (103; 3) and the bimetallic or trimetallic compound. 2. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the connecting elements (106, 106; 6, 6 ') is a connection of a three-layer metal of triangular shape, with one part connected to the vertical surface of the anode rod (103; 3), and the other part is connected to the upper part of the suspension plate (104; 4, 4 '). 3. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension plates (104; 4, 4 ') are made of composite or clad material, where at least the upper parts of the suspension plates have a relatively better electrical conductivity compared to the lower parts. 4. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that there is one horizontally located suspension plate (104), in which on the lower surface there are two or more vertically located mounting plates (105, 150). 5. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension plate (104) is connected to the anode rod (103) through one insert (144). 6. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that there are at least two vertically located suspension plates (4, 4 '), which are connected with their lower ends to the mounting plates (5, 5'), respectively. 7. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive granular material contains particles having a spherical shape. 8. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive granular material contains particles having an oval or elliptical shape. 9. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive granular material contains magnetic particles. 10. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive granular material contains particles made of iron or an iron alloy. 11. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive granular material contains particles made of steel or a steel alloy. 12. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the anode block is attached to the electric current conductor by means of a crutch, bolt or similar element connecting the mounting plates (105, 105; 5, 5 ') and the anode block (120; 20) . 13. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the anode block is attached to the current conductor using a protruding fixation means (108, 108 ', 108, 108'; 8, 8 ', 8, 8') on the mounting plates (105 ' , 105; 5, 5 ') and cut notches (110, 110', 110, 110 '; 10, 10', 10, 10 ') located in the anode (120; 20). - 7 035309 14. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the material in the upper part of the suspension plates (104; 4, 4 ') contains copper (Cu). 15. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal material of the suspension plates (104; 4, 4 ') is steel. 16. The anode according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal material of the mounting plates (105; 5, 5 ') is steel. 17. A method of manufacturing an anode according to any one of claims 1 to 16, intended for use in an electrolysis process for the production of aluminum in Hall-Herou cells, the anode comprising a housing or block (20) of calcined carbon-containing material connected to a plate conductor of electric current, moreover, said current conductor is electrically connected to the anode rod (3) at one end, and is also embedded in a recess (13) at the top of said carbon-containing block (120; 20) at the other end, the width of the recess being greater than the width of the conductor, and it is only filled an electrically conductive granular material, the anode block being mechanically attached to the current conductor by means of a protruding mechanical fixing means (8) located on the current conductor, as well as a corresponding cut-out recess (10) located in the anode block, characterized in that the recess (13) is obtained by making an elongated slot or groove on the upper part of the anode block (20), then t hole (11) in the corresponding location of the recess (13), using a rotating processing tool, the hole being wider than the recess (13), and thereby set the entry point of the protruding means (8) of fixation, and then in the recess (13) embed recess (10) with flanges (12, 12 ') is performed by moving the processing tool along said recess (13) inside the anode block (20). 18. The method according to 17, characterized in that the rotary processing tool is designed to make holes (11) and cut recesses (10) in the calcined carbon-containing material by machining in the axial direction, followed by processing in the radial direction.