EP0345959B1 - Arrangement of busbars on large, transversely disposed electrolysis cells - Google Patents

Arrangement of busbars on large, transversely disposed electrolysis cells Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0345959B1
EP0345959B1 EP89305150A EP89305150A EP0345959B1 EP 0345959 B1 EP0345959 B1 EP 0345959B1 EP 89305150 A EP89305150 A EP 89305150A EP 89305150 A EP89305150 A EP 89305150A EP 0345959 B1 EP0345959 B1 EP 0345959B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cell
busbars
cells
disposed
short ends
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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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP89305150A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0345959A1 (en
Inventor
Hans Georg Tidemann Nebell
Fredrik Skatvedt
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Norsk Hydro ASA
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Norsk Hydro ASA
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    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an aluminium potline comprising rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged transversely in each row and more particularly to a potline having the current conducted through the bottom of the cells.
  • the cells in an aluminium potline are arranged in rows as mentioned above.
  • the distance between the rows, or rather the distance from the centre line of one row to another is from 30 to 50 meters.
  • the cells are arranged in two or more, equal number of rows in which extra busbars for the return current are avoided.
  • the current in two neighbouring rows flows in opposite directions.
  • a major problem with large aluminium potlines in which electric current of up to 300 kA is used is that the rows of reduction cells magnetically influence each other.
  • the molten metal forming the cathode at the bottom of each cell is influenced by electromagnetic forces due to the current being conducted through the metal.
  • More electric current is normally conducted around or under the short end of the cells facing the neighbouring row of cells than the other short ends.
  • This is a well known method which is already patented (see e.g. US-A-4194958). With the known solution it is thus possible to produce a vertical magnetic field which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis as well as the transverse axis of each cell.
  • the absolute values of the magnetic field will easily rise above 30 Gauss, in some cases more than 100 Gauss.
  • a potline for the electrolytic production of aluminium in accordance with the invention comprises rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged transversely in each row, each cell having at least one conductor projecting through the bottom of the cell for each carbon cathode block within the cell, and in which about half of the electric current is conducted to one cathode collector busbar and the other half to another collector busbar and is characterised in that the cathode collector busbars are disposed underneath the cell adjacent its long sides, and that electric current from the collector busbar which is disposed at the largest distance from the next cell in the row, is conducted to said next cell via two busbars provided at the short ends of the cell and via one or more pairs of busbars provided underneath the cell, whereof the two busbars at the short ends of the cell have a cross section enabling them to conduct about twice as much current as each of the busbars being provided underneath the cells.
  • Each cell in the potline may be provided with two busbars underneath the cell which are preferably positioned close to the short ends of the cell.
  • busbars may be provided underneath the cell with two of these busbars (K2,K5) preferably disposed at the short ends of the cell, whereas the two other busbars (K3,K4) are each preferably disposed in the middle between the short ends and the transverse axis of the cell.
  • Fig. 1 shows a vertical section of a reduction cell with the electric current output through the bottom.
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically the busbar arrangement for these cells as seen from above.
  • the number of cathode carbon blocks disposed, in parallel, in each cell depends upon the width of the carbon blocks. In large electrolysis cells the number may be up to 26; in this example 23 are shown (see Fig. 2).
  • One of the collector busbars B1 is disposed directly below the long side of the cell, and projects outwards for about 0,5 meter from the short ends of the cell.
  • the other collector busbar B2 is disposed similarly on the other side of the cell.
  • collector busbars B1, B2 in this embodiment are arranged directly below the long sides of the cells, theoretical calculations have shown that the collector busbars may be disposed somewhat on the outside of the cathode cells, preferably 0,5 meter from the sides.
  • Part of the electric current collected in the collector busbar B1 is conducted to cell No. 2 via two busbars, K1 and K6, which are disposed at each end of the cells, at about the same height as or a bit lower than the molten metal in the cell, (see Fig. 2, Cell No. 2).
  • the rest of the current is conducted to the collector busbar B2 via 4 busbars, K2,K3, K4 and K5 underneath the cell and then to the next cell via raiser busbars S1,S2,S3,S4 and S5.
  • the current distribution in the six busbars K1-K6 conducting electric current from the collector busbar B1 is, according to the invention, primarily dependent upon the size of the cross sections of the busbars K1 to K6. If the rows of cells are positioned far enough apart from one another, for instance 50 meters or more, the cross sections of the busbars K1 and K6 ought to be twice the size of the cross section of the busbars K2,K3,K4 and K5. This will give an electric current in the busbars K1 and K6 which is twice the size of current in the busbars K2 to K5, and the current distribution will give a very favourable magnetic field.
  • a potline as described herein provides low maximum absolute values for the vertical magnetic field which is below 10 Gauss for the whole anode. Simultaneously, the cells are completely compensated for the magnetic influence of the dominating neighbouring row and the number of busbars required is reduced.

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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)
  • Massaging Devices (AREA)
  • Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)

Description

  • This invention relates to an aluminium potline comprising rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged transversely in each row and more particularly to a potline having the current conducted through the bottom of the cells.
  • Commonly the cells in an aluminium potline are arranged in rows as mentioned above. The distance between the rows, or rather the distance from the centre line of one row to another is from 30 to 50 meters. Advantageously the cells are arranged in two or more, equal number of rows in which extra busbars for the return current are avoided. The current in two neighbouring rows flows in opposite directions.
  • A major problem with large aluminium potlines in which electric current of up to 300 kA is used is that the rows of reduction cells magnetically influence each other. The molten metal forming the cathode at the bottom of each cell is influenced by electromagnetic forces due to the current being conducted through the metal. To compensate for the unwanted, vertical magnetic field vector caused by the dominant neighbouring row, more electric current is normally conducted around or under the short end of the cells facing the neighbouring row of cells than the other short ends. This is a well known method which is already patented (see e.g. US-A-4194958). With the known solution it is thus possible to produce a vertical magnetic field which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis as well as the transverse axis of each cell. However, the absolute values of the magnetic field will easily rise above 30 Gauss, in some cases more than 100 Gauss.
  • Also, this known solution requires an appreciable number of busbars to be used, with the result that investment costs are increased.
  • A potline for the electrolytic production of aluminium in accordance with the invention comprises rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged transversely in each row, each cell having at least one conductor projecting through the bottom of the cell for each carbon cathode block within the cell, and in which about half of the electric current is conducted to one cathode collector busbar and the other half to another collector busbar and is characterised in that the cathode collector busbars are disposed underneath the cell adjacent its long sides, and that electric current from the collector busbar which is disposed at the largest distance from the next cell in the row, is conducted to said next cell via two busbars provided at the short ends of the cell and via one or more pairs of busbars provided underneath the cell, whereof the two busbars at the short ends of the cell have a cross section enabling them to conduct about twice as much current as each of the busbars being provided underneath the cells.
  • This results in the improved running of the reduction cells by reducing the absolute value of the vertical magnetic field to a minimum level. Further, it eliminates the magnetic influence from the dominant neighbouring row of cells and reduces the number of busbars used, thereby lowering investment costs.
  • Each cell in the potline may be provided with two busbars underneath the cell which are preferably positioned close to the short ends of the cell.
  • Alternatively four busbars may be provided underneath the cell with two of these busbars (K2,K5) preferably disposed at the short ends of the cell, whereas the two other busbars (K3,K4) are each preferably disposed in the middle between the short ends and the transverse axis of the cell.
  • The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Fig. 1 shows a vertical section of a reduction cell with the electric current output through the bottom.
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically the busbar arrangement for these cells as seen from above.
  • During the electrolytic process electric current is led from an anode A through the electrolytic bath and the molten metal M and further down through a carbon cathode C to two cathode steel bars I, two cathode bars I being provided for each carbon block. Normally the steel bars I project through the sides of the cells, but in this embodiment an electric conductor R, made of copper or steel, is welded on to the middle of each cathode steel bar I. The current is conducted through the bottom of the cell via conductors R and flexible conductors F to current collector busbars, B1, B2.
  • The number of cathode carbon blocks disposed, in parallel, in each cell depends upon the width of the carbon blocks. In large electrolysis cells the number may be up to 26; in this example 23 are shown (see Fig. 2).
  • One of the collector busbars B1 is disposed directly below the long side of the cell, and projects outwards for about 0,5 meter from the short ends of the cell. The other collector busbar B2 is disposed similarly on the other side of the cell.
  • Although the collector busbars B1, B2 in this embodiment are arranged directly below the long sides of the cells, theoretical calculations have shown that the collector busbars may be disposed somewhat on the outside of the cathode cells, preferably 0,5 meter from the sides.
  • Part of the electric current collected in the collector busbar B1 is conducted to cell No. 2 via two busbars, K1 and K6, which are disposed at each end of the cells, at about the same height as or a bit lower than the molten metal in the cell, (see Fig. 2, Cell No. 2). The rest of the current is conducted to the collector busbar B2 via 4 busbars, K2,K3, K4 and K5 underneath the cell and then to the next cell via raiser busbars S1,S2,S3,S4 and S5.
  • The current distribution in the six busbars K1-K6 conducting electric current from the collector busbar B1 is, according to the invention, primarily dependent upon the size of the cross sections of the busbars K1 to K6. If the rows of cells are positioned far enough apart from one another, for instance 50 meters or more, the cross sections of the busbars K1 and K6 ought to be twice the size of the cross section of the busbars K2,K3,K4 and K5. This will give an electric current in the busbars K1 and K6 which is twice the size of current in the busbars K2 to K5, and the current distribution will give a very favourable magnetic field.
  • By using mathematical models for calculating the current distribution in all of the busbars of the busbar arrangement and the magnetic field in the metal cathode in the cells, it is possible to accurately calculate the cross sections which will give the most favourable magnetic field.
  • A potline as described herein provides low maximum absolute values for the vertical magnetic field which is below 10 Gauss for the whole anode. Simultaneously, the cells are completely compensated for the magnetic influence of the dominating neighbouring row and the number of busbars required is reduced.

Claims (3)

  1. A potline for the electrolytic production of aluminium comprising rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged transversely in each row, each cell consisting of a plurality of carbon cathode blocks and having at least one conductor projecting through the bottom of the cell for each carbon cathode block within the cell, and in which about half of the electric current is conducted to one cathode collector busbar and the other half to another collector busbar, characterised in that the cathode collector busbars (B1,B2) are disposed underneath the cell adjacent each of its long sides, and that electric current from the collector busbar (B1) which is disposed at the largest distance from the next cell in the row, is conducted to said next cell via two busbars (K1,K6) provided at the short ends of the cell and via one or more pairs (K2,K3,K4,K5) of busbars provided underneath the cell, whereof the two busbars (K1,K6) at the short ends of the cell have a cross section enabling them to conduct about twice as much current as each of the busbars being provided underneath the cells.
  2. A potline according to Claim 1, characterised in that two busbars (K2,K5) are provided underneath the cell and that the two busbars are positioned close to the short ends of the cell.
  3. A potline according to Claim 1, characterised in that four busbars are provided underneath the cell and that two of these busbars (K2,K5) are disposed at the short ends of the cell, whereas the two other busbars (K3,K4) are each disposed in the middle between the short ends and the transverse axis of the cell.
EP89305150A 1988-06-06 1989-05-22 Arrangement of busbars on large, transversely disposed electrolysis cells Expired - Lifetime EP0345959B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO882485A NO164721C (en) 1988-06-06 1988-06-06 ASSEMBLY OF SKIN SYSTEMS ON LARGE TRANSFERRED ELECTRIC OVERS.
NO882485 1988-06-06

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0345959A1 EP0345959A1 (en) 1989-12-13
EP0345959B1 true EP0345959B1 (en) 1993-03-10

Family

ID=19890954

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89305150A Expired - Lifetime EP0345959B1 (en) 1988-06-06 1989-05-22 Arrangement of busbars on large, transversely disposed electrolysis cells

Country Status (9)

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EP (1) EP0345959B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1020480C (en)
AU (1) AU619299B2 (en)
BR (1) BR8902633A (en)
DE (1) DE68905242T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2039859T3 (en)
NO (1) NO164721C (en)
NZ (1) NZ229292A (en)
RU (1) RU1813124C (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998053120A1 (en) * 1997-05-23 1998-11-26 Moltech Invent S.A. Aluminium production cell and cathode
US6087800A (en) * 1999-03-12 2000-07-11 Eaton Corporation Integrated soft starter for electric motor
CA2457363C (en) * 2001-08-09 2009-07-28 Alcoa Inc. Component cathode collector bar
CN100451177C (en) * 2004-08-06 2009-01-14 贵阳铝镁设计研究院 Asymmetric type tank bottom bus and current distributing style
CN100439566C (en) * 2004-08-06 2008-12-03 贵阳铝镁设计研究院 Five power-on bus distributing style with different current
NO332480B1 (en) * 2006-09-14 2012-09-24 Norsk Hydro As Electrolysis cell and method of operation of the same
NO331318B1 (en) 2007-04-02 2011-11-21 Norsk Hydro As Procedure for operation of electrolysis cells connected in series as well as busbar system for the same
FI121472B (en) * 2008-06-05 2010-11-30 Outotec Oyj Method for Arranging Electrodes in the Electrolysis Process, Electrolysis System and Method Use, and / or System Use

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO139829C (en) * 1977-10-19 1979-05-16 Ardal Og Sunndal Verk DEVICE FOR COMPENSATION OF HARMFUL MAGNETIC EFFECT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE ROWS OF TRANSFERRED ELECTROLYSIS OILS FOR MELTING ELECTROLYTIC MANUFACTURE OF ALUMINUM
US4194959A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-03-25 Alcan Research And Development Limited Electrolytic reduction cells
CH648065A5 (en) * 1982-06-23 1985-02-28 Alusuisse RAIL ARRANGEMENT FOR ELECTROLYSIS CELLS OF AN ALUMINUM HUT.
FR2552782B1 (en) * 1983-10-04 1989-08-18 Pechiney Aluminium ELECTROLYSIS TANK WITH INTENSITY HIGHER THAN 250,000 AMPERES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM BY THE HALL-HEROULT PROCESS

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR8902633A (en) 1990-01-23
CN1038846A (en) 1990-01-17
NO164721C (en) 1990-11-07
DE68905242D1 (en) 1993-04-15
NO164721B (en) 1990-07-30
DE68905242T2 (en) 1993-08-12
NZ229292A (en) 1991-01-29
NO882485D0 (en) 1988-06-06
AU3606689A (en) 1989-12-07
CN1020480C (en) 1993-05-05
EP0345959A1 (en) 1989-12-13
RU1813124C (en) 1993-04-30
NO882485L (en) 1989-12-07
ES2039859T3 (en) 1993-10-01
AU619299B2 (en) 1992-01-23

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